DHAKA, Bangladesh | October 18, 2026
Bangladesh have appointed left-arm spinner Nahida Akter as their new women’s T20 International captain, replacing wicketkeeper-batter Nigar Sultana, who stepped down from the role following the 2026 Asian Games. Batter Shobhana Moshtary has been named vice-captain, completing a new leadership combination for the team’s shortest international format.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the leadership decision after discussions involving members of the selection panel and other officials. The appointment marks a new phase for the women’s T20I side, with Nahida set to take charge after serving as Nigar’s deputy since 2022.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, Rafiqul Islam, chairman of the BCB’s women’s wing, said the board had decided to hand the T20I captaincy to Nahida after consultations with the selection panel and other stakeholders.
He said the board believed the time was right to promote the experienced spinner after her extended stint as vice-captain.
Nahida Akter’s Promotion Follows Years as Deputy
Nahida’s appointment had been widely anticipated because of her role in the team’s leadership group over the past four years.
Since Nigar took over the T20I captaincy in 2022, Nahida has served as her deputy, giving her experience of the team’s leadership structure and decision-making processes.
The BCB’s decision reflects a planned transition rather than an entirely unexpected change. Officials indicated that Nahida’s experience as vice-captain was an important factor in selecting her for the position.
As a left-arm spinner, she brings specialist bowling experience to the captaincy. Her challenge will be to combine her individual responsibilities with the demands of leading the team, managing resources and making tactical decisions in the fast-changing T20 format.
The appointment also gives Shobhana Moshtary a formal leadership role. As vice-captain, she will be expected to support Nahida as Bangladesh prepare for their upcoming international assignments.
Nigar Sultana to Continue Leading the ODI Team
Nigar’s departure from the T20I captaincy does not mean she is leaving Bangladesh’s leadership structure altogether. She will continue to captain the national side in One-Day Internationals.
The 29-year-old decided to relinquish the T20I role after the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, saying she wanted to focus more closely on her own game. She had led the team in the format for approximately four years.
The Cricbuzz report also indicated that Nigar had been unhappy with the board’s treatment of her in recent times. However, the specific circumstances surrounding her decision have not been fully established in the information available.
Nigar recently captained Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series against Australia. Her continued role in the 50-over format means the team will now operate with separate captains for its two white-ball formats.
That arrangement gives Bangladesh an opportunity to establish format-specific leadership while retaining Nigar’s experience in the ODI setup.
Emerging Nations Trophy to Be Nahida’s First Assignment
Nahida’s first major assignment as T20I captain is expected to be the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in Thailand.
Bangladesh are scheduled to begin their campaign against Pakistan on November 12, 2026. The tournament will provide an early test of the new leadership structure and an opportunity for Nahida to establish her approach to the team.
The competition will also be an important starting point for the partnership between Nahida and Shobhana. Building a strong working relationship between the captain and vice-captain will be crucial as they work to maintain team cohesion and make decisions under pressure.
For Nahida, the immediate priorities will include setting expectations, strengthening communication within the squad and helping Bangladesh deliver consistent performances.
A New Leadership Phase for Bangladesh Women
The change comes as Bangladesh reshape their leadership arrangements across the two white-ball formats. Keeping Nigar in charge of the ODI side while promoting Nahida to the T20I captaincy allows the board to draw on different leadership combinations for different formats.
The move also gives Nahida the opportunity to build on the experience she gained as vice-captain, while Shobhana steps into a more prominent role within the squad.
The long-term success of the transition will depend on performances on the field, the effectiveness of the new leadership partnership and the team’s ability to adapt to the tactical demands of international T20 cricket.
The bottom line: Nahida Akter’s appointment marks a new chapter for Bangladesh women’s T20 cricket. With Shobhana Moshtary as her deputy and Nigar Sultana continuing as ODI captain, the team will enter its next campaign with a revised leadership structure and a new opportunity to build momentum.
