Photo: Collected
Although the captaincy in both formats of women’s cricket had until now rested with the same player, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has this time changed that practice. While there are precedents of separate captains for different formats in men’s cricket, such a decision in the women’s team is quite exceptional. Discussion has begun over how coordination and the balance of leadership within the team will fare under this new arrangement.
The BCB, however, is not worried about the split captaincy. According to the board’s women’s wing chief and director Rafiqul Islam, there is no fear of a negative impact on the team’s dressing room from this change. Rather, Nahida has been given the responsibility after weighing the circumstances.
Rafiqul Islam said that since Jyoti had given up the T20 captaincy, it was necessary to hand the responsibility to someone new. Nigar is staying on as captain in ODIs. So the board does not think there will be any problem with separate leadership in the two formats.
Nigar Sultana Jyoti had hinted last month, after the failure at the Asia Cup, that she would give up the T20 captaincy. She had said she did not want to captain in this format any more after the Asian Games. But after failing to achieve the expected success at the Asian Games as well, she again discussed the leadership question with the board on returning home. In the end, by an understanding between the two sides, Nigar stepped aside from the T20 responsibility.
Nahida has been given the responsibility in Jyoti’s place for the next one year. This left-arm spinner had been serving as the team’s vice-captain in both formats since 2023. Considering her long experience and preparation for leadership, the BCB considered her the suitable choice.
Nigar too has congratulated Nahida after she received the new responsibility. Even before the BCB’s formal announcement she offered congratulations on social media and assured the new captain of every kind of support as the team needs. The board has also said that both Nigar and Nahida were consulted over the choice of captain and that they showed a positive attitude.
Meanwhile, Nahida’s first big test as the new captain awaits just ahead. The ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy will begin in Thailand from 12 November. In Group ‘B’, Bangladesh’s opponents are Zimbabwe, Thailand, the Netherlands and Pakistan. It is through this competition that Nahida will begin the new chapter of leadership in international cricket.
Background
According to a Channel i Online report of 18 October 2026, Nigar Sultana Jyoti had been leading the T20 side since 2022 and announced she was stepping aside after the team’s failure at the Women’s T20 Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
The same report said that along with making Nahida Akter captain, Shobhana Mostary, a 24-year-old right-handed middle-order batter, has been made vice-captain.
The numbers
According to that Channel i Online report of 18 October, Nahida Akter, a 25-year-old left-arm spinner, has taken 132 wickets in 113 T20 internationals and 81 wickets in 65 ODIs.
Sources
Background source: Channel i Online, 18 October 2026
