Joty aims to reach Asian Games cricket final

Bangladesh Women’s team captain Nigar Sultana Joty has expressed her hopes to play the final of the upcoming Asian Games as her side prepares them at home amid rain-interruption.

The Asian Games will commence on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Bangladesh are scheduled to face China first-up at the eight-team tournament ahead of a potential final four matchup with Harmanpreet Kaur’s India.

“We want to prepare in a way that allows us to approach this Asia Cup better than we did last year,” Joty told the ICC on Monday.

“With the amount of rain currently affecting every venue in Bangladesh, we will still try to prepare in the best possible way before going there and definitely aim to play in the final.”

Joty is also looking forward to upcoming tours of Australia, New Zealand and England as the team readies their focus to the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.

Bangladesh have white-ball tours to Australia and New Zealand awaiting them later in the year and will travel to England in the middle of 2027 for another six fixtures against the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup runners up.

While Bangladesh will face a task in those matches, Joty is looking forward to the challenge and wants her teammates to rise to the occasion against three of the biggest teams in women’s cricket.

“This is a very big opportunity for our team,” Joty said.

“We have always wanted to play in places like Australia, New Zealand or England because playing there helps develop your skills much more.

“Since we recently played in England and did well there, there is definitely a reflection of that.”

Those recent matches in England that Joty references came at the recent T20 World Cup, where Bangladesh managed two victories from five appearances to finish in fourth place in their group behind Australia, South Africa and Asian rivals India.