‘International cricket demands a different temperament’

Middle-order batter Sobhana Mostary finally proved her worth at the international level in last year's ICC Women's World Cup. The 23-year-old recently finished the Women's Bangladesh Cricket League (WBCL) T20 as the highest run-getter, scoring 259 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 126.34, and led North Zone to the title. As the women's team begin their final phase of preparation, starting Saturday in Mirpur, for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Nepal from January 18, Mostary spoke to The Daily Star's Samsul Arefin Khan about her recent evolution and plans for the qualifiers. Excerpts follow:

The Daily Star (DS): You had a remarkable BCL as a batter and a captain. How would you describe it?

Sobhana Mostary (SM): I have captained in domestic competitions like the Premier League, NCL and BCL for the last four years, but winning a title always remained a dream. Even after losing our first match this season, I didn't lose belief. Everyone gave their best, and the support from senior players like Supta [Sharmin Akter] Apu and Sammu [Shamima Sultana] Apu helped me a lot as a captain.

DS: You are heading into another ICC event after playing only domestic cricket, no international matches, in the buildup. What sort of a difference does it make?

SM: The difference is significant. In domestic cricket, we play against the same opponents regularly, so there is less pressure. Experience matters the most at the international level. If we could have played against India as preparation for the qualifiers, it would have provided a lot of room for improvement because international cricket demands a different temperament; it can never be compared to domestic cricket.

DS: How do you reflect on your transformation as a player since the last World Cup?

SM: I struggled for three or four years and couldn't perform the way people expected, which led to a lot of criticism. The 2024 T20 World Cup was a turning point for me. Finishing among the top 10 batters gave me belief. My preparation was different -- I trained harder, stayed mentally focused and tried to understand the game's momentum, which helped me perform better.

DS: With four teams qualifying, will the upcoming qualifier be less challenging?

SM: I wouldn't say it would be easy, but we are confident. We have played against most of these teams and done well. Since the top four will qualify, I believe Bangladesh are in a good position. But we still need to perform.

DS: Should the BCB prioritise arranging international matches beyond the FTP?

SM: The board is trying to arrange more international matches before the T20 World Cup. Discussions about the Women's BPL are also ongoing. Senior players and the captain regularly convey the need for more matches, and the board generally responds positively.

DS: Despite salary and allowance increases, domestic earnings remain an issue in women's cricket. What's your take?

SM: The salary increase is a positive step, but domestic match fees are still low, especially for players outside the national pool. Many train all year for only one or two tournaments. Increasing domestic fees would sustain their careers.