As the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team is gearing up to make a significant impact in the tournament. Scheduled to kick off on October 3, in UAE, Bangladesh faces a challenging group that includes former champions England and West Indies, alongside debutants Scotland and runners-up South Africa.

Expectations from the Bangladesh team

Bangladesh have historically struggled in T20 World Cups but aims to break their group stage jinx this year. With a mix of experienced players like Nigar Sultana and emerging talents such as Shorna Akter, there is a sense of optimism within the camp. The team’s ability to adapt to different match situations will be critical as they face formidable opponents in Group B.

Here’s a closer look at Bangladesh’s best XI for the tournament:

1. Nigar Sultana (Captain & Wicketkeeper)

• Role: Captain & Wicketkeeper
• Strengths: Leadership & Batting Versatility
• Expectations: To lead from the front and anchor innings

Nigar Sultana’s captaincy has been central to Bangladesh’s rise in women’s cricket. As the wicketkeeper, she provides stability behind the stumps, but her batting skills make her a pivotal part of the team. Known for her ability to play both attacking and defensive roles, Nigar is expected to guide the team with her strategic thinking. Bangladesh will rely on her to manage challenging situations, particularly with the bat, where her experience can anchor innings and help her team recover if needed.

2. Shathi Rani

Role: All-rounder
Strengths: Fast Bowling & Middle-order Bat
Expectations: To provide breakthroughs and contribute runs

Shathi Rani is an all-rounder who brings both pace and batting depth. Her role in the middle order allows her to contribute crucial runs when needed, and her fast bowling makes her a threat with the ball. She has the ability to break partnerships with her bowling and add resilience to the batting lineup. Bangladesh will look to her for critical wickets during middle overs and to stabilize the batting when early wickets fall.

3. Dilara Akter

Role: Top-order Batter
Strengths: Aggressive Batting
Expectations: To set a strong foundation at the top

Dilara Akter is known for her aggressive approach at the crease. Her fearless style of batting can help Bangladesh set a strong foundation early in the innings. By dominating bowlers and maintaining a high run rate, Dilara will be crucial to Bangladesh’s strategy of building pressure on opponents in the powerplay.

4. Murshida Khatun

Role: Top-order Batter
Strengths: Quick Scoring
Expectations: To accelerate the innings

Murshida Khatun’s ability to score quickly makes her an important asset in the top order. Her partnership with Dilara Akter is key to Bangladesh’s batting success. Murshida’s role is to accelerate the innings, especially after the powerplay, and push for big totals.

5. Sobhana Mostary

Role: Middle-order Batter
Strengths: Consistency
Expectations: To stabilize innings during middle overs

Sobhana Mostary has shown remarkable consistency in the middle order. Her calmness under pressure helps to stabilize innings during difficult situations. Bangladesh will depend on Sobhana to guide the team through the middle overs, laying a solid foundation for the lower-order batters to finish strongly.

Also READ: Scotland’s best XI for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

6. Taj Nehar

• Role: All-rounder
• Strengths: Spin Bowling & Lower-order Bat
• Expectations: To add depth to batting and take wickets

Taj Nehar’s dual skills make her a key all-rounder in this squad. With her spin bowling, she is expected to exploit conditions favorable for spin, and with the bat, she adds depth to the lower order. Her ability to perform in both departments will be vital for Bangladesh in tight situations.

7. Fahima Khatun

• Role: All-rounder
• Strengths: Spin Bowling
• Expectations: To exploit spin-friendly conditions

Fahima Khatun’s strength lies in her spin bowling, and Bangladesh will heavily rely on her to control the middle overs. Spin is likely to play a big role in the conditions in which the T20 World Cup is set to take place, and Fahima’s accuracy and ability to take wickets make her a critical component of the team.

8. Ritu Moni

• Role: Bowler
• Strengths: Fast Bowling
• Expectations: To lead the pace attack

Ritu Moni leads Bangladesh’s pace attack. Her experience and ability to swing the ball early on give her an edge over opposition batters. Bangladesh will look to her for early breakthroughs and to maintain pressure on the opposition with tight lines.

9. Nahida Akter

• Role: Bowler
• Strengths: Left-arm Orthodox Spin
• Expectations: To take key wickets and contain runs

Nahida Akter’s left-arm orthodox spin has been one of Bangladesh’s most effective weapons. Her control and ability to bowl in tight spots make her a key figure, especially on spin-friendly pitches. She will be crucial in containing runs and taking vital wickets during crucial moments.

10. Sultana Khatun

• Role: Bowler
• Strengths: Medium Pace
• Expectations: To provide support in the bowling attack

Sultana Khatun’s medium pace will complement the pace attack led by Ritu Moni. While not the fastest bowler in the squad, her accuracy and ability to hit the right areas consistently make her a dependable option for Bangladesh in the middle overs.

11. Shorna Akter

• Role: Bowler
• Strengths: Pace Bowling
• Expectations: To take early wickets

Shorna Akter is a promising fast bowler with the ability to trouble opposition batters with her pace. Her role as an opening bowler will be to strike early and provide Bangladesh with the upper hand in the first few overs of the innings.

Also READ: India’s best XI for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.