The Bangladesh women's cricket team vowed to make a winning start in their bid to defend the Asia Cup title as they take on Thailand Saturday at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Ground-2.
The match starts at 9am and spectators will enjoy free entrance to the stadium, reports BSS.
The seven-team tournament was supposed to be held in 2020 but the outbreak of Covid-19 hampered the progress.
The Tigresses, who won the Asia Cup in 2018 for the first time, beating mighty India in a last-ball thriller in Malaysia, are aware that the tag of reigning champions is in itself a pressure.
But they are keen to defend the title as the confidence stemmed from being unbeaten champions in the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier a few days back.
Bangladesh in fact became hat-trick champions in T20 World Cup Qualifier, beating Ireland in the final.
The women in red and green will be boosted by the addition of pacer Jahanara Alam who missed the Qualifier due to injury.
Fargana Hoque Pinky also returned to the fold after recovering from Covid-19.
"Since we'll be playing at home, we indeed feel no pressure and put ourselves ahead. I think the biggest motivation is that we have qualified for the T20 World Cup, which is motivating the whole team," said Joty.
Like the other occasions in the past, India, who recently won their first bilateral series on England soil, will be Bangladesh's main contenders.
But Joty said all of the participating teams have improved their game a lot so there's no point in thinking that only India would be the main contenders.
"Every team here are strong enough and actually playing really good cricket. We have to give everyone equal importance and play well against all of them."
"But we are confident of retaining the title because we are playing at home and the team are in good stead."
All the matches will be held in Sylhet.
Nine out of 24 games will be played at Outer Cricket Stadium in Sylhet while the remaining 15 will be played at SICS.
The seven participating teams will face each other once before the grand finale on October 15.
Joty said playing in the Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates was the best preparation possible for the Asia Cup.
"I would say it was the best preparation for us, because there is no better preparation than playing match. Since we have been playing in this format, it will help us a lot in the Asia Cup. We are playing together and we got team combination right in the Asia Cup, if we can play as a team, I think there will be a good result in the Asia Cup."
Squad: Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Shamima Sultana, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Rumana Ahmed, Mosammat Ritu Moni, Lata Mondol, Salma Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Fahima Khatun, Mosammat Sanjida Akter Meghla, Mosammat Fariha Islam Trishna, Shohaly Akter
Stand by: Marufa Akter, Mosammat Sharmin Akter Supta, Nuzhat Tasnia, Rabeya Khan