The women in the Bangladeshi national cricket team are floundering, losing two games in a row to the Under-15 boy team in the current challenge cup as they prepare to face the 2025 Women s ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The losses, 87 runs to Team Red and 47 runs to Team Green in a rain-marred game, have raised eyebrows among the fans and officials with the team taking a five-month break without international matches.
The team has a very important nine-day camp coming up in Sylhet, and the team, spearheaded by Nigar Sultana, will have to reorganize as they face the international arena against giants like Australia and England.
The Challenge Cup Setback
The Bangladesh Cricket Board organized the Challenge Cup at BKSP as a key part of World Cup prep, pitting Bangladesh Women’s Team Red, Team Green, and the U-15 boys in a 50-over tournament. The boys’ team stole the show, outclassing Red by 87 runs after bowling them out for 94 chasing 182, and then edging Green by 47 runs in a shortened game. Nazmul Abedin, BCB women’s committee chairperson, stood by the setup, arguing the U-15 side’s strength offered a tough test.
“They’re a good team; we didn’t want our players getting overconfident against weaker sides,” he said. For those keeping tabs on the team’s journey, platforms like https://1xbetbd-online.com/ let you follow the odds as Bangladesh aims to rebound. Yet, a BCB official admitted to Cricbuzz that the losses highlight a gap, noting, “Other cricketing nations are way ahead of our women’s team.”
A Lack of International Exposure
The root of the concern lies in Bangladesh’s inability to secure international matches since their last outing against Pakistan in the World Cup Qualifier on April 19, 2025. Efforts to arrange games fell flat; Sri Lanka prioritized domestic cricket, and West Indies, out of the World Cup, saw no value in playing. Nazmul explained, “We tried reaching out, but the other seven World Cup teams had packed schedules. Thailand and UAE were keen, but those games wouldn’t have pushed us.”
This means Bangladesh is left with using domestic camps, including fitness sessions in Cox’s Bazar and intra-squad matches in Sylhet. In contrast, opponents like India and Australia have been honing their skills in bilateral series and there is growing fear that Bangladesh could be rusty for the rigours of the World Cup.
Nigar Sultana’s Perspective
Captain Nigar Sultana, who leads Team Red, doesn’t hide her frustration. She believes international matches would have been ideal. “We tried hard, but other teams’ schedules made it impossible,” she told reporters. “Still, we’re making the most of what we have, practicing with the best facilities in Bangladesh. It’s about how well we execute now.” The way she leads will be put to test in the Sylhet camp, which is scheduled to start early next month, where the team will have three day-night practice matches to simulate the World Cup conditions. Such matches are crucial since all the seven matches of Bangladesh in the tournament are day-night matches. The camp is after a six-day break following the Challenge Cup and is an opportunity to reset.
What’s Next for Bangladesh
The dual losses sting, but they’ve sparked a broader conversation about the state of women’s cricket in Bangladesh. The team qualified impressively, edging out West Indies in April, yet the lack of competitive matches exposes a structural gap. Fans on X voiced mixed reactions; some called the U-15 defeats “embarrassing,” while others praised the boys’ talent as a sign of cricket’s growth.
The Sylhet camp is the final chance to fine-tune before the team heads to Colombo on September 23 for warm-up games against South Africa and Sri Lanka. Their World Cup opener against Pakistan on October 2 sets the tone for a tough campaign, with clashes against England, Australia, and India to follow. To succeed, Bangladesh must focus on three priorities:
- Sharpen batting against pace, where they struggled in the Challenge Cup.
- Adapt to day-night conditions to handle swing and spin under lights.
- Build mental resilience to face top-tier teams without recent international exposure.
The BCB is still hopeful as they have to rely on the leadership and grit of Nigar and the team. One of the sources within the squad pointed at their intention to show those who doubted them that they can perform, and the camp was one of the key steps to establish the cohesion in the team.
A Test of Grit and Growth
Bangladesh’s women’s team faces a steep climb as the World Cup nears. The losses to the U-15 boys, while humbling, highlight the need for tougher preparation and expose the gap with elite teams. The Sylhet camp offers a lifeline, but without international matches, the squad must rely on internal drive and strategic tweaks. Nigar’s call for execution over excuses sets the tone; the team’s ability to adapt in the coming weeks will define their World Cup journey. As fans rally behind them, Bangladesh aims to turn setbacks into fuel for a memorable campaign.
