Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty candidly addressed her team’s struggles after a series of close losses in the Women’s ODI World Cup, admitting the side failed to handle pressure in crucial moments.
Reflecting on the three matches where Bangladesh lost from winning positions, Nigar said, “We lost these three matches, which is obviously heartbreaking. At certain moments and situations, we lost control over our plans. We kept losing wickets regularly and couldn’t handle the pressure.”
She acknowledged the composure shown by other teams under pressure, but admitted her team fell short. “In these run chases, we have seen other teams hold themselves together at the crease on TV. But we couldn’t do that. We couldn’t handle the pressure. We need to think about this.”
During the tense chase against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh were struggling at 44 for 3 before Nigar and Sharmin Akhter Supta put together an 82-run partnership. However, Supta’s forced retirement hurt the team’s momentum. “We were batting well, and from the start, this match was ours. Sharmin and I were playing really well. When she went off because of the cramp, the momentum changed somewhat,” she explained.
Nigar continued to build a partnership with Swarna Akter, adding 50 runs, but the team lost wickets at vital moments. “After Sharmin left, Swarna came in, and we had to build another partnership. Things were going well, but we lost wickets at crucial moments. This was a chase that was definitely achievable,” she reflected.
Despite the setbacks, Nigar’s honest assessment highlights the need for the team to learn from their experiences and develop greater composure in pressure situations as they look ahead.
