10 players to watch in ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2017

#8 Rumana Ahmed (Bangladesh)

Rumana Ahmed

Rumana Ahmed, Bangladesh’s spin-bowling allrounder, took over as captain of the side last year after the ICC Women’s World T20 2016 and has worn the skipper’s cap well.

Under her, Bangladesh brought up a memorable One-Day International win against the visiting South Africans at home in January. Her personal figures have been impressive since the women’s team earned ODI status: she is the leading run-scorer (567 in 25 matches) and joint leading wicket-taker (27 wickets in 25 games). She also has against her name her county’s first hat-trick, which came in a winning cause against Ireland last year.

The bespectacled Rumana, 25, has been a formidable strike option for the team with her leg spin. In 2015, she was player of the tournament in Bangladesh’s Women’s World T20 Qualifier campaign, with 14 wickets and a best of 4 for 8. She sees her objective as controlling the flow of runs and being mentally strong in high-pressure situations. “Then wickets will come automatically.”

The youngest of four siblings, she was encouraged to pursue the sport by her late father and is grateful for her family’s support as she follows her passion through adversity.