Nigar Sultana

A right-hand wicketkeeper-batter, Nigar Sultana has been one of the pioneers of the women's game in Bangladesh.

Born in Rajshahi, Sultana made her international debut in 2015 against Pakistan as an 18-year-old. She had to compete for her place as a keeper-batter with another Sultana, Shamima, but quickly cemented her position in the middle order with her solid temperament and clean stroke play.

A natural leader, she was appointed captain across formats in 2021 and has led Bangladesh in several global tournaments, including the 2022 ODI World Cup - Bangladesh's first appearance in the women's 50-over global event - and the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Under her leadership, Bangladesh have achieved a series of landmark victories, including a group-stage win over Pakistan in the 2022 ODI World Cup, and competitive performances against higher-ranked teams like India, South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka. Her captaincy has coincided with the team's growing self-belief and consistency on the global stage, particularly in ICC tournaments, where Bangladesh are no longer viewed as mere participants but contenders.

While her T20I stats - over 2000 runs at an average below 30 - don't rank among the elite, they reflect consistency and longevity in a format where Bangladesh often rely on stability more than explosiveness. She became the first Bangladesh woman to play 100 T20Is and the first to cross 2000 T20I runs.

Her ODI numbers are modest but improving. At the 2025 World Cup qualifier, she scored her maiden century against Thailand and finished as the tournament's third-highest run-scorer - a sign of her growing maturity in the 50-over format. She also created history by becoming the first Bangladesh player to score a century in women's first-class cricket, in 2024, in the inaugural Women's Bangladesh Cricket League.

With a calm head, safe glovework, and a strong tactical mind, Sultana continues to be a defining figure in the evolution of Bangladesh women's cricket.