![Nigar Sultana [Source: @ians_india/x.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1763279505458_NigarSultanaBangladeshWomen.jpg?type=hq)
Nigar Sultana [Source: @ians_india/x.com]
Bangladesh women’s cricket has had a storm brewing for months and at the centre of it all stands captain Nigar Sultana Joty. From claims of “power politics” to allegations of physically assaulting juniors, the chatter around her leadership has grown louder with each passing series but Joty has finally decided to set the record straight.
Joty responds to explosive allegations
Currently at BKSP undergoing rehab for a shinbone injury, the Bangladesh skipper addressed every burning accusation in a conversation with Cricbuzz.
Joty was firm in rejecting the narrative that she bullies or controls the dressing room.
“I am definitely not a dictator. Every player has a place in the dressing room, and I have the same,” she said.
She added that respect comes with the captaincy, but it doesn’t give her any special treatment.
“The benefits and treatment are the same for everyone. I don’t expect everyone to like me. But I know what I’m doing for the team and what my intentions truly are.”
The biggest allegation has been that Joty used influence to push out former stars Jahanara Alam and Rumana Ahmed. Joty, however, denied it strongly.
“Who am I to remove someone? Am I a selector?” she stated plainly.
She also clarified that she wasn’t even part of the selection panel when they were dropped.
“Before that, I had no involvement in selection discussions. I found out the eleven the same way they did.”
She revealed a moment when she was accused to her face.
“Salma apu told me, ‘You have made us sit out.’ I said, ‘Please believe me, I know nothing about this.’”
Acceptance issues from seniors
Nigar Sultana hinted that success and leadership at a young age may have rubbed some senior players the wrong way. She added that her rise as a consistent run-getter and media attention didn’t help their insecurity.
“Their problem was that I’d been made captain while they were there. The main issue is acceptance. When I started doing well consistently, media engagements started coming to me. That could also be a major reason.”
A serious claim said she physically assaulted a junior. Joty called it false and damaging.
“This is a wrong accusation. Why would I use abusive language? Do I seem mentally unstable?”
She said Murshida had claimed she slapped her in domestic cricket.
“But I didn’t even play in her team that year. Who saw me slap her? What proof does she have?”
She admitted she does shout instructions in tense moments like every competitive player.
“Everyone says this. My voice is heard more because the mouthpiece is near me.”
Incident with Marufa explained
Joty also cleared the air about a recent viral clip where young pacer Marufa was seen in tears.
“She was upset because she dropped catches, not because I told her to leave the field. I trust her blindly. She’s an asset.”
Joty’s words felt like a plea for fairness. She is ambitious and strong-willed. Sometimes that brings friction, especially in a team transitioning between generations. But for Bangladesh cricket to climb again, they need a united dressing room. And for that, both sides may need to meet somewhere in the middle.
