Fact Check: Viral Burqa Photo of Bangladesh Team is AI Fake; ICC Rules Explained

Fact Check: Viral Burqa Photo of Bangladesh Team is AI Fake; ICC Rules Explained

Seen that wild photo of the Bangladesh women’s cricket team playing in burqas at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025? It’s everywhere. But you need to know the truth: it’s completely fake. An AI-generated image fooled thousands, but the real story is much simpler.

Key Takeaways

  • The Claim: A viral image suggested Bangladeshi cricketers wore burqas against New Zealand.
  • The Reality: The image is AI-generated. Players wore their official green and red jerseys.
  • The Proof: A visible Google AI Gemini logo and confirmation from Google’s SynthID Detector.
  • The Real Match: New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by 100 runs in Guwahati on October 10, 2025.

The Viral Hoax Explained

An image started spreading like wildfire right after the Bangladesh vs. New Zealand match on October 10, 2025. It claimed to show the players competing in full burqas, sparking a massive debate online. People were shocked and confused. But honestly, it didn’t take long for the truth to surface.

Fact-checking outlets like India Today and Free Press Journal quickly investigated. What they found kills the story completely.

How We Know It’s Fake

Look, the proof is right there in the picture. Multiple reports pointed out a visible logo for Google’s AI tool, Gemini, in the viral photo. On top of that, Google’s own SynthID Detector confirmed the image was either created or edited by AI. It’s not a real photograph.

There’s zero credible evidence from official match coverage or live broadcasts to support the claim. The players simply wore their standard green and red national team jerseys.

What Really Happened in Guwahati

So, what was the real story on the field? It was a tough day for Bangladesh. The actual match took place in Guwahati, and New Zealand dominated the game from the start. They secured a convincing 100-run victory over Bangladesh. That’s the real headline from that day, not a manufactured controversy.

The Real ICC Dress Code

But could a player even wear a burqa in an ICC event? The answer is no. The ICC’s regulations are clear. While burqas are not permitted, the rules do allow female players to wear hijabs, provided they don’t obscure logos and names on their uniforms.

Yeah, we’ve even seen it happen. Scotland’s Abtaha Maqsood famously played in a hijab during the T20 World Cup 2024. So did Pakistan’s Quratulain Ahsen in the U19 T20 World Cup. It’s allowed, but the viral image showed something entirely different and against the rules.

This whole episode is a stark reminder of how easily AI can create convincing fakes. It’s getting harder to tell what’s real. So, what’s the wildest sports rumor you’ve ever fallen for online?