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In a bold and commendable move, Jahanara Alam, Bangladesh’s premier women’s fast bowler, has decided to take a break from international cricket. This decision, confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), means that Jahanara will not participate in the national team’s ♔historic upcoming tour of the West Indies.
A stellar career marked by recent challenges
Jahanara, who has represented Bangladesh in 52 WODIs and 83 WT20Is, has been an integral part of the team’s journey over the years. Her career tally includes 108 wickets across formats, with four five-wicket hauls highlighting her ability to impact games at the highest level. However, the past year has been tumultuous for the experienced pacer. After being left out of the national setup for nearly a year, she returned to the squad in July 2024. Unfortunately, opportunities were scarce – she did not feature in Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches and was benched throughout the ODI series against Ireland.
Reflecting on her decision, Habibul Bashar, who oversees the BCB women’s team, shared the board’s pe꧅rspective. He stated stated that the player requested a two-month break from cricket due to mental readiness a🔜nd even offered to forgo her contract. He emphasized respecting her decision and clarified there’s no fixed timeline for her return, which will depend on her readiness.
“She had given us a letter stating that she was not mentally ready to play and wanted to take a break from cricket for two months. She even said that if necessary, she should not be kept in the contract. We need to respect that because if someone feels that she is not mentally ready and wants to take a break for some days, we need to accept that. There is no specific time frame for which she is out. Whenever she feels well, she will let us know,” Bashar said to Cricbuzz.
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Jahanara Alam’s explanation behind the break
Jahanara clarified that her break is specifically from the Bangladesh national team and not from all forms of cricket. She is currently playing for Sydney Cricket Club in Australia’s First Grade Premier League while also taking on a cﷺoaching role to mentor fast bowlers.
“I did not take a break from all kinds of cricket, I took a break only from the Bangladesh national team for a while. That’s what I let them know [BCB], but it is not a break from all kinds of cricket; then I wouldn’t be able to play here [in Australia],” Jahanara was quoted as saying by the Cricbuzz.
Expressing her happiness and gratitude, Jahanara shared that she received a scholarship to continue her cricketing journey in Australia. Reflecting on her decision, she highlighted the immense mental strain associated with international cricket, stating that only 10% of the game involves skill, with the remaining 90% being a mental challenge. After years of rel💎entless competition, she felt the need to step back and prioritize her mental well-being. Jahanara added that this break has allowed her to rejuvenate and refocus, ensuring she remains passionate about the sport.
“Alhamdulillah, I’m feeling better. I’m really so happy. I’m currently playing for Sydney Cricket Club here, which is in the First Grade Premier League. Also, I’m assuming the coaching role, helping the fast bowlers here. That’s my update. I got a scholarship here. No special reason [for taking the break], I just took it. I have played cricket at a stretch for a long time, so I thought of taking a break. Everything is related to mental state, no? We play cricket with only 10 percent of our skill, and the rest is a mental game. Everything is related to that. You can say, I needed a break mentally,” Jahanara concluded.
A historic West Indies Tour for Bangladesh without Jahanara
The Bangladesh women’s team is gearing up for their first-ever tour of the West Indies, led by Nigar Sultana. The series will feature threജe ODIs and three T20Is at Warner Park in St. Kitts and carries significant stakes as part of the ICC Women’s Championship.
Currently ranked seventh, Bangladesh must secure a top-six finish in the championship standings to directly qualify for the ODI World Cup in India later this year. Jahanara’s absence will be felt, especially given her experience in high-stakes matches. Along with Jahanara, all-rounder Ritu Moni was also not selected for the tour. However, the squad welcomes the return of players like Lata Mondal and Fariha Islam.
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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.
