Enjoying captaincy, not thinking about quitting: Joty

The Bangladesh team are set to depart today for the T20 World Cup qualifiers in Nepal, starting on January 18, and skipper Nigar Sultana Joty spoke about the qualifiers, a strategic shift to address Powerplay struggles, her wicketkeeping duties, and captaincy in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi. The excerpts are as follows:

The Daily Star (DS): Your thoughts on domestic competitions shaping the team’s preparation for the World Cup qualifiers?

Nigar Sultana Joty (NSJ): Firstly, keeping this World Cup Qualifier in mind, we played the National Cricket League (NCL) at BKSP in the T20 format. Even the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), which is usually played as a longer version or three-day match, was played in the T20 format this time. We picked players based on their performances there. So far, performance-wise, everyone is doing very well, and the BCL in Rajshahi was particularly competitive.

After starting the camp [for the qualifiers], we played two practice matches. Although the preparation camp was short, everyone’s intent seemed different because they had been practising on good wickets in the BCL. Seeing the intensity of their shot-making in the practice matches, it seems everyone is in a good rhythm.

DS: Do you see an opportunity to experiment in a tournament such as this, where we could play seven matches?

NSJ: Yes, this will be a good opportunity for us. It is a global tournament before the World Cup where we can compete against different countries. I feel that before a World Cup, we should utilise this platform for whatever experience, experiments, or team combinations we need to try. A team does not start preparing a week or a month before the World Cup; they prepare long in advance. Our preparations start from here.

Some players have been included who are very good at power-hitting and have played impressively. They are being given the opportunity here so that they can start from their comfort zones. In global qualifiers, apart from two or three teams, the rest are average, so there will be a good chance to experiment and observe the players.

DS: Overall, how do you view the squad?

NSJ: Regarding the team, firstly, a new player has been picked who has never played internationally -- Juairiya Ferdous, an opening batter. She did very well in the NCL, though she could not do as well in the BCL. However, she has a lot of potential, which the selectors and we, as players, observed during the tournaments and practice matches. Her ability to use power and her intent are different from everyone else, which is why she has been included. [Dilara Akter] Dola has also been added. We have seen that we often lack runs or power in the top order, which causes us to suffer. So, the team has been organised to strengthen the batting.

DS: With aggressive batters at the front end, does Fargana Hoque Pinky offer a backup plan if aggression at the top does not work out?

NSJ: Perhaps it is like that, since she did well in the NCL and was fairly consistent in the BCL too. Along with players who can hit, you always keep a few players who can make the innings longer from one end. She can provide very good support and was considered from that point of view. She is a very experienced player and has scored a lot of runs in T20s before. Maybe for the last three years, due to team combination or performance, she was not considered, but seeing something new this time, she has been included in the team.

DS: Are you going to share wicketkeeping duties with Juairiya, and do you also see her opening the innings?

NSJ: If she plays, you will likely see her opening. Regarding wicketkeeping, it depends on what the management thinks is the better option for the team. When I play domestic cricket, I try to keep wickets very rarely so that other domestic keepers can get noticed. I actually have no problem with this, and I enjoy fielding a lot. Whatever is asked of me in the interest of the team, I will definitely do.

DS: Is it easier to captain as a wicketkeeper or as a fielder?

NSJ: Both seem the same to me. Whether you are changing a bowler or a fielder, your position does not really affect it. However, there is an advantage in keeping: communication with the bowlers is much better. You can understand the line and length or what the batter is doing far more clearly from behind the stumps. But more or less, both feel the same to me.

DS: Do you have any thoughts on your captaincy stint past the T20 World Cup?

NSJ: The cricket board has given me this responsibility. It does not matter how long I continue, since I enjoy this job. So far, whenever I have been given a responsibility, I have tried to fulfil it. It will depend totally on the cricket board. If they feel that the team is not improving under me, then that will be their decision. But I am enjoying the captaincy and am not thinking about quitting at the moment.

DS: Your thoughts on the pace and spin department, with Marufa Akter recovering while Nishita Akter Nishi was excluded due to injury?

NSJ: Marufa is well recovered and started in the BCL after skipping the NCL to take time for her injury. It is good news that she has made a comeback and is fit enough to play. Nishita Akter Nishi would have increased competition for the spinners. However, our current spin attack is very good. We have leg-spinners, left-arm, and right-arm spin options alongside genuine batters who also bowl very well.

DS: In the last World Cup, we saw that you struggled to convert your starts into big innings. What are your thoughts regarding your batting in the T20 format?

NSJ: I always try to remain consistent for the team. I like this format very much and enjoy playing it because of the high intensity. It is true that in the last World Cup, I started well, but after a certain period, I could not make the innings big, which actually affected the team a lot. So my thinking remains the same this time: I will try to do whatever is best for the team and what is required at that particular moment. My goal is definitely to perform consistently and ensure I contribute in every match.

DS: Where do you see yourself in the batting order in the T20 setup?

NSJ: For the last two years, I have typically batted at number three in both ODIs and T20s. However, if a situation arises where the openers play for six overs, the management relies on me to adapt, so I often play at number three or four. I feel that is the best position because it allows you to play with the top three batters to help build the innings, or build the innings yourself and finish the game at the end. It is a very vital spot with many challenges, which is why I enjoy batting there very much.