Women's T20 Challenge selection surprises Salma

Bangladesh Women's T20 skipper Salma Khatun said on Monday that she was surprised to get a chance to feature in the upcoming edition of the Women's T20 Challenge 2020, reports Cricbuzz.

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the schedule and the squads on Sunday of the three teams - Supernovas, Trailblazers and Velocity - that will participate in the competition that comprises three round-robin games, scheduled on November 04, 05 and 07 while the final will be played on November 09. The venues are yet to be announced.

Two Bangladesh cricketers - JahanaraAlam and Salma - will be part of the tournament for Velocity and Trailblazers respectively. While Jahanara had the opportunity to play in the competition earlier, it will be Salma's maiden appearance, who is considered one of the most experienced women cricketers in the country.She also played a big part in developing the sport in Bangladesh.

As cricketing activities in Bangladesh were closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Salma was in Khulna, her hometown, when she learnt about the news of her inclusion.

"It was quite surprising to learn that I am picked in the competition," Salma, who returned to Dhaka on October 11, told the online sports portal on Monday.

"I came to know about it from Touhidbhai (BCB women's wing manager). He called me and gave me the news of my inclusion two weeks ago and it was surprising as there was no cricket around for the last couple of months," she said, adding that the organizers had perhaps preferred her over others due to her experience.

"It [experience] could be a reason they have picked me because when there is no cricket around experienced campaigners are likely to adapt faster than others. Obviously, I am excited to get a chance in such a big event. I am happy. Last year only Jahanara got a chance from our country but this year two cricketers are picked and I am one of them. I cannot describe my happiness through words," she said.

Salma, who has been practising in Khulna for the last two months, will start practicing at the BCB academy premises from October 13.

"All-rounders have an edge over others in the shortest format and being an all-rounder I am looking forward to grab any opportunity. But more than playing getting the chance to share the dressing room with some of the best cricketers in the world certainly will help me grow as I can learn a lot watching them closely how they respond on certain situations," she added.

Touhid Mahmud, the BCB women's team wing manager, said that the pair will have Covid tests done on October 14 and 19, while they are expected to fly out to UAE on October 21.

"We have appointed High-Performance coach Mahbub al Zaki to look after them ahead of the tournament and they will start their training activities from tomorrow," he said.