BD women debut today

Bangladesh women's team train at the Sylhet Cricket Stadium yesterday, ahead of their opening World T20 match against West Indies today. Photo: Iqbal Siddiquee

Bangladesh women's cricket team will make their debut in the ICC Women's World Twenty20 today when they take on heavyweights West Indies women's team at the Sylhet Cricket Stadium today. The match begins at 3:30pm (BST).
Bangladesh, the lowest-ranked side in Group B which also includes one-time champions England, India and Sri Lanka, come into this match on the back of a string of T20 defeats -- a 2-0 series defeat against Pakistan, 3-0 series defeat to India followed by defeats in both warm-up matches.
While Bangladesh's fielding and bowling has been decent enough in recent times, it is the lack of fire-power in the batting which is the major concern for the team. Skipper Salma Khatun expected the batting-friendly wickets in Sylhet to give her side the chance to reverse their fortunes.
“Our batting has not been well in the recent matches we played in Cox's Bazar and Savar where wickets were assisting the bowlers. But here in Sylhet, we hope that some of our top batters get runs and convert starts into big innings,” said the all-rounder after a practice session yesterday.
West Indies, on the other hand, have no such worries either with the ball or the bat it seems as they have beaten former champions England convincingly in their opening match on Monday after sweeping past South Africa and defending champions Australia in the warm-up matches. The West Indies skipper Merissa Aguilleira was confident about her team's abilities, but was at the same time guarding against any complacency.
“We are obviously not underestimating them,” said Aguilleira after a practice session yesterday. “They are playing on their home territory. So they will have the home advantage with the crowd behind them… but we believe in our ability and know what we have to showcase.”
BANGLADESH (from): Salma Khatun (capt), Jahanara Alam, Rumana Ahmed, Farjana Hoque, Ayasha Rahman, Lata Mondal, Sanjida Islam, Fahima Khatun, Panna Ghosh, Sharmin Akhter, Nuzhat Tasnia (wk), Khadijatul Kubra, Shohaly Akther, Shamima Sultana, Shaila Sharmin.