Bangladesh leave out Rumana Ahmed from Women's T20 World Cup squad

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has omitted veteran all-rounder Rumana Ahmed from their 15-player squad for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup. The BCB unveiled the squad on Wednesday, marking a significant shift as the team gears up for the tournament starting October 3.

Joining Rumana Ahmed on the sidelines are Rubey Haider, Sharifa Khatun, Sabikun Nahar, and Ishma Tanjim—players who were part of the squad for the 2024 Asia Cup. Despite their recent appearances in the Asia Cup, these players failed to secure a spot in the World Cup squad. While Rabeya and Sharifa managed only one game each, with scores of 0 and 5 respectively, Sabikun played two matches, and Ishma and Rumana featured in four and three games respectively.

In a bid to strengthen the squad, selectors have included uncapped talents Taj Nehar and Disha Biswas. Additionally, Shathi Rani, Fahima Khatun, and Sobhana Mostary have been recalled. Shathi Rani, who hasn’t played internationally since September last year, and Fahima and Mostary, who last featured against India in May, are set to make their return.

Bangladesh, having fallen short of the final in the 2024 Asia Cup, will open their World Cup campaign against Scotland in Sharjah on October 3. The team’s group stage fixtures also include matches against England, West Indies, and South Africa on October 5, 10, and 12, respectively. After their initial games in Sharjah, they will move to Dubai for their final group stage match.

Bangladesh squad: Nigar Sultana Joty (capt), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Dilara Akter, Ritu Moni, Marufa Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Fahima Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Shorna Akter, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani and Disha Biswas