Tigresses at the T20 World Cup - Nahida Akter’s spin to win it for Bangladesh

Nahida Akter has steadily risen as one of Bangladesh's premier bowlers, especially in the limited-overs formats. The slow left-arm spinner recently became the first Bangladeshi woman to be named the ICC Women's Player of the Month, a reflection of her standout performances, particularly in November 2023. Her seven wickets in the ODI series against Pakistan, which earned her the Player of the Series award, were critical to Bangladesh's success, helping them secure a significant series win.

The 23-year-old now holds the record for the most wickets for Bangladesh in both T20 Internationals and ODIs. With 99 wickets in T20Is and a growing tally in ODIs with 53 wickets, Nahida has become a cornerstone of Bangladesh's bowling attack. In March 2024, she took 2/27 against Australia, removing two dangerous middle-order batters, further underlining her value to the team. Her ability to perform under pressure has set her apart as she continues to play a pivotal role in Bangladesh's success.

Looking ahead to the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, originally set to be hosted by Bangladesh but moved to the UAE due to political unrest, Nahida is expected to shine on the slower pitches of Sharjah and Dubai. The UAE's conditions are similar to those in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where Nahida has delivered excellent performances in the past. She believes the transition to UAE won't require drastic changes in preparation. "The wickets in Sharjah are quite similar to Mirpur, and recently we played in Sri Lanka, where the pitches were also on the slower side," Nahida said before the team's departure. "So, we just need to stick to our basics in all departments."

When asked about team goals for the tournament, Nahida emphasised the importance of collective success over personal milestones. "If the team does well, individual performances will naturally follow," she explained. "If I take five wickets but the team loses, it cancels out my contribution. The priority is always to contribute to the team's win." Nahida's focus is clear: her efforts will be fully aligned with what the team needs, whether it's delivering crucial breakthroughs or tightening up the bowling attack.

As Bangladesh gears up for the T20 World Cup, expectations are high, though Nahida maintains a level-headed approach, taking it one game at a time. "We will try our best to reach the semi-finals, but we have to focus on each match as it comes," she remarked.

With her experience and skill set, Nahida's performances could be decisive on the UAE's slower surfaces, where spin is likely to play a crucial role. The Bangladesh team, boasting a strong spin unit, will be counting on her to lead their charge as they look to make a significant impact on the world stage.

Bangladesh will kick off their World Cup campaign on 3 October, facing Scotland in Sharjah.