Granted Test status in 2021, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team is yet to play their maiden Test. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is taking steps to turn red-ball dreams into reality by introducing the Women’s Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) 2024-25. This landmark tournament, the first-ever women’s three-day first-class competition in Bangladesh, is set to commence on December 21 in Rajshahi.
In a recent interaction with The Daily Star, women’s wing head Habibul Bashar outlined the BCBs vision of establishing a multi-day competition as a steppingstone toward Test cricket. Quoting Bashar, “If we want to play Tests, we need to play first-class matches. If we can play this year and also next year, we will be eligible to play Test matches.”
Notably, the inaugural WBCL was held last year as a two-day tournament featuring three teams. For the 2024-25 season, the BCB has upgraded the competition to three-day matches and expanded it to include four teams. The newly introduced teams—South, East, Central, and North—are set to compete in two rounds later this month, with the remaining two rounds expected to resume early next year.
Women’s Bangladesh Cricket League 2024-25 Fixtures:
December 21-23 –
South v East, BTCAG, Rajshahi
Central v North, SKS, Rajshahi
December 26-28 –
South v North, BTCAG, Rajshahi
Central v East, SKS, Rajshahi
The availability of seasoned cricketers and emerging talents ensures strong team compositions across the competition. Rabeya Khan will lead the South Zone, which includes notable players such as Shamima Sultana, Salma Khatun, Sultana Khatun, Sanjida Akter, and Rubya Haider Jhelik.
Sobhana Mostary will captain the North Zone, which features a strong lineup, including Fargana Hoque Pinky, Fariha Islam Trisna, Jannatul Ferdous Sumona, and Marufa Akter among the squad of 15. Meanwhile, Nigar Sultana Joty will lead the star-studded Central Zone, boasting players like Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Disha Biswas, and Nahida Akter, among others.
Fahima Khatun will captain the East Zone, supported by key players such as Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akter, and Sabikun Nahar Jesmin in the squad. Notably absent from the squads is veteran pacer Jahanara Alam, who could feature during the second leg of the competition following the West Indies series.
Women’s Bangladesh Cricket League 2024-25 Squads:
South Zone
Rabeya (C), Shamima Sultana (WK), Bithi Parvin, Rubya Haider Jhelik (WK), Unnoti Akter (WK), Rumana Ahmed, Aysha Rahman Suktara, Rupa Roy, Salma Khatun, Sultana Khatun, Sanjida Akter Maghla, Fatema Tuz Jahura, Leky Chakma, Prity Das
North Zone
Sobhana Mostary (C), Fargana Hoque Pinky, Ishma Tanjim, Sharmin Sultana,
Mst Ritu Moni, Misty Rani Saha, Rochona Akter (WK), Mst Fariha Islam Trisna, Lucky Khatun, Fatema Jahan Sonia, Marufa Akter, Achena Jannat, Labone Akter, Jannatul Ferdous Sumona
Central Zone
Nigar Sultana Joty (C), Murshida Khatun, Puja Chakrabortty, Shorna Akter, Farzana Akter Lisa (WK), Disha Biswas, Nahida Akter, Mumta Hena Hasnat, Riya Akter Sikha, Fuara Begum, Lata Mondol, Sharmin Akter, Suborna Kormoker, Sadia Islam
East Zone
Fahima Khatun (C), Dilara Akter Dola (WK), Shampa Biswas, Sharmin Akter Supta, Suriya Azmin Chonda, Mst. Nasima Khatun, Sabikun Nahar Jasmin, Tajnehar, Mst Shorifa Khatun, Khadijatul Kubra, Farzana Akter Boby, Dipa Khatun, Jannatul Ferdousy Tithi, Ashrafi Yeasmin Arthy
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