Tigresses aim to qualify directly for India World Cup
|| CF DESK ||
The Bangladesh women's cricket team faces a challenging road ahead as they aim for direct qualification in next year’s ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in India. To secure a spot without playoffs, the team must win all six matches in the ICC Women's ODI Super League. This includes three matches at home against Ireland and three away against the West Indies.
Fully aware of the stakes, the team's immediate focus is on the upcoming three-match ODI series against Ireland, starting on November 27 at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. A T20I series will follow, with all three matches scheduled to take place in Sylhet.
Adding excitement to the series, Square Group has stepped in as the title sponsor, with the branding set to appear as “Senora, Powered by Ruchi.” The announcement was made during a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Tuesday.
Habibul Bashar, head of the BCB Women’s Wing, emphasized the significance of the series while speaking to reporters.
“We have six crucial matches before the World Cup—three against Ireland and three against the West Indies. Playing at home gives us an advantage, but our primary focus is this series. It’s our first target,” Bashar stated.
Acknowledging the team’s determination, Bashar expressed confidence in their preparation, which began on November 1.
“The players have been training extensively and have shown tremendous commitment. They were in competitive form during the recent World Cup and have since improved significantly. Now, it’s about how we perform on the field,” he added.
The pressure of securing direct qualification could bring nerves for Nigar Sultana’s squad, but Bashar believes this also provides motivation.
“There will naturally be some pressure to perform, but the team is determined and excited about the opportunity to qualify directly for the World Cup. Playing at home, I’m hopeful for a positive outcome,” he said.