Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana declared on 24 May that her side is ready to rewrite its Women's T20 World Cup story ahead of this year's tournament in England, framing the team's historically poor record not as a burden but as motivation. Speaking at a pre-tournament media interaction at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Nigar said the squad has evolved significantly over the past year and is targeting consistent wins on the global stage.

A Record Demanding Change

Bangladesh carry one of the most challenging records among Full Member nations in Women's T20 World Cup history, having won just three matches in 25 appearances across all previous editions. Their only victories before 2024 came against Sri Lanka and Ireland during the 2014 tournament. A long winless drought was finally broken with a victory over Scotland in Dubai last year — a result Nigar described as a turning point in the team's mindset.

'We were coming from a long winless road (in the T20 World Cup). But I am not seeing this as a pressure. Rather, I am taking this as a challenge to change history,' Nigar told reporters.

Squad Depth and Growing Confidence

Nigar pointed to improved team balance and greater collective contribution as signs of genuine progress. 'Winning that match in Dubai in the last T20 World Cup gave us a great feeling, even though we couldn't win the rest of our games. However, since last year, I feel we have developed a much better team combination, and we need to increase our win count,' she said. She added that more players are stepping up in T20 cricket now compared to previous cycles, and Bangladesh want to 'play better on the global stage and win more matches consistently.'

Pace Bowling Questions in England Conditions

The selection of only two specialist seamers in the squad has drawn scrutiny, given the seam-friendly conditions typically on offer in England. Nigar defended the decision, citing continuity as the primary factor. 'The reason behind it is that they (the two pacers) are continuously playing with the team for the last six months so we were thinking that we need to carry those cricketers who are ready to play in the World Cup,' she explained. She also highlighted the presence of pace-bowling allrounder Ritu Moni as additional seam cover.

Nigar expressed specific confidence in Marufa Akhter and Fariha Islam — referred to as 'Trishna' — as the pace spearheads. 'Marufa is consistently performing well for the team and Trishna is almost proven. I saw her performance in the last series and in the two or one matches where she got the opportunity she made her mark,' Nigar noted.

Captain Addresses Fitness Concerns

Questions over Nigar's own physical readiness resurfaced ahead of the tournament after she sat out the latest edition of the National Cricket League to manage her workload. She addressed the speculation directly, revealing a pre-existing structural issue with her right thumb. 'I don't have a ligament in my right thumb, as it was torn, so I have been playing for so many years. Did anyone know about it? I am hundred percent fit and I have been selected in the World Cup team,' she said.

Nigar added that managing niggles is a universal reality for professional cricketers and that her condition would have no bearing on her performances. 'We are at the same place and there are few small things that can be managed, and I am doing that, and it won't have any effect on the ground,' she said. This comes amid broader scrutiny of Bangladesh's preparation, making her public clarity on fitness a significant pre-tournament signal.