Women's World Cup 2025: Uncapped Rubya Haider Jhelik finds place in Bangladesh's squad

Published - 23 Aug 2025, 21:48 IST | Updated - 23 Aug 2025, 22:12 IST

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2. The squad sees the inclusion of uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Rubya Haider Jhelik, who earns her maiden World Cup call-up.

Rubya, who has represented Bangladesh in T20Is, is yet to feature in the ODI format. However, her improvement with the bat and behind the stumps over the past six months convinced selectors to give her a chance at the highest stage.

"Rubya has earned her place through sheer hard work. Her development over the last six months has been outstanding. We see her as a valuable option both as a reserve keeper and a backup opener," Sazzad Ahmed Mansur, chief selector of BCB Women's Wing, said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Alongside Rubya, 17-year-old off-spinner Nishita Akter Nishi and top-order batter Sumaiya Akter have also been drafted into the final squad. They replace Dilara Akter Dola, Jannatul Ferdous Sumona, and Ishma Tanjim, respectively.

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Meanwhile, Bangladesh's preparation suffered a major disappointment after the senior women’s team recently lost back-to-back games to Bangladesh’s U-15 boys’ side in the ongoing Challenge Cup. The women’s team lost by 87 runs to the U-15 Red side before falling short by 47 runs in a rain-curtailed match against the Green side.

BCB officials defended the decision to pit the women’s side against boys’ teams, mentioning it provided more competitive exposure than matches against weaker associate women’s teams.

"Losing to a Under-15 boys team is surely alarming, and to be honest, other cricketing nations are way ahead compared to our women's team," a BCB official told.

However, captain Nigar Sultana Joty, who will once again lead the squad, admitted that international match practice would have been preferable.

"It would have been better if we had played an international match, but a lot of effort was made. Because of other teams' packed schedules, it was not possible. Still, with whatever facilities we are getting, with the highest facilities possible in Bangladesh, we are practicing. And the important thing is how much we can implement this," said Nigar.

The squad will regroup for a final nine-day camp in Sylhet next month, featuring three day-night practice matches at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Notably, Bangladesh begins its campaign against Pakistan on October 2 in Colombo.

Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Nahida Akter (Vice-Captain), Farzana Haque, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter