There are as many as 12 players of BKSP background in the Bangladesh U-19 women's cricket team who pulled off some stunning results in the recently concluded Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.
Former national cricketer and current Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan coach Fatema Tuj Jahara knows the details of those players and also has sharp insights on others, and their capability.
She believes that every player in the U-19 team has the ability to support the senior team, and expects a promising future in the country's women's cricket.
Four players from this outstanding youth team were called up to the national team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, and three of them have BKSP connection - Disha Biswas, Marufa Akter and Dilara Akter.
Disha captained BKSP women's team in the premier league last season (2021-22).
She was also in the South Asian Games 2019 gold winning team and a member of the emerging team on tour of Zimbabwe.
“She [Disha] is very talented. As a bowler, she is a technically sound pacer. She also has leadership quality,” Fatema told Dhaka Tribune.
Marufa is relatively new in BKSP as she got admitted there in 2021.
She played the premier league where she became the highest wicket-taker.
“She [Marufa] performed brilliantly in the U-19 T20 World Cup. She has both pace and swing. I hope if she continues she can support Bangladesh team for long run,” said Fatema, who was appointed Maldives women's team coach five months ago.
Dilara is not a regular BKSP student but trained there for some time during a camp.
“She is very good and skillful wicket-keeper. She trained in BKSP last one year which helped improve her game,” Fatema said on Dilara.
Fatema also praised Shorna Akter, only one among the U-19 quartet not from BKSP, as a genuine all-rounder.
“She [Shorna] is a pure all-rounder. Her batting is praiseworthy because it reminds one that cricket is a mental sport as well. She knows which ball she has to let go and which to hit,” said Fatema.
Afia Prottasha was one of the top performers in the U-19 T20 World Cup and caught special attention for her hard hitting.
Unlucky to miss the cut for the T20 World Cup contingent, Afia hails from Rajshahi.
Fatema with her BKSP disciples “One can be very hopeful on Afia, especially in T20 format because she got that strength. She can also play sensible cricket,” said Fatema.
Sumaiya Akter got admitted to BKSP at early age and has been playing in the premier league for the last four years.
Fatema added, “She is technically and tactically sound. She is a good finisher. There is a belief that she will play for national team for long time.”
Legspinning-allrounder Rabeya Khan first joined the national team camp in 2019.
She made international debut last year during the New Zealand tour.
Before that, she played in the South Asian Games 2019.
She also toured Zimbabwe with the emerging team.
“She is pretty good as an athlete, physically and mentally. Her specialty is that she is an excellent fielder. She took a brilliant catch at point against Sri Lanka. She got admitted to BKSP in 2017,” said Fatema on Rabeya.
Fatema admired Dipa Khatun as a “pure” off spinner who had a fine economy rate against Sri Lanka and Australia.
She joined BKSP in 2016 and is a regular premier league player.
Leky Chakma is the only player in the U-19 squad from Chittagong Hill Tracts region.
Fatema mentioned her strong mentality.
“She [Leky] worked hard to train in Rangamati where practicing cricket is tough. One-year training in BKSP helped her. She is very good all-rounder – a pace bowler and right-hand batter. She doesn't break down easily,” said Fatema.
Fatema also commented on Asrafi Arthy, who joined BKSP in 2018 and is a running premier league player, “She has the height and physique of a pace bowler. She also has the capability of a good finisher while batting in lower-order.”
Bangladesh won four and lost only one match in the U-19 T20 World Cup 2023 before they exited from the semi-final race owing to inferior net run rate.