For the Women’s Asia Cup, which begins next month, Bangladesh has added the seasoned duo of Rumana Ahmed and Jahanara Alam back to the team, after they were out for more than a year.
The Bangladeshi selectors appear to have moved on from seamer Jahanara and all-rounder Rumana despite their respective totals of 134 and 130 international matches played to assemble a comparatively younger squad. However, it seems that their recent back-to-back T20I series losses to Australia (3-0) and India (5-0) have prompted them to reconsider.
With 25 wickets in nine matches this season, Jahanara led the way in the Dhaka Premier Division Women’s Cricket League (DPDWCL), followed closely by legspinner Rumana with 17 wickets.
“Jahanara and Rumana missed a full year of team duty.” Women’s chief selector Sajjad Ahmed remarked, “We have to remember that our female cricketers have very few training facilities, so it is to their credit that they held on to their fitness.” “They had excellent Premier League performance. We are fortunate to have their expertise in our squad, allowing us to create a well-rounded group.
Both left-arm spinner Sabikun Nahar and opener Ishma Tanjim, who are highly regarded by the selectors, were also called up.
“Ishma Tanjim has a lot of flow for an opening batsman. She makes some really good shots, Sajjad said. “Her technical skills are excellent. She was second only to Dilara Akter in the DPDWCL with a strike rate of about 100. I chose her since she had several good matches where she scored runs. A left-arm spinner who can accompany Nahida [Akter] is Sabikun Nahar. I believe Nahida will feel less strain from her speed, variety, and precision.”
Habiba Islam, Fahima Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, and Fariha Trisna were not included in Bangladesh’s May team that played against India. Sajjad expressed optimism that this team may advance Bangladesh to the Asia Cup semifinals.
“I think we have a great prospect in the Asia Cup this year,” he stated. “We play Sri Lanka to start the competition. We stand a very good chance of qualifying for the semifinals if we win that game.”
On July 20, Bangladesh will play Sri Lanka; on July 22 and 24, it will play Thailand; and on July 24, Bangladesh will play Malaysia.
Bangladesh squad
Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Dilara Akter, Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Rubya Haider, Shorna Akter, Ishma Tanjim, Sabikun Nahar and Shorifa Khatun
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