Bangladesh women’s team arrives in Karachi

Pakistan to host side in two T20Is and as many ODIs

KARACHI: Bangladesh women team arrived in Karachi on Monday to take on Pakistan in a short series — two T20Is and two ODIs — to be played at the Southend Club.

In May, Zimbabwe became the first Test team to play international cricket in Pakistan after seven years and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) then invited the Bangladesh women’s team in a bid to continue portraying a safe image of the country.

The visiting squad comprises Salma Khatun, Nigar Sultana Joty, Shamima Sultana, Rumana Ahmed, Lata Mondol, Ritu Moni, Ayasha Rahman, Panna Ghosh, Fahima Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Sharmin Akter Supta, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Nahida Akter, Khadizatul Kubra and Sarmin Sultana.

Meanwhile, the officials include Mohammad Shafiqueul Huque (team manager), Hussain Imam (head of security), Janak Champika Gamage (head coach), Ashiqur Rahman Majumder (assistant coach), Mohammad Yakub Chowdhury (trainer) and Suraya Akhtar (physiotherapist).

The two teams will go through practice sessions on Tuesday, followed by the unveiling of the trophy and a press conference.

The first of the two T20Is will be played on September 30, while the second one will take place on October 1.

After a two-day rest, the two sides will face each other in the first ODI on October 4, while the last match will be played two days later.

The Bangladesh team will depart on October 7.

Pakistan skipper Sana Mir is excited about the series, stating that it will be a tough duel between the two nations. “Bangladesh have given us a tough time in the past and I expect this series to be exciting,” said Sana. “They are a good T20 and ODI side, so it will be a close competition and will prove to be a good spectacle for the fans as well.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan women team coach Mohtashim Rasheed said that the team’s batting has improved in recent years and the national team is now capable of beating any side in the world.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2015.

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