Jyoti eyes finals after overcoming semi-final hurdle

The Bangladesh women's cricket team won an unforgettable title by defeating India in the Asia Cup final in 2018. After that, their journey has stopped after repeatedly reaching the semifinals. This time, Nigar Sultana Jyoti wants to erase that regret. The goal is one - to overcome the semifinals and reach the final.

The new edition of the Women's T20 Asia Cup will begin in Dubai on August 28. The Bangladesh women's team will leave the country on Wednesday evening to participate in this eight-team tournament. Earlier, the team's official photo session and press conference were held on Monday.

Bangladesh has been preparing for the Asia Cup for a long time. In addition to the practice camp, the team has also played several warm-up matches. Captain Jyoti is satisfied with their preparations. The main goal of her team in this edition is also clear - to play in the final.

Jyoti said at the press conference, "The preparation has been very good. We have played many practice matches. I think the preparation was very good. This time our main goal is to play the final. Because we play the semi-finals, we are eliminated. This thing happens again and again. So we want to overcome this obstacle."

Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates are in Bangladesh's 'B' group. Bangladesh's Asia Cup campaign will start with a match against Indonesia on August 31. Then they will play against Sri Lanka on September 6 and against the United Arab Emirates on September 8.

Bangladesh faced India in the semi-finals last season due to a loss to Sri Lanka in the group stage. In the end, they had to lose to India. This time, Jyoti is giving extra importance to the match against Sri Lanka.

"Last time, we could not play well. After losing to Sri Lanka in the group stage, we fell in front of India in the semi-finals. So we cannot pass the semi-finals. We want to play the final," said the Bangladesh captain.

If we are in a good position in the group stage, we may have a chance to avoid India in the semi-finals. That is why Jyoti considers every group match important.

“The group stage games are much more important. If we can become champions in the group stage, we will not have to face India in the semi-finals. Otherwise, the situation with India will be much more difficult. From that point of view, it will be comparatively better if we get Pakistan.”

Jyoti considers batting, especially the performance of the top order, to be important on the way to the final for Bangladesh. According to him, if the top-order batters can give a good start, the team will be able to create a big opportunity.

“If we play the final, then it is a matter of winning a title. We are planning step by step. The batting as a team has been fairly good. Especially if the top order can bat well, we will have a good chance to play the final in this tournament.”

Jyoti believes that defeating Sri Lanka and doing well in the Asia Cup will not only be a tournament success for Bangladesh, but will also give confidence in the upcoming Asian Games.

“If we can beat Sri Lanka by playing good cricket, it will be a good achievement for us. If we play well in the Asia Cup, it will also create a big opportunity in the Asian Games. The girls always want to get a promotion. Since we have such a record that we have achieved it in the Asia Cup, we want to add another milestone to it.”

No more finals after 2018—this time Bangladesh wants to end that wait.