Bangladesh Women's Squad Announced for Sri Lanka ODIs

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-04-15

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially announced a 15-member women's squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka. This three-match ODI series kicks off on April 20, 2026, at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium. It's a big moment for women's cricket in Bangladesh. The team is looking to build momentum ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in June 2026. And the selectors have made some interesting choices. ### Key Selection Surprises The squad features two standout picks. First, Sarmin Sultana returns after a seven-year absence from the national ODI setup. She last played an ODI in November 2019 against Pakistan. That's a long gap, but her domestic form was too good to ignore. Second, 20-year-old Juairiya Ferdous earns her first ODI call-up as a wicketkeeper-batter. She's already played seven T20Is for Bangladesh, scoring 123 runs including a half-century. While Nigar Sultana Joty remains the primary wicketkeeper, Ferdous adds depth to the middle order.  ### Who's In and Who's Out Captain Nigar Sultana Joty leads the squad, with Nahida Akter as vice-captain. Off-spinner Sultana Khatun is back after her last ODI in January 2025. She knows how to use home conditions effectively. Three players from the previous World Cup squad didn't make the cut: Rubya Haider, Nishita Akter, and Sumaiya Akter. The selectors said they're looking for a better balance of skill and reliability. Here's the full 15-player squad: - Nigar Sultana Joty (captain, wicketkeeper) - Nahida Akter (vice-captain, bowler) - Gargana Hoque (batter) - Sobhana Mostary (batter) - Sharmin Akter Supta (batter) - Sarmin Sultana (batter) - Ritu Moni (all-rounder) - Fahima Khatun (all-rounder) - Shorna Akter (all-rounder) - Rabeya Khan (bowler) - Marufa Akter (bowler) - Sultana Khatun (bowler) - Shanjida Akther Maghla (bowler) - Juairiya Ferdous (wicketkeeper)  ### Why These Changes Matter The return of Sarmin Sultana is the biggest story here. She's 32 years old and brings experience to a relatively young batting lineup. Her recent performances in the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars T20 and the Women's Emerging Asia Cup caught the selectors' attention. She scored 76 runs in four innings during the Emerging Asia Cup. Juairiya Ferdous is the future. She's only 20, but she's already shown she can handle pressure in T20Is. Her most recent outing was in the T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal. Giving her an ODI debut now could pay off big time down the road. ### Full Match Schedule The Sri Lankan team arrives in Bangladesh on April 17. They'll head straight to Rajshahi to prepare. All three ODIs take place at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, with each match starting at 9:30 AM local time. After the ODI series, both teams move to Sylhet for a three-match T20I series. Those T20s are crucial because the ICC Women's T20 World Cup starts in June 2026. This is a chance for Bangladesh to fine-tune their game. ### What to Watch For Keep an eye on how Sarmin Sultana adjusts to international cricket after such a long break. Also, watch Juairiya Ferdous—she could be a game-changer with the bat. And don't forget Sultana Khatun's spin bowling on home pitches. This series is more than just three matches. It's a stepping stone toward the World Cup. Bangladesh wants to build a squad that can compete on the biggest stage. And these selections show they're thinking long-term. For more sports news and updates, follow JeetWin Blog.