The Bangladesh Cricket Board is actively discussing who will replace Nigar Sultana as the country’s T20I captain, with left-arm spinner Nahida Akhter and all-rounder Sobhana Mostary emerging as the front runners for the role.
Sultana informed the board of her decision to step down from the T20I captaincy by email, citing a desire to focus on her batting and wicketkeeping. She will continue to lead the ODI side.
The development came just two days before Bangladesh’s opening Asian Games match against China. Sultana could lead the side for the final time when Bangladesh face India in the Asian Games semi-final in Japan on September 21. BCB sources confirmed to Cricbuzz that Nahida and Sobhana are expected to be among the names discussed when the board’s senior officials meet to decide on the next T20I captain.
Sultana has led the T20I side since 2022. One of the standout moments of her tenure came at the 2024 T20 World Cup, when Bangladesh beat Scotland to register their first World Cup victory in a decade. She contributed 104 runs in four innings and effected seven dismissals during that tournament. However, her captaincy in the shortest format has faced scrutiny at various points. Bangladesh went unbeaten in the T20 World Cup qualifiers earlier in 2026 but then lost a home series 2-1 to Sri Lanka and had mixed results in the Scotland-Netherlands tri-series before winning two of their five matches at the T20 World Cup.
Why did Nigar Sultana step down from the T20I captaincy?
Sultana’s decision to step down came against a backdrop of growing pressure from multiple directions. The BCB was taken by surprise by her email, though it is understood that she had been disappointed with how the board had treated her in recent times. BCB women’s wing chairman Rafiqul Islam Babu is understood not to have spoken to Sultana before the controversy surrounding the handshake incident during the Asia Cup semi-final against India.
Her recent batting form is also understood to have played a part in her decision. Sultana has traditionally responded to criticism through her performances with the bat, but her returns in recent times have not matched her earlier standards. Former Bangladesh cricketer Jahanara Alam had previously alleged that Sultana abused players in the dressing room and sought to run the team in an autocratic manner, adding further pressure on her leadership.
“I think there are not too many cricketers around to replace Sultana but, as she decided to step down, we have to find someone,” an official said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Who are the candidates to take over as Bangladesh’s T20I captain?
The BCB’s pool of experienced options for the shortest format appears limited, and the board is expected to weigh its choices carefully before making a formal appointment. Beyond Nahida and Sobhana, the board could consider grooming a younger leader. Rabeya Khatun, who has previously led the Bangladesh A team, and all-rounder Shorna Akhter have been mentioned as possibilities, though there is a feeling within the board that handing either of them the responsibility at this stage could be premature.
“Nahida and Sobhana are strong contenders, taking into consideration their position in the shorter format,” the official said.
Changes to the coaching set-up are also expected after the Asian Games. Current women’s head coach Sarowar Imran is expected to be replaced, with former Bangladesh High Performance head coach David Hemp understood to be the front runner for the position. Hemp has previously worked with the women’s team as well.