The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has initiated discussions to identify a new captain for the women’s national T20 international side following Nigar Sultana Joty’s decision to step down from the leadership role in the shortest format. Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter and versatile all-rounder Sobhana Mostary have emerged as the front-runners to succeed the long-serving skipper.
Sultana formally communicated her intention to relinquish the T20I captaincy via email to the board, confirming she would step aside upon the conclusion of the ongoing Asian Games. She will, however, retain her position as commander of the One Day International (ODI) squad. Explaining the rationale behind her move, the wicketkeeper-batter expressed a desire to reduce her administrative workload and redirect her focus towards personal batting form and glovework behind the stumps. The news broke merely two days ahead of Bangladesh’s opening fixture against China.
Having assumed the helm in 2022, Sultana has skippered the side through a transformational era. The pinnacle of her T20 leadership came during the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where she guided Bangladesh to a historic victory over Scotland—their first win at the marquee tournament in a decade. Beyond her tactical stewardship, Sultana delivered impactful individual performances throughout that campaign, amassing 104 runs across four innings while effecting seven dismissals with the gloves.
Despite these milestones, scrutiny surrounding her T20 strategy has mounted over recent months. Although Bangladesh navigated the T20 World Cup Qualifiers undefeated in early 2026, subsequent performances proved inconsistent. The team suffered a 2–1 home series defeat to Sri Lanka, managed mixed results during a tri-nation tournament featuring Scotland and the Netherlands, and ultimately secured just two victories out of five matches in the primary World Cup showcase.
Senior board officials are scheduled to convene shortly to finalize the appointment. A BCB source confirmed that Akter and Mostary represent the primary candidates under evaluation. A senior official close to the developments, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the limited pool of ready alternatives, noting that both candidates possess the international exposure required to steer the team forward in the shortest format.
The announcement reportedly caught BCB directors off guard, though sources suggest growing friction between the captain and administrators in recent weeks. Reports indicate a breakdown in direct communication between Sultana and the BCB Women’s Wing Chairman, Rabid Imam, prior to a high-profile post-match handshaking controversy involving India during the Asia Cup semi-finals.
This is not the first instance of controversy surrounding Sultana’s tenure. Former international player Jahanara Alam previously levelled accusations against the skipper regarding dressing room management and an overly centralized leadership style. Furthermore, a recent dip in Sultana’s runs with the bat—an area where she previously silenced detractors—compounded the pressure leading into the current Asian Games campaign.
Sultana’s impending departure coincides with expected shifts within the coaching hierarchy. Current head coach Sarwar Imran is anticipated to step down after the Asian Games, with former High Performance head coach David Hemp tipped as a strong candidate to return to the women’s national setup.
While long-term prospects such as former Bangladesh ‘A’ captain Rabeya Khan and promising all-rounder Shorna Akter remain in the board’s peripheral vision, decision-makers reportedly consider elevating either youngster to the senior mantle premature.
The deadline for a decision remains tight. Sultana’s final appearance at the helm of the T20 squad is expected on 21 September, when Bangladesh face India in the Asian Games semi-finals in Japan. While a triumphant result against India could serve as a memorable conclusion to her captaincy, the BCB must navigate a scarce pool of experienced alternatives, with Akter and Mostary standing at the forefront of Bangladesh cricket’s next chapter.
