As part of their final build‑up to the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka (September 30 to November 2), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is organizing a preparatory three‑team Challenge Cup to be held at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) from August 18 to 28 as part of the national women’s team’s preparation for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup.
Running from August 18 to 28 at BKSP, the Challenge Cup will bring together two women’s squads, formed from the national team players and emerging talent, alongside the men’s U-15 national team in a round-robin contest.
This won’t be the first instance of the Tigresses playing against an age-group side, having previously taken on the U-19 team in practice games ahead of last year’s Women’s Asia Cup. Currently, the women’s team is completing the final leg of its Sylhet training camp, set to wrap up on July 29, before shifting to another phase at BKSP from August 6 to 15.
Chief selector, Sazzad Ahmed Shipon (Women’s wing) expressed his thoughts adding that the women’s team could have another camp in Dhaka in September, “We currently have 18 players in the camp [Sylhet]. Maybe two to three players will be added for the next camp at the BKSP. Then the tournament will happen.”
The women’s team is expected to depart for India between September 20 and 22, with their World Cup campaign kicking off against Pakistan on October 2 in Colombo.
Since the qualifying tournament in April, the Tigresses have remained without international exposure, while the other seven World Cup-bound teams have either played or scheduled matches ahead of the tournament.
England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka have already participated in international fixtures since May, while India is set to host Australia for three ODIs in September, and Pakistan will face Ireland in a T20I series next month.
(Inputs sourced from The Daily Star)
Loves all things female cricket