Former Bangladesh women’s team captain Jahanara Alam has signaled her intent to end a prolonged hiatus from the game and return to professional cricket. Jahanara, who has been away from competitive action since December 2024 following a match against Ireland, cited mental fatigue when she initially stepped away and later relocated to Australia. She has remained inactive in both national and domestic cricket throughout this period. Jahanara, who last represented Bangladesh against Ireland in December 2024, had taken a break from cricket citing mental fatigue and subsequently left for Australia. According to “She, ‘I want to retire by playing in the national team and that is the reason I have kept myself that fit’,” he added. Since then, she has not been involved in Bangladesh women’s cricket at any level, neither being part of the national set-up nor participating in domestic competitions.
Rafiqul Islam Babu, chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) women’s wing, confirmed on Thursday, October 15, that the veteran pacer has reached out to express her desire to play once again. According to Rafiqul, Jahanara stated that she has maintained her physical fitness with the specific goal of finishing her career as a member of the national squad. The board is now set to deliberate on the matter before reaching a final decision regarding her availability.
Her time away from the national setup was marked by significant controversy. While based in Australia, Jahanara leveled allegations of sexual harassment against officials within the BCB’s women’s department. Furthermore, she claimed that current team captain Nigar Sultana had physically assaulted her, accusations that sparked intense scrutiny regarding the internal culture of the dressing room. These allegations were later addressed by Nigar in an exclusive interview.
Addressing the broader implications of these internal tensions, Rafiqul emphasized the need for a unified approach within the team. He stated that while individuals may harbor personal grievances, such rivalries are entirely unacceptable when considering the best interests of the country. As the board prepares for its next steps, the primary focus remains on determining the feasibility of Jahanara’s return to the field.
