The Bangladesh women’s cricket team was last involved in a limited-overs series against India at home which concluded on 22nd July 2023. The limited-overs series consisted of a three-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series. The home side lost the T20I series with a 2-1 margin. However, Bangladesh bounced back well to share the three-match ODI series (1-1).
“It’s important for the team how we prepare. I would say that we have worked extremely hard in the last month and we will see the result of our hard work going forward. The new faces are not really new at the moment. They played the India series and gained a lot of experience. They are here because they are capable. We are in good shape and our goal would be to do well as a team,” Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty spoke about her team’s preparations in a media interaction in Mirpur ahead of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
The 19th edition of the Asian Games is all set to get underway from 19th September 2023 in Hangzhou, China. Cricket will be making its return to the Asian Games for the first time since 2014. A total number of nine teams will be participating in the tournament, namely Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mongolia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Five teams, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Thailand have already qualified for the Quarter-Finals as per the ICC Women’s T20I Rankings.
The Bangladesh Women’s team has won silver medals in the last couple of editions of the Asian Games and the skipper Nigar Sultana Joty is hopeful of her side going one step further to clinch the gold medal this time around. The Bangladesh skipper will be making her maiden appearance in the Asian Games.
“I feel that there is a big difference between winning a trophy and winning a medal. We won the gold medal in the 2019 South Asian Games and I felt that the enjoyment factor was different compared to winning a trophy. I would say that everyone’s wish is to get the best result for Bangladesh. Bringing gold would be a big achievement and there are expectations,” Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty speaks about the difference of winning at the Asian Games.
Bangladesh Women’s Squad for the Asian Games:
Nigar Sultana Joty (C), Nahida Akter, Shathi Rani, Farjana Hoque Pinky, Shamima Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Lata Mondol, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Marufa Akter, Disha Biswas.
Reserves: Salma Khatun, Murshida Khatun, and Asrafi Yeasmin Arthy.
(Quotes sourced from The Daily Star)
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