Nahida Akter has been named the Bangladesh T20I captain. The 25-year-old has been given a one-year term, with the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 next month set to be her first assignment. She replaces Nigar Sultana, who led the team in 82 matches.

The left-arm spinner is Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is. She has taken 132 wickets at an average of 17.38, with best figures of 5 for 8. She has also taken 81 wickets in ODIs. She made her international debut in September 2015 and has been one of the most consistent performers in the team.

Her most memorable performance in T20Is came when she took a five-wicket haul against Pakistan in 2023, followed by her crucial three wickets during Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup win over the same opponents this year. Nahida has also made significant contributions to Bangladesh’s ODI wins against Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa over the last three years.

Bangladesh won 32 matches under Sultana, but she stepped down recently after the team struggled in the Asia Cup and Asian Games.

Middle-order batter Sobhana Mostary has been named Nahida’s deputy. Mostary recently struck an ODI century against Australia, a historic feat for Bangladesh.