Bangladesh Women’s cricket is riding a wave of history in the ICC Women’s World Cup, and at the heart of this surge is one name lighting up the scoreboard with consistency, flair, and sheer determination — Nigar Sultana Joty.
The skipper has delivered three consecutive half-centuries in as many matches, and each knock has not only elevated her stature but has also powered Bangladesh to record-shattering team totals, with their latest outing resulting in their highest-ever ODI score.
The latest chapter unfolded on April 15 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore during the 10th match of the tournament, where Bangladesh locked horns with Scotland. Winning the toss in this high-stakes clash, Nigar led from the front after deciding to bat first. Bangladesh posted a mammoth 276/6 — their highest total in Women’s ODI history. The innings was built on a composed start and fueled by a game-changing knock from the captain herself, who smashed a blistering 83 off just 59 balls, laced with 11 boundaries. Her fearless approach pushed the Scottish bowlers onto the back foot and changed the tempo of the match. Prior to that, Fargana Hoque (57 off 84) and Sharmin Akhter (57 off 79) had stitched a crucial second-wicket stand, anchoring the innings after a steady yet cautious beginning. A handy 26 from Fahima Khatun in the final overs added finishing touches to the imposing total. While Scotland’s bowlers toiled hard, Kathryn Bryce was the pick of the attack with 2/53 in 9 overs, supported by one wicket apiece from Chloe Abel, Priyanaz Chatterji, Rachel Slater, and Katherine Fraser.
This wasn’t the first time in the tournament that Nigar stood tall under pressure. In Bangladesh’s 3rd match of the campaign against Ireland, the skipper once again played a pivotal role. Chasing 236, Bangladesh found themselves reeling after both openers were dismissed inside the first five overs. Walking in under pressure, Joty joined hands with Sharmin Akhter for a crucial 52-run stand for the third wicket, steadying the ship. Her composed 51 off 68 balls anchored the innings before she was dismissed in the 26th over. With the game hanging in balance, it was the unbeaten 9th-wicket partnership between Nahida Akter (18* off 17) and Ritu Moni (67* off 61) that sealed the deal, guiding Bangladesh home with two wickets to spare. That half-century wasn’t just about runs; it was about timing, calmness, and leadership when it mattered most.
The run of form began in style during the 3rd match of the Qualifiers against Thailand. On that day, Nigar Sultana Joty wrote herself into the history books with a career-defining knock — her maiden international century. Electing to field first, Thailand were quickly under siege as Joty launched an all-out assault. She crafted a majestic 101 off just 80 balls, peppered with 15 fours and a six, finishing with a strike rate of 126.25. The innings not only marked her personal best but also earned the distinction of being the fastest century scored in Pakistan in Women’s ODIs, eclipsing Chamari Athapaththu’s 101 off 85 balls set in Karachi in 2022.
This was Joty’s 49th innings from 54 ODIs, and she now boasts a total of 1,177 runs, with today’s innings standing tall as her best to date. The brilliance didn’t stop there — her 152-run partnership with Sharmin Akhter set a new benchmark as the highest-ever stand for Bangladesh in Women’s ODIs. With Jannatul Ferdus (5/7) and Fahima Khatun (5/21) wreaking havoc with the ball, Bangladesh clinched a commanding 178-run victory.
Three back-to-back fifties against Thailand, Ireland, and now Scotland have placed Joty in elite company, joining Fargana Hoque as the only other Bangladeshi woman to score three successive 50+ scores in ODIs. Hoque did it against Ireland in 2024.
As the tournament rolls on, Bangladesh not only boasts of new records — 276/6 against Scotland and 271/3 against Thailand being their two highest ODI totals — but also of a leader in sublime form. With Nigar Sultana Joty blazing the trail, the message is loud and clear: Bangladesh Women are here to compete, break barriers, and leave their mark.
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