Bangladesh's women cricketers are set to embark on a training tour to Sri Lanka as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament, originally slated to take place in Bangladesh, was relocated to the UAE following security concerns raised by several participating nations.
The disappointment of losing the opportunity to host the World Cup is palpable among the players. Nigar Sultana and Jahanara Alam, key figures in the team, expressed their sadness at missing out on the chance to compete on home soil.
Despite the setback, the Bangladesh Cricket Board's women's wing remains committed to ensuring the team is well-prepared. A National Cricket League tournament is scheduled to begin on August 24, followed by a tour to Sri Lanka for the Bangladesh 'A' team in September.
Habibul Bashar, head of operations, confirmed that the 'A' team will consist primarily of players who are expected to be part of the World Cup squad. The tour to Sri Lanka will include five T20Is and two ODIs.
With the recent appointment of Faruque Ahmed as the president of the BCB, there is renewed optimism within the women's cricket fraternity. Habibul, a former colleague of Ahmed's on the national selection panel, expressed his confidence in Ahmed's ability to lead the board.
Bashar emphasized the importance of giving Ahmed time to implement his vision. "Faruque's biggest advantage is that he has a deep understanding of both the playing and administrative aspects of cricket," Bashar said. "He should be given time to make a positive impact."
