Nahida Akter has been appointed Bangladesh's new T20I captain, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirming the decision to Cricbuzz on Sunday. Nahida succeeds Nigar Sultana, who stepped down from the role following the Asian Games to focus on her game. Sobhana Mostary has been named vice-captain of the side.
“We sat with members of the selection panel along with others and decided to hand over the T20I captaincy to Nahida. Sobhana Mostary will be her deputy,” Rafiqul told Cricbuzz on Sunday.
The board believes Nahida's experience in the leadership group makes her the right choice to lead the T20I team. The left-arm spinner had served as Bangladesh's vice-captain since Sultana was appointed captain in 2022.
“Nahida has been the vice-captain for a pretty long time and now we feel the time is right to give her the responsibility of our T20I squad,” Rafiqul added.
Sultana's decision to relinquish the T20I captaincy will not affect her role in the 50-over format. The wicketkeeper-batter will continue to lead Bangladesh in ODIs, having captained the team during their recent three-match tour of Australia.
The BCB was reportedly caught off guard by Sultana's decision. It is understood that the former T20I captain was disappointed with the way she had been treated by the board in recent times, prompting her to step away from the leadership role in the shortest format.
Bangladesh's next assignment will be the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy in Thailand, where their campaign is scheduled to begin against Pakistan on November 12. The tournament will provide Nahida with an early opportunity to establish herself as captain and guide the team in her new role.
Nahida Akter Takes Over T20I Leadership
“We sat with members of the selection panel along with others and decided to hand over the T20I captaincy to Nahida. Sobhana Mostary will be her deputy,” Rafiqul told Cricbuzz on Sunday.
The board believes Nahida's experience in the leadership group makes her the right choice to lead the T20I team. The left-arm spinner had served as Bangladesh's vice-captain since Sultana was appointed captain in 2022.
“Nahida has been the vice-captain for a pretty long time and now we feel the time is right to give her the responsibility of our T20I squad,” Rafiqul added.
Nigar Sultana to Continue as Bangladesh's ODI Captain
Sultana's decision to relinquish the T20I captaincy will not affect her role in the 50-over format. The wicketkeeper-batter will continue to lead Bangladesh in ODIs, having captained the team during their recent three-match tour of Australia.
The BCB was reportedly caught off guard by Sultana's decision. It is understood that the former T20I captain was disappointed with the way she had been treated by the board in recent times, prompting her to step away from the leadership role in the shortest format.
Bangladesh's Next Assignment
Bangladesh's next assignment will be the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy in Thailand, where their campaign is scheduled to begin against Pakistan on November 12. The tournament will provide Nahida with an early opportunity to establish herself as captain and guide the team in her new role.