Bangladesh announces squad for Commonwealth Games Qualifier

Experienced pacer Jahanara Alam failed to make the cut in the national women's squad for the ICC Commonwealth Games Qualifier 2022, set to be held in Malaysia. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Friday (January 7) the team will be led by Nigar Sultana, who will replace Salma Khatun as the T20 skipper.

Jahanara, who made her T20I debut in 2011, is the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in the shortest format, having picked 38 wickets in 40 matches.

Jahanara along with seasoned off-spinner Khadiza-Tul Kubra and Nuzhat Tasnia have been kept as stand-by.

“We have a balanced squad for this competition and players have been picked according to some specific criteria we have set. I think this event is also a good stage to give opportunities to some emerging talent as we need to plan for the future as well,” BCB women’s selector Monjurul Islam said in a statement on Friday.

The women’s team, which will fly on January 8, and start their campaign in the five-nation tournament on January 18. The other participating teams in the qualifiers are - Kenya, Malaysia, Scotland and Sri Lanka.

The qualifier champion team will join seven other teams to take part in the cricket discipline of the XXII Commonwealth Games, scheduled in Birmingham in July-August 2022.

SQUAD: Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Rumana Ahmed, Salma Khatun, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Shamima Sultana, Fahima Khatun, Ritu Moni, Murshida Khatun, Nahida Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, Lata Mondol, Sobhana Mostary, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Suraiya Azmim