The recently-concluded three-match WT20I series against Ireland marked the end of a forgetful year for the Bangladesh women's team, which witnessed an extraordinary downfall in their performance in both white-ball formats compared to the preceding year.

A lack of depth in the batting department, which remained overly dependent on skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, inconsistent bowling performances, poor fielding and some surprising team selections were all big factors in the Tigresses' lacklustre results in 2024.

The Tigresses played 19 WT20Is this year and lost 16 of them, with their three wins coming against weaker teams like Thailand, Malaysia and Scotland.

Although they qualified for the semifinal of this year's Women's T20 Asia Cup and also ended their 10-year wait for a victory in the T20 World Cup with a win over Scotland in October, they remained winless in home WT20Is throughout the year, losing all 11 matches, with the latest humiliation being the crushing 3-0 defeat against Ireland.

Bangladesh's participation in WODIs was limited to only six matches in 2024, in which they lost three games to Australia before somewhat turning things around against Ireland late in the year when they beat them 3-0, with both series being played on home soil.

Just last year, Bangladesh beat teams like South Africa, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the shortest format, even clinched a 2-1 series win over Pakistan and drew a WT20I series 1-1 against South Africa in South Africa.

Moreover, the women's team enjoyed a decent time in WODIs, winning four out of their 11 matches which included a 2-1 series win against Pakistan and a 1-1 drawn series against India. They also defeated South Africa for the first time in the format and they did so in away conditions.

However, their performance suddenly took a U-turn this year and the women's wing head Habibul Bashar did not attempt to deny it.

"This year the batting didn't click at all. Not only against teams like Australia and India, the batters failed in the Asia Cup and the World Cup as well. It was the main reason behind the poor results," Bashar told The Daily Star yesterday.

"Batters consistently failed in the games. We are witnessing a big gap in the middle-order, especially in number five and six along with the opening position. If we can't get an immediate solution, we may see similar dismal performances in the coming days as well."

Meanwhile, Bashar added that the team's catching has also been below par.

"I think those dropped catches did matter a lot and those missed chances really hurt us," said Bashar, mentioning Ritu Moni dropping Laura Delany in the final over of Monday's WT20I against Ireland, who later hit three successive fours to snatch the win away from the hosts in a thrilling contest.

"Ireland isn't a top side. If we make such mistakes against them, it's difficult to expect good results against top sides," Bashar concluded.