Nigar’s decision to quit T20I captaincy catches BCB by surprise

Nigar Sultana Steps Down as Bangladesh T20I Captain

• Decision: Nigar Sultana emailed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to resign as T20I captain, citing a desire to concentrate on her batting and wicket‑keeping while remaining ODI captain.
• Timing: The resignation was submitted two days before Bangladesh’s opening Asian Games match against China (17 Sept).
• BCB Reaction: Chairman Rafiqul Islam Babu said the board was surprised and “embarrassed,” noting they could have discussed the issue after the tournament. He and senior player Tamim Iqbal will decide the way forward once the team returns.

Background & Achievements

• Captaincy tenure: Since 2022.
• Key success: Led Bangladesh to its first World Cup win in a decade at the 2024 T20 World Cup (defeating Scotland). Scored 104 runs in four innings and effected seven dismissals in the tournament.
• Recent form: Unbeaten champions in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but faced a 2‑1 home series loss to Sri Lanka, mixed results in the Scotland‑Netherlands tri‑series, and managed only two wins from five matches at the 2026 World Cup, prompting scrutiny of her T20 leadership.

The board will review the situation after the Asian Games and determine the next steps for the T20 side.