Sobhana Mostary key for Bangladesh in quest for direct WC qualification

Sobhana Mostary key for Bangladesh in quest for direct WC qualification

Can the Bangladesh national women's team earn direct qualification for the next World Cup? This seems to be the talking point ahead of the team's departure to the West Indies. While they are slated to play three ODIs and as many T20Is, all the focus is on the 50-over games considering they will qualify for the Women's World Cup, scheduled in India if they win two of those games.

Bangladesh are currently on 19 points and in seventh place in the ongoing Women's Championship cycle, and will need four points if they are to secure the sixth place, thereby earning direct qualification for the World Cup.

While skipper Nigar Sultana Joty is expected to guide the batting unit, the tourists will depend heavily on Sobhana Mostary due to her ability to score quickly.

"I think she (Mostary) is a natural stroke maker and on her day she can just be devastating," Sazzad Ahmed, BCB Women wing's chief selector, told Cricbuzz. "She can change her gear very quickly and we have witnessed that in the last World Cup," he added regarding the young prodigy, who was the leading run scorer for her country in the global event.