Bangladesh's preparation for the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup suffered a blow as their first warm-up match against South Africa ended in a no result due to rain at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground on Thursday.

At the last ODI World Cup in 2022, the Tigresses managed only one win. This time, head coach Sarwar Imran pointed to Pakistan and Sri Lanka as "fifty-fifty contests", stressing that the immediate goal is to do better than last time.

Former Bangladesh skipper Salma Khatun has called time on a trailblazing career as a cricketer and is set to embark on a brand new challenge as the first-ever female selector of the national women’s team.

Casting her sights at the upcoming marquee tournament, Joty highlighted Bangladesh's key strengths, which aided their success at the Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier earlier this year in Pakistan.

Bangladesh women's team players are set to compete in a tri-series – a preparatory tournament ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup –starting today at the BKSP, which will feature two women's teams, named the red and green team, and the Under-15 men's team.

Speaking to The Daily Star's Samsul Arefin Khan, the 34-year-old all-rounder shared her concerns over dwindling domestic opportunities and a future she fears is slipping away.

The 24-year-old left-arm spinner played a vital role in helping the Tigresses clinch one of the two World Cup spots, taking six wickets across the six-team tournament.

Bangladesh will go up against Hayley Matthews’ West Indies on 17th April next at the tournament.

Her rise leads a positive trend for Bangladesh, whose players are beginning to make their presence felt in the global standings.

Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty smashed the fastest century by a Bangladeshi in Women’s ODI cricket, powering the Tigresses to a record total of 271 for three in their ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier opener against Thailand in Lahore today.

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier begins on April 9 in Pakistan.

Led by captain Nigar Sultana Joty, the 15-member squad are gearing up for a do-or-die battle against West Indies, Ireland, Thailand, Scotland, and hosts Pakistan.

Bangladesh's innings was headlined by Sadia Akter's explosive 31 off 25 balls, including three sixes. Support came through Afia Ashima Era and Mst Sumaiya, with a crucial 49-run partnership proving decisive in the shortened game.

Showcasing a spirited display, Nigar Sultana Joty’s team put aside all the pre-series fears.

While Ireland had recently beat England and Sri Lanka, the hosts are winless this year and last played a 50-over match in March.

For the first time, BCB has been able to secure a deal for title sponsorship and ground rights for a home women’s series.

Thursday’s crunch game between West Indies and Bangladesh had a big impact on the qualification permutations at the Women’s T20 World Cup.

The momentum for women's cricket in Bangladesh would have had a far bigger boost had they been staging the event as planned.

The second match of the series will take place at the same venue on Friday.

The veteran fast bowler returned to the national setup after a year-long gap.