Bangladesh Women have named a 15-player squad for their T20I series against Sri Lanka, and the headline selection is Sarmin Sultana, who has not yet played a T20I.
Sarmin returned to the ODI team only recently, after an absence of seven years, and made 42 runs in three innings during that series. The selectors have now chosen to back her in the shortest format, and she takes the place of Fargana Hoque.
Key figures
Captain Nigar Sultana is again expected to carry much of the batting load, with Sobhana Mostary and Sharmin Akter, who both offered some resistance in the ODIs, also important. In the attack, Marufa Akter is set to lead the pace bowlers, while vice-captain Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun and Fahima Khatun share the spin duties.
World Cup build-up
The series is likely to be Bangladesh’s last preparation before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June. The team hope to take into that tournament the confidence of a perfect qualifying campaign earlier this year.
The squad
Nigar Sultana (captain), Nahida Akter (vice-captain), Dilara Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Fahima Khatun, Sharmin Akter, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sarmin Sultana, Marufa Akter, Fariha Trisna, Sultana Khatun, Sanjida Akter Meghla and Juairiya Ferdous.
