Dhaka: Bangladesh Women's team captain Nigar Sultana Joty has expressed her hopes to play the final of the upcoming Asian Games as her side prepares them at home amid rain-interruption. The Asian Games will commence on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Bangladesh are scheduled to face China first-up at the eight-team tournament ahead of a potential final four matchup with Harmanpreet Kaur's India.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Joty shared her plans today, stating, "We want to prepare in a way that allows us to approach this Asia Cup better than we did last year." She acknowledged the challenges posed by the rain currently affecting every venue in Bangladesh but emphasized their determination to prepare effectively and aim for a spot in the final.
Joty is also looking forward to upcoming tours of Australia, New Zealand, and England as the team readies their focus for the Asian Games in Japan. Bangladesh have white-ball tours to Australia and New Zealand awaiting them later in the year and will travel to England in the middle of 2027 for another six fixtures against the ICC Women's T20 World Cup runners-up.
While Bangladesh will face a task in those matches, Joty is eager to embrace the challenge and wants her teammates to rise to the occasion against three of the biggest teams in women's cricket. "This is a very big opportunity for our team," Joty said. She highlighted the importance of playing in places like Australia, New Zealand, or England for skill development and reflected positively on their recent performance in England.
Those recent matches in England that Joty references came at the recent T20 World Cup, where Bangladesh managed two victories from five appearances to finish in fourth place in their group behind Australia, South Africa, and Asian rivals India.