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World T20 preview: Bangladesh

After stunning India to win their maiden Asia Cup, Bangladesh will look to cause more upsets at the World T20

Bangladesh squad: Salma Khatun (c), Rumana Ahmed, Jahanara Alam, Fargana Haque, Khadija Tul Kubra, Fahima Khatun, Ayesha Rahman, Shamima Sultana, Nahida Akter, Panna Ghosh, Ritu Moni, Sanjida Islam, Nigar Sultana, Lata Mondol, Sharmin Akter Supta

Fixtures: 9 November v West Indies, 12 November v England, 14 November v Sri Lanka, 18 November v South Africa

Best result: Group stage (2014, 2016)

ICC ranking: 9th

The talking point: Salma Khatun will skipper a side that is looking to bounce back after suffering a 3-0 T20 defeat to Pakistan earlier this month. She’s leading an experienced team that will hope to recapture the form that saw them upset India to win their maiden Asia Cup title earlier this year.

Image Id: 3C24BD038B614AD1AAC22B56D6C01AE0 Image Caption: Rumana Ahmed // Getty

The star: Leg-spinning allrounder Rumana Ahmed was Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker at the Asia Cup and captured 3-21 in their famous first victory over India during the group stage – India’s first ever loss at the Asia Cup. The 27-year-old, who was an associate rookie with Brisbane Heat in WBBL|03, also struck 42 in that match, sharing a match-winning 93-run stand with Fargana Hope. She was a key wicket-taker for Bangladesh in their successful World T20 qualifiers campaign and is ranked sixth in the ICC’s T20 bowling charts, so opposition teams will be studying her carefully.

The one to watch: Just 18 years of age, Nahida Akter already has 27 T20Is to her name and is ranked 7th in the ICC T20 bowling rankings. A left-arm orthodox spinner rose as high as No.5 after a successful campaign in the World T20 qualifiers, where she collected seven wickets at 8.57, bowling with an economy rate of 3.52, as Bangladesh progressed through the tournament undefeated.

Image Id: A3A985F45B2C4FC080F8AD0592446C74 Image Caption: Nahida Akter // Getty

The verdict: Bangladesh created history earlier this year when they upset India in the Asia Cup final, claiming their maiden title. India had won six straight titles to that point but were left stunned when Bangladesh – who had already upset both India and Pakistan in the lead-up to the final – restricted their highly fancied rivals to 113, reaching their target on the final ball with three wickets in hand. A disappointing tour against Pakistan followed, but that Asia Cup result in itself will be enough to ensure no team in Group A will take Bangladesh lightly. In their two appearances in the World T20 to date, Bangladesh have won just two matches and while it’s unlikely they’ll challenge for a semi-final berth, they’re a team on the rise and could cause problems for their higher-ranked rivals. It’s worth noting they have a 50/50 win-loss record against Sri Lanka, with two wins from four meetings.

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

November 9: Australia v Pakistan, Province Stadium, Guyana

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground