Rumana eyes Asia Cup final

Bangladesh women's cricket team coach Dave Capel and captain Rumana Ahmed share a laugh during training in Mirpur yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Bangladesh national women's cricket team's new captain Rumana Ahmed expects Bangladesh to reach the final of the ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup, which is scheduled to begin in Bangkok, Thailand from November 26. The Women in Green will depart for Bangkok today.

“We have improved a lot. The crucial game for us will be the one against India. If we can do well against them then we can reach the finals. Who knows? Maybe there can be a miracle too. Our team can do well,” Rumana told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

“I am very happy to be leading the Bangladesh team for the first time. This is a big event, the Asia Cup. I am not at all concerned but confident about my team. We have practised very well this time and hopefully we can do well.

“We have focused a lot on our batting this time. We have six to seven batters who are in good form. If they can hold on to their form then I am confident that even our batters can do well. We have always been confident about our bowling department and after these training sessions I am confident about our batting department as well,” she added. 

The Asia Cup will be played at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok between six teams. Aside from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be taking part in the event.

The tournament will start on November 26 with Bangladesh taking on favourites India. Bangladesh will then play Thailand on November 28, followed by Nepal and Pakistan on November 29 and 30 respectively.

They will play their last group stage game against Sri Lanka on December 3. The final will take place on December 4 at the same stadium.