Supta, Jahanara return to ODI squad; new faces Taj Nahar and Meghla

The Ireland women's cricket team is set to visit Bangladesh for an ODI and T20I series. Ahead of the series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the 15-member ODI squad on Monday. Batter Sharmin Akhter Supta and experienced pacer Jahanara Alam, both of whom have been absent from the ODI team for a long time, have made their returns.

Supta, who has played 35 ODIs for Bangladesh, last featured in this format nearly one and a half years ago. She played her most recent ODI in July last year against India at Mirpur. Jahanara, on the other hand, has been away from ODIs for an even longer period, having last played in May last year against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

New faces in the squad include Taj Nahar and Sanjida Akhter Meghla. Taj Nahar has played three T20Is for Bangladesh, while Meghla, who debuted in 2019, has appeared in 18 matches in the shortest format. Players excluded from the previous ODI squad include Disha Biswas, Sumaiya Akhter, and Nishitha Akhter. However, Disha has been named in the standby list.

The Irish team will arrive in Bangladesh on 22 November to play three ODIs and three T20Is. The ODI series will begin first, with matches scheduled for 27 November, 30 November, and 2 December. All ODIs will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The T20I series will follow, with matches on 5, 7, and 9 December at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh ODI squad against Ireland:

Nigar Sultana Joty (wicketkeeper & captain), Nahida Akhter, Murshida Khatun, Fargana Hoque, Sharmin Akhter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Swarna Akhter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akhter, Jahanara Alam, Sultana Khatun, Taj Nahar, and Sanjida Akhter Meghla.

Standby players:

Dilara Akhter, Disha Biswas, Jannatul Ferdous Sumona, Sharmin Sultana, and Fariha Islam Trishna.