Nigar Sultana targets Asia Cup final, Asian games medal for Bangladesh

Bangladesh women's cricket team skipper Nigar Sultana Joty said on Monday that they are eyeing a place in the Asia Cup final as reaching the knockout stage is no longer enough for them.

Bangladesh, who will depart on August 26 for the Asia Cup, are currently preparing for the tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Dubai from August 28, with Bangladesh placed in Group B alongside defending champions Sri Lanka, the UAE and Indonesia.

Bangladesh's skipper claims that they want to end the curse in the UAE, as they have repeatedly advanced to the semi-finals without succeeding.

“Our main target this time is to play in the final. We have played in the semi-finals before and then been knocked out. The same thing has happened repeatedly, so we want to break that barrier this time,” Joty said after an official photo session on Monday.

“The group-stage matches are very important because if we can become group champions, we will not have to face India in the semi-final. The situation becomes much tougher when we face India in the semi-finals,” she said.

“Our preparation has been very good because we have played quite a few practice matches this time. We also played two practice matches in Sri Lanka because all of the games will be played there. I believe it has been very successful preparation-wise," she added.

Bangladesh's Asia Cup campaign will begin on August 31 against Indonesia, followed by matches against Sri Lanka on September 6 and the United Arab Emirates on September 8.

Joty feels that a strong performance in the Asia Cup could help them build momentum for the Asian Games in Japan.

“If we can play the Asia Cup in a better way, it will also create a big opportunity for us in the Asian Games,” said Joty.

“If you talk about the Asian Games, our first target is to go there and win a medal,” she said.

“There are a lot of expectations from our team. We want to bring home a medal, and if it is gold, that would be even bigger. We will certainly try to do that,” she said.

“First comes the Asia Cup, so if we can perform better there, that will definitely have a reflection on the Asian Games. We will have a good chance of winning both tournaments if we are able to adjust to the conditions and play better cricket, "she concluded.

At the Asian Games, Bangladesh will face China in the first quarter-final on September 17. The Asian Games will begin in September, with the women's cricket competition to be played in the T20 format at Korogi Sports Park in Aichi.

Before claiming bronze at the 2022 Asian Games, Bangladesh won silver in the women's cricket competition at the 2010 Games.