Joty sets her sights on Asia Cup final, Asian Games gold

Bangladesh women's cricket captain Nigar Sultana Joty has raised the bar for the Tigresses ahead of a demanding stretch of international cricket, setting her sights on the Women's Asia Cup final before targeting a medal-and potentially gold-at the Asian Games.

Bangladesh have reached the latter stages of the Asia Cup before, but the semi-final has repeatedly proved to be their stopping point. Joty wants that pattern to end in the upcoming tournament in Dubai.

"Our main target this time is to play in the final," Joty said. "We have played in the semi-finals before and then been knocked out. The same thing has happened repeatedly, so we want to break that barrier this time."

The Tigresses will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Indonesia on August 31, followed by group matches against defending champions Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.

For Joty, the group stage is more than a route towards qualification. Finishing at the top could have a major influence on Bangladesh's path through the knockout rounds.

"The group-stage matches are very important because if we can become group champions, we will not have to face India in the semi-final," she said.

Bangladesh have also tried to give themselves a stronger preparation base this time. The squad played several practice matches before the tournament, including two in Sri Lanka to gain experience in conditions similar to those they will encounter in the region.

"Our preparation has been very good because we have played quite a few practice matches this time," Joty said.

The Asia Cup, however, is only the first target on a much larger itinerary.

After the Dubai tournament, Bangladesh will turn their attention to the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where they will face China in the quarter-final on September 17.

Joty sees the two competitions as connected challenges rather than separate assignments. A strong Asia Cup campaign, she believes, could provide the confidence and momentum needed for the Asian Games.

"If we can play the Asia Cup in a better way, it will also create a big opportunity for us in the Asian Games," Joty said.

Bangladesh have already won silver at the 2010 Asian Games and bronze in 2022. This time, the captain wants to go further.

"Our first target is to go there and win a medal," Joty said. "There are a lot of expectations from our team. We want to bring home a medal, and if it is gold, that would be even bigger. We will certainly try to do that."

The immediate challenge remains Dubai, where Bangladesh must first negotiate a competitive group and find a way beyond the semi-final barrier that has frustrated them before.

For Joty, the ambition is clear: reach the Asia Cup final, carry that confidence into Japan and give Bangladesh women's cricket a chance to chase its biggest prize yet.