SPORTS REPORTER

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty’s poor form in the ICC Women’s World Cup has emerged as a key concern for the Tigresses, as their batting remains inconsistent despite strong performances with the ball.

A mainstay of the side in recent years, Joty has scored only 27 runs in three innings. She began with a promising 23 off 44 against Pakistan, forging a 62-run stand with Rubya Haider Jhelik in a seven-wicket win in Colombo. But a promotion up the order has since misfired.

Usually effective at number four, where she averages over 31, Joty was pushed to number three after Farzana Hoque Pinky was dropped -- managing a two-ball duck against England and four off 28 against New Zealand, where Bangladesh were bowled out for 178 and 127 respectively.

Former captain Rumana Ahmed criticised the reshuffle. “It’s time to plan our top order wisely. Our batting is relatively weak, and success in a World Cup demands a solid order,” Rumana wrote on social media, adding that Sharmin Akhter Supta has been in form at three, Joty is best suited to four, and Pinky remains reliable despite being a slow starter.

All-rounder Rabeya Khan defended her skipper but admitted that “when the top order doesn’t score, whatever the lower order does becomes meaningless”. She added that Joty remains a “confident” batter who is “trying hard” despite the lack of runs.

As Bangladesh head to Visakhapatnam for their next two matches against South Africa and Australia on October 13 and 16, they will hope their captain can rediscover her touch to keep their World Cup campaign alive.