The Bangladesh women’s team will take on their Indian counterparts in the first of the three-match T20I series today in what will be their first match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in 11 years.
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty was eying a historic series win against the visitors and hoping a crowd would turn up to support them. Joty was hoping for that one elusive win to get them into gear against a top side, having come close on a couple of occasions.
“If we can win the opening game, you can understand how the tournament will go. There is nothing better than a win to motivate a team. Everything changes after the winning moment. We are looking for such a win,” Joty told the media at a press conference yesterday.
“Why not?” she replied when asked about their chances of winning the series.
Bangladesh are hoping their strengths will prove adequate, especially in terms of the bowling unit. It was learned that the wicket in Mirpur would be conducive to spin.
“I think our bowling attack is the best and if we can take our chances early and bowl according to our plan, no one can be a threat,” she said.
Shorna Akhter had impressed in the U-19 World Cup and had been included in the side in place of Rumana Ahmed as the team management felt they needed to start preparing the younger stars as the team builds up to the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup at home.
“I would say Shorna Akhter is a game-changer. We saw her potential in the Under-19 side, like how she scores in pressure moments. We missed her in Sri Lanka due to injury but she made a strong comeback. She plays all over the ground and she also bowls good leg spin,” she said.
India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said their support staff had a good idea of the new players in the Tigresses line-up. “They are very competitive when they are playing good cricket and we just want to keep things very simple,” she said.
