Nigar Sultana retained as captain as Bangladesh prepare for their maiden bilateral ODI tour of Australia

Bangladesh have retained Nigar Sultana as captain for their three-match ODI series against Australia, while uncapped allrounder Disha Biswas and seamer Habiba Islam have earned their first call-ups.

Nigar stepped down as Bangladesh’s T20I captain after the Asian Games, saying she wanted to focus on her batting. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has retained her as ODI captain, with the board continuing to back her leadership. She remains Bangladesh’s most successful captain in the format.

Murshida Khatun and Dilara Akter have also been recalled, while Juairiya Ferdous, Fahima Khatun and Fariha Trisna have been left out after featuring in the ODI squad against Sri Lanka in April.

Maiden Australia Bilateral Tour

Bangladesh will play all three ODIs in Brisbane on October 9, 11 and 14, marking the team’s first bilateral women’s tour of Australia.

The series will also be the first assignment for new head coach David Hemp, who replaces Sarwar Imran after the BCB opted not to renew his contract.

Hemp has previously worked as Bangladesh men’s batting coach and within the BCB’s High Performance programme. He also served as Pakistan women’s head coach from 2020 to 2022.

Bangladesh ODI squad for Australia tour

Nigar Sultana (C), Nahida Akter, Shorna Akter, Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Sarmin Sultana, Sharmin Akter, Sanjida Akther, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Farzana Haque, Disha Biswas, Murshida Khatun, Habiba Islam