As the Bangladesh women’s cricket team, aka the Tigresses, prepare to depart for Pakistan to compete in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifier 2025, Captain Nigar Sultana Joty stands resolute in her vision to elevate the team’s status on the global stage.
With only two spots available for progression to the World Cup, the Tigresses face formidable opponents such as the West Indies and hosts Pakistan. Yet, Joty remains optimistic about her team’s potential, emphasizing the need for a strategic shift to enhance their brand of cricket and build on past achievements.
The remarkable Asia Cup Triumph in 2018 was potentially a game-changing landmark achievement for the Bangladesh women’s team. But, in recent years, the Tigresses have failed to maintain the consistency that was expected from them after the triumph. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted their momentum, with fewer matches played over two years, effectively halting their development. This setback is candidly acknowledged by Joty, who stresses that the team’s progress was directly impacted by the lack of game time.
“When we won the Asia Cup, there was a revolution, and we were doing well. But then, due to COVID, we had fewer matches over two years, which was a huge setback,” she explained. “We had momentum after 2018, with increasing media attention and growing inspiration among players. If we had played more tournaments and maintained continuity, our cricket would have progressed further.”
As far as the T20I format is concerned, the Nigar Sultana Joty-led side suffered a whitewash (3–0) in both their recent assignments against Ireland and the West Indies. In both of those series, on average didn’t manage to cross the 160-run mark even once in those encounters. It sends an alarming sign for the Bangladeshi Tigresses, calling for an immediate change towards a more proactive approach from them if they are to keep challenging the higher-ranked sides in the women’s game.
Joty recognizes the necessity for the Tigresses to adapt their playing style to match the fast-paced nature of modern cricket. Traditionally, teams often relied on scoring 200 runs and defending it, but this strategy is no longer viable on better batting surfaces abroad.
“Having qualified after playing India and Pakistan under the FTP last time, we stagnated again. It’s on us to get out of this situation. At home, we play a certain way, but when we face better surfaces abroad, we struggle. To move forward, individuals need to step out of their comfort zones, adapt to different styles, and play different brands of cricket. In modern cricket, expecting to score 200 and defend it is really difficult on good wickets,” she noted.
The arrival of David Hemp as the new batting coach has been pivotal in bringing about a mindset shift within the team. Hemp’s emphasis on clarity and defined roles for each player comes at a crucial time, particularly after the Women’s Dhaka Premier League (WDPL), which served as vital preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers camp.
“The new coaching staff emphasizes having a clear mindset before a tournament. That’s why the squad was finalized early, allowing players to focus on their roles rather than worrying about selection or performing in practice matches,” Joty explained.
She reiterated that this tournament is not just about qualifying but also about growing as a team and expanding the visibility of women’s cricket in Bangladesh. ICC events provide more frequent international fixtures, which are crucial for the development of the players and the sport’s popularity in the region.
The Nigar Sultana Joty-led side will play a couple of warm-up games against Scotland and Ireland on the 5th and 7th of April 2025 ahead of the six-team World Qualifiers that will get underway on the 9th of April 2025 in Pakistan.
The top two sides will secure their ticket to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in India in September–October later this year. Bangladesh will start their campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers on 10th April 2025 (Thursday) against Naruemol Chaiwai-led Thailand at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground, from 10 AM IST onwards.
(Quotes sourced from The Daily Star)
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