Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty has set her sights on the Asian Games final as her team prepares for a demanding schedule that includes tours of Australia, New Zealand and England over the next year.
Bangladesh will travel to Australia and New Zealand later this year for white-ball series before heading to England in 2027 for six more matches against one of the world’s leading women’s teams.
Joty believes the upcoming tours offer a valuable chance for Bangladesh’s players to test themselves against elite opposition.
“This is a very big opportunity for our team.”
“We have always wanted to play in places like Australia, New Zealand or England because playing there helps develop your skills much more.”
The Bangladesh skipper pointed to the team’s recent Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in England as evidence that overseas exposure can accelerate progress.
“Since we recently played in England and did well there, there is definitely a reflection of that.”
Bangladesh won two of their five matches at the tournament and finished fourth in a group that included Australia, South Africa and India.
Before those overseas assignments, Bangladesh will focus on the Asian Games in Japan, which begin on September 17. Bangladesh will face China in the quarter-finals of the eight-team competition and could meet India in the semi-finals if both teams progress.
Preparation has not been straightforward. Heavy rain across Bangladesh has disrupted training schedules in recent weeks.
Despite those challenges, Joty remains confident her side can compete for a medal and reach the title match.
“We want to prepare in a way that allows us to approach this Asian Games better than we did last year.”
“With the amount of rain currently affecting every venue in Bangladesh, we will still try to prepare in the best possible way before going there and definitely aim to play in the final.”
Bangladesh reached new heights at the recent T20 World Cup and now face another opportunity to measure their progress against some of the strongest teams in women’s cricket.
