The Bangladesh Cricket Board has distanced itself from captain Nigar Sultana after she refused a pre-match handshake with India counterpart Harmanpreet Kaur in Dubai.
India secured a 40-run victory during Thursday’s Women’s Asia Cup semi-final as Bangladesh collapsed chasing 150.
Rafiqul Islam Babu, the BCB women’s committee chairman, confirmed the action was an unsanctioned personal choice.
Speaking to The Times of India, Babu stated the board expects cordial international relations.
“Of course, it was her own decision (not to shake hands with Harmanpreet),” Babu said.
“We believe sports bring the world together. We want friendly relations with all countries, not just India and so whatever she did was entirely her personal decision.”
Captaincy Review Follows Asian Games
Sultana faces an uncertain immediate future, contrasting with international veterans currently mapping a post-retirement career blueprint in the franchise circuit.
The BCB will evaluate her leadership and separate conduct complaints following the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Babu told the Hindustan Times the administration must review recurring shortcomings against top-tier sides, an issue as problematic as a rare top-order snag for England’s Test team.
“First, we will see how the team performs at the Asian Games, then decide what needs to be done,” Babu said.
Bangladesh enter the Japan tournament aiming to eliminate the tactical errors that caused their second consecutive semi-final exit in the continental championship.
