BCB names 15-member Bangladesh Women’s squad for CWG Qualifiers, Jahanara Alam excluded

Veteran fast bowler Jahanara Alam couldn’t make the cut as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), on Friday, January 7, named a strong 15-member Bangladesh Women’s squad for the ICC Commonwealth Games Qualifier 2022, starting January 18 in Malaysia. Nigar Sultana Joty has been appointed as the skipper, replacing the very-experienced Salma Khatun.

If reports are to be believed, the 28-year-old Jahanara was left out because of disciplinary issues where she misbehaved with the team management during the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Jahanara, wicketkeeper Nuzhat Tasnia and off-break bowler Khadiza-Tul Kubra have been kept on standby.

Jahanara is third in the list of leading wicket-takers for the Tigresses in the T20 format. In 71 matches, the right-arm fast bowler has picked up 55 wickets. The Khulna-born pacer made her debut in the format back in 2012 and has been a critical member of their T20 setup.

She also captained the team in the World Cup Qualifiers where Bangladesh defeated Pakistan and the USA while losing to Thailand.

Bangladesh have a balanced squad for this competition, says BCB women’s selector

“We have a balanced squad for this competition and players have been picked according to some specific criteria we have set. I think this event is also a good stage to give opportunities to some emerging talent as we need to plan for the future as well,” BCB women’s selector Monjurul Islam was quoted as saying on Cricbuzz.

The Bangladesh women’s team is scheduled to fly to Malaysia on Saturday, January 8 and take part in the five-nation tournament. Hosts Malaysia, Scotland, Sri Lanka and Kenya are the other four teams along with Bangladesh.

The champion team will join the seven teams in the XXII Commonwealth Games, which is set to be held in July-August at Birmingham. The Bangladesh squad also features left-arm spinner Nahida Akter, who was nominated for ICC’s Player of the Month awards for November.

Squad

Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Rumana Ahmed, Salma Khatun, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Shamima Sultana, Fahima Khatun, Ritu Moni, Murshida Khatun, Nahida Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, Lata Mondol, Sobhana Mostary, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Suraiya Azmim

Stand by

Jahanara Alam, Nuzhat Tasnia, Khadiza-Tul Kubra