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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials were left stunned when they learned of Nigar Sultana's decision to step down as Bangladesh's T20I captain after the Asian Games.
According to a Cricbuzz report, the keeper-batter conveyed her decision to the cricket board through an e-mail, only a couple of days before Bangladesh’s opening match of the Asian Games, against China on September 17.
Nigar Sultana set to step down as T20I captain
Nigar Sultana's decision to step down from the T20I captain's role came after the team's setback in the recently concluded Women's Asia Cup in Dubai. While she will continue as the captain of the Bangladesh cricket team in the ODIs, she wishes to play only as a keeper-batter in the shortest format of the game. BCB officials actually did not expect Nigar Sultana to step down from her role. They are yet to find out whether there are any other reasons behind the sudden decision.
"I honestly don't know why she suddenly decided to step down (from T20I captaincy)," Rafiqul Islam Babu, chairman of the BCB women's wing, said.
"The player does not feel comfortable and expressed a desire to focus more on batting and wicketkeeping, wishing to stay in the 50-over format while stepping away from T20s. An email was sent regarding this matter.
'The decision leaves me both embarrassed and deeply disappointed'
Rafiqul also mentioned that Nigar Sultana's decision just ahead of the Asian Games left the hum in embarrassed and disappointed, as she could have first discussed with the board officials before taking the final call. As of now, the Bangladesh Cricket Board officials have decided to wait until the conclusion of the 2026 Asian Games before taking a further decision.
"The decision taken before the Asian Games leaves me both embarrassed and deeply disappointed. If there were any issues or problems in that case, I could have been informed after the team returned from the tournament,” he said.
"We could have reached a decision together. "Tamim (Iqbal) and I will discuss and decide once they return. After they get back from the Asian Games, we will figure out the best way forward."
Bangladesh is likely to face India in 2026 Asian Games semi-finals
According to the latest media reports, the Bangladesh women's national cricket team has reached the semifinals of the women’s cricket competition at the Asian Games after their quarterfinal against China was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield at Nigar Sultana on Thursday. So, without playing the crucial match, the Tiger Brigade moves forward in the tournament because of their higher seeding in the tournament regulations.
Bangladesh is likely to face India women's cricket team in the semi-final, as India is scheduled to face the host nation, Japan, in the other quarter-final of the tournament. India is the clear favourite to win the match. The Women in Blue brigade is the defending champion in the tournament, as they claimed the medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
