The 28-year-old Nehar has scored only 44 runs in eight T20Is, the only format she has played in for Bangladesh so far. Her last T20I had come against West Indies in January 2025.

Chief selector Sajjad Ahmed said Nehar was chosen ahead of Sarmin because of her versatility. “We were thinking of Sarmin Sultana for the one-day format. Taj Nehar is a versatile cricketer who can bat between No. 1 to No. 6 in the batting line-up,” he said. “The selectors believe that Nehar can solve the problem of scoring quick runs in the last five overs.”

Bangladesh, however, haven’t been in great form in the lead-up to this year’s T20 World Cup, starting June 12. They were blanked 3-0 by Sri Lanka at home after heading into the series on the back of a seven-match winning streak in the World Cup qualifiers.

Bangladesh will leave for Edinburgh on May 25 to play a tri-series involving hosts Scotland and Netherlands, before heading to Loughborough for their T20 World Cup warm-up matches. They are in Group 1 alongside Netherlands, Australia, Pakistan, India and South Africa, and start their World Cup proper on June 14 against Netherlands at Edgbaston.

Bangladesh squad for women’s T20 World Cup 2026

Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), Nahida Akter (vice-capt), Sharmin Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akter, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter (wk), Juairiya Ferdous, Taj Nehar