As a crucial training ground for the forthcoming ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, which will take place in Pakistan from April 4 to April 19, 2025 (official confirmation awaited), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has given the Women’s Dhaka Premier League (WDPL) a lot of attention.
Before the national team embarks on the crucial qualification campaign, the tournament—which typically occurs later in the year—was rearranged to give them much-needed competitive match experience. Under the leadership of Nigar Sultana Joty, captain of the national team, Sheltech Cricket Club dominated the WDPL this season, winning seven straight games to take the title.
But the league has accomplished more than just selecting Dhaka’s top women’s 50-over local squad; it has also assisted the Bangladeshi national team in polishing their craft and gaining momentum before the important qualifiers.
Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, the chairman of the BCB women’s wing, emphasised the importance of scheduling the WDPL so that players can participate in ideal conditions and obtain significant expertise prior to the qualifications.
“The Women’s Premier League is going on, and it’s very important for this year because right after this, the team will head to Pakistan for the World Cup qualification tournament, where there are teams such as West Indies and Sri Lanka,” Fahim stated in a BCB video message.
Bangladesh will have a difficult time qualifying for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, as there are only two spots up for grabs. Hosts India, Australia, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand, are among the six nations who have already guaranteed direct entry, making the qualifications a very competitive battlefield. Competitive teams like the West Indies, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, and the hosts, Pakistan, will go up against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s batting strategy, in particular the strike rates of their top-order batters, has been one of their main worries. While seasoned players are failing to maintain a strike rate of over 80s, indicating a cautious approach to play, with 277 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 112, emerging talent Shorna Akter stood out as a star performer—exactly the kind of effect Bangladesh needs in contemporary women’s cricket.
Fahim admitted to this problem, saying, “We have seen that the team is dependent on one or two individuals. We can talk about Nigar Sultana Joty, and there have been sporadic performances from some players. In this year’s league, we have found players we can depend upon, who have consistently scored runs.
“At the same time, a player’s strike rate is also very important. After the league, the players will have a short camp which will take place on either side of Eid and then the team will depart for Pakistan. We are hoping that the team will qualify for the World Cup.”
After losing to West Indies 2-1 in the January ODI series, Bangladesh were not able to qualify directly for the World Cup. The WDPL has given the participants a chance to develop their craft and boost their confidence before the crucial qualifying matches.
The WDPL has proven to be a useful step in preparing Bangladesh’s team for the toughest challenge ahead, as the BCB prioritises both short-term success and long-term progress. It is now hoped that the knowledge and momentum gathered from the domestic season will result in a victorious qualifying campaign and, eventually, a spot at the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
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