Sharmin Sultana back in Bangladesh colours

The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Monday, August 17, the women's squad for the Women's Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai, UAE, and the same group will also represent Bangladesh at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Top-order batter Sharmin Sultana returns after her last appearance for the national side against Sri Lanka in May 2026. She comes into the squad in place of Taj Nehar, who featured in the last World Cup.

BCB women’s wing chief selector Sazzad Ahmed explained the change to Cricbuzz: “We tried Taj but she failed, which prompted us to bring Sharmin,” he said. "Our other opener Dola ( Dilara Akhter) is not among runs and that is the reason we are keeping another opener in the squad."

Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup and Asian Games

The 15-member squad is:

Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Nahida Akter (Vice Captain), Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sharmin Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Sultana Khatun, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Fariha Islam Trisna.

Asia Cup schedule

The Women's Asia Cup gets underway at the Dubai International Stadium on August 28. Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B alongside Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the UAE.

• August 31: Bangladesh vs Indonesia
• September 6: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
• September 8: Bangladesh vs UAE

The tournament final is scheduled for September 13.

Asian Games pathway

Following the Asia Cup, Bangladesh will turn their attention to the Asian Games cricket event in Aichi-Nagoya. They will face China in the first quarter-final at Korogi Athletic Park on September 17. If Bangladesh progress to the semi-finals, they will face either India or Japan. The winners of the semi-finals will meet in the gold-medal match, while the losers will contest the bronze-medal match. Both matches are scheduled for September 22.