Bangladesh make forced change ahead of continental double-header

Bangladesh have handed an unexpected international call-up to 17-year-old bowling all-rounder Farjana Easmin after left-arm pacer Fariha Islam Trishna was ruled out of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 and the 20th Asian Games with a thigh injury.

Trishna, 23, has been diagnosed with a Grade II tear in her right thigh following an MRI and is expected to require around four to six weeks to recover, forcing the team management into a late squad reshuffle ahead of their departure for Dubai on Wednesday afternoon (August 26).

Farjana, a right-arm seamer, has been on the national radar for some time and caught the selectors' attention with her performances during Bangladesh's recent intra-squad matches. Despite her age, the youngster brings a useful slower ball and a range of variations, while also offering depth with the bat lower down the order.

"I have seen her during her stint with me in the Emerging squad. She has a natural slower ball along with her variations, while she can also contribute with the bat down the order," Nasiruddin Faruque, Bangladesh women's batting coach and former head coach of the Bangladesh Emerging squad, told Cricbuzz on Tuesday.

The Women's Asia Cup 2026 will take place in Dubai, UAE, before the side heads to Japan for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Updated Bangladesh squad

Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Nahida Akter (Vice Captain), Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Ak limbal Supta, Sarmin Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Sultana Khatun, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Farjana Easmin.