Bangladesh spinner Nahida Akter has come a long way since starting her cricketing career at a time when women’s cricket was not as established or widely accepted in the country.
As one of Bangladesh’s top bowlers, Nahida is inspiring young girls who aspire to play for their country. The left-arm spinner opened up about the challenges she encountered early in her career and the support she received from her family, especially her brother, in an exclusive interview with Times Now prior to the upcoming edition of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
Nahida also talked about the responsibility of being a role model for the young girls who want to become the ‘next Nahida Akter’ of Bangladesh. She added that inspiring even one girl to pick up a cricket ball would make her journey unforgettable and special. Instead of feeling burdened by that expectation, she said it provides her motivation.
‘My Brother Always Supported Me’: Nahida Akter On Early Struggles
Nahida Akter faced many challenges on her path to becoming one of Bangladesh’s most renowned women cricket players. When discussing her early career, the left-arm spinner recalled a period when women’s cricket was not as well-established or well-liked in Bangladesh as it is now. She claimed that she needed to persuade those around her that cricket could have a significant impact on her life.
“When I started playing cricket, there were challenges because women’s cricket was not as established or accepted in our country. Like many girls, I had to convince people around me that cricket would actually become something meaningful in my life,” Nahida Akter told Times Now in an interview arranged by Sony Sports Network.
Although there were concerns about her choice to travel, play, and spend a lot of time away from home, Nahida stated that her family supported her wholeheartedly, with her brother being especially crucial.
“There were questions about, like, I should be playing, travelling, and spending so much time outside at home. But I was determined, and my family, they always supported me, they always. Especially my brother, he always supported me when I told them I wanted to play cricket,” she said.
Looking back, Nahida, who is now the leading wicket-taker for Bangladesh in WODIs and WT20Is, thinks those early setbacks made her more determined to achieve.
“My family, actually they are my biggest supporters. And looking back, I feel those early challenge that made me stronger and more determined, proving it to myself,” Nahida added.
From Watching Salma Khatun At 14 To Following In Her Footsteps
Nahida was a young cricket fan who looked up to well-known Bangladeshi cricketers before she became an inspiration herself. She disclosed that Jahanara Alam and Rumana Ahmed were among the players who taught her, while Salma Khatun was her greatest influence. In particular, Nahida recalled seeing Salma and Rumana when she was about 14 years old, when they were already competing internationally for Bangladesh.
“In cricket, my inspiration is Salma Khatun. Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed. I saw them when I was in like 14 age, I was in 14 age that time, I saw that they played for they are playing for the national cricket team, and Salma Khatun was the captain at that time,” said Nahida
Observing those players shaped Nahida’s understanding of the game and provided her with role models as she grew as a cricket player.
“So that time, I just watched them and what they can do now. Actually, I learned from them; I learned lots of things from them, like Rumana Ahmed, Salma Khatun, Jahanara Alam.”
Interestingly, she was inspired by more than just the women’s cricket. When asked which male cricket players had influenced her as a spinner, Nahida mentioned two well-known left-arm spinners – great Shakib Al Hasan and legend Rangana Herath.
“In male cricketers, I followed lots of left-arm spinners, and I actually follow Shakib Al Hasan and Rangana Herath,” Nahida said.