DHAKA: The Bangladesh Under-19 Women’s cricket team is gearing up for the upcoming T20 World Cup with a strategy centered on playing fearless cricket, according to team captain Sumaiya Akter. The tournament, slated to take place in Malaysia from January 12 to February 2, will see Bangladesh competing against formidable opponents such as Australia, Nepal, and Scotland in Group D.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sumaiya Akter emphasized the importance of a bold approach during a press briefing following the team’s official photo session at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. “If we can put up a fearless cricket show, it will give us an edge against any opponents,” she stated, adding that the team intends to focus on each match individually without elaborate pre-tournament plans.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board President, Faruque Ahmed, was present at the session to motivate the players. His encouraging words were well-received by the team, as he urged them to play naturally without imposing any spe
cific targets. This approach aims to alleviate any pressure and boost the players’ confidence.
Bangladesh’s first match in the tournament is scheduled against Nepal on January 18, followed by encounters with Australia and Scotland on January 20 and 22, respectively. Despite the presence of strong teams in their group, Sumaiya remains unfazed, maintaining that their primary objective is to secure a victory against Australia and approach each game with a fearless mindset.
The team is leveraging their recent experience in Malaysia, where they narrowly missed out on the U19 Women’s Asia Cup title, losing to India in the final. Their familiarity with local conditions is anticipated to offer a strategic advantage in the World Cup.
Coach Sarwar Islam expressed optimism about the team’s prospects, highlighting strengths in bowling and fielding while acknowledging the need for improvement in the batting department. He is confident that the rigorous two-month practice sessions have prepared the team to potentially a
chieve extraordinary results.
India, the defending champions, will be another formidable force in the tournament, having secured the title by defeating England in the last edition.