As the excitement builds for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team is gearing up to make their mark in the tournament. On September 26, the team will depart for the United Arab Emirates to compete on a new stage, leaving behind the uncertainty that has surrounded hosting the tournament on home soil. The UAE will now serve as the battleground for the global tournament due to ongoing unrest in Bangladesh.

Having competed in five editions of the Women’s T20 World Cup, Bangladesh’s track record includes just two wins out of 21 matches, a streak the team is determined to break. As they aim to shake off past disappointments, captain Nigar Sultana Joty expressed her desire for Bangladesh to secure their first victory in a decade, with an eye on advancing to the semifinals.

During a press conference held at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on September 24, Nigar Sultana highlighted the team's ambitions. “We haven’t won a T20 World Cup match since 2014. It’s been 10 long years. My personal goal, and the team’s, is to start this tournament with a victory,” she said. “Scotland may be the only associate nation in our group, but we’ll treat them with full respect.”

Bangladesh has faced Scotland four times and emerged victorious in each encounter. Despite their favorable record, Nigar remains cautious, noting that every team will be at its best on a stage like the World Cup.

“We want to win the first game against Scotland, and from there, we’ll think about the semifinals,” Nigar added. “It would be a huge achievement for the team, especially with the 100th match of my career coming up. If I’m fit to play, I want to make it memorable for myself and the team.”

Looking ahead, Bangladesh’s group stage matches will include fixtures against England, West Indies, and South Africa. The team will play three of their four games at Sharjah, beginning with Scotland on October 3. Nigar emphasized the importance of adjusting quickly to the conditions in the UAE. “We’ll be playing two practice matches to get used to the wickets there,” she said. “It’s a new challenge for everyone, and how we adapt will be crucial.”

Bangladesh’s last win against South Africa in a T20I, achieved on South African soil, gives the team confidence, while England and West Indies remain tough opponents. Yet, Nigar remains optimistic about their chances. “We’ve beaten South Africa in the past, and although England and West Indies are strong, Sharjah’s spin-friendly conditions could work in our favor,” Nigar said.

The team will begin their campaign against Scotland on October 3, with high hopes of breaking their World Cup drought and setting the stage for a deep run in the tournament.