Home ›› 28 Sep 2022 ›› Sport
After returning home from their title-winning campaign as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 Qualifiers in UAE, Bangladesh national women’s cricket team’s focus is now on defending the Asia Cup title, which they won in 2018.
The 2022 edition of the Asia Cup will begin on October 1 at Sylhet, and Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty was more than full of optimism to defend the title on home turf.
Bangladesh will play against Thailand on the opening day of the tournament, before taking on Pakistan on October 3. Before facing India in the repeat of the 2018 final on October 8, Nigar & co will face Malaysia on October 6.
Bangladesh will then play on consecutive days as they will take on Sri Lanka on October 10 before facing UAE on the next day.
Upon their return to Dhaka, Nigar said she wanted to keep the trophy home.
“110 per cent optimistic (about defending the title). Because we are playing on our turf and the team is in good shape. That is why we want to keep the title home,” she said at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Tuesday.
The Bangladesh skipper also insisted they had great preparation as they have recent match practice from playing the qualifiers.
“No preparation is better than match practice. As we have played the T20 Qualifiers, it will help as the Asia Cup (which will be played in T20 format). We will play with almost the same team. If we can play as a team, we will be able to find a good result at the Asia Cup,” Nigar said.
Bangladesh will have all-rounder Jahanara Alam back for the Asia Cup as she has recovered from her hand injury which saw her unable to play in the qualifiers. Pacer Fariha Trisna has also been brought back.
