All-rounder Sathira Zakir Jessy returned to the national team after her superlative domestic performance as the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced a 15-member squad for the forthcoming tour of South Africa on Saturday.
Jessy, the best performer in the last edition of women’s club cricket, along with two others – Lily Rani Biswas and debutant pace bowler Shaila Sharmin – were the new faces in the squad that will play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches against the South African women’s side during their two-week tour.
Ayesha Akhter, Sohely Akhter, Tazia Akhter and Shahnaz Parvin were omitted from the 16-member team that toured India earlier this year.
Chief selector Akram Khan backed the inclusion of Jessy for her domestic performance.
‘[Jessy] had been in great form in domestic cricket,’ said Akram.
‘Lily Rahman was an automatic choice as she could not be a part of the team in India while we picked Shaila Sharmin to add strength to our pace department,’ Akram added.
Salma Khatun will lead the team that is scheduled to leave for South Africa on September 9.
Squad: Salma Khatun (captain), Farzana Hoque (vice-captain), Lata Mondol, Ayesha Rahman, Jahanara Alam, Rumana Ahmed, Khadiza-tul Kubra, Panna Ghosh, Nuzhat Tasnim, Sultana Yasmin Baishakhi, Lily Rani Biswas, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Shaila Sharmin, Sathira Zakir Jessy.
-With New Age input
