Picture Credit: BCB
The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Friday announced a strong 15-member Bangladesh Women’s squad for the ICC Commonwealth Games Qualifier 2022, starting January 18 in Malaysia. For the same, Nigar Sultana Joty has been appointed as the skipper, replacing the very-experienced Salma Khatun.
However, in a shocking decision, the 28-year-old Jahanara was left out because of disciplinary issues where she misbehaved with the team management during the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Notably, Jahanara, wicketkeeper Nuzhat Tasnia and off-break bowler Khadiza-Tul Kubra have been kept on standby.
However, in the latest development, the woman cricketer has submitted a letter to the board, accusing selector Manjurul Islam of mismanagement and biasness. Jahanara submitted her observation before she was dropped from the national squad for the ICC Commonwealth Games Qualifier 2022. "Yes, we have received a letter from her (Jahanara) and will look into it and we will take the required steps after taking everything into consideration," said Nizamuddin. Jahanara has also apprised the board about different incidents that took place within the team from their camp at the residential camp in Sylhet last year till the ICC World Cup qualifier.
Jahanara is third in the list of leading wicket-takers for the Tigresses in the T20 format. In 71 matches, the right-arm fast bowler has picked up 55 wickets. The Khulna-born pacer made her debut in the format back in 2012 and has been a critical member of their T20 setup. She also captained the team in the World Cup Qualifiers where Bangladesh defeated Pakistan and the USA while losing to Thailand.
Notably, the team management has claimed that Jahanara was responsible for there being different groups within the team and that she was not supportive of new national skipper Nigar Sultana Joty.