Sharjah: As Bangladesh gears up for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, team captain Nigar Sultana expressed optimism about the tournament’s potential to unite her nation, despite the disappointment of the venue shift from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates due to security concerns.
According to International Cricket Council, Sultana highlighted the deep connection between the Bangladeshi people and cricket, describing the sport as a significant unifier. She detailed the team’s initial excitement to host the tournament and their subsequent letdown when it was relocated. However, Sultana stressed that the World Cup presents an ideal opportunity for Bangladesh to channel positive energy back home, especially as the country recovers from recent unrest.
Sultana also outlined her personal and team ambitions for the tournament. Despite this being her fourth T20 World Cup appearance, she has yet to win a game. Her primary aim is to secure a victory, which she believes could provide the momentum necessary for Bangladesh to advance to the knockout stages. Bangladesh is set to compete in a challenging Group B alongside teams like England, Scotland, South Africa, and the West Indies.
Bangladesh has had a mixed pre-tournament experience in the UAE, losing to Sri Lanka but defeating Pakistan in warm-up matches. Sultana noted the resilient spirit of her team following these games and remains hopeful about their performance. She also commented on the challenging weather conditions in the UAE, which differ from those in Bangladesh, particularly regarding the impact on spin bowling—a strength for the Bangladeshi squad.
The captain anticipates that the tournament will feature high-scoring games that could attract more spectators and enhance the profile of women’s cricket globally.
Bangladesh will begin their World Cup campaign against Scotland in Sharjah on Thursday.