Nigar Sultana becomes first Bangladesh woman with 100 T20I appearances
Nigar Sultana Joty, the captain of Bangladesh's women's cricket team, has made history by becoming the first female cricketer from her country to play 100 T20I matches. This significant milestone was reached during the opening match of the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup against Scotland. The game marked not only her personal achievement but also her leadership in this prestigious tournament's ninth edition.
Sultana's journey from debut to leadership
Sultana's international journey began in 2015 when she made her WT20I with debut against Pakistan. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an essential part of Bangladesh's batting lineup. Her prowess was evident when she emerged as the top run-scorer for her team in the 2016 Women's T20 World Cup. This early success set the stage for her future achievements and leadership roles within the team.
Sultana's consistent performance and captaincy
Sultana, a skilled wicketkeeper-batter, continued her consistent performance by becoming Bangladesh's top run-scorer in the 2020 Women's T20 World Cup with a total of 114 runs from four innings. Her leadership skills were recognized in January 2022 when she was appointed the captain for the Commonwealth Games (CWG) Cricket Qualifier tournament in Malaysia. This marked a significant step in her career progression.
Sultana starred in 2022 WT20 WC qualifiers
Sultana played a pivotal role in securing Bangladesh's victory in the 2022 Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier. She finished as the team's highest run-scorer with 180 runs from five innings, including two half-centuries. During this tournament, she reached another milestone by completing 1,000 runs in T20Is, further cementing her status as a key player for her team.
Sultana miles ahead of her compatriots
While Sultana features in her 100th WT20I, Salma Khatun remains the only other Bangladesh woman with over 90 appearances in the shortest format (95). Nahida Akter (88) and Rumana Ahmed (87) follow Khatun on this list.
