Tigresses seek redemption against India

With an aim to make a good start to the five-match series, the Bangladesh Women's team will take on India at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet today (Sunday), report agencies.

India Women's team though would start the series as favourite, Bangladesh of late made a huge stride, pushing the mighty neighbouring country hard in their last tour in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana said that they are not holding on to the past as they prepare to take on India in the five-match T20I series, scheduled at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from April 28.

In the previous ODI series between the two sides in 2023 India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur received two-match suspension after her altercation with the umpire in the final game due to poor umpiring.

Harmanpreet smashed the stumps with her bat and had a heated exchange with the umpire Tanveer Ahmed after being given out leg-before. Later in the presentation ceremony, she lashed out at the officiating in the game.

"Firstly, see I don't know about the rivalry you are talking about... But whatever happened, happened. We are not sitting on it," Nigar told reporters at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. "It is good to hear that they feel we are a matured team. That suggests they are not taking us lightly," she said.

"So far I am taking this as an opportunity because India is a good team. They came here with full package and in the World Cup more or less this team will play. It's a good preparation for them as well as for us too," she said.

"We don't have noteworthy achievement in Sylhet but we have memories of playing good cricket here and keeping that by side we will try and hope to start well tomorrow," she added.

Nigar said that they are not losing their sleep over excessive heat while added that if they can put a score around 150 runs they have the bowling attack to defend it.

"We don't have any control over weather and the thing is that we have to play. We will play from 4:00 pm and at that time the temperature will go down slightly. Probably we can play with bit more comfort," she said.

"If we can score 140-150 runs in that case it will be difficult to chase but to be honest no run is safe in T20. In the WPL big runs are being chased but still with the bowling attack we have it will be easy to defend if we can score around 140-150 runs," she said.

Meanwhile, Indian skipper Harmanpreet said that the controversy in the last series is a matter of past and they are eyeing to make a fresh start to prepare for the next T20 World Cup through this series as Bangladesh are slated to host the tournament in September-October.

"Well those things (controversy in last series) are gone now and its new venue and new series and we are prepared for that and want to play good cricket," said Harmanpreet. "Obviously it is nice to be back in Bangladesh because this year we are playing T20 World Cup here and I think it is great opportunity for us to play here and get used to these conditions. We always thrive to do well whenever we play in Bangladesh," she said.

"Usually grounds are bit heavy and wickets are bit low and slow and that was only the reason we want to play before the World Cup and we can adjust ourselves according to the situations," she said.

Last year when India toured Bangladesh, they had to toil to win the three-match T20 series by 2-1. Bangladesh won a game, which was their second victory against India in this format and drew the three-match ODI series by 1-1 after dramatically forcing India to tie the third game.

Overall India won 11 matches between two sides after playing 13 matches.