Women's T20 WC: Nigar Sultana on Bangladesh's exit after SA defeat
Synopsis
Bangladesh were just 10-15 runs short of defending 117 against South Africa — and that slender margin ended their Women's T20 World Cup campaign. Captain Nigar Sultana's candid post-match admission puts the spotlight squarely on middle-overs batting, the one area where Bangladesh's otherwise spirited showing fell apart.
Key Takeaways
Bangladesh lost to South Africa by four wickets in the Women's T20 World Cup on 28 June in London , ending their tournament run.
Bangladesh posted 117 but captain Nigar Sultana said the side was 10 to 15 runs short , with the middle overs identified as the decisive failure.
Bangladesh's bowlers and fielders kept South Africa under pressure until the penultimate over, earning special praise from Sultana.
Bangladesh won two matches during the tournament, which Sultana described as 'a huge achievement' despite the semi-final exit.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana conceded that her side came agonisingly close in a must-win Women's T20 World Cup match against South Africa on Sunday, 28 June, but a sluggish middle-overs batting phase ultimately extinguished their semi-final ambitions. Bangladesh were bowled out for 117 and fell to a four-wicket defeat, ending their tournament run in London.
Where Bangladesh's Innings Unravelled
Sultana identified two critical passages of play that shaped the outcome. Early wickets in the powerplay disrupted Bangladesh's momentum, and the middle overs failed to generate the acceleration the total demanded. Although the lower order rallied to post a competitive finish, the damage had already been done.
'I guess we lost wickets early in the power play, but the bowlers played really well there. They were hanging there and trying to build a partnership. And I think we couldn't get runs in the middle part of the game. We finished it really well in the last few overs of the first innings. But end of the time, I think we are short of 10 to 15 runs, and it actually cost us the campaign as a whole,' Sultana said at the post-match presentation.
Bowlers and Fielders Earn Skipper's Praise
Despite the defeat, Bangladesh's bowlers and fielders mounted a fierce resistance, taking regular wickets and maintaining discipline to drag the contest deep into the final over. South Africa were made to work hard for every run, and the Proteas crossed the line only in the penultimate over.
Sultana was effusive in her appreciation for the effort. 'I think I should thank all my bowlers and fielders because how they fought till the last ball, and they were keep fighting for the last run. So it really made me feel very proud about the team,' she said.
Two Wins and a Campaign to Build On
Bangladesh secured two victories during the tournament — a notable return for a side still establishing itself at the global level. Sultana acknowledged that the squad had arrived in England with higher ambitions, but framed the two wins as a meaningful marker of collective growth.
'We came here to win games definitely. And we win two games here, but we wanted more. I think it's a huge achievement for the team. And I'm really proud the way each and everyone gave their 100% in the field and tried to win for Bangladesh,' she concluded.
Bangladesh's World Cup Exit in Context
This comes amid a broader period of development for women's cricket in Bangladesh, where the national side has been steadily improving its standing in global tournaments. The inability to convert a competitive bowling display into a winning result underlines the batting depth and middle-overs hitting as priority areas for the team's next cycle. With the Women's T20 World Cup schedule continuing, Bangladesh will look to regroup and address those gaps ahead of future ICC events.
Point of View
Which only sharpens the question: what if the batting had delivered even a modest 130? The two wins are real progress, but the gap between competitive and winning remains a batting problem, not a bowling one. That is the conversation Bangladesh cricket needs to have before the next cycle begins.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Bangladesh exit the Women's T20 World Cup 2025?
Bangladesh were eliminated after losing to South Africa by four wickets in London on 28 June. Captain Nigar Sultana attributed the exit to a slow middle phase with the bat, saying the side finished 10 to 15 runs short of a defendable total.
What score did Bangladesh post against South Africa?
Bangladesh scored 117 in their innings. Despite a strong finish in the final overs, the total proved insufficient, with Sultana acknowledging the middle overs failed to generate enough runs.
How did Bangladesh's bowlers perform against South Africa?
Bangladesh's bowlers put up a spirited fight, taking regular wickets and keeping South Africa under pressure until the penultimate over. Captain Nigar Sultana praised her bowlers and fielders for fighting 'till the last ball.'
How many games did Bangladesh win at the Women's T20 World Cup?
Bangladesh won two matches during the tournament. Sultana described the two victories as 'a huge achievement' while acknowledging the team had arrived with ambitions of progressing further.
What areas does Bangladesh need to improve after this World Cup?
Middle-overs batting and power-hitting depth were the key weaknesses exposed during the campaign. While the bowling unit performed creditably, the inability to accelerate between the powerplay and the death overs cost Bangladesh the match and the campaign.
