Bangladesh Women have ushered in a leadership change in their T20I setup, appointing Nahida Akter as the team’s new captain ahead of their upcoming international assignment. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the decision on Sunday, with Sobhana Mostary named vice-captain as the team prepares for the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in Thailand. The change brings an end to Nigar Sultana’s tenure as the national side’s T20I skipper, although she will continue to lead Bangladesh in the 50-over format.
The appointment marks a new chapter for Bangladesh’s T20I team, with the board placing its trust in a player who has already held a leadership position within the squad. Nahida’s promotion also comes at a time when the circumstances surrounding Sultana’s departure from the captaincy have attracted attention.
Nahida Akter takes over T20I leadership from Nigar Sultana
Nahida has been appointed Bangladesh’s new T20I captain, succeeding Sultana, who took charge of the team in 2022. According to the information shared with Cricbuzz, the BCB confirmed the leadership change on Sunday. The decision represents a natural progression for Nahida, who has served as the team’s vice-captain since Sultana assumed the T20I leadership role. Her experience in that position is expected to provide continuity as Bangladesh move forward under a new captain.
Rafiqul indicated that the timing was appropriate to hand over the responsibility to Nahida. Having already worked alongside Sultana in the leadership group, the new skipper is familiar with the team’s environment and the demands associated with international cricket.
Sobhana Mostary has been appointed vice-captain, completing the revised leadership structure for Bangladesh’s T20I side. The BCB’s decision places two new figures in prominent leadership positions as the team prepares for its next assignment.
Sultana continues as Bangladesh’s ODI captain
Although Sultana has relinquished the T20I captaincy, she will retain responsibility for leading Bangladesh in One-Day Internationals. She recently captained the side during its three-match ODI tour of Australia, underlining her continuing role in the team’s 50-over setup. The change in the T20I leadership reportedly came as a surprise to the BCB. However, it is understood that Sultana had been disappointed with the way she had been treated by the board in recent times.
The circumstances surrounding her decision add another dimension to Bangladesh’s leadership transition. Nevertheless, her continued appointment as ODI captain means that she will remain an important figure in the national team’s plans. The separation of leadership responsibilities between the two formats gives Bangladesh a different captaincy arrangement in T20Is while maintaining continuity in ODIs. The immediate focus will now be on how Nahida settles into her new role and guides the team through its upcoming commitments.
Also READ: Jemimah Rodrigues takes a new role away from the cricket field
Bangladesh prepare for Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy
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 begin her tenure as T20I captain. With Mostary serving as her deputy, the new leadership group will look to manage the team’s preparations and build momentum ahead of the opening fixture.
For Bangladesh, the transition comes with a clear immediate objective: preparing for the competition while adapting to a revised leadership structure. Nahida’s elevation from vice-captain to captain offers continuity, while Sultana’s continued involvement in the ODI setup ensures that her international leadership experience remains part of the team’s wider plans.
The upcoming tournament will therefore mark the beginning of Nahida’s tenure as Bangladesh’s T20I skipper, with the opening match against Pakistan providing the first competitive test of the new arrangement.
Also READ: American star joins Mumbai Indians for Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
