Bangladesh team announced for World Cup qualifiers with a surprise

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the Bangladesh women's team for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup qualifiers with Nigar Sultana Jyoti as the captain. Nahida Akhtar will serve as the vice-captain in the team.

Bangladesh women will go to Nepal to play the T20 World Cup qualifiers. Jyoti will leave Bangladesh for Kathmandu, Nepal on January 12. Bangladesh will start the World Cup qualifiers with a match against the United States on January 18.

Although the rest are familiar faces, Zuraira Ferdous is a surprise in this Bangladesh squad. In addition to the 15-member squad, Sharmin Sultana, Farzana Yasmin, Sharifa Khatun, Fatema Jahan Sonia, Habiba Islam Pinki are on standby.

10 teams will play in the qualifiers, divided into two groups. Bangladesh are in Group A along with Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Namibia and the United States. Group B includes Scotland, Thailand, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Nepal.

Bangladesh will play the second match against Papua New Guinea on January 20. Bangladesh will play the third match against Namibia on January 22. Jyotira will take the field against Ireland on January 24.

Incidentally, the top 3 teams from each of the two groups will advance to the second round. The top four teams from there will secure tickets for the main stage of the World Cup. This edition of the Women's T20 World Cup is being held in England and Wales in June-July 2026.

Bangladesh squad at a glance: Nigar Sultana Jyoti (captain), Nahida Akhtar (vice-captain), Sobhana Mostari, Farzana Haque, Sharmin Akhtar Supta, Dilara Akhtar, Zuraira Ferdous, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Swarna Akhtar, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akhtar, Fariha Islam Trishna, Sanjida Akhtar Meghla and Sultana Khatun. Standby: Sharmin Sultana, Farzana Yasmin, Sharifa Khatun, Fatema Jahan Sonia and Habiba Islam Pinki.