The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has recalled Jahanara Alam and Rumana Ahmed for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup. The tournament will take place in Sri Lanka from July 19. This experienced duo has won a few games for Bangladesh in the past.
“This will be our last competitive tournament before the World Cup. We’re looking for some changes for this tournament,” BCB’s women’s wing chief selector Sazzad Ahmed said after the squad announcement on Sunday.
“Rumana and Jahanara were out of the national team for almost a year. The kind of performance they had in the premier league was quite outstanding… We wanted to make a balanced team with experienced, talented, and young cricketers. Their Premier League performance also helped us in building the team,” he added.
Both players were recalled after their cpnvincing performance in the Dhaka Premier Division Women’s Cricket League in the 2023-24 season. Jahanara last played for Bangladesh in May 2023. Rumana’s last appearance for her country was in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in February 2023.
Jahanara was the highest wicket-taker in the domestic league, with 25 scalps while representing Abahani Limited. Rumana scored 241 runs and took 17 wickets. Their performances ensured that the selectors could not overlook them for much longer.
Bangladesh are in Group B in this tournament. They will take on Sri Lanka on July 20 in their opening encounter. Then, they will play against Thailand on July 22 and Malaysia a couple of days later. All the games will be played in Dambulla.
Bangladesh squad: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter (vc), Murshida Khatun, Dilara Akter, Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Shorna Akter, Ishma Tanjim, Sabikun Nahar Jesmin and Shorifa Khatun.
