Sharmin Akter returned to the T20I squad after two years, while Jannatul Ferdus made a comeback after last playing for the country in 2018, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced the squad for the first two T20Is of the three-match series against Ireland on Monday.
Sharmin also returned to the 50-over format in the just-concluded ODI series against Ireland, where she was the highest scorer with 211 runs and received two player of the match awards.
The top-order batter last played in T20Is in December 2022, against New Zealand.聽
On the other hand, off-spinner Jannatul got dropped after representing Bangladesh in only three matches, two in ODIs and one in T20Is, and as a result, moved to Australia six years back.
Recently she returned to the country and played in the domestic circuit. According to the chief selector of the women鈥檚 wing, Sazzad Ahmed, she got picked in place of another off-spinner, Sultana Khatun, who has been rested.聽
Pacer Marufa Khatun has also been given a break to manage her workloads. Twenty-two-year-old left-arm pacer Fariha Islam Trishna will take her place. Left-arm spinner Sanjida Akter was also recalled.聽
The T20I series starts on December 5. The last two matches will be on December 7 and 9, respectively. The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host all the matches.
Squad for the 1st & 2nd T20Is: Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain & WK), Nahida Akter (Vice-Captain), Murshida Khatun, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam Trisna, Jahanara Alam, Jannatul Ferdus, Taj Nehar, Shanjida Akhter Maghla.