Nigar Sultana Joty has stepped down as captain of Bangladesh’s women’s T20 team, bringing an end to a four-year spell in charge of the side. The wicketkeeper-batter informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of her decision shortly after Bangladesh suffered a 114-run defeat to India in the semi-final of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
“I feel like I have a lot more to give to the country or the team as a batter and a cricketer. So, I want to pay a little attention to that; that’s why I made this decision,” Joty said after the match, explaining that the move was about refocusing on her own game rather than reacting solely to the result.
A Four-Year Tenure by the Numbers
Joty took over the T20 captaincy in 2022 and went on to lead Bangladesh in 81 matches, winning 32 and losing 48. Her time in charge included a historic milestone — Bangladesh’s first-ever win at a T20 World Cup, achieved against Scotland at the 2024 edition of the tournament.
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Mixed Form in a Difficult Stretch
Her batting form fluctuated in the months leading up to her decision. At the 2026 T20 World Cup, she posted scores of 36 against Pakistan, an unbeaten 32 against South Africa, 27 against Australia, and 32 against India. But the 2026 Asia Cup proved far tougher, with Joty managing just 56 runs across four innings — 10 against Indonesia, 4 against Sri Lanka, 23 against the UAE, and 19 against India in the semi-final.
The wider campaign told a similar story of inconsistency: after topping their group in T20 World Cup qualifying and beating the Netherlands and Pakistan in the main event, Bangladesh lost at home to Sri Lanka, struggled in a tri-nation series against Scotland and the Netherlands, and were eliminated in the Asia Cup semi-finals — setting the stage for the Asian Games disappointment that followed.
What Comes Next
Joty’s resignation applies only to the T20 format. She will continue to captain Bangladesh in One Day Internationals, with the BCB yet to name her successor for the shorter format. Following the semi-final exit, Bangladesh’s women will next face Pakistan in the bronze medal match at the Asian Games.
