A formidable fifteen-member squad has been named by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in anticipation of the ICC T20 World Cup 2023. In a surprising but welcome move, the talents that recently competed in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa have also been selected. Nigar Sultana will captain the side.
What could we expect?
Talking around the last world cup, Nigar Sultana was the most celebrated player that shone out of the tournament for Bangladesh that still contemplates the side and will be seen in the upcoming world cup.
The last world cup was petty disastrous for them as they could conclude the tournament without a single win in their league stage where they encountered India, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and were ousted with a negative net run rate of 1.908.
Most significantly, two players from the side could candle themselves in the tournament; the skipper Nigar with her responsible knocks of 35 (26) and 39 (45) against India and Sri Lanka, respectively. Another sparkle was Salma Khatoon with her extraordinary spells throughout the tournament.
It was more than expected that members of the squad including Shorna Akter, Marufa Akter, Dilara Akter, and Disha Biswas will remain just as the U19 World Cup is over, and so has been the scene all through.
Players to watch out for in New Zealand:
Sharmin Akter, Fargana Hoque, Sanjida Akter, Fariha Trisna, and Rabeya Khatun, who were all a part of Bangladesh’s most recent tour, which went to New Zealand in December, were all left out and didn’t have a spot in the team.
Unfortunately, their World Cup job this year appears to be equivalent to climbing a quite steep hill. Given their recent struggles at the senior international level and the other nations in their group, it is difficult to imagine them progressing far in this competition.
They may compete in their initial match against Sri Lanka, but they will then face top-ranked Australia, third-ranked New Zealand, and fifth-ranked South Africa. A difficult task.
But perhaps they might draw motivation from their Under-19 World Cup competitors, who surprisingly won their group.
Speaking about the Under 19 team, several of its top players are stepping back and doing the double, intending to play in the senior tournament as well. Disha Biswas, the captain of the Under 19s team, is one of them. She is mostly a bowler but can also provide useful runs in the lower order with the bat.
Shorna Akter, an all-around player, helped her team defeat Sri Lanka and one of the tournament favourites, Australia, at the Under 19 World Cup by contributing some useful batting innings. Marufa Akter is the bowler who recorded eight wickets at the Under-19 World Cup and is equally efficient early in the innings and with the new ball.
Bangladesh squad:
Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Marufa Akter, Dilara Akter, Fahima Khatun, Salma Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Shamima Sultana, Rumana Ahmed, Lata Mondol, Shorna Akter, Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Ritu Moni, Disha Biswas, Sobhana Mostary
Stand-by list:
Rabeya, Sanjida Akther Maghla, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Sharmin Akter Supta
Bangladesh’s Itinerary:
12th February 2023: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
14th February 2023: Bangladesh vs Australia
17th February 2023: Bangladesh vs New Zealand
21st February 2023: Bangladesh vs South Africa
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