The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled the preliminary squad for the upcoming white-ball series against India starting July 09 in Dhaka. The announcement sees the return of former national captain Salma Khatun and pacer Marufa Akter, while experienced players Jahanara Alam and Rumana Ahmed have been left out.
Khatun, who showcased her remarkable performance in the recently-concluded Premier Division Women’s Cricket League by claiming 17 wickets, has earned her spot back in the national setup. Her exclusion from the previous series against Sri Lanka raised eyebrows, but her strong performance has propelled her back into contention.
Similarly, Akter, who missed the Sri Lanka tour due to her examinations, has also made a comeback. Her exceptional form in domestic cricket has caught the attention of the selectors, and they believe she can make a valuable contribution to the team.
However, the experienced campaigner Jahanara failed to secure her place in the squad. The exclusion of the seasoned pace bowler has surprised many cricket enthusiasts. Likewise, Rumana, another experienced player, has also been omitted from the preliminary squad, failing to regain her spot.
The team management’s decision to exclude Jahanara and Rumana against the high-profile Indian side suggests a focus on infusing fresh talent into the team. The management believes that introducing new faces will not only strengthen the squad for the upcoming series but also prepare them for future matches and tournaments.
“I think we need to understand that we have to look at the bigger picture and we have picked certain players keeping the future in mind. Look most of defeats in the recent past were largely due to our fielding, because we have given away 30 runs that forced us to think in a different way. With the World Cup coming up next year, we need to have a look at new cricketers,” a member of the team management told Cricbuzz.
Bangladesh Women Squad for home series against India:
Niger Sultana Joty, Sobhana Mostary, Murshida Khatun, Lata Mondol, Nahida Akter, Mst Fariha Islam Trisna, Mst Shanjida Akther Maghla, Disha Biswas, Rabeya, Shorna Akter, Most. Sharmin Akter Supta, Sultana Khatun, Marufa Akter, Dilara Akter, Shathi Rani, Ritu Moni, Salma Khatun, Shamima Sultana, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Fahima Khatun
