Skipper Nigar, players and the coach of Bangladesh’s national women’s cricket team believe that the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to award equal prize money at the Women’s T20 World Cup will serve as a driving force. The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 champions will get the same prize money as the men’s winners, according to an announcement made by the ICC earlier this year. This is a historic move, something of this sort is happening for the very first time in cricket. 

The individual game winners in the group stages will receive USD 31,154, while the six teams eliminated before the semifinals will split a pool of USD 1.35 million based on their results. This is a change from the USD 180,000 pool that was split equally in 2023. While the teams who place fifth in their respective groups will receive USD 135,000, the teams that place third or fourth in their group will receive USD 270,000 each.

“Money is always motivating. It’s a good and great initiative by ICC and it seems at least ICC is not making any discrimination. This is a good thing and in women’s cricket we are seeing a lot of changes are made and that is happening in Bangladesh as well so for the whole team, it looks like if we can do well, we can achieve good things in life. So from that point of view, it really makes us happy,” Bangladeshi captain Nigar Sultana said to reporters on Tuesday at her pre-tournament press conference.

Hashan Tilakaratne, head coach of the Bangladesh women’s team, was also in favor of the same idea.  “It’s very good and encouraging decision by ICC and we must be thankful to them. Of course, it will boost up women’s cricket in Bangladesh and lots of people will take up cricket because they will see a future in cricket,” said the Sri Lankan.

According to Jahanara Alam, there will be more players in the pipeline in the near future as motivated parents let their daughters try their hand at cricket rather than concentrating on pursuing a profession in another field.

“Definitely this is inspiring for us. This is good news after 17 years when we are expected to get equal prize money from ICC. I believe that this (equal prize money) will be motivating and inspiring for the next generation. It is good for us as we will get financial support. Parents in Bangladesh who don’t want to let their daughters take up sports and only want them to study for a job or business will be inspired by this and will be motivated to send their daughters to play cricket,” Jahanara said.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh would be looking to end their drought of a T20 World Cup, post their solitary championship in 2014. It has been a long wait and the side would be raring to make a mark in the global tournament.

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