Women's Asia Cup 2024: Bangladesh Recall Experienced Duo Jahanara Alam & Rumana Ahmed

Add as a preferred source on Google

Bangladesh has recalled the experienced duo of Rumana Ahmed and Jahanara Alam after more than a year out of the squad for the upcoming Women's Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

All-rounder Rumana and seamer Jahanara have 134 and 130 international caps respectively. The Bangladesh selectors appeared to have moved on from the senior stars in order to build a younger side. However, following recent performance, the duo have been handed a recall.

Jahanara claimed the most wickets in this season's Dhaka Premier Division Women's Cricket League (DPDWCL), with 25 scalps in nine matches, while Rumana, who bowls leg-spin finished with 17 wickets.

"Rumana and Jahanara were out of the team for 12 months. We have to keep in mind that there is very little training facilities for our female cricketers, so it is to their credit that they held on to their fitness," women's chief selector Sajjad Ahmed said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"They performed very well in the Premier League. It is good news for us that we can get their experience in our squad, which allows us to have a balanced squad."

Apart from the two experienced players being recalled, the selectors also called up batter Ishma Tanjim and left-arm bowler Sabikun Nahar, both of whom were highly rated.

"Ishma Tanjim is a free-flowing opening batter. She plays some great shots. She is technically very sound. She had a nearly 100 strike rate [in the DPDWCL], second-highest behind Dilara Akter. She made runs in some good matches, which prompted me to pick her," Sajjad said.

"Sabikun Nahar is a left-arm spinner who can partner with Nahida [Akter]. I feel her pace, variation and accuracy will release pressure on Nahida."

Bangladesh, however, did not include the likes of Habiba Islam, Fahima Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, or Fariha Trisna, who all featured in last month's home series against India. Sajjad expressed hope that this side will lead Bangladesh to the Asia Cup semi-finals.

"I think we have a great prospect in the Asia Cup this year. We open the tournament against Sri Lanka. If we win that game, we have a great chance of playing in the semi-final," he said.

The upcoming Women's Asia Cup 2024 will take place in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, from July 19 to 28, 2024. Bangladesh will play hosts Sri Lanka on July 20, followed by matches against Thailand and Malaysia on July 22 and 24, respectively.

Bangladesh Women's Asia Cup 2024 Squad

Nigar Sultana (captain/wicketkeeper), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Dilara Akter, Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Rubya Haider, Shorna Akter, Ishma Tanjim, Sabikun Nahar, Shorifa Khatun.