Top-order batter Sharmin Sultana returns as the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Monday (August 17) announced the women's squad for the Women's Asia Cup 2026 in Dubai, UAE. The same squad will also feature in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Sharmin Sultana, who last played for the national side against Sri Lanka in May 2026, came into the squad in place Taj Nehar, who featured in the last World Cup.

“We tried Taj but she failed, which prompted us to bring Sharmin,” BCB women’s wing chief selector Sazzad Ahmed told Cricbuzz. "Our other opener Dola ( Dilara Akhter) is not among runs and that is the reason we are keeping another opener in the squad."

The Women's Asia Cup will get underway at the Dubai International Stadium on August 28. Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B alongside Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the UAE. Bangladesh will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Indonesia on August 31, before facing Sri Lanka on September 6 and the UAE on September 8. The tournament final is scheduled for September 13.

Following the Asia Cup, Bangladesh will turn their attention to the Asian Games cricket event in Aichi-Nagoya. They will face China in the first quarter-final at Korogi Athletic Park on September 17.

If Bangladesh progress to the semi-finals, they will face either India or Japan. The winners of the semi-finals will meet in the gold-medal match, while the losers will contest the bronze-medal match. Both matches are scheduled for September 22.