Published : 02 Oct 2025, 05:04 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:53 PM
After a long absence from international competition, the Bangladesh Women’s national cricket team found a measure of relief in their dramatic win against Sri Lanka in the warm-up match to the World Cup.
With hopes high and ambitions clear, Nigar Sultana’s side enters the tournament with both expectation and pressure.
Their opening game will be against Pakistan.
On paper, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka stand on nearly equal footing.
Coach Sarwar Imran noted before departure that the team had placed particular focus on the clashes with Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh’s lone victory in the previous World Cup came against Pakistan. This time, they are scheduled to face them first.
The match begins at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium at 4pm Bangladesh time on Thursday.
Still, captain Nigar cautioned against dwelling on past results.
At a press conference the day before the tournament, she stressed that Bangladesh’s victory in the last World Cup would not determine the outcome this time.
“A lot has changed since then,” she said. “This is a new day. It is a great opportunity for the team to start well tomorrow. This is our first match of the tournament. It could boost confidence for the entire tournament and set the tone for the rest of the matches.”
“Playing Pakistan is good for us because we have played each other for a long time and know each other well. We played them during the qualifiers, as well as the bilateral series. It can be a very tough match.”
The Bangladesh Women’s team has not played any international games since the qualifiers in Pakistan last April.
One of their two warm-up matches for the World Cup was abandoned due to rain, while the other ended in a knife’s edge victory as Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by a single run.
The preparation, however, has been extensive.
The squad underwent a lengthy training camp at BKSP and in Sylhet.
“We have worked a lot on the mental side of our game in particular,” she said.
“We have a good chance of winning the match, but we just have to believe. We have tried to build that belief over the last 12 months. Because previously we have played well, but somehow have not managed to win the match.”
“We have come very close in some important matches, but we have not been able to win. That is why we are working on how to win against good teams. We have worked a lot in the last few months since the selection, especially in improving our physical condition. Let’s see how the cricketers respond tomorrow and in the following matches.”
Bangladesh’s strength has long been in its bowling. The batting, by contrast, remains a source of concern.
“Batting has been our main concern for a long time,” Nigar said.
“The bowlers have been perfect in every match and the fielders have been doing well. But the batting unit has not been able to capitalise on that opportunity. We have discussed why we have the potential, yet we are not able to give 100 percent or score big. So, we have started working hard as a batting unit and have made a commitment to ourselves.”
“If we want to do well and win the match, we definitely need to put some runs on the scoreboard.”
In their 16 one-day internationals, Bangladesh and Pakistan have split the difference, winning eight games apiece.
Thursday’s opener will tilt that balance.
Having already held the edge once in a World Cup, Nigar said, Bangladesh is eager to make it 2-0.
