Tigresses begin Asia Cup mission against Indonesia today

Bangladesh begin their Women's T20 Asia Cup campaign against Indonesia in Dubai on Monday, with captain Nigar Sultana Joty challenging the Tigresses to go beyond the semi-final stage and revive memories of their historic 2018 title triumph.

The match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will be Bangladesh's first Group B assignment in a tournament that also features defending champions Sri Lanka and hosts the United Arab Emirates.

For Joty, simply reaching the knockout stage is no longer enough.

"Our main target this time is to play in the final," Joty said.

Bangladesh have reached the latter stages of the competition before but have repeatedly fallen short of the final. The 2018 champions now want to break that pattern, and a strong start against Indonesia would provide the ideal platform.

Indonesia, meanwhile, will be playing their first Asia Cup match, having earned their place through the Women's Premier Cup. Their lack of experience at this level makes Bangladesh favourites on paper, but the Tigresses cannot afford to treat the occasion lightly.

The opening match also gives Bangladesh an opportunity to settle into Dubai conditions before facing a much tougher challenge against Sri Lanka on September 6.

Joty has identified the group stage as particularly important because the final positions could influence the semi-final route.

"If we can become group champions, then we will not have to face India in the semi-finals," she said.

That makes Monday's fixture more than a routine opening game. Bangladesh will want a convincing performance, while also managing their resources for the demanding matches ahead.

The squad combines experience with youth, with Joty leading a group that includes Nahida Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan and Marufa Akter.

The tournament will be played entirely under lights in Dubai, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Bangladesh's immediate task is Indonesia. Their larger ambition, however, stretches well beyond the opening fixture.

The Tigresses want to turn a promising start into a deep tournament run-and ultimately reach a final they have not played since winning the title in 2018.
For Joty and her team, the journey begins against a debutant. The real target lies much further ahead.