Bangladesh U-19 women's team will leave for Malaysia today to take part in the inaugural edition of the ACC Women's U-19 Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Klang between December 15 and 22.

The tournament will be part of the junior Tigresses' preparation for the upcoming ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup, also scheduled in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2 next year. Before the global event, they will also travel to Sri Lanka for a four-match T20 series against the hosts to fine-tune their World Cup preparation.

Ahead of the regional meet, Bangladesh Cricket Board yesterday named a 15-member squad, which will be led by batter Sumaiya Akter.

Last year, Bangladesh not only had a decent campaign in the inaugural U-19 Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa, but they also produced players like Marufa Akter, Shorna Akter, Dilara Akter and Rabeya.

Meanwhile, some squad players like Sumaiya, Disha Biswas and Nishita Akter Nishi (travelling reserve) have either played or are in the national team radar.

Sajal Ahmed Chowdhury, the age-level selector who will also be the manager of the U-19 team in their Asia Cup campaign, feels that they are expecting the same thing to happen with the current crop.

"They are talented, but we are still grooming them. If they mature enough, they will be in the national team pipeline," Sajal told The Daily Star yesterday, adding that they picked the players for the Asia Cup based on their performance in the recent series and programmes.

"All the players have played in the Premier League [WDPL]. We also played a tri-nation U-19 series in Cox's Bazar involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka. We formed a 25-member preliminary squad with the existing squad of that series and those who performed well in the WDPL.

"Then we held two camps (19 days and 17 days) at the BKSP, where we played some practice matches between us. We also played three matches with our emerging team."

Sajal, however, feels the necessity of regular age-level tournaments to enhance the U-19 pipeline, strengthening the national side.

"Last year, we hosted a combined U-16 school cricket tournament. There were some findings from the tournament, and this year, we planned to do a U-18 tournament," he informed.

The young Tigresses, who are in Group B alongside Sri Lanka and hosts Malaysia, will first tackle Sri Lanka on December 16, before they face hosts Malaysia the next day.

The six-team T20 competition also features India, Pakistan and Nepal, who are pitted in Group A.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four, before the title decider unfolds on December 22.

Bangladesh squad: Sumaiya Akter (c), Afia Ashima Era (vc), Mst Eva, Fahomida Choya, Habiba Islam Pinky, Juairiya Ferdous, Fariya Akter, Farjana Easmin, Anisa Akter Soba, Sumaiya Akther Suborna, Nishita Akter Nishi, Arvin Tani, Jannatul Maoua, Sadia Akter and Maharun Nesa.