Jyoti Steps Down as T20 Captain

Nigar Sultana Joty, the long-serving captain of the Bangladesh women’s cricket team, has formally expressed her desire to step down as captain in the T20 format after the Asian Games. However, the wicketkeeper-batter wants to continue leading the team in the ODI format.

Joty officially informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of her decision via email on Tuesday. Rafiq-ul-Islam Babu, head of the BCB’s women’s cricket department, directly confirmed the news of her sudden resignation. The BCB’s top leadership has reportedly expressed clear surprise and some disappointment at the captain’s unexpected decision coming just before a major upcoming tournament. As a result, the board wants to sit down with Joty for a discussion as soon as she returns home.

Amid a prolonged lack of consistent success and repeated failures on the international stage, Joty has also struggled for runs with the bat. The decision to step away from T20 captaincy is primarily aimed at easing the burden of leadership and allowing her to regain her previous rhythm and focus as a batter. The BCB has not yet formally approved Joty’s email. The board’s final meeting on the matter will be held after the Bangladesh team returns home.