BCB announces Women's World Cup squad excluding Rumana

Veteran all-rounder Rumana Ahmed has been left out of Bangladesh's squad for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday announced the 15-player squad on Wednesday.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in UAE between October 3 and 20.

Meanwhile, uncapped players Taj Nehar and Disha Biswas have been included in the squad.

Rumana is not the only notable exclusion, as Rabeya Haider, Sharifa Khatun, Sabikun Nahar, and Ishma Tanjim—who all featured in the 2024 Asia Cup—were also dropped. Despite their participation in the Asia Cup, these players couldn't capitalize on their opportunities.

Selectors opted to recall Shathi Rani, Fahima Khatun, and Sobhana Mostary, with Sobhana's inclusion raising some questions due to her underwhelming international record, averaging just 11.65 in 38 T20Is. However, BCB women's wing chief selector Sazzad Ahmed backed her selection, citing her talent and versatility as a floater in the lineup.

The Bangladesh team, which fell short of the final in this year's Asia Cup, will begin their World Cup campaign against Scotland on October 3 in Sharjah, followed by matches against England, West Indies, and South Africa.

Sazzad also revealed that Rumana and fellow veteran Salma Khatun were offered a farewell match by the BCB, but neither player accepted the offer.

Bangladesh Women's Squad: Nigar Sultana, Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Dilara Akter, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani, Disha Biswas.