Bangladesh women’s cricket team captain Nigar Sultana Joty has set a clear objective for the upcoming Asia Cup: reaching the final. Having repeatedly stalled at the semi-final stage in previous tournaments, the skipper emphasized that simply qualifying for the knockouts is no longer the team’s benchmark.
The squad is currently finalizing preparations at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium before departing for the tournament on August 26. The competition, hosted in Dubai, begins on August 28, with Bangladesh drawn into Group B alongside defending champions Sri Lanka, the UAE, and Indonesia.
Joty stressed the importance of winning the group to secure a more favorable path through the tournament. “The group-stage matches are very important because if we can become group champions, we will not have to face India in the semi-final. The situation becomes much tougher when we face India in the semi-finals,” she explained. Bangladesh opens their campaign against Indonesia on August 31, followed by matches against Sri Lanka on September 6 and the UAE on September 8.
Reflecting on the team’s readiness, Joty noted that the preparation phase has been productive, bolstered by several practice matches, including two held in Sri Lanka to acclimatize to regional conditions. She believes this groundwork will be vital for breaking their recurring semi-final barrier.
Looking beyond the Asia Cup, the captain views the tournament as a critical stepping stone for the Asian Games in Japan. “If we can play the Asia Cup in a better way, it will also create a big opportunity for us in the Asian Games,” Joty stated. The team is aiming for a podium finish, with the skipper adding, “Our first target is to go there and win a medal. We want to bring home a medal, and if it is gold, that would be even bigger.”
The women’s cricket event at the Asian Games will be contested in the T20 format at Korogi Sports Park in Aichi. Bangladesh is scheduled to face China in the first quarter-final on September 17. The team has a history of success at the event, having secured a silver medal in 2010 and a bronze in the 2022 edition.
Ultimately, Joty believes that performing well in the UAE will provide the necessary confidence and momentum for their campaign in Japan. By adapting to the conditions and executing their plans effectively, the team hopes to capitalize on their current form to achieve success in both international tournaments. The report also notes that and according to their skipper, they are eyeing to break the jinx in the UAE, bangladesh have repeatedly made it to the semi-finals without managing to go one step further. The report also notes that we have played in the semi-finals before and then been knocked out. The report also notes that so we want to break that barrier this time,” Joty said after an official photo session on Monday, the same thing has happened repeatedly.
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