'Bangladesh Ready To Seize Opportunity' Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty Confident Of Positive Start To Women's T20 World Cup

In a column for the ICC, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty shares her thoughts before the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Bangladesh enter their seventh T20 World Cup, while it is Joty's sixth. She is set to captain the side for a third time.

Joty recalls her first Women's T20 World Cup in 2016, when she was 18 years old. She describes her journey as captain as both a challenge and a privilege. Her main joy now is watching younger players grow and the team spirit improve.

The captain highlights clear progress in 2024, when Bangladesh earned their first Women's T20 World Cup win in 10 years. That victory over Scotland is a key moment for the team. She says the squad wants to build on that result at this year's tournament.

Women's T20 World Cup: Tough group and focus on confidence

Bangladesh have been placed in a tough group, against teams that often reach finals and semi-finals. Joty says the team believes they can win any match they play. The aim is to produce their best-ever World Cup campaign and show steady progress on the field.

Bangladesh will also face the Netherlands, who are making their Women's T20 World Cup debut. Joty notes that Bangladesh beat them in the Qualifier. She says winning every match in that event mattered, not only qualifying, as it built belief across the squad.

Recent series and key performers

Joty admits recent bilateral series since the last Women's Cricket World Cup have not brought the results they wanted. However, she points to strong individual displays. Shorna Akter and Sharmin Akhter batted well against Sri Lanka, while Sultana Khatun took career-best figures in the final, narrow defeat.

Bangladesh are now playing a tri-series in Edinburgh against Scotland and the Netherlands. Joty says these games are useful for adjusting to local conditions. The coming World Cup will be Bangladesh's first time playing in England, so the group stage will demand quick learning.

Prize money rise and role of T20 format

Joty welcomes the increase in prize money for this year's Women's T20 World Cup. She believes it can have a big effect on women's cricket in Bangladesh. She also says T20 cricket draws more interest, with higher intensity, and is vital for the global growth of the women's game.