Equal Prize Fuels Motivation for Bangladesh Team

The ICC’s recent decision to offer equal prize money for the Women's T20 World Cup is expected to act as a strong motivator for the Bangladesh national women's cricket team, according to players and coaching staff. In a groundbreaking move, the ICC announced that the winners of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup will receive the same prize money as the men's champions, marking a significant step towards gender equality in the sport.

During the group stages, teams that win individual games will be awarded USD 31,154. Teams eliminated before the semifinals will share a pool of USD 1.35 million, a considerable increase from the 2023 pool of USD 180,000. Teams finishing third and fourth in their groups will earn USD 270,000 each, while those in fifth place will take home USD 135,000.

"Money is always a source of motivation. It's a great initiative by the ICC, showing they are taking steps toward equality. This is very positive for women's cricket, and we are seeing similar changes happening in Bangladesh. It motivates us to perform better, knowing that success can bring great rewards," said Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana in her pre-tournament press conference.

Head coach Hashan Tilakaratne also welcomed the move, stating that the decision will not only boost women's cricket in Bangladesh but also encourage more people to see cricket as a viable career option. He pointed out that ICC’s move would have a far-reaching impact on the sport in the country.

Bowler Jahanara Alam believes this change will inspire future generations, as parents may now be more inclined to allow their daughters to pursue cricket as a career. "This is inspiring for us after 17 years. Equal prize money will motivate the next generation, and parents in Bangladesh will see a future in cricket for their daughters," she remarked.

Bangladesh Aims for First T20 World Cup Win in a Decade

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana expressed her team's desire to break their decade-long winless streak in the T20 World Cup. The last time the Bangladesh women’s team secured a victory in the tournament was in 2014, when they defeated Sri Lanka in Sylhet. Since then, the team has participated in four editions without winning a single match.

"I've played in four World Cups, and we haven’t won a game since 2014. We’ve played well in previous editions, but it only counts when you win," Sultana said.

Bangladesh will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Scotland on October 3 in Sharjah, the tournament's opening match after it was relocated from Bangladesh to the UAE due to political unrest. They will also face England, West Indies, and South Africa on October 5, 10, and 12, respectively, as part of their Group B matches.

"We are hungry for that first win against Scotland. It will set the tone for us and help us gain momentum. Although Scotland is a tough opponent, we are mentally prepared for the challenge," Sultana added.

To reach the semifinals, Bangladesh will need to beat other strong teams in their group. Sultana pointed out that they have specific strategies for each opponent, particularly highlighting their strong spin attack, which has been effective against South Africa in past encounters.