“This is our gift to the nation on its 50 years of independence. We wanted to win this trophy for our countrymen.”

Maria Manda, captain of the Bangladesh team, after winning SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship final against India.

Women’s cricket in Bangladesh has taken a big stride in 2021. Under Nigar Sultana Joty’s leadership, Bangladesh women’s national team qualified for the first time in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. The 24-year-old spoke about her journey in cricket, the obstacles for women in taking up sports and her ambitions during an interview with The Daily Star’s Mazhar Uddin. 

The Daily Star (DS): Tell us about your journey in cricket?  

Nigar Sultana Joty (NSJ): I began playing cricket in my backyard when I was two years old with my elder brother and cousins. They used to tell me that one day I will play for my country. That’s when the seeds of my dream were planted. In 2011, I had set out playing professional cricket and got my maiden call-up to the national camp in 2013-14. Finally, I got the chance to play for Bangladesh in 2015 against Pakistan.

  DS:    What are the challenges you still face as a female athlete? 

  NSJ: Nowadays, the scenario has changed for women athletes, I guess. As you can see, the outlook of Bangladesh women’s cricket changed totally after the 2018 Asia Cup. Now people are showing more interest in women’s cricket in Bangladesh and it’s an extremely positive sign.

  DS: Bangladesh women’s team qualified for the ICC World Cup for the first time under your captaincy.  How big is this achievement, in the context of women’s cricket in Bangladesh?

  NSJ: This is a huge achievement for women’s cricket in Bangladesh. It was a great experience for each and every person on the team and it was extra joyful for me because it happened under my captaincy. It gives us the opportunity to play a lot of international cricket throughout the year. We always wanted to play the ODI World Cup because we always knew that if we qualify it will elevate the whole atmosphere. By being able to play a lot of cricket we have the chance to show the world how good we are, and how we improved as a unit. 

DS: What are the areas that need addressing to ensure the continuous improvement of women’s sports in Bangladesh?

  NSJ: I think we need to improve a lot of things to encourage and boost women’s sports by presenting them the best opportunities, great facilities for preparation alongside a healthy financial support. Last but not the least, we must be bestowed with the deserving respect.