BANGLADESH

Buoyed by their success in this year’s Women’s Asia Cup T20, where they pipped experienced India in a heart-stopping thriller, Bangladesh will go into the Women’s World T20 believing they can go all the way.

In the two previous editions of the tournament, the Tigress, as the team is known, failed to progress beyond the first round. But their stature has grown leaps and bounds in 2018. They have won 12 out of 20 matches this year making them the most successful team along with India in terms of wins.

Like their men counterparts, Bangladesh’s strength lies in their slow bowling arsenal with leg-spinner Rumana Ahmed (26 wickets at 10.73), left-arm spinner Nahida Akter (19 wickets at 17), off-spinners Salma Khatun (14 wickets at 22.35), who is also the captain of the side, and Khadija Tul Kubra (12 wickets at 19), performing exceptionally well this year.

Their batters need to step up, though. In batting, the onus will be on Shamima Sultana and Fargana Hoque.

Squad: Salma Khatun(c), Rumana Ahmed, Jahanara Alam, Fargana Hoque, Khadija Tul Kubra, Fahima Khatun, Ayasha Rahman, Shamima Sultana, Nahida Akter, Panna Ghosh, Ritu Moni, Sanjida Islam, Nigar Sultana, Lata Mondal, Sharmin Akhter

T20I RECORD

M- 54, W- 17, L- 37, T/NR-0

Salma Khatun

Has led Bangladesh brilliantly this year, taking them to the Women’s Asia Cup title apart from helping them claim top spot in the qualifying tournament for the Women’s World T20. A capable off-spinner, Khatun can contribute crucial runs lower down the order as well. She came to the limelight with her all-round performance during the 2010 Asian Games in China where Bangladesh won a silver medal. A year later, she made her international debut.

Age: 28, Matches: 53, Runs: 485,

Avg: 16.16, Wkts: 44, Avg: 18.97