“To be honest, it’s an amazing feeling. It’s a proud moment for me to represent Bangladesh and give them my service.” Jahanara Alam speaks about her return to the national colours ahead of the Asia Cup
We are inching closer to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Women’s Asia Cup 2024. The tournament will be played in the T20 format and will be hosted by Sri Lanka. The tournament will commence on 19th July 2024 and will conclude on 28th July 2024. All the matches will be played in Dambulla.
“To be honest, it’s an amazing feeling. It’s a proud moment for me to represent Bangladesh and give them my service. Hopefully, I can stay fit and play for Bangladesh once again wearing the jersey.” The veteran pacer Jahanara Alam is elated to be back in the national set-up ahead of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.
The upcoming edition of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup is going to be the 5th edition of the 20-over tournament. The Bangladesh women’s team led by skipper Nigar Sultana Joty announced their squad last month for the upcoming edition of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024. The 31-year-old veteran pace bowler Jahanara Alam returned to the squad after being out of action for her side for more than a year. Her previous international appearance for Bangladesh came on 12th May 2023 in a T20I against Sri Lanka.
“I had to change my whole procedure. I changed my food habits in the meantime. It’s not easy to go to Masco Academy every day. I went there four to five days a week. I bowled for 10 overs, eight overs, six overs, and four overs while fasting 24 out of these 26 days (Ramadan). I also did batting training over there. In fact, I also did fielding and fitness training and did my running and gym sessions at the BCB and Masco. It was really tough for me but I took the challenge and got some of the benefits for sure.” Jahanara Alam speaks about the hard work she invested in her training.
She made her T20I debut on 28th August 2012 against Ireland. She has been a vital cog in the Bangladesh, pace-bowling attack over the years. She has picked up 57 wickets at a strike rate of 24.8, an average of 23.31, and an economy of 5.62 in 78 innings with the ball. Her tally of wickets includes one four-wicket haul and one five-wicket haul in the format. Her best performance with the ball came on 28th June 2018 against Ireland when she returned with brilliant match figures (4-0-28-5) with the ball.
Apart from her exploits with the ball, she has also scored 168 runs at a strike rate of 71.79 in 51 innings with the bat in the T20I format.
The Nigar Sultana Joty-led side is placed in Group B alongside hosts Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand. Bangladesh will kickstart their ACC Women’s Asia Cup campaign against hosts Sri Lanka in the 4th match of the tournament on 20th July 2024, from 7 PM IST.
(Quotes sourced from The Daily Star)