Moni and Ferdus back in action for Women's World Cup qualifier; Murshida missing from squad

Experienced allrounder Ritu Moni has been selected to rejoin the Bangladesh squad for the upcoming Women's World Cup Qualifier in Lahore, marking her return to international cricket after her last ODI appearance against Ireland in December last year.

Bangladesh have made four changes from the white-ball squad that featured against West Indies in January with Murshida Khatun being the notable absentee. Lata Mondal, Sultana Khatun and Taj Nehar are also dropped.

Murshida made only 53 runs in the three ODIs while Sultana played one ODI and three T20Is and picked up just two wickets against West Indies. Mondal and Nehar featured only in the T20Is against West Indies and failed to make noteworthy contributions.

Meanwhile, Jannatul Ferdus, who last played an ODI in 2018, has made a comeback into the side while spin-bowling allrounder Ishma Tanjim, who is uncapped in ODIs, has earned a place.

Ishma made 336 runs in seven matches for Sheltech Cricket Academy in the just-concluded Women's Dhaka Premier League. Ferdus was the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps while Moni was the joint-second wicket-taker with 18 wickets.

The Bangladesh team will arrive in Lahore on April 3 and the qualifier will take place between April 5 and 19. Five teams will compete for the final two available spots in the eight-team World Cup, to be held in India later this year. Bangladesh will play against West Indies, Ireland, Scotland, and Thailand, along with hosts Pakistan.

Bangladesh squad: Nigar Sultana (capt), Nahida Akter, Ishma Tanjim, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Jannatul Ferdus, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam, Farzana Haque, Shanjida Akther, Marufa Akter, Ritu Moni