Disha Biswas and Habiba Islam Pinky have been included in Bangladesh’s 16-member squad for their historic maiden bilateral ODI series in Australia. The two uncapped players are included in a touring group led by Nigar Sultana Joty, with the series set to begin in Brisbane on October 9.
Notably, the three-match series will be played at Allan Border Field on October 9, 11 and 14 and will count towards the ICC Women’s Championship. The Bangla Tigers currently sit eighth in the standings and will leave for Australia on October 3 for their first bilateral ODI tour of the country.
Nigar Sultana Retains ODI Captaincy for Australia Tour
Nigar Sultana Joty will continue as the ODI captain, with left-arm spinner Nahida Akter named her deputy. Joty recently stepped down from the T20I captaincy after Bangladesh lost to Pakistan in the Asian Games bronze-medal match, saying she wanted to focus more on her batting.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has retained her as the ODI leader and continues to back her experience in the 50-over format. Nigar is the country’s most successful ODI captain.
Marufa Akter will spearhead the pace attack, with Ritu Moni, Disha Biswas, and Habiba Islam Pinky also providing pace-bowling options. The spin department includes Nahida, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, and Sanjida Akter Meghla.
The squad also features established batters such as Sobhana Mostary, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sarmin Sultana and Farzana Haque. The experienced core will be expected to guide the younger players through their first ODI series in Australia.
Disha Biswas, Habiba Pinky Earn Maiden ODI Squad Call-Ups
Former Bangladesh Under-19 captain Disha Biswas has earned her first senior call-up after recently representing the Bangladesh Emerging team in South Africa. The pace-bowling all-rounder is yet to make her international debut and will now have an opportunity to break into the playing XI in Australia.
Habiba Islam Pinky has one international appearance to her name. The 17-year-old right-arm seamer, who made her T20I debut against India in May 2024, has now been included among the pace options for the Australia tour.
Experienced batter Farzana Haque has also returned to the ODI setup, while Murshida Khatun has been recalled after last playing for Bangladesh during the tour of the West Indies in January 2025. Murshida also recently featured for the Emerging team in South Africa.
Sanjida Akter Meghla and wicketkeeper-batter Dilara Akter have also returned. Sanjida has two ODI caps, while Dilara has played three ODIs, with her most recent appearance coming during the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Pakistan in April 2025.
Top-order batter Juairiya Ferdous, experienced spinner Fahima Khatun and left-arm pacer Fariha Trisna have been left out of the squad. The 16-member group otherwise remains largely unchanged from the side that featured in the Women’s Asia Cup and Asian Games earlier this month.
Bangladesh ODI squad for Australia tour
Nigar Sultana (capt), Nahida Akter, Shorna Akter, Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Sarmin Sultana, Sharmin Akter, Sanjida Akther, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Farzana Haque, Disha Biswas, Murshida Khatun, Habiba Islam
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