Bangladesh have included top-order batter Sarmin Sultana in their squad for the women’s T20I series against Sri Lanka at home. She replaces Fargana Hoque in the 15-player squad.

The selectors announced the squad just as the women’s ODI series concluded in Rajshahi, which Sri Lanka won 2-1. The home side will look to improve on their batting performance after a sub-par showing in the WODIs.

Sarmin, uncapped in T20Is, recently returned to the ODI side after seven years, but made only 42 in three innings against Sri Lanka. She is still uncapped in T20Is. The batting would once again largely depend on captain Nigar Sultana, Sobhana Mostary and Sharmin Akter, who all made some runs in the ODI series. Hoque, the batter dropped from the T20I squad, made 11 in her only outing in the third ODI.

Bangladesh’s bowling department is well settled, with Marufa Akter set to take the new ball, though they are likely to require more pace bowling. Left-arm seamer Fariha Trisna could come in handy on the slightly more lively Sylhet pitches.

Vice-captain Nahida Akter will lead the spin attack with Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun and Fahima Khatun. They’ll look to bounce back after struggling to create pressure with the ball during the ODI series.

This is likely to be Bangladesh’s last assignment before departing for the Women’s T20 World Cup in England in June. They came through qualification in the T20 World Cup qualifier in Nepal earlier this year, winning all seven games in the competition.

Bangladesh T20I squad

Nigar Sultana (capt), Nahida Akter (vc), Dilara Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Fahima Khatun, Sharmin Akter, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sarmin Sultana, Marufa Akter, Fariha Trisna, Sultana Khatun, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Juairiya Ferdous.