Bangladesh women's team will be spending this year's Eid-ul-Fitr not with their families but at a preparation camp in Mirpur as they are busy in last minute preparations before leaving for Lahore, Pakistan on April 3 for the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held on April 5-19. On Thursday, skipper Nigar Sultana Joty talked to The Daily Star's Samsul Arefin Khan regarding her team's preparation, expectations and chances at the event. The excerpts are as follows:

The Daily Star (DS): Despite being in Bangladesh, you won't get to celebrate Eid with your families this year…

Nigar Sultana Joty (NSJ): We're kind of use to it. Initially we felt bad but now it doesn't sting as much. As this is our full-time job, sacrificing these things is not such a big thing for us.

DS: How have the preparations been for the World Cup qualifiers?

NSJ: The most important thing was the [Women's Dhaka] Premier League. We have played on very good wickets. There were good scores and there were a few competitive games as well. As we will compete in the same format [50-overs], it was very crucial for us. I think playing matches is more important than practice. The more matches you have played, the better impact it will have in international cricket.

DS: Will Pakistan and West Indies be Bangladesh's main obstacle in the qualifiers?

NSJ: I think all the teams are going there to qualify for the main event. I think except Pakistan, the condition will be difficult for all others. If you see the stats, West Indies and Pakistan are ahead of the other teams. But Ireland is also a good side. If you win every match, only then you can qualify.

DS: Are there any special plans regarding the wickets in Lahore?

NSJ: Our new batting coach David Hemp was the head coach of the Pakistan women's team. He is well versed about the wickets and condition in Pakistan. Pakistan is usually a batting paradise. If you can't score big, irrespective of how strong your bowling is, you can't defend the total. If we can score at least 240-run plus on a regular basis, we will have a very good chance.

DS: The team also has a new head coach in Sarwar Imran. What's your assessment of him so far?

NSJ: I first had him as a coach in 2016. We were quite afraid of him at the time. Still, we are scared of him. He is a senior coach and a well-organised person. Most importantly, he is a Bangladeshi coach, so there is no communication gap with the girls which I feel was needed.

DS: Some top WDPL performers were picked for the qualifying event whereas some regular players like Murshida Khatun were overlooked. Do you feel this is how the team should go about selection moving ahead?

NSJ: Those who got dropped from the side, their performance were monitored in the last 2-3 series. Those who performed really well in the WDPL were included. Like off-spinner Sumona, who was the highest wicket-taker. Batters like Ishma was also included as she batted with a healthy strike-rate at the top-order. We often see our top-order batters struggle to score at a good pace and then the pressure falls on the middle-order. Because of these specific reasons, specific players were included in the side.

DS: Have Nahida Akter and Marufa Akter, who couldn't play in the WDPL, fully recovered?

NSJ: Nahida is 90-95 percent fit. She will join the side very soon. I think she has already started bowling. Marufa's recovery is also going well.

DS: How confident is the team about qualifying for the World Cup?

NSJ: Everyone is in good touch and if we can perform team-wise, we will do well. If we can apply our training in the matches, we can definitely qualify.