Newcomer Marufa in Tigresses’ squad

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member squad yesterday for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup qualifier, scheduled to be held in UAE from September 18 to 25.

Right-arm pacer Marufa Akter, who came in the place of Suriya Azmin, was the only new face in the Nigar Sultana Joty-led side, where Jahanara Alam also made her return to the team to replace Fariha Islam.

Eight teams have been divided into two groups and the top two teams will book their place in the main event, which will be played in South Africa in February-March 2023.

Group A consists of Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and USA, while Group B features Thailand, Zimbabwe, PNG and UAE.

Bangladesh and Thailand made it to the qualifier by the virtue of their ICC Women's Team Rankings when they competed in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in 2020.

Bangladesh will start the tournament as one of the favourites. In the four qualifying events in the past, Bangladesh have qualified three times – twice as winners and once as runner-up.

Bangladesh women's team will play their first match against Ireland on September 18 before taking on Scotland and USA on September 19 and 21, respectively.

The team will travel to Abu Dhabi on September 8 for a pre-event conditioning camp.

SQUAD: Nigar Sultana Joty (captain), Sharmin Akter Supta, Shamima Sultana, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Lata Mondol, Salma Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Fahima Khatu, Shanjida Akhter Maghla and Marufa Akter.