Explosive Comments from Coach, Jannatul Sumna Responds

Bangladesh’s women’s cricket team is set to leave the country tomorrow to participate in the Women’s One Day World Cup. Ahead of their departure, a formal photoshoot was held today (Monday) at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, followed by a press conference attended by the women’s team head coach, Sarwar Imran.

During the conference, questions were raised about spinner Jannatul Sumna’s omission from the World Cup squad.

Off-spinner Nishita Akter has taken Sumna’s place in the squad. According to head coach Sarwar Imran, the decision was primarily based on Sumna’s reluctance to bowl against left-handed batters, particularly in the match against Pakistan.

Coach Sarwar Imran explained: “Regarding Sumna, this was discussed extensively among our coaching staff and the captain. It took us a long time to reach a decision. During the World Cup match against Pakistan, a left-handed batter was not out, and when the captain asked Sumna to bowl, she didn’t. In both practice sessions in Dhaka and match scenarios, she has consistently been unable to bowl against left-handers.”

He further added: “Our main matches are against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. We needed an off-spinner who can bowl to left-handers. The off-spinner we selected has exceptional accuracy, tactical thinking, and courage. Accuracy is significantly better, whether it’s a right or left-handed batter. That’s why Sumna was left out—not because of her performance, but based on the team’s requirements.”

Jannatul Sumna has publicly expressed her disagreement with the coach’s reasoning, in a tone that conveys her frustration: “I feel this needs to be clarified. When we play for the team and the country, to receive such treatment—this is absolutely unacceptable.”

Regarding the claim that she refused to bowl, Sumna explained: “In the last match, I simply could not control myself. I couldn’t force myself to bowl and was unable to maintain focus for more than one or two deliveries. This was likely due to extreme fatigue and recovering from illness.”

She elaborated further on the timing and communication issues: “The question is—should I have informed the captain at that moment? If I had conceded two or three boundaries, there would certainly have been questions about why I didn’t bowl earlier. It was the 35th over, and our plan was to extend the match as much as possible. The game ended in the 39th over. Had it ended in the 38th, we might not have qualified. If I had given away 10–12 runs and the match finished 2–3 overs earlier, then post-match I would have been questioned about my actions. If I explained I was not in control, the same question would arise about why I didn’t communicate earlier.”

Sumna concluded firmly: “For me, it is very clear—playing for the country and the team should not result in this kind of treatment. This is completely unacceptable.”