News Flash
DHAKA, June 1, 2026 (BSS) — Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty believes that her side is boasted with all ingredients to compete with the world's best teams at the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup, as she prepares to lead the team in the showcase event for the third time.
The tournament will mark Bangladesh's seventh appearance at the Women's T20 World Cup and Joty's sixth participation overall since making her debut in the competition as an 18-year-old in 2016.
Reflecting on her journey, Nigar described captaining Bangladesh on the global stage as both a privilege and a challenge.
"The most pleasing thing has been seeing the growth of our younger players and the team spirit we are building," Nigar wrote in her column for International Cricket Council (ICC).
Bangladesh heads into the tournament encouraged by its progress in recent years, particularly after ending a 10-year wait for a Women's T20 World Cup victory by defeating Scotland in 2024.
Nigar said that breakthrough win was a significant milestone for the team and one they hope to build upon this year.
Bangladesh have been placed in a challenging group featuring several teams like India, Australia, South Africa, and Pakistan. Those team have strong records in ICC events and regularly feature in semifinals and finals. Despite the tough draw, Joty believes her side can compete with any opponent.
"We believe that we can win any game we go into, and we are hoping to have our best-ever tournament," she said.
Bangladesh will also face tournament debutants the Netherlands, a side they defeated during the qualification campaign. Joty said the team's unbeaten run in the qualifier was crucial in building confidence ahead of the World Cup.
While Bangladesh has struggled for consistent results in bilateral cricket since the last Women's Cricket World Cup, Joty pointed to several encouraging individual performances.
Shorna Akter and Sharmin Akhter impressed with the bat during the recent series against Sri Lanka, while Sultana Khatun claimed career-best bowling figures in the final match despite Bangladesh suffering a narrow defeat.
The team is currently competing in a tri-series in Edinburgh involving Scotland and the Netherlands as part of its preparations for the World Cup and to gain experience in conditions similar to those expected in England.
The upcoming event will be Bangladesh's first major women's tournament in England, presenting a new challenge for the players.
"It will take some time to get used to the conditions, but we are excited to see what we can do," Joty said.
The Bangladesh captain also welcomed the increase in prize money for this year's tournament, saying it could have a significant impact on the development of women's cricket in the country.
She believes the popularity of the T20 format continues to drive the growth of the women's game worldwide because of its excitement and intensity.
"The T20 format has a huge impact on the growth of women's cricket globally and we are excited to be a part of it," Joty concluded.
