Bangladesh back themselves to have best-ever T20 World Cup
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty aspires to guide Bangladesh to greater heights despite having been drawn in a challenging group in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
In their seventh appearance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Bangladesh hope for their best-ever outing yet at the event. They are yet to make the final four, but skipper Nigar Sultana Joty believes their best will come in the upcoming tournament.
“We have been drawn into a really tough group, with teams that have regularly made finals and semi-finals,” Joty referred to the group featuring India, Australia, South Africa, and Pakistan, in her column for the ICC.
Bangladesh clinch the tournament opener against Scotland | WT20WC 2024
Bangladesh clinch the tournament opener against Scotland | WT20WC 2024
At the same time, Joty had full confidence in Bangladesh’s abilities.
“But we believe that we can win any game we go into, and we are hoping to have our best-ever tournament.”
If Bangladesh are indeed to surpass expectations, they’ve a big challenge ahead. Their last win came in an ODI in April, though the side has run opponents close since then.
However, the results that will eventually matter will come in the T20 World Cup. Joty is aware of the same and is instead focussing on the form of her key players.
Best of Nahida Akter | WT20WC 2024
Best of Nahida Akter | WT20WC 2024
“Shorna Akter and Sharmin Akhter batted well in the most recent series against Sri Lanka, while Sultana Khatun produced career-best figures in the final match, which we lost narrowly.”
Despite adverse outcomes against Scotland and Netherlands in their tri-series in Scotland, Bangladesh are looking to acclimatise themselves to the conditions based on these games.
“We are now into a tri-series against Scotland and the Netherlands in Edinburgh, which will also help us adjust to the conditions.”
Getting used to the conditions will be important for Bangladesh as they haven’t played in England, which hosts the T20 World Cup, before.
“This World Cup will be the first time we have ever played in England, so it will take some time to get used to things, but we are excited to see what we can do.”
Bangladesh will open their account against Netherlands on 14 June, and Joty is looking forward to getting the better of the European debutants.
“We’ll also face the Netherlands, who are making their debut, and we can take confidence from beating them in the (ICC Women's T20 World Cup) Qualifier. It was really important for us to win every game of that tournament, just as much as earning our place in the World Cup.”
Joty banked on Bangladesh’s improved run in recent years, and believed that the side were ready to punch above their weight.
Bangladesh v Netherlands | Match Highlights | Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier
A comprehensive victory for Bangladesh over Netherlands.
“What pleases me the most is seeing the growth in our younger players and how they have become confident, and the team spirit we are building.
“The growth in the team was really clear in 2024 when we got our first win at a T20 World Cup for 10 years. Beating Scotland was such an important moment in our team’s history, and we are ready to build on that as we prepare for this year’s campaign.”
On a personal note, the skipper was also excited to be playing her sixth T20 World Cup.
“ It is my sixth World Cup, and I still have happy memories of playing my first tournament back in 2016 at just 18 years old. I did not think then that I would be captaining the side for the third time at a T20 World Cup.”
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins on 12 June.