The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member squad on Monday, August 17, for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai and the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Top-order batter Sharmin Sultana returns to the national setup, replacing Taj Nehar, who was part of the team during the most recent World Cup.
Explaining the selection change, BCB women’s wing chief selector Sazzad Ahmed noted that the decision was performance-driven. “We tried Taj but she failed, which prompted us to bring Sharmin,” Ahmed told. He further clarified the tactical necessity of the move, stating that because Dilara Akhter, known as Dola, has struggled to score runs, the team required an additional opener to bolster the top order.
The Women’s Asia Cup begins on August 28 at the Dubai International Stadium. Bangladesh is placed in Group B and will kick off their campaign against Indonesia on August 31. This will be followed by matches against Sri Lanka on September 6 and the UAE on September 8, with the tournament final slated for September 13. Sharmin Sultana’s last appearance for the national side dates back to a series against Sri Lanka in May 2026.
Following the conclusion of the Asia Cup, the squad will shift focus to the Asian Games in Japan. Bangladesh is set to compete in the first quarter-final against China at Korogi Athletic Park on September 17. Should they advance to the semi-finals, they are slated to face either India or Japan. The tournament concludes on September 22, with both the gold-medal and bronze-medal matches scheduled for that day.
