Bangladesh women’s cricket captain Nigar Sultana is determined to break her team’s winless streak in the Women’s T20 World Cup, starting with their opening match against Scotland on October 3. Bangladesh has not won a game in the last four editions of the tournament and their captain is keen to change that narrative this time around.
Sultana emphasized the significance of winning the first match to set the tone for the rest of the tournament. “Winning the first match will be a huge achievement for the team,” she said. “It will get us into a flow, and then we can dream of achieving something bigger. We are hungry for it.”
Despite being optimistic, Sultana is not underestimating Scotland, acknowledging that they are a competitive side. “Scotland are playing good cricket. They won’t give up without a fight. We are mentally prepared for the challenges ahead,” she added.
Breaking the World Cup Drought
Bangladesh has only won one game in their five Women’s T20 World Cup appearances, with the last victory coming in 2014 against Sri Lanka. Sultana, who has played in four World Cups, expressed her desire to finally secure a win after years of frustration. “Playing well only means something when you can win,” she remarked.
Bangladesh is aiming for a bigger goal this time around—challenging teams like England, West Indies, and South Africa to secure a spot in the semi-finals. “To play in the semi-finals, we need to beat those three teams as well,” Sultana explained. “We have different plans for each opponent, and if we can execute our gameplans, it will work in our favor.”
The team is hopeful, especially with their strong spin attack, which has been a key weapon for Bangladesh in T20 cricket. They have defeated South Africa in T20Is twice, and although England has proven a difficult opponent, Bangladesh is banking on their spinners to create an upset.
Adjusting to New Venues
Originally, the tournament was supposed to take place in Bangladesh, but it was relocated to the UAE due to political unrest. Although this change could have posed a challenge, Sultana and her team are looking at it as an opportunity to adapt quickly. “We prepared for the World Cup thinking it would be held at home, but now that it’s in the UAE, we are ready to face new challenges. Other teams will face similar conditions, so the faster we can adapt, the better we will perform,” she said.
Bangladesh has previously played in the UAE, during the 2021 series in Abu Dhabi, which gives them some familiarity with the conditions. The team will also have two warm-up matches to get accustomed to Sharjah, where they will be playing for the first time.
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Batting Concerns and New Hope
Bangladesh’s batting lineup has been a concern, especially after recent series losses to India and Australia, followed by defeats in the Women’s Asia Cup. However, Sultana is hopeful that newcomers like Shathi Rani and uncapped middle-order batter Taj Nehar will bring fresh energy to the team.
“Taj doesn’t have much experience, but she has shown great approach and intent in domestic tournaments,” Sultana noted. “Shathi was the highest run-getter in the [Women’s National Cricket] League and can be aggressive in the powerplay. I hope they continue their form in the World Cup.”
Spin Attack Key to Success
Bangladesh will heavily rely on their spin attack, led by experienced left-arm spinner Nahida Akter and rising star Rabeya Khan. Rabeya, who has taken 14 wickets in 12 T20I matches this year, has become one of the team’s key players. “Rabeya has been a revelation for us,” Sultana said. “She’s one of our finest bowlers and contributes in both formats. I rely on her and Nahida in tough situations.”
Bangladesh’s journey in the T20 World Cup will hinge on their ability to execute their plans, especially with their spin-heavy approach. If they can break their World Cup winless streak and build momentum early on, they could well challenge the stronger teams in their group.
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