Nigar Sultana’s decision to step down as Bangladesh’s T20I captain after the Asian Games has caught the Bangladesh Cricket Board by surprise, with officials admitting they are unsure what prompted the sudden move.
Cricbuzz reported on Tuesday (September 15) that Nigar had informed the board of her decision by email, citing a desire to focus on her batting and wicketkeeping while continuing to lead the ODI side. The development came just two days before Bangladesh’s opening match of the Asian Games, against China on September 17.
Rafiqul Islam Babu, chairman of the BCB women’s wing, said on Wednesday that the board had received Nigar’s email and would discuss the matter and decide on the way forward after the team returns from the Asian Games. “I honestly don’t know why she suddenly decided to step down (from T20I captaincy),” said Rafiqul.
“The player does not feel comfortable and expressed a desire to focus more on batting and wicketkeeping, wishing to stay in the 50-over format while stepping away from T20s, an email was sent regarding this matter.
“The decision taken before the Asian Games leaves me both embarrassed and deeply disappointed. If there were any issues or problems in that case I could have been informed after the team returned from the tournament,” he said. “We could have reached a decision together. “Tamim (Iqbal) and I will discuss and decide once they return. After they get back from the Asian Games, we will figure out the best way forward.”
Nigar has led Bangladesh’s T20I side since taking over the captaincy in 2022. One of the biggest successes of her tenure came at the 2024 T20 World Cup, when Bangladesh defeated Scotland to register their first World Cup victory in a decade. Nigar also made a significant contribution with the bat and gloves in that tournament, scoring 104 runs in four innings and effecting seven dismissals behind the wickets.
Her captaincy in the shortest format, however, has had its share of ups and downs. Bangladesh emerged as unbeaten champions in the World Cup qualifiers earlier in 2026, but 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 brought her leadership under scrutiny.