Joty confident Tigresses can shine at T20 WC

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty believes the side are in a strong position to improve their disappointing record at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as they prepare for this year’s tournament in England, beginning on 12 June.

The Tigresses have won just three of their 25 matches across six editions of the competition and are determined to produce a better showing this time around.

Their preparations will begin with a tri-series in Scotland before travelling to England for the World Cup.

A section of the squad will leave in the early hours of Monday, while the remaining players are due to depart on 26 May.

Bangladesh’s previous victories at the tournament came against Sri Lanka, Ireland and Scotland. In the most recent edition in Dubai, they managed one win over Scotland but lost their other three group matches, finishing fourth in the table.

Speaking before the team’s departure, Joty said that she was confident that the women in red and green could deliver an improved performance.

“In the last World Cup, we won one game in Dubai. Compared to last time, this year I feel our team combination is better. We have been working since the last series. We played some games there but the results didn’t come our way. There were positives and our bowling unit is doing well while two-three specific players have been consistent,” she said.

“Our thinking was that we will carry those players to the World Cup who have been doing well.”

Joty singled out bowlers Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter for praise, and also highlighted the increasing depth within the squad.

“We used to depend on just one or two players in T20s but now some new players are performing. Nahida and Marufa are there and the players are passionate to do well in a stage such as the World Cup. So in that aspect we can do better. If we can play collective cricket, we can do better than the last World Cup,” she concluded.