The upcoming 2024 Women’s Asia Cup will be the ninth edition of the tournament, scheduled from July 19 to July 28, 2024, in Sri Lanka. It will feature eight teams, with all matches played as Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), keeping in mind the T20 World Cup that follows shortly after. The tournament format includes a group round-robin stage followed by knockout rounds. On June 23rd, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced their squad for the tournament.
The Nigar Sultana-led side recently faced the India women’s team in a five-match T20I series at home, losing all the matches to the visitors. The Tigresses need to bounce back from this defeat, and the Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka provides an excellent opportunity. Having won the tournament once in 2018 by defeating India in the final, they can draw inspiration from their past success and learn from their recent series against India.
In the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup, Bangladesh is placed in Group B alongside Malaysia, hosts Sri Lanka, and Thailand. They will play each team in their group once. Their fixtures for the tournament are as follows:
July 20, 2024: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh – Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
July 22, 2024: Bangladesh vs Thailand – Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
July 24, 2024: Bangladesh vs Malaysia – Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla
In comparison to the squad for the recent India T20I series, the announced Bangladesh Asia Cup squad sees the inclusion of Rumana Ahmed, Jahanara Alam, Ishma Tanjim, and Sabikun Nahar, replacing Habiba Islam, Fahima Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, and Fariha Trisna.
Rumana Ahmed, a 33-year-old all-rounder, debuted in T20Is nearly 12 years ago and has since played 84 matches, amassing over 850 runs and taking more than 70 wickets, returns for the key continental event. Following an impressive domestic season, Jahanara Alam also returns to the side, a 31-year-old right-arm medium bowler, also debuted in T20I almost 12 years ago and has played 78 matches, taking over 55 wickets.
Besides the seasoned veterans, Ishma Tanjim, a 27-year-old all-rounder, who has not yet played for the senior team but represented the Bangladesh Emerging Team in the 2019 Asian Cricket Council Women’s Emerging Teams Cup and Sabikun Nahar, also 27, have earned their maiden call-up.
#ICYMI Bangladesh Women’s squad announced for the Asia Cup! 📢
Experienced duo Jahanara Alam & Rumana Ahmed return for the Asia Cup campaign!#CricketTwitter #T20AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/xxmkLKxjjp
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) June 24, 2024
Bangladesh Squad for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup 2024:
Nigar Sultana (C), Nahida Akter (VC), Murshida Khatun, Dilara Akter, Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Rubya Haider, Shorna Akter, Ishma Tanjim, Sabikun Nahar, and Shorifa Khatun
