Ireland first test for Tigresses

Bangladesh will begin their ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier campaign today when Nigar Sultana Joty and Co. take on Ireland on the opening day at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The Tigresses faced twin blows just ahead of the tournament as experienced pacer Jahanara Alam, who sustained an injury, and batter Fargana Hoque, who tested positive for Covid-19, were ruled out of the flagship event.

Batting has long been Bangladesh's biggest concern, making the absence of Fargana -- the only Bangladeshi to score a thousand runs in T20s -- even more pronounced.

However, skipper Joty was confident of qualifying for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup proper, scheduled to be held next year in South Africa, despite those concerns.

Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and the United States were placed in Group A while Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, Thailand and hosts UAE will battle it out in Group B.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the play-off stage. The two finalists will then board flights for South Africa.