Bangladesh name 15-member squad for Women's World Cup, Nigar Sultana Joty to lead

Bangladesh have announced a strong 15-member squad for the Women’s World Cup 2025, scheduled in India from September 30 to November 2. Wicketkeeper-batter Nigar Sultana Joty, one of only three Bangladeshi women to have scored 1,000 ODI runs, will lead the team in the prestigious tournament.

The Tigresses have also handed wicketkeeper Rubya Haider Jhelik her maiden ODI call-up. Born in 1997, Jhelik made her T20I debut for Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in 2023 and has played six T20Is, scoring 58 runs at an average of 9.66, with a top score of 20. In domestic cricket, she has represented Khulna and Barisal Divisions.

Also Read: Bangladesh name 16-member squad for Asia Cup 2025, Nurul Hasan Sohan returns

Seasoned left-arm spinner Nahid Akter, leg-spinner Fahima Khatun, and the young duo of Shorna Akter and Marufa Akter are expected to play key roles in the multi-nation championship. Bangladesh finished seventh in their maiden ODI World Cup appearance in 2022 in New Zealand, with Joty as captain.

Bangladesh will begin their World Cup campaign on Thursday, October 2, against Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Bangladesh squad for Women’s ODI World Cup

Nigar Sultana Joty (C), Nahida Akter, Farzana Haque, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter

How Bangladesh qualified for the Women’s World Cup

In April, Bangladesh secured their spot in the Women’s World Cup through a dramatic finish at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, held in Lahore. The tournament featured six teams: Bangladesh, Pakistan, West Indies, Ireland, Scotland, and Thailand.

Bangladesh began with three consecutive victories, including wins over Scotland and Ireland. However, defeats to the West Indies and Pakistan left their qualification hopes uncertain. In the final match, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets.

Despite the loss, Bangladesh advanced to the World Cup thanks to a superior net run rate over the West Indies, who narrowly missed out on qualification.