‘Time to bring the trophy’

Nigar Sultana Joty, the Bangladesh women's ODI and T2OI skipper, was part of the pack when the Tigresses won a momentous Asia Cup, beating India in the final in 2018. Here, she talks about Bangladesh men's team's possibilities in the upcoming Asia Cup, her favourite players, her assessment of the recently-appointed skipper Shakib Al Hasan and much more during an interview with The Daily Star's Abdullah Al Mehdi.

The Daily Star (DS): You have won the Asia Cup. How did it feel?

Nigar Sultana Joty (NSJ): Since it's the biggest achievement in Bangladesh's women's cricket, that was the most special momeht for us. I would say that that tournament changed the whole image of women's cricket in Bangladesh.

DS: India would be a big opponent for the men's team. The women's team defeated India in that final. What was the intensity like in that game?

NSJ: When we played the Asia Cup final, it did not evoke a different kind of feeling regarding playing India. It didn't come to our minds that they are a very good team and that they are the defending champions.

Our main focus was to play good cricket. As we already had made the final, for us, there was nothing to lose. But we thought if we won, we would have much to gain. Our captain Salma [Khatun] apu told us one thing before we took the field which I still remember vividly. She said, "We don't have anything to lose but a lot to achieve."

DS: How do you evaluate the men's team not winning a tournament of this stature yet?

NSJ: First, of course, it hurts. The guys and girls all play for Bangladesh. And not only as players but as fans, we expect a lot from the men's team. That's why we want them to win. When both men's and women's teams progress similarly step by step, then we can say our cricket is developing. We have a lot of potential and I won't want to linger on the past. In this format, we have been playing really good cricket recently. The team is in a good flow, so, obviously, Bangladesh will have a lot of chances to do well.

DS: What do you think are the reasons for having a great chance?

NSJ: If you look at the players' recent form and the way the batters are doing at the moment, well-supported by the bowlers, there is a great chance. Previously, we were very much spin-dependent. You would see that the opposite is happening now and pacers are dominating a lot more in terms of performance. Both batting and bowling departments are balanced,  and there is energy on the field. I would say things are looking really good.

DS: What would you say about the fielding department of the Tigers, an area where they were below par previously?

NSJ: I think there is a lot more energy now and everyone has improved immensely. Previously, there used to be some negativity but the percentage has decreased a lot. It's not like mistakes don't happen anymore, but far fewer now. My personal opinion is that when a team's fielding unit is very good, the potential for winning matches is high.

DS:  How would you evaluate the new stars alongside the seniors in the squad, and who do you feel will shine?

NSJ: Everyone has potential. [Najmul Hossain] Shanto bhaiya has been there for a while and he's doing really well. Tawhid Hridoy is very consistent and the one thing I like the most about his batting is that it is eye-catching. Obviously, Shakib bhai is just Shakib bhai and he contributes a lot to the team. Mushfiqur [Rahim] bhai is Mr. Dependable and a lot of things will depend on him. If we get a strong start from Liton [Das] bhai, which I dearly want as I am a big fan of his batting, it will be great. Actually, I liked his playing style from a long time back. He plays flawlessly and can play all around and has all the shots. That's why his cricket feels really attractive.

If he plays well, then the ones coming after him like Hridoy, Shanto, or Shakib bhai and Mushfiqur bhaiya would make our batting lineup really strong. As finishers, Shamim Patwari has been doing immensely and Afif [Hossain] is also there. Our batting unit will have to play a big role. When you have to put on a big score or when you are chasing one, it will depend on them.

DS: Since we know now that you are a Liton fan, which of his shots are your favourite?

NSJ: It's the pull shot. I would say he also plays the square drive well but the pull shot is too good. When he pulled Jofra Archer in the England series, a bowler that is impressively fast and bowling at 145-146 km/h, how he was playing the pull flawlessly without effort was just incredible.

DS: You are a skipper yourself. How do you see Shakib as a captain?

NSJ: He's one of the best and that's how it always is. I think that he makes decisions about the team's requirements according to the scenario in a very short time. His captaincy is extraordinary. A naturally talented captain, he binds the team together which is the most important thing. He always focuses on the game and thinks hard about how the whole team can perform.

DS: How do you see the other sides in the Asia Cup?

NSJ: The Asia Cup did not appear to be as important to India four-five years ago as it seems right now. They used to send their second-tier teams. But now they are going full-strength. Sri Lanka are in very good shape and as they are the defending champions, they would look to keep the title. Since the conditions [at the World Cup] would more or less be the same, every team would field their best eleven as it's a huge opportunity.

DS: How do you evaluate the India-Pakistan rivalry?

NSJ: It's a high-voltage fixture enjoyed by everyone. However, when I used to ask players about how the fixture felt in women's cricket, they would say that they didn't feel much but believed that people created the vibe to be entertained. From a different angle, though, when India-Pakistan men's game happens, the fans feel that rivalry and the quality the teams possess make for a really competitive fixture. It's quite enjoyable.

DS: Who would you be looking forward to in the Asia Cup apart from the Bangladesh players?

NSJ: I enjoy Babar Azam's batting and follow his matches. So I'll be watching what he does.

DS: How do you see the demands put on Bangladesh in terms of frequent travelling during the Asia Cup?

NSJ: Not everyone would face the same but as professional cricketers, you have to follow the tournament rules. So our players have to stay fit as it's our job.

DS: What would be the effect of not having a leg-spinner in the side?

NSJ: See, thinking about what's not there will only bring negativity. So it's better to think of what's there. Even without a wrist-spinner, our spin attack is not bad. Teams from other countries play leg-spin well too since they play leg-spinners as part of preparation. I don't know if it would affect the side. Our women's side have a lot of leg-spinners, which makes us feel lucky.

DS: What would be your message for the Bangladesh team in the Asia Cup?

Joty: It's time to bring the trophy. That's my message to them.