Nahida to make captaincy debut as Bangladesh announce Emerging Nations Trophy squad

Nahida Akter is set to begin her captaincy journey as Bangladesh prepare for the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 in the United Arab Emirates, with the left-arm spinner named captain of a 15-member squad.

Nahida, who has yet to captain Bangladesh in an international match, will make her captaincy debut in the upcoming tournament. Sobhana Mostary has been named vice-captain, while the biggest omission from the squad is pacer Marufa Akter, who misses out due to injury.

Experienced campaigners Nigar Sultana Joty, Sharmin Akter Supta, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni and Fahima Khatun are also included in the squad.

The tournament will be played in the T20 format, with Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B alongside Pakistan, Thailand, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe. Group A consists of Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and the United Arab Emirates.

The Tigresses will open their campaign against Pakistan on 12 November at 1:15pm (UAE local time). They will face Zimbabwe the following day, 13 November, at the same time before taking on the Netherlands on 16 November at 9:00am. Their final group-stage fixture will be against Thailand on 18 November at 1:15pm.

All four group-stage matches will be crucial for Bangladesh as they look to secure a place in the knockout stage. The tournament final is scheduled for 25 November at 9:00am (UAE local time).

The Bangladesh squad will leave for the UAE on 10 November, giving the team a short period to prepare before the start of the competition.

Bangladesh squad: Nahida Akter (captain), Sobhana Mostary (vice-captain), Nigar Sultana Joty, Most. Sharmin Akter Supta, Shorna Akter, Mst Ritu Moni, Dilara Akter, Rabeya Khan, Disha Biswas, Mst Fariha Islam Trisna, Fahima Khatun, Juairiya Ferdous, Most Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, Mst Shanjida Akther Maghla and Shathi Rani.