The Bangladesh Cricket Board Wednesday announced the squad for the Women's Twenty20 World Cup, leaving out experienced campaigner Rumana Ahmed.
Uncapped batter Taj Nehar made room in the side for the first time as Bangladesh brought five changes to the squad that played in the Asia Cup in July.
Along with Rumana, Rubya Haider, Shorifa Khatun, Sabikun Nahar and Ishma Tanjim were also axed, paving the way for Sobhana Mostary, Fahima Khatun, Nehar, Shathi Rani and Disha Biswas.
The BCB declared the squad in a video message on social media in the afternoon.
Expatriate Bangladeshis from different countries of the world revealed the players' names.
The way in which BCB announced the team in order to honor the fans and followers of Bangladesh cricket was lauded by many.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto, the captain of the Bangladesh national team, congratulated the women's team at the end of the two-minute 41-second video.
"The fans and support, spread all over the world is our biggest strength. They have been following our cricket religiously. So to honor them, we have given them the opportunity to name the squad," women's wing chief Habibul Bashar Sumon said during a press conference in Mirpur Wednesday.
The 26-year old top-order batter Nehar was in the Bangladesh “A” team on tour of Sri Lanka.
Chief selector Sajjad Ahmed said Nehar was the replacement of former captain Rumana.
"Rumana did not do well in the Asia Cup. Her batting lacked power to match T20 style at this moment, so we considered Nehar in her place," Sajjad said.
Another senior cricketer Salma Khatun has not been in the national team for almost a year.
The chief selector said Salma and Rumana do not feature in BCB’s plans.
"We have spoken to both Salma and Rumana. If they want to play one last match for the country, of course we will try to see them off the field. They can be placed in other roles on the board even after leaving the game. But the decision has to be taken by them," he added.
Sajjad also admitted that the recent form of batter Sobhana is not good.
"It's true, she's not playing as well as we expected. But right now we have no choice. We tried Ishma in the Asia Cup. But she did not do well in the Asia Cup or in the National League before that," said Sajjad.
"She (Sobhana) basically plays at No 3. But she can also play down the order if necessary. She is flexible about her batting position, so we can consider her for any place in the batting order."
The upcoming Women's T20 World Cup was supposed to be held in Bangladesh but due to the recent political unrest, it was moved to the United Arab Emirates.
The BCB though retained the rights of the hosts.
Bashar believes it would have been an ideal scenario had the tournament taken place in Bangladesh.
However, he is relieved that the weather in the UAE is not so hot at this time of the year.
Bashar is also hopeful that the support of the Bangladeshis living in the UAE will also give the team an edge.
Bangladesh are heading into the T20 World Cup having played a considerable number of matches.
Between March and May this year, Bangladesh cricketers played T20 series against Australia and India women's team in Dhaka and Sylhet.
In the Asia Cup last July, they beat Thailand and Malaysia but lost to India and Sri Lanka.
BCB's women's wing felt it was paramount for the side to be in a winning run before the world event.
To get them out of the recent string of losses, the “A” team were sent to Sri Lanka mainly under the guise of national team cricketers, most of whom are in the T20 World Cup team.
After winning the T20 series against Sri Lanka “A” team with two matches remaining, the chief selector hoped that this winning experience would come in handy in the mega event.
"I am hopeful that if we can play with 100% of our ability, then surely something good will happen. And if we can play with 110% of my ability, then there is a possibility of going to the semi-finals," Sajjad concluded.
Squad
Nigar Sultana Joty (capt), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Dilara Akter, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani, Disha Biswas.
