Bangladesh women name teenagers Nishita and Sumaiya in the World Cup squad that was announced for yesterday.
The BCB declared on Saturday that Bangladesh has added two youngsters to their Women’s World Cup team. They are 19-year-old batsman Sumaiya Akter and 17-year-old offspinner Nishita Akter. Both played for Bangladesh in the February Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
Rubya Haider, a 28-year-old keeper-batter who has played six Twenty20 Internationals but has not yet made her ODI debut, has also been selected by Bangladesh.
None of these three relative newcomers have played for the senior Bangladeshi team in 2025, and they have combined for three ODIs and seven T20Is.
Dilara Akter, Jannatul Ferdus, and Ishma Tanjim were cut from Bangladesh’s most recent team, which participated in the World Cup qualifier in April, by the selectors. Bangladesh hasn’t participated in any international matches since they advanced from that tournament, defeating the West Indies by a net-run-rate margin of just 0.013.
In order to get ready for the World Cup, the team has recently played several games against Bangladesh’s Under-15 boys team.
Sajjad Ahmed, chief selector for women, was thrilled to have the three young players join the team. After captain Nigar Sultana, he stated Rubya, who has played six Twenty20 Internationals, will be the team’s backup opener and wicketkeeper.
“Rubya has earned her place through sheer hard work,” he said. “Her development over the last six months has been outstanding. We see her as a valuable option both as a reserve keeper and a back-up opener.
“Nishita is still young, but she bowls with great maturity. She is consistent, calm under pressure and her ability to contain left-handers gave her an edge. We believe this experience will serve her well and add depth to our spin attack.”
With Nahida Akter serving as Nigar’s vice captain and players like Fargana Hoque, Fahima Khatun, and Marufa Akter contributing experience that Bangladesh hopes would make up for their recent lack of match practice, the squad looks familiar aside from these three.
On October 2, Bangladesh will play their first World Cup match against Pakistan in Colombo. The tournament is being hosted by India, while all of Pakistan’s matches will be held in Colombo.