Nahida Akter will begin her tenure as Bangladesh’s T20 captain at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board named a 15-member squad for the tournament in Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
The BCB announced the team on Tuesday, with Sobhana Mostary appointed vice-captain. Former captain Nigar Sultana Joty has also been included despite stepping down from the T20 leadership role before the Asian Games in Japan.
The team will leave Dhaka for the UAE on November 10, two days before the tournament begins. The competition will run from November 12 to 25.
Nahida, the experienced left-arm spinner, was chosen to lead Bangladesh in the shortest format after Joty relinquished the captaincy. The Emerging Nations Trophy will therefore provide her first assignment in the role.
Bangladesh have been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and Thailand. They will open their campaign against Pakistan on November 12, followed by a match against Zimbabwe on November 13.
Their remaining group fixtures are against the Netherlands on November 16 and Thailand on November 18.
The 2026 edition features 10 teams, divided into two groups of five. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ireland, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are the five Full Members taking part, alongside five Associate Members: the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and hosts United Arab Emirates.
The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage. The top two sides after that round will qualify for the final, scheduled for November 25.
Thailand are the defending champions after winning the inaugural edition in 2025. Bangladesh will look to make an impression under a new captain as they begin their campaign in Ajman.
Bangladesh squad: Nahida Akter (captain), Sobhana Mostary (vice-captain), Nigar Sultana Joty, Sharmin Akter Supta, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Dilara Akter, Rabeya Khan, Disha Biswas, Fariha Islam Trisna, Fahima Khatun, Juairiya Ferdous, Jannatul Ferdous Sumona, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Shathi Rani.
