Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty has expressed unwavering belief in her side's ability to challenge the best teams at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, declaring that the squad is targeting its best-ever performance at the global tournament. Speaking ahead of the competition, Nigar acknowledged the difficulty of their group draw while insisting confidence within the camp remains high.

A Tough Group, An Unshaken Belief

Bangladesh, competing in their seventh Women's T20 World Cup, have never advanced beyond the group stage. This edition places them alongside India, Australia, South Africa, and Pakistan — four sides with a combined history of finals and semi-finals appearances. Yet Nigar is refusing to be overawed.

'We have been drawn into a really tough group, with teams that have regularly made finals and semi-finals. But we believe that we can win any game we go into, and we are hoping to have our best-ever tournament,' she wrote in her column for the ICC.

Promising Form and Key Performers

Despite inconsistent recent results, Nigar pointed to individual performances that have lifted spirits ahead of the tournament. Shorna Akter and Sharmin Akhter batted with authority in Bangladesh's most recent series against Sri Lanka, while Sultana Khatun registered career-best bowling figures in the final match — a narrow defeat that nonetheless underscored the team's growing competitive edge.

Bangladesh are currently engaged in a tri-series in Scotland alongside the hosts and the Netherlands, using the matches as critical preparation for the England campaign. 'We are now into a tri-series against Scotland and the Netherlands in Edinburgh, which will also help us adjust to the conditions,' Nigar said.

First-Ever Campaign on English Soil

The upcoming tournament will mark Bangladesh's first-ever appearance on English soil in women's T20 cricket — a historic milestone that brings both excitement and a learning curve. '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,' Nigar added.

The conditions in England — typically swing-friendly and overcast — differ sharply from the subcontinental pitches Bangladesh are accustomed to, making the ongoing tri-series in Edinburgh all the more significant as an acclimatisation exercise.

Confidence Against Debutants Netherlands

One fixture Nigar has circled with particular confidence is Bangladesh's clash against World Cup debutants, the Netherlands. Bangladesh defeated the Dutch side during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier, and the captain believes that history can be a source of strength. 'We'll also face the Netherlands, who are making their debut, and we can take confidence from beating them in the Qualifier,' she noted.

Youth, Team Spirit, and a Historic Milestone

Beyond results, Nigar is encouraged by the maturation of younger players within the squad. '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,' she said.

She pointed to Bangladesh's victory over Scotland at the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup — the team's first win at the tournament in 10 years — as proof of that upward trajectory. For Nigar personally, the tournament carries additional weight: this will be her sixth World Cup appearance and her third time captaining the side, having first played the tournament in 2016 at just 18 years old.

With preparation underway in Scotland and a historic England debut on the horizon, Bangladesh will look to translate belief into results when the tournament gets underway.