Marufa Akter Out: Bangladesh's Squad Shake-Up Nobody Expected

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Bangladesh fast bowler Marufa Akter is out of the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy with an ankle injury. See who's in, who's back, and how Nahida Akter's squad shapes up in the UAE.

Bangladesh's pace attack is about to look a little different. Fast bowler Marufa Akter is out of the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy thanks to an ankle injury, and the selectors had to shuffle the deck before the squad was even announced. The Bangladesh Cricket Board named a 15-member T20I side led by Nahida Akter for the tournament in the UAE. It's a tough break for Marufa, who's been one of the team's genuine pace options. But if there's one thing cricket keeps teaching us, it's that one player's setback is often another player's big moment. ### Marufa's Injury Opens the Door for Fresh Faces Marufa picked up the ankle problem just ahead of the squad announcement, and the selectors moved quickly to replace her. In her place, a few familiar names are back, and one brand-new one gets her shot. - Opener Shathi Rani returns to the side. She's played nine T20Is and last featured for Bangladesh at the T20 World Cup in 2024. - Allrounder Jannatul Ferdus is also back. She's appeared in seven ODIs and four T20Is, with her most recent international outing coming in April 2025. - Uncapped fast bowler Disha Biswas earns her first call-up. Biswas actually made her Bangladesh debut earlier this year in the third ODI against Australia. She got the nod here after taking wickets for the Emerging team during their tour of South Africa in July and August. That's the kind of form that gets you noticed. Not everyone made the cut, though. Batter Sarmin Sultana and offspinner Sultana Khatun have missed out on selection. ### Nahida Akter Takes the Reins This tournament marks a big milestone. The Emerging Nations Trophy will be Nahida's first tournament as T20I captain after she took over the role from Nigar Sultana last month. Sultana stays in the 15-member squad as a batter and wicketkeeper option, while Sobhana Mostary will serve as vice-captain. It's a nice balance of fresh leadership and steady experience. > "The absence removes a pace option from a bowling group that now leans on Biswas and the returning players." The rest of the squad includes Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, Shorna Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Ritu Moni and Fariha Islam Trisna. ### What to Expect in the UAE The 10-team tournament begins on November 12 in the UAE. Bangladesh sit in Group B alongside Pakistan, Thailand, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe. They open their campaign against Pakistan on day one at the Karwan Cricket Ground in Ajman. That's a tough first test, but it's also a chance to set the tone early. Marufa last featured prominently for Bangladesh at the Women's ODI World Cup last year, where she dismissed a batter in the opening over against New Zealand in Guwahati before a DRS review overturned the decision. Her absence means the bowling group now leans more heavily on Biswas and the returning players. ### The Full Bangladesh 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. It's a squad with a little bit of everything: new leadership, returning experience, and a debutant hungry to prove herself. The big question now is whether this reshuffled group can hit the ground running in Ajman.

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