Bangladesh announce squad for ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 without Marufa Akter

Marufa Akter. (Photo source: Getty Images)

Ajman, UAE will host Bangladesh‘s first assignment at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, and the selectors have confirmed a 15-member group for the trip. Pacer Marufa Akter will not be part of it, ruled out after suffering a bone-related problem in her right foot during the Australia tour, where she sat out the third ODI.

Nahida Akter takes charge as captain, with Sobhana Mostary named her deputy. The travelling party departs for the UAE on November 10.

In terms of selection changes, pacer Disha Biswas earns a recall after being absent from the setup since the Asian Games, stepping in for the injured Marufa. Meanwhile, opener Sathi Rani and all-rounder Jannatul Ferdus Sumona receive fresh call-ups. Batter Sharmin Sultana has been dropped, and off-spinner Sultana Khatun has been rested for this tournament.

Which group are Bangladesh in and what does their fixture schedule look like?

Bangladesh are placed in Group B, sharing the pool with Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Thailand. Group A brings together hosts UAE, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland and Papua New Guinea. Ten nations compete in total, twice the number that featured in the previous edition of the tournament.

Fixtures across both groups will be staged at two grounds in Ajman: the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground and the Seven Districts Sports Club. Bangladesh begin on November 12 against Pakistan at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground, then meet Zimbabwe on November 13 at the Seven Districts Sports Club. Their remaining group matches are scheduled against Netherlands on November 16 and Thailand on November 18.

Which nations are the full members and which are the associates in this tournament?

The field of ten is split evenly between full ICC members and associate nations. Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe carry full-member status, while the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates participate as associates.

The UAE, as the host nation, anchor Group A. The doubling of the participant count from the previous edition underlines the expanding reach of the women’s emerging nations pathway that the ICC has been developing.

Bangladesh full squad for ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026

Nahida Akter (Captain), Sobhana Mostary (Vice-captain), Nigar Sultana Joty, Sharmin Akter Supta, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Dilara Akter, Rabeya Khan, Disha Biswas, Fariha Islam Trisna, Fahima Khatun, Juairiya Ferdous, Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Sathi Rani.

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