Uncapped Biswas, Habiba in Nigar Sultana-led Bangladesh squad for Australia ODIs

Nigar had stepped down from T20I captaincy after the Asian Games but the board remains confident in her leadership abilities

The BCB have retained Nigar Sultana as Bangladesh captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia. Bangladesh have also picked the uncapped pace-bowling allrounder duo of Disha Biswas and right-arm seamer Habiba Islam for the series, while Murshida Khatun and Dilara Akter have also been recalled.

Nigar had stepped down from T20I captaincy following the Asian Games, where Bangladesh lost to Pakistan in the bronze-medal match, saying she wanted to focus on her batting. It is understood that the board remains confident in her leadership as she is Bangladesh's most successful ODI captain.

Juairiya Ferdous, Fahima Khatun and Fariha Trisna, who had featured in the ODI squad that played against Sri Lanka at home in April, the last time Bangladesh played the format, have been dropped.

All three ODIs against Australia will be played in Brisbane on October 9, 11 and 14, respectively. It will be Bangladesh women's maiden bilateral tour of Australia.

Meanwhile, the BCB has not renewed head coach Sarwar Imran's contract, replacing him with David Hemp, the former Bermuda cricketer, who has been working with the BCB for several years.

Hemp has previously served as Bangladesh men's batting coach and in the BCB's High Performance unit. He was also Pakistan women's head coach from 2020 to 2022.

Bangladesh ODI squad for Australia tour

Nigar Sultana (capt), Nahida Akter, Shorna Akter, Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Sarmin Sultana, Sharmin Akter, Sanjida Akther, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Farzana Haque, Disha Biswas, Murshida Khatun, Habiba Islam