Bangladesh name 16-member squad for Sri Lanka white-ball series; Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed rested

Bangladesh (BAN-W) have name a 16-member contingent for the forthcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka Women (SL-W). The Islanders are set to host Bangladesh in a three-match ODI series followed by as many T20I matches, with the series scheduled to start from April 29.

Notably, senior cricketers Salma Khatun and Rumana Ahmed have been rested to manage their workload. In addition to this, pacer Marufa Akter missed out due to her upcoming Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam. Meanwhile, Sanjida Akther Maghla, Fariha Islam Trishna, Rabeya, and uncapped Sultana Khatun have been included.

The BCB women’s team selector Monjurul Islam expressed delight in having Nigar Sultana in the setup and believes that she will be able to lead the team well in Salma Khatun's absence.

"We have rested Salma and Rumana as per the plan of the head coach (Hashan Tillakaratne) because he feels there is lot of cricket and we need to focus on managing their work load. We have lot of games at home and away and so we want to make a plan so that we can get the best out of the seniors,” Islam was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. 

"We need a [complete] package at number six or seven and Sultana looks to be fit for it. In the coming days we are expecting her to fill the gap of Salma Khatun in the team," he added.

Nigar Sultana Joty-led Bangladesh will depart for Sri Lanka on April 25 and will contest in a warm-up game against SLC Board President XI on April 27. The three WODIs will be played April 29, May 2 and 4 respectively at P Sara Oval in Colombo while the three-match WT20I series will follow, with games scheduled on May 9, 11 and 12 at SSC Ground in Colombo.  

Notably, the ODI series is a part of the ICC Women's Championship, in which the hosts are currently placed eighth while Bangladesh are placed seventh.

Bangladesh squad: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Fargana Hoque Pinky, Shamima Sultana, Fahima Khatun, Murshida Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Mst Sanjida Akther Maghla, Sobhana Mostary, Lata Mondol, Shorna Akter, Nahida Akter, Fariha Islam Trishna, Mst Ritu Moni, Disha Biswas, Rabeya, Sultana Khatun.