Table of Contents
Top Headlines
- Nigar Sultana’s decision not to shake hands with India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has become a major talking point.
- Bangladesh Cricket Board says the handshake decision was Nigar Sultana’s personal choice, not a board directive.
- Bangladesh suffered a 40-run defeat against India in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 semi-final.
- Nigar Sultana’s future as Bangladesh women’s captain will be reviewed after the Asian Games.
- The Bangladesh captain had earlier targeted an Asia Cup final and an Asian Games medal.
- Nigar Sultana scored 19 runs against India in the Asia Cup semi-final.
- Bangladesh now turns its attention toward the Asian Games after the Asia Cup exit.
Nigar Sultana News Today
Nigar Sultana Joty, captain of the Bangladesh women’s cricket team, is in the spotlight following Bangladesh’s exit from the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. The latest development concerns her decision not to shake hands with India captain Harmanpreet Kaur before their semi-final in Dubai on September 10.
The incident attracted significant attention because the traditional pre-match handshake is normally part of the toss proceedings. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has now clarified that the decision was made by Nigar herself and was not an instruction from the board. BCB women’s committee chairman Rafiqul Islam Babu said the board believes sport should promote friendly relations between countries.
Nigar Sultana Captaincy Under Review
The controversy has also brought attention to Nigar Sultana’s future as Bangladesh captain. According to the latest reports, the BCB plans to assess her position after the conclusion of the 2026 Asian Games.
The review is expected to consider the team’s overall performance as well as complaints reportedly made against the captain. BCB officials have indicated that a decision will be taken after assessing how Bangladesh performs at the Asian Games.
This does not mean that Nigar has been removed from the captaincy. At present, her position remains under review, and any final decision is expected after the team’s upcoming assignment.
Bangladesh vs India Asia Cup Semi-Final
Bangladesh entered the semi-final after finishing strongly in the group stage. Nigar’s team defeated the UAE by 34 runs in their final group match to secure a place in the knockout stage. Nigar contributed 23 runs in that match, while Bangladesh’s bowlers successfully defended a low total.
The semi-final against India, however, proved difficult for Bangladesh. India scored 149 runs before Bangladesh were restricted to a total that left them 40 runs short of the target. The result ended Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the Asia Cup final.
Nigar Sultana scored 19 runs from 17 balls in the semi-final. Her recent Asia Cup scores also included 23 against the UAE, 4 against Sri Lanka and 10 against Indonesia.
Nigar Sultana’s Asian Games Target
Before the Asia Cup, Nigar Sultana had spoken about Bangladesh’s ambition to perform strongly in both the Asia Cup and Asian Games. She had targeted reaching the Asia Cup final and winning a medal at the Asian Games.
The Bangladesh team is scheduled to compete in the Asian Games in Japan, where women’s cricket will provide another opportunity for the side to challenge for a major international medal.
The Asian Games could therefore become particularly important for Nigar’s leadership future. A strong performance could strengthen the team’s position, while another disappointing campaign could increase pressure on the Bangladesh Cricket Board to make changes.
What Happens Next?
For now, attention remains on Bangladesh’s preparations for the Asian Games. Nigar Sultana remains one of the country’s most recognizable women’s cricket players and an important part of Bangladesh’s international setup.
The handshake controversy has generated considerable discussion, but the BCB has clearly stated that it was not a board policy. Her future as captain is expected to be considered after the Asian Games, making the upcoming tournament an important period for both Nigar and Bangladesh women’s cricket.
