Bangladesh women's team will be celebrating this year's Eid-ul-Fitr at their training camp in Mirpur as they gear up for the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers -- set to take place from April 9-19. In a recent conversation with The Daily Star's Samsul Arefin Khan, seasoned campaigner and vice-captain Nahida Akter opened up about her past Eid celebrations with teammates, her fond childhood memories of the special occasion, and more. The following are excerpts from the interview:

The Daily Star (DS): How is your recovery going after missing the Women's Dhaka Premier League (WDPL)?

Nahida Akter (NA): Alhamdulillah, I'm feeling better at the moment. I missed the WDPL to play in the qualifiers, so the recovery was very important.

DS: It must be tough to miss Eid with your family due to the camp.

NA: Obviously, there is a sad feeling. But as a professional cricketer, I have to accept it. I can't decide where I should be. I remember when we went to Pakistan in 2015, a similar thing happened to us. We had to leave for Pakistan the day after Eid, so we celebrated that Eid together here. It's obviously a matter of sorrow not to be with your family during Eid days, but the team is also a family for us, so that sad part doesn't last long.

DS: How do you celebrate Eid when you are with the team?

NA: Usually, in the morning, after waking up, we speak to our families over the phone. Then we exchange Eid greetings with everyone here. Normally, we spend the morning doing so. The BCB also arranges all kinds of things for us on this special day so that we don't feel we are away from our families. We spend Eid day mostly together and might also go out in the evening.

DS: Is there anyone in the side who also cooks for you?

NA: Earlier, there were some senior cricketers who cooked for us on Eid day. In 2015, the senior apus cooked for us and treated us in such a way that we didn't feel we were away from family.

DS: The juniors will probably be expecting the same from you.

NA: Previously, the seniors had to give us salamis (a traditional gift of money given during Eid, particularly by elders to younger family members), but now we have to give them to the juniors. I feel happy to get salami, but I feel happier to give it. As we are earning better now, it makes me happier to present my family members and my teammates with Eid gifts and salamis.

DS: Now that you have become a star, how different is your Eid day from your childhood ones?

NA: Previously, I didn't have to worry about anything. I celebrated Eid day mostly by visiting family, relatives, and friends and receiving salamis from them. I also roamed around with my friends. But now, being in this profession, I don't often get the opportunity to do the same. Eid lasts just two days, but we can't go home. So, in a professional setting, despite our wishes, we can't do it. There is some sadness, but it has become normal for us. Now we have all grown up, and we have embraced our responsibilities for our family, friends, and team.

DS: Your favourite Eid tradition?

NA: What I like the most about Eid is when my father and two brothers go for Eid prayer, and I lay out their Panjabi (a traditional long tunic worn by South Asian men) and tupi (prayer cap) after they have taken a shower. They then leave for Eid prayer wearing new clothes and shoes, and my mother, sisters, and I step outside to watch them go to the Eidgah (An open-air prayer ground where Muslims gather for special congregational prayers). That's the most satisfying thing about Eid for me. When I'm not with my family, I miss that moment very much.