Samira Vishwas
Tezzbuzz|16-09-2026
The 29-year-old Nigar Sultana has decided to step down as Bangladesh T20I captain following the Asian Games 2026.
She formally communicated her decision to the board through a letter sent from Japan on September 15. The development comes during Bangladesh’s Asian Games campaign and follows a period in which the team’s results in T20 cricket have been mixed.
It is understood that the BCB has accepted her decision, as the WK-batter decided to solely focus on her batting and wicketkeeping while continuing to lead the side in ODIs.
Nigar Sultana has led the Bangladesh T20I side since 2022. The success of her captaincy came at the 2024 T20 World Cup, when Bangladesh defeated Scotland to register their first World Cup victory in a decade.
Nigar Sultana made a significant contribution with the bat and gloves in the tournament, scoring 104 runs in four innings and taking seven wickets behind the stumps.
Her captaincy in the shortest format has had its share of ups and downs. Bangladesh emerged as unbeaten champions in the World Cup qualifiers earlier in 2026, but had a 2-1 home series loss to Sri Lanka, mixed results in the Scotland-Netherlands tri-series and two wins from five matches at the World Cup.
Overall, she has led in 80 T20Is, where Bangladesh have 32 wins. The Bangladesh Cricket Board will have to plan for a leadership transition in the T20I format.
The new captain will inherit a team that has shown potential but remains in the process of establishing greater consistency.
Bangladesh have produced strong performances in qualifying competitions and individual matches, yet their results against higher-ranked opponents have often fluctuated.A smooth transition could benefit Bangladesh if the BCB clearly defines the responsibilities of the new captain and maintains a stable support structure. The team might use a few bilateral tours to test leadership options before entering another major global tournament.
The Asian Games provide an important opportunity for Bangladesh to assess their squad and build confidence ahead of future international commitments. The team will aim to finish the competition strongly, while Nigar will look to complete her T20I captaincy period on a positive note.
