Captain Marvel: Nigar Sultana, as always, will look to lead Bangladesh from the front
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Featuring in just its second ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, Bangladesh will hope to improve on its seventh place in the 2022 chapter.
Compared to teams like India, Australia and England, which have played close to 40 ODIs in this World Cup cycle, Bangladesh has featured only in 29 games, winning just 10 of them. A lone 3-0 whitewash of Ireland stands out in a period where Bangladesh has failed to win any other bilateral series.
While skipper Nigar Sultana Joty is the front and centre of this batting lineup, Bangladesh has also seen heartening contributions from Fargana Hoque (867 runs) and Sharmin Akter (614 runs). Sharmin and Nigar finished among the top run-getters at the World Cup Qualifiers, where the side finished second to qualify with Pakistan. With no other batter averaging over 30 since last year, the outfit must find a way to build partnerships and steer clear of depending on individual flashes of brilliance as it navigates the quadrennial showpiece.
Bangladesh has a solid and diverse spin arsenal in Nahida Akter, Fahima Khatun and Rabeya Khan. However, the one to watch will be the left-arm spin of Shanjida Akther Maghla. If she can bring her T20I form (18 wickets from 20 matches) to the 50-over format, Bangladesh could give opponents a run for their money.
Impact player
Bangladesh has been unable to shed its reliance on skipper Nigar Sultana Joty. With 798 runs, she is the team’s second-highest run scorer since 2022. Few others have her composure and perseverance when the going gets tough. Her added utility behind the stumps makes her one of the pillars of the side.
While there’s plenty of experience in this side, its faith in youngsters like 17-year-old off-spinner Nishita Akter Nishi and 19-year-old batter Sumaiya Akter — talents from the U19 World Cup squad – is encouraging.
Having last played an ODI in April this year, Bangladesh will hope to shake off any ring rust quickly. Its campaign kicks off against Pakistan, the very side it beat to register its maiden and sole World Cup win.
The squad: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter, Fargana Hoque, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter.
Bangladesh’s fixtures: Oct. 2: Pakistan (Colombo); Oct. 7: England (Guwahati); Oct. 10: New Zealand (Guwahati); Oct. 13: South Africa (Visakhapatnam); Oct. 16: Australia (Visakhapatnam); Oct. 20: Sri Lanka (Navi Mumbai); Oct. 26: India (Navi Mumbai).
Published – September 24, 2025 12:39 am IST
