Fargana Hoque was about to check out from the team hotel on Sunday as she was heading to her hometown when a large number of photojournalists stopped her, requesting pictures.
Fargana patiently accepted and posed for a few snaps, absorbing all the limelight that the right-handed batter rightfully has been getting since registering the maiden hundred for Bangladesh in Women’s ODIs in the third of the three-match series against India in Mirpur on Saturday. With the final game tied, Bangladesh shared the series with India – the best outcome for the Tigresses against strong India.
Understandably, the environment inside the team hotel yesterday was something the Bangladesh women cricketers have rarely experienced before. Asked how it felt, Fargana replied: “It’s a different experience. Everyone [the media and the BCB officials] came here and I am enjoying this. It seems our importance has increased massively.”
Fargana’s assumption was correct as the women cricketers in Bangladesh last received such adulation when they clinched the Asia Cup in 2018.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon, who was out of the country during Bangladesh’s third ODI, rushed to the hotel yesterday along with other board members to congratulate and spend some time with the girls.
The BCB boss also announced a cash bonus of Tk 35 lakh to the team to encourage the cricketers for their brilliant display against India, ranked two places ahead of Bangladesh at fourth in the ODI rankings.
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty promised to keep up the momentum.
“This win gave us the momentum and we are willing to keep this momentum in the coming series as well. We don’t want to look back from here, and as I said, we will play every series from now on with the urge to win. Obviously, it feels good to receive the bonus. You know, receiving the bonus itself feels great (smiles),” an elated and motivated Joty said.
At the other side of the team hotel, another young prospect of the team, young pacer Marufa Akter was seen enjoying every moment of the occasion. “It feels great. Everyone is praising me, encouraging me and they told me that I have to play even better in the coming days,” said Marufa, who shone brightly in the ODI series with seven wickets in three games.
Despite the cash prize, the BCB boss admitted that the board has been unable to provide enough support and facilities that the women’s team deserved. He also promised to put more emphasis on this regard in the coming days.
“We gave them a bonus but the more important fact is that we are willing to give more focus on them. They gave us some suggestions and we assured them we would look into it. They need support staff along with coaches. They have asked for a pace bowling coach and we have decided to fulfill those,” said Papon.
Papon also pointed out a few areas in order to develop women’s cricket in Bangladesh from the root level. He talked about introducing school cricket and also announced to start of the women’s BPL.
“We also want to have school cricket for the girls and we are willing to start it this year which will help us to get new players. They [players] have also asked to introduce the women’s BPL and we assured them that we have already taken a decision in principle to start that,” Papon added.
It will be important for the BCB to implement what Papon promised which will surely help the women’s cricket in Bangladesh to take the next step forward in world cricket.
