Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hailed his side’s fearless approach after a daring declaration helped secure a memorable Test victory over Pakistan in Dhaka. Bangladesh declared their second innings at 240, setting Pakistan a challenging target of 268 on the final day. The move, considered risky given the time left in the match, proved decisive as Bangladesh’s bowlers dismantled Pakistan’s batting line-up to clinch the win. Speaking after the match, Shanto revealed that the team entered the final day with only one objective — victory. “I think it is important to take such brave decisions,” Shanto said. “The Test team is slowly growing up, and this kind of decision will help us in the future.” The Bangladesh skipper credited the team’s bowling attack for giving him the confidence to declare aggressively. Bangladesh fielded a five-man bowling unit featuring the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain and Nahid Rana. “The reason behind taking this decision is the bowling attack we have. All five bowlers are skilled and bowled well,” he said. Shanto added that head coach Phil Simmons reinforced the attacking mindset during the tea interval. “Our message was simple — we wanted to win regardless of the situation. Even if we couldn’t win, we wanted to make it hard for Pakistan. We never thought about settling for a draw,” Shanto explained. Bangladesh constantly searched for wickets during Pakistan’s chase, with Shanto frequently adjusting the field to balance boundary protection with attacking catching positions. “When the game was on the line, I kept an in-and-out field. Defending for long periods on this pitch wasn’t easy. I believed if we created pressure through good bowling partnerships, wicket-taking opportunities would come,” he said. The captain also spoke about his growing understanding with young pacer Nahid Rana, revealing that he now allows the fast bowler greater freedom to work through situations independently. “Sometimes I don’t even go up to him now. It is important that he bowls from his own understanding because it will help him in the future,” Shanto said. While pleased with the victory, Shanto admitted he was disappointed not to convert his own strong performances into even bigger scores. The Bangladesh captain scored 101 in the first innings and followed it with 87 in the second. “I think I could have played a bigger knock in the first innings,” he admitted. “If one of the greats of the game had been in my place, that 101 would probably have become a double-century.” Shanto narrowly missed joining an elite list of batters to score twin centuries in a Test on three separate occasions — a group that includes Sunil Gavaskar, Ricky Ponting and David Warner. Despite missing the milestone, Shanto said he enjoyed batting in difficult conditions throughout the match and was satisfied with his overall contribution to Bangladesh’s landmark win.

Shabnim Ismail is set to make a sensational return to international cricket after being named in South Africa women's national cricket team’s squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup. The 37-year-old fast bowler, who retired from international cricket in 2023, will reunite with longtime pace partner Marizanne Kapp, who returns after recovering from illness. Former captain Dane van Niekerk, who reversed her own retirement last year, has also been included in the squad after making a successful comeback to international cricket. South Africa will once again be led by captain Laura Wolvaardt, with experienced players such as Tazmin Brits, Suné Luus, Chloé Tryon and Ayabonga Khaka also retaining their places. Young allrounder Kayla Reyneke has earned her maiden senior World Cup call-up after impressing in youth cricket, while wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso returns to the squad following recovery from a wrist injury. Both players were part of the South African Under-19 team that reached the 2025 final under Reyneke’s leadership. South Africa will open their T20 World Cup campaign against Australia women's national cricket team in Manchester on June 13. Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi welcomed Ismail’s return, saying her experience and competitiveness would significantly strengthen the squad. He also expressed satisfaction at having experienced players like Kapp, van Niekerk and Meso available again for a major tournament. Since stepping away from international cricket, Ismail has remained active on the franchise circuit. She played a crucial role in Mumbai Indians Women’s WPL title-winning campaign in 2025 and has featured extensively in competitions such as the WBBL, WCPL and The Hundred. Overall, she has played 92 T20 matches since retiring from the international game. South Africa women’s convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez explained that maintaining the core of the squad was a key priority while also adding experienced match-winners capable of performing in high-pressure situations. One notable omission from the squad is Anneke Bosch, who played a major role in helping South Africa reach the final of the previous Women’s T20 World Cup. South Africa Women’s T20 World Cup Squad: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon and Dané van Niekerk.

Tawanda Muyeye produced a superb century to steer Kent County Cricket Club to a dramatic two-wicket win over Gloucestershire County Cricket Club on the final day of their Rothesay County Championship Division Two clash at Bristol. Chasing a challenging target of 261 at the Seat Unique Stadium, Kent recovered from early setbacks to finish on 261 for 8, securing back-to-back victories in the Championship. Muyeye starred with a fluent 108 off 129 balls after narrowly missing a century in the first innings, where he had scored 90. Gloucestershire resumed the day on 251 for 9 and added 11 more runs before being bowled out for 262. James Taylor claimed the final wicket to finish with impressive match figures of 10 for 106 on his Kent debut during a short-term loan spell from Surrey. Kent’s chase began shakily as they slipped to 24 for 2. Ben Dawkins was dismissed after driving loosely at Gabe Bell, while Zak Crawley fell attempting an ambitious leg-side shot. Muyeye then counterattacked confidently alongside Sam Northeast to steady the innings before rain interrupted play during the morning session. Northeast was trapped lbw soon after the restart, leaving Kent under pressure once again. Muyeye, however, remained composed and reached his half-century from just 60 deliveries, displaying positive intent throughout his innings. He shared a crucial partnership with captain Daniel Bell-Drummond, who contributed a valuable 38 with six boundaries. After Bell-Drummond’s dismissal, Chris Benjamin joined Muyeye and the pair continued to edge Kent closer to victory. Muyeye eventually completed a memorable century with his 17th boundary, celebrating passionately after missing out on three figures in the first innings. His dismissal shortly afterwards, caught behind off Matt Taylor, revived Gloucestershire’s hopes with Kent still requiring 57 runs. Benjamin added an important 42 before being bowled by Bell, while late wickets created further tension in the closing stages. Ekansh Singh chipped in with 18 runs, but Gloucestershire kept fighting as Bell and Will Williams struck regularly. Despite the late drama, Joey Evison and James Taylor calmly guided Kent home. Taylor fittingly struck the winning boundary to cap off a dream debut performance. Bell finished with figures of 4 for 87 for Gloucestershire, but his efforts were not enough to prevent the hosts from suffering their fourth defeat in five matches. Kent collected 18 points from the victory despite being docked three points for a slow over rate, while Gloucestershire had to settle for five points from another disappointing result.

Yuzvendra Chahal was surprisingly kept out of the attack for the entire match as Punjab Kings suffered a shock defeat against Delhi Capitals in a high-scoring IPL 2026 encounter in Dharamsala. For only the fourth time in his 185-match IPL career, Chahal did not bowl a single delivery. In an unusual sight for T20 cricket, all 39 overs in the game were bowled exclusively by pace bowlers, highlighting the seam-friendly conditions on offer. Punjab Kings appeared to be in control early in Delhi’s chase of 211 after reducing them to 33 for 3 during the powerplay. However, Delhi Capitals staged a remarkable recovery to seal victory, leaving questions over PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer’s decision not to use the tournament’s highest wicket-taking spinner. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out Show, former India opener Abhinav Mukund suggested Punjab may have missed an opportunity by not gambling on Chahal during the middle overs. According to Mukund, Chahal should ideally have been introduced between overs 7 and 15, especially when pressure from the scoreboard could have forced Delhi’s batters into mistakes. He believed PBKS could have afforded an expensive over if it offered the chance of a breakthrough. Mukund added that Chahal could have been tried between overs 7 and 10 while Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs were at the crease, with Marcus Stoinis available as a backup option if the move failed. Instead, Punjab relied on Stoinis and uncapped pacer Yash Thakur to bowl the crucial 18th and 19th overs when Delhi required 38 runs. The gamble backfired as Delhi’s batters attacked both bowlers aggressively to complete the chase. Mukund also pointed out that modern T20 cricket has become increasingly difficult for wrist-spinners in the death overs, citing Krunal Pandya as one of the few spinners who has adapted successfully with variations and pace changes. Delhi’s comeback was powered by David Miller, who scored his first half-century of the season after returning to the playing XI. Former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan felt Chahal could have been particularly effective against Miller early in his innings. McClenaghan observed that Miller can sometimes appear cautious against wrist-spin at the start of his innings and suggested Chahal’s googly might have posed a significant threat. After the match, Shreyas Iyer admitted that using Chahal had been discussed during the innings. However, he explained that the strong assistance for seam bowling convinced Punjab to persist with their fast bowlers, though they ultimately failed to execute their plans effectively. The defeat marked Punjab Kings’ fourth consecutive loss after beginning IPL 2026 with a seven-match unbeaten run. Despite the slump, PBKS remain in contention for a playoff spot with three league games still to play, including crucial fixtures against Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants.

Madhav Tiwari announced himself in style with a match-winning all-round performance for Delhi Capitals as they defeated Punjab Kings in a high-scoring IPL 2026 clash in Dharamsala. Playing only his second official IPL game, the 22-year-old delivered with both bat and ball to help Delhi stay alive in the playoff race. Tiwari claimed two crucial wickets before smashing an unbeaten 18 off just eight deliveries during Delhi’s successful chase of 211 — the highest successful T20 chase at Dharamsala. After receiving the Player-of-the-Match award, Tiwari credited the Delhi coaching staff for helping him improve while waiting for his opportunity. “First of all, I would like to thank the management for giving me this opportunity and I’m lucky enough I was able to be on the winning side,” Tiwari said after the match. “If things are not in your hand, you just try to get better in every practice session.” The young allrounder revealed he spent considerable time working on his bowling with DC bowling coach Munaf Patel and sharpening his power-hitting under batting coach Ian Bell. Tiwari first made his IPL debut against Punjab Kings in May 2025, but that match was abandoned midway because of cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. He bowled only one expensive over in that game and was left out when the fixture was replayed later. On Monday, however, he made full use of his chance. Bowling on a seam-friendly surface where all 39 overs were delivered by pacers, Tiwari struck in his very first over by dismissing the dangerous Priyansh Arya for 56 off 33 balls. He later removed Cooper Connolly with a clever slower bouncer to finish with figures of 2 for 40 in four overs. “The wicket was helping the length ball,” Tiwari explained. “So I was trying to stick to that and mix it with wide balls and short balls.” His confidence with the bat was equally evident during Delhi’s tense chase. One of the highlights of his innings was a crisp boundary off a near-yorker from Yash Thakur. Tiwari described himself as a complete allrounder, saying, “I would like to say I’m 100% bowler and 100% batsman.” Delhi Capitals made five changes to their playing XI for the match, and Tiwari’s emergence could provide the balance the franchise has been searching for throughout the season. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer blamed poor bowling and sloppy fielding for his side’s fourth consecutive defeat. “I wouldn’t have to beat around the bush,” Iyer admitted. “I would say fielding and bowling again. 210 was 30 runs more on this wicket considering how the ball was seaming and there was variable bounce.” Punjab also came under scrutiny for not using veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal during Delhi’s chase despite the conditions offering assistance. “There was absolutely a thought of bowling him,” Iyer said. “But the way the ball was seaming, we felt the pacers could extract wickets if they executed properly. Unfortunately, we didn’t.”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Tim David has been handed two demerit points for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during RCB’s clash against Mumbai Indians in Raipur on May 10. The IPL confirmed that David was found guilty of a Level 1 offence involving the use of a gesture deemed “obscene, offensive or insulting.” In addition to the demerit points, David was fined 30 percent of his match fee. The Australian batter admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Amit Sharma. According to IPL regulations, David will face a one-match suspension if he receives one more demerit point in the tournament. David was not the only member of the RCB camp to face disciplinary action following the high-intensity encounter. RCB head coach Andy Flower was also penalised for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. Flower was fined 15 percent of his match fee for using an audible obscenity during the game. The IPL stated that the incident occurred when the coach “spoke aggressively with the fourth umpire.” Despite the disciplinary issues, RCB continued their impressive run in the tournament with a victory over Mumbai Indians. The win lifted the Bengaluru-based franchise to the top of the IPL points table with 14 points from 11 matches. They are currently level on points with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans, but RCB hold the advantage due to a superior net run-rate.

Australia chair of selectors George Bailey has insisted that the T20I careers of senior stars Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Steven Smith are “not the end of the road” despite the trio being left out of Australia’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh national cricket team. Australia named a fresh-looking 16-man squad for the three-match series in Bangladesh scheduled for June 17, 19 and 21, with several experienced names missing. Fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been rested ahead of a demanding Test schedule over the next 12 months. However, the omissions of Maxwell, Stoinis and Smith drew significant attention given all three remain active in T20 cricket and were part of Australia’s recent campaigns. Bailey clarified that the trio had not been formally dropped but said the selectors were using the current phase to explore younger options following Australia’s disappointing T20 World Cup performance earlier this year. “It’s not the end of the road,” Bailey said. “I wouldn’t call it dropped per se, but given where we are in the cycle of T20s and on the back of our World Cup result, it’s a good opportunity to have a look at some different players.” Australia are now beginning preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the home T20 World Cup in 2028, prompting selectors to focus on squad development and role experimentation. Maxwell, now 37, has struggled for consistency in recent T20 internationals, scoring just one half-century in his last 20 innings. Despite speculation over his future, the allrounder has not indicated any retirement plans and is expected to continue playing domestic and franchise cricket. Stoinis, who turns 37 later this year, remains one of the most sought-after allrounders on the global T20 circuit and has enjoyed a strong season with Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League. Smith, meanwhile, continues to push for a return to Australia’s T20 setup and has openly spoken about his ambition to represent the country at the Los Angeles Olympics. The veteran batter enjoyed a prolific campaign in the Big Bash League before producing strong performances in the Pakistan Super League, including a blistering century against Hyderabad Kingsmen. Selectors, however, view Smith primarily as a T20 opener, where he currently sits behind captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head in the pecking order. The squad overhaul has opened opportunities for emerging players, including allrounder Aaron Hardie, who returns after an impressive PSL campaign with Peshawar Zalmi, where he starred in the final with both bat and ball. Young spin-bowling allrounder Joel Davies is also in line for his first international appearance following standout performances for Sydney Sixers in the BBL. Bailey praised Davies’ development and highlighted the importance of nurturing left-arm spin options within Australian cricket. “I think there’s a high degree of talent there,” Bailey said. “We’re starting to see the fruits of that through his performances in white-ball cricket and the Big Bash.”

Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar once again proved why experience and intelligence remain invaluable in T20 cricket, delivering a match-winning all-round performance to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a dramatic victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The 36-year-old starred with both ball and bat, claiming 4 for 23 to derail Mumbai’s innings before smashing a crucial boundary in the final over to seal RCB’s chase and officially knock MI out of playoff contention. Former India batter Ambati Rayudu described Bhuvneshwar as “sort of an artist now” while praising the veteran’s mastery of swing, slower deliveries, and match awareness. “He’s becoming so, so good at what he’s doing,” Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show. “On pitches like that where most balls hit the stumps, he becomes even more dangerous.” Bhuvneshwar struck early in Mumbai’s innings, dismissing Ryan Rickelton in the opening over before deceiving Rohit Sharma with a slower ball. He then produced one of his trademark deliveries to remove Suryakumar Yadav, inducing an edge that was safely caught by Virat Kohli at slip. His fourth wicket came in the 18th over when Tilak Varma attempted a scoop shot and lost his stumps. The spell lifted Bhuvneshwar to the top of the Purple Cap standings with 21 wickets this season. Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta credited Bhuvneshwar’s resurgence to subtle improvements in his release and control, comparing his current rhythm to his peak years with Sunrisers Hyderabad when he won consecutive Purple Caps in 2016 and 2017. “The skill set was always there,” Dasgupta said. “He’s hurrying batters again even at 133-134kph. That tells you he’s got that release back.” However, it was Bhuvneshwar’s composure under pressure with the bat that became the defining moment of the match. With RCB needing nine runs from the final three deliveries, he launched Raj Angad Bawa over the off-side field for a crucial six. Speaking after the game, Bhuvneshwar admitted the shot gave him greater satisfaction than his wickets. “Six, for sure,” he said when asked what he enjoyed more. “I’ve bowled well many times before and taken wickets, but this is something I enjoyed the most.” Rayudu noted that the shot was not accidental, pointing out that Bhuvneshwar has often targeted the cover region successfully during his career. Dasgupta also highlighted the veteran’s tactical awareness on the following delivery. After hitting the ball to long-off, Bhuvneshwar refused a risky second run, ensuring he remained at the crease instead of exposing tailender Rasikh Salam or leaving Josh Hazlewood to face the final ball. “One of the reasons Bhuvi has survived and done so well over the years is not just skill, but cricketing brains and cricketing IQ,” Dasgupta said. “Today was a perfect example of that.”

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed that the launch of its new men’s and women’s T20 competition, NZ20, has been pushed back to the 2027-28 home summer, with the tournament now expected to begin in December 2027 instead of January 2027. In a statement released on Monday, NZC said it had been “working closely and constructively” with stakeholders regarding the league’s development and licensing process. However, officials concluded that additional time was needed to properly establish the competition. A major factor behind the delay is New Zealand’s packed international schedule, with Test series against Australia national cricket team and Sri Lanka national cricket team scheduled for January and February 2027, leaving little room in the calendar for a new domestic league. NZC chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon said the revised timeline would help ensure the tournament’s sustainability and competitiveness. “Our focus is on ensuring the future of domestic T20 cricket in New Zealand is sustainable, competitive and aligned with the global game,” Puketapu-Lyndon said. “Taking additional time now will help ensure the competition is set up to succeed over the long term.” Until the new league begins, NZC will continue operating the existing Super Smash tournament during the 2026-27 season. The board will also host scheduled international tours involving the men’s teams of India national cricket team and Sri Lanka, along with the women’s team from Bangladesh women's national cricket team. NZ20 establishment committee chair Don Mackinnon said organisers wanted to avoid rushing the project and instead focus on building a world-class tournament. “We are determined to ensure NZ20 launches without compromise and is set up for long-term success from day one,” Mackinnon said. “It is also critical that the competition sits alongside, not against, international cricket.” Mackinnon added that investor interest in the league had continued to grow, both domestically and internationally. As a result, NZ20 plans to conduct a competitive process to identify its primary investment partner and determine ownership structures for the franchises. The extended preparation period will also allow organisers to finalise franchise locations and strengthen regional connections across New Zealand. “This revised timeline gives us the best opportunity to build a world-class competition that New Zealanders can be proud of and that fans deserve,” Mackinnon said.

Australia chair of selectors George Bailey has acknowledged growing “tension in the marketplace” as senior Australian cricketers weigh national commitments against the lucrative opportunities offered by global franchise leagues. Bailey’s comments come after a group of five senior Australian players reportedly declined their initial contract offers from Cricket Australia (CA), citing concerns over salary structures, guaranteed payments, and restrictions around No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas franchise tournaments. Despite the disagreement, Bailey attempted to downplay the situation, describing it as a routine part of the contracting period. “I actually think that's pretty normal for this time of year,” Bailey said on Monday. He explained that national contracts are offered in April mainly to provide state teams with clarity for their own player signings, while the contracts themselves do not officially begin until July. According to Bailey, player agents are naturally attempting to secure the best possible deals for their clients amid a rapidly changing cricket landscape. “There’s no doubt we acknowledge that there’s a changing landscape. Players do have options,” he said. “There’s this tension in the marketplace, if you want to put it that way.” The issue has become more prominent due to Australia’s upcoming white-ball tour of Pakistan and Bangladesh, where several top players will be absent. Fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc will miss the entire nine-match tour while continuing their commitments in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Meanwhile, players including Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, and Xavier Bartlett will join the squad later after completing IPL duties. The situation has highlighted frustrations among Australia’s white-ball specialists, many of whom believe they are underpaid compared to overseas stars participating in the Big Bash League (BBL). Bailey admitted he sympathised with local players who helped build the tournament’s popularity but now earn significantly less than international recruits. “I can empathise with some of our best white-ball players,” Bailey said. “They are the guys who helped grow the Big Bash to where it is.” The increasing financial rewards available in franchise cricket have also prompted discussions about players potentially becoming freelancers rather than accepting full CA contracts. Under current rules, players can still qualify for contract upgrades by meeting minimum international appearance requirements. However, Bailey warned that going freelance carries risks, including uncertainty around selection and loss of access to Cricket Australia’s training infrastructure, medical support, coaching, and development programmes. “You potentially buy yourself flexibility, but you’re probably on a year-to-year whim,” Bailey said. “There’s not a huge amount that I would say have made that shift and done it incredibly well.” Despite the growing tensions, Bailey remains optimistic that Australian players still value representing their country and recognise that strong international performances continue to boost their global franchise opportunities.

Rajasthan Royals are facing growing concerns over their fading playoff momentum in the Indian Premier League 2026 season after another disappointing home defeat exposed continuing issues with their bowling attack. After winning all three matches in Guwahati, RR have failed to register a single victory in three games at their primary home venue in Jaipur. The latest setback came against Gujarat Titans, leaving Rajasthan in fifth place on the points table with only three league-stage matches remaining. Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta believes the issue is less about conditions and more about poor performances. “I think they haven't really played good cricket there [in Jaipur], and I think that's the only reason,” Dasgupta said during ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show. “It's a high-scoring venue, and their batting remains very top-heavy. The middle order has been inconsistent again this season.” Dasgupta also pointed to the fluctuating form of Dhruv Jurel as one of the reasons behind RR’s struggles in pressure situations. Meanwhile, former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan highlighted the lack of assistance for pace spearhead Jofra Archer on Jaipur pitches. “There’s not that lift and bounce that was available at their previous home ground where Jofra was troubling batters consistently,” McClenaghan said. “The conditions aren’t helping genuine swing or lateral movement.” Archer, who had enjoyed a strong stretch between April 7 and May 1 with wickets in eight consecutive matches, has struggled in recent outings. Against Gujarat Titans, the England pacer endured a difficult opening over that cost 18 runs and included a no-ball and multiple wides. McClenaghan suggested the lengthy break before the match may have disrupted Archer’s rhythm. “Sometimes that happens after a break. Bowlers lose rhythm, and it just didn’t look crisp,” he said. RR bowling coach Shane Bond did not hide his frustration after the defeat. Rajasthan have now conceded more than 200 runs in four consecutive games, managing just one victory during that period. “We just haven’t played well enough in conditions that we know. We’ve been outplayed by our opposition,” Bond said at the post-match press conference. The former New Zealand pacer stressed that bowlers need to evolve quickly in an era dominated by aggressive batting. “The batters are coming out ultra-aggressive and putting pressure on bowlers. So as a bowler, you’ve got to ask: what can I do differently?” Bond said. “When bowlers keep doing the same thing game after game and getting the same result, then you’ve got to develop your skills and think outside the box.” Bond encouraged bowlers to experiment with angles, run-ups, and tactical variations while making greater use of analytical preparation. “You look at modern batters — they’re reversing, scooping, playing uppercuts. Bowlers also have to expand their range of skills,” he added. Despite the recent slump, Rajasthan Royals remain in contention for a playoff spot. However, with victories becoming increasingly difficult to secure, the franchise faces mounting pressure to rediscover form before the league stage concludes.

Bangladesh have recalled top-order batter Taj Nehar to their squad for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, while Sarmin Sultana has been left out following the team’s recent home series against Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old Nehar returns despite modest numbers in international cricket so far, having scored 44 runs in eight T20Is. Her most recent appearance for Bangladesh came against West Indies in January 2025. Chief selector Sajjad Ahmed explained that Nehar’s flexibility in the batting order played a key role in her selection ahead of Sarmin. “We were thinking of Sarmin Sultana for the one-day format. Taj Nehar is a versatile cricketer who can bat between No. 1 to No. 6 in the batting line-up,” Sajjad said. “The selectors believe that Nehar can solve the problem of scoring quick runs in the last five overs.” Bangladesh will once again be captained by Nigar Sultana, who is set to lead the side in her third consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup after previously captaining the team in the 2023 and 2024 editions. The squad features a strong core of experienced players, including veteran spinner Fahima Khatun, who is preparing for her seventh T20 World Cup appearance. Fahima has been part of every Bangladesh Women’s T20 World Cup squad since 2014. Vice-captain Nahida Akter, along with Ritu Moni and Nigar, have all represented Bangladesh in the tournament since the 2016 edition. Overall, 11 players from the current squad were also part of the 2024 tournament held in the United Arab Emirates. Bangladesh head into the tournament after a disappointing 3-0 home series defeat to Sri Lanka earlier this month. The setback came after an impressive seven-match winning streak during the World Cup qualifiers. As part of their preparations, Bangladesh will travel to Edinburgh on May 25 for a tri-series involving hosts Scotland and the Netherlands. The team will then move to Loughborough for warm-up fixtures ahead of the tournament. Placed in Group 1, Bangladesh will face the Netherlands, Australia, Pakistan, India and South Africa. Their opening match will be against the Netherlands on June 14 at Edgbaston. Bangladesh Squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Nigar Sultana (captain, wicketkeeper), Nahida Akter (vice-captain), Sharmin Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akter, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous and Taj Nehar.