Marufa Akter Out: What Her Ankle Injury Means for Bangladesh

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Marufa Akter is out of the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy with an ankle injury. See who replaces her, how Nahida Akter's squad shapes up, and what it means for Bangladesh's campaign in the UAE.

Bangladesh's pace attack just took a hit. Fast bowler Marufa Akter will miss the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy after an ankle injury forced her out of the squad. The Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed a 15-member T20I side, and the tournament runs in the UAE starting November 12. If you've followed this team closely, you know Marufa isn't just another name on the sheet. She's a genuine strike option with the new ball, and losing her changes the shape of the bowling group. ### Marufa Akter's Injury Opens the Door for New Faces Marufa picked up the ankle problem right before the squad announcement. Selectors didn't wait around — they replaced her and moved on. That's how it goes in tournament cricket. You feel for the player, but the squad has to keep moving. The silver lining? A few players get a real opportunity here. - **Shathi Rani** returns to the fold. The opener has nine T20Is under her belt, with her last Bangladesh appearance coming at the 2024 T20 World Cup. - **Jannatul Ferdus** is back too. The allrounder has seven ODIs and four T20Is to her name, most recently featuring in April 2025. - **Disha Biswas** earns her first call-up. The uncapped quick made her Bangladesh debut earlier this year in the third ODI against Australia and impressed with the Emerging team in South Africa over July and August. On the flip side, batter Sarmin Sultana and offspinner Sultana Khatun didn't make the cut. Tough calls, but someone always misses out. ### Nahida Akter Takes the Reins This tournament marks Nahida Akter's first as T20I captain. She took over from Nigar Sultana last month, and now the real work begins. Nigar stays in the squad as a batter and wicketkeeper option, which gives the team valuable experience behind the stumps. Sobhana Mostary steps in as vice-captain. Here's the full squad: - Nahida Akter (captain) - Sobhana Mostary (vice-captain) - Dilara Akter - Sharmin Akter Supta - Shorna Akter - Disha Biswas - Juairiya Ferdous - Jannatul Ferdus - Rabeya Khan - Fahima Khatun - Shanjida Akther Maghla - Ritu Moni - Shathi Rani - Nigar Sultana - Fariha Islam Trisna ### Group Stage and Schedule Ten teams are in the mix. Bangladesh sit in Group B alongside Pakistan, Thailand, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe. They open against Pakistan on day one at the Karwan Cricket Ground in Ajman. A strong start there would set the tone for the whole campaign. ### What Marufa's Absence Really Costs Let's be honest — Marufa brings something different. At last year's ODI World Cup, she had a batter caught in the opening over against New Zealand in Guwahati before a DRS review overturned it. That's the kind of early pressure that shifts momentum. Without her, the pace duties lean more heavily on Biswas and the returning players. It's not a crisis, but it's a real adjustment. > "Losing a frontline quick before a tournament always tests your depth. The question isn't who's missing — it's who steps up." That's the story to watch here. Biswas has the talent. Rani and Ferdus bring experience. And Nahida has her first real chance to stamp her leadership on this side. The tournament starts November 12. Keep an eye on that opening match against Pakistan — it'll tell us a lot about how this reshaped squad handles the pressure.

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