Bangladesh drop Jahanara, Fargana for T20Is against India

Bangladesh have left out two big names in Jahanara Alam and Fargana Hoque from the women's T20I side ahead of their three-match series against India this month. Jahanara, who played just one game in their previous series against Sri Lanka in May, was one of five changes in the team.

Fargana is Bangladesh's second-highest scorer in the format, and along with her, allrounder Lata Mondal and left-arm quick Fariha Trisna were also dropped from the side. Left-hand batter Rubya Haider's knee injury meant she had to be left out too.

The experienced Salma Khatun returned to the side alongside batters Dilara Akter, Shathi Rani and 16-year-old Shorna Akter, apart from pace bowler Marufa Akter. Salma, Dilara and Marufa were not in the squad for the Sri Lanka series. Then selector Manjurul Islam had said at the time that Salma was "rested" due to the volume of cricket this year.

Selector Sajjad Ahmed said that they brought Salma back to bolster the spin attack, while Dilara, Shathi and Shorna were promising for the shortest format. Sajjad, however, declined to comment on the players dropped from the side, citing his short time spent in the new role.

Bangladesh's batting will depend on Nigar Sultana, the captain, and Shamima Sultana, apart from Dilara, Sobhana Mostary, Murshida Khatun and Shorna. Uncapped Shathi Rani could open in one of the matches, after she was selected on the back of a strong domestic season.

The spin attack will have to carry much of the bowling department, as only two pace bowlers were picked: Marufa Akter and the uncapped Disha Biswas. The spin attack comprises Salma, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Ritu Mondol, Sanjida Akter and Sultana Khatun.

The Indian team will arrive in Dhaka on July 6 for the three T20Is on July 9, 11 and 13 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Bangladesh squad for India T20Is: Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), Nahida Akter, Dilara Akter, Shathi Rani, Shamima Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Disha Biswas, Marufa Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Salma Khatun, Fahima Khatun