Bangladesh women national cricket team will depart Dhaka for UAE tomorrow (Thursday) with aiming to break the winning draught in the ICC T20 World Cup since they managed their only win against Ireland in a ninth-place play-off match in Sylhet in 2014.
Led by Nigar Sultana Joty, the national team going to UAE with three changes including a new cap.
Bangladesh, who made their debut in the Women’s T20 World Cup, in 2014 in home ground, will begin their campaign with taking on the Scotland in the opening day on October 3.
Bangladesh captain expressed her high hope to make a winning start with defeating Scotland against whom they are unbeaten after playing four games.
Bangladesh played 16 matches in total in the last four occasions of the tournaments but could taste even a win.
Joty, in a press conference on Tuesday (yesterday) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium put across her intention that they want to begin the tournament with winning the first match against Scotland, that would be a huge achievement as since Bangladesh haven't won a match in their last four World Cup and won just one game in five editions. “We want to win the first match, it will be a huge achievement for the team. The team will on course, we can then dream of something bigger. We are looking for it.”
But the Bangladesh skipper Sultana Niga Joty, who is set to become the first Bangladeshi women's cricketer to play 100 WT20I in the opening match in UAE, however, explained that they were not taking Scotland lightly.
"Scotland, though, are playing good cricket. Generally teams arrive at the World Cup with a lot of expectations. They won’t let you win easily. They don’t give up without a fight. We are mentally prepared to face those challenges.”
Joty, who has experiences of playing four times in the tournament, said, “I have played four World Cups but we have never won a game. The last time we won was in the 2014 tournament. We played well in previous editions, but playing well only means something when you can win matches,” she added.
Joty, who is vey much aware of their weakness with batting department, spoke highly of their strength in the spin department.
"Batting is definitely a concern but we saw some improvements among the batters during the A team’s tour of Sri Lanka. We still believe that we can do well as most of our players have also done well in the domestic tournaments. I hope they continue their form in the World Cup,” Joty said.
“As a team our goal will be to start this World Cup with a win. We are hungry for it. Scotland though are playing better cricket. Generally, teams arrive at the World Cup with a lot expectations. They won't give up without a fight,” said, Joty.
Replying to a query Joty said, “To play in the semifinal, we have to win against other teams in the group also. We have different plans against each team. If we can execute our game plan, then it will better for us. We have defeated South Africa in T20Is. We rarely meet England, only in World Cups, so it might be difficult for them too. We all know that we have a good spin attack.”
Meanwhile, head coach Hashan Tillakaratne also thinks that batting is an area of concern for the Tigresses but still defended the players to deliver.
Tillakaratne said, “Our preparation has been good. Batting is an area of concern but there were some positives against Sri Lanka A. We are very much confident. I am sure they will win the game for us.”
Bangladesh, following their opening match against Scotland on October 3 in Sharjah, will face England on October 5, the Tigresses will face West Indies on October 11 at the same venue when they will play their Group B last match against South Africa in Dubai on October 13.
