United News of Bangladesh

Uttar Baridhara Club beat Swadhinata Krira Sangha by 2-0 goals in the Bashundhara Group Senior (First) Division Football League 2023-24 at the Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur on Thursday. Rakibul Islam and Faisal Ahmed scored for Uttar Baridhara, one in each half. In the day's other match, Motijheel T&T Club played to a 1-1 draw with Nawabpur Krira Chakra at the same venue Thursday afternoon. Zeon Sarker put Nawabpur KC ahead in the 9th minute, while Tanvir Ahmed Apon levelled the margin for T&T Club in the 37th minute. The day’s other match between Badda Jagorani Sangsad and Basabo Tarun Sangha ended in a goalless draw at the same venue Thursday.

Bangladesh secured a resounding 112-run victory over Northern Territory (NT) Strike in their 50-over encounter. They beat St Strike by 112 runs. Bangladesh, led by solid innings from Parvez Hossain Emon and Tanzid Hasan Tamim, set a challenging target of 251 runs. Emon’s 47 off 64 balls and Tamim’s 53 off 64 anchored the innings, despite middle-order stumbles. Contributions from Abu Hider Rony, who scored 38, and Md Shamim Hossain’s 20 further propel Bangladesh’s total to 250 all out in 50 overs. Bangladesh High Performance team beat Pakistan A to draw in two-match series Hamish Martin took four wickets for NT Strike. Despite the defeat of his team, Martin won the player of the match award. NT Strike’s pursuit faltered as they were bowled out for 138 in just 42 overs. Jacob Dickman’s patient 51 off 87 balls was the only notable resistance, while lower-order batsmen struggled against disciplined Bangladeshi bowling. Key wickets fell to Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Abu Hider Rony, who both took 2 wickets each. Rabby’s spell of 7 overs, 1 maiden, 28 runs, and 2 wickets was particularly crucial. Rakibul Hasan also shone with 2 wickets for 27 runs in his 10-over stint. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Rabby and Rakibul, dismantled NT Strike’s lineup with precision. Mukidul Islam Mugdho’s effective spell of 2 for 22 in 5 overs complemented the team’s strong performance.

Anamul Haque Bijoy will lead the Bangladesh A side in the upcoming four-day series against Pakistan A, while Towhid Hridoy has been named captain for the one-day series. The Bangladesh A side will play two four-day and three one-day matches in Pakistan. The 31-year-old Bijoy, who has appeared in just five Tests for Bangladesh, will bring his extensive first-class experience to the captaincy role. Bijoy boasts an impressive first-class batting average of 44, providing a strong foundation for the team in the longer format. Towhid Hridoy, aged 23, has been a regular in Bangladesh's top order in white-ball cricket since his debut in March 2023. With 3024 runs in List A matches and a robust average of 48, Hridoy's leadership in the one-day series is expected to bolster the team's performance. The Bangladesh A team is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on August 6. The tour will kick off with the first four-day match against Pakistan A, taking place from August 10 to 13 in Islamabad. The second four-day match will also be held in Islamabad, from August 17 to 20. Following these, the one-day series will begin, with the first match on August 23, the second on August 25, and the final match on August 27, all of which will also be played in Islamabad.  

Bangladesh is gearing up for their upcoming Pakistan series with some key players ready to make impact. Despite his busy schedule in franchise cricket, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will be available for the Tests. Shakib missed the preparatory sessions in Chattogram but is set to join the team either directly from Dubai or after a brief practice session in Dhaka. BCB secures Mushtaq’s service for Pakistan series amid uncertainty “Shakib is available for the Tests,” confirmed Jalal Yunus, BCB’s Head of Cricket Operations. The team also received positive news regarding pacer Taskin Ahmed. Taskin, who withdrew from the last Test series against Sri Lanka, has shown good progress and is under consideration for the Pakistan tour. BCB announces high-performance team for extended Australia tour “Taskin had an evaluation yesterday, and he’s being considered for the red-ball squad,” Yunus stated. “The selectors will make the final decision, but he is in contention.” The board is also hopeful about the recovery of fast bowler Ebadot Hossain. Ebadot, who has been out of action due to a long-term injury, is making steady progress. BCB boss struggles to explain Bangladesh’s World Cup failures “Ebadot is still recovering but is about 70% fit,” said Yunus. “We hope he will make further improvements in the next two months. He is still undergoing rehabilitation, and we are monitoring his progress closely.”

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that former Pakistani leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed will be available as the spin bowling coach for Bangladesh's upcoming series against Pakistan. BCB announces high-performance team for extended Australia tour Mushtaq, who signed a short-term contract with BCB in April, had impressed the board during his tenure for the T20 World Cup. Consequently, BCB expressed interest in extending his contract. However, Mushtaq’s new commitment with the England Under-19 team created uncertainty about his availability. Addressing this, Jalal Yunus, BCB’s Head of Cricket Operations, assured reporters outside the BCB office that Mushtaq will indeed join the team for the Pakistan series. “Mushtaq Ahmed is available for the Pakistan series,” Yunus confirmed. BCB uncertain about Mushtaq Ahmed's role as long-term spin bowling coach Despite securing Mushtaq for the immediate series, Yunus acknowledged the challenges ahead. “He has prior commitments and won't be available for the subsequent series until December. We are hopeful to negotiate a long-term contract starting January,” Yunus said. In addition to Mushtaq, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is set to join the squad despite his commitments in franchise cricket. BCB boss struggles to explain Bangladesh’s World Cup failures Yunus mentioned, “Shakib is available for the Tests. If his schedule is tight, he might travel directly from Dubai or join the team in Dhaka for a few practice sessions before heading to Pakistan.”

Arambagh Football Academy and Mohakhali Ekadosh won their respective matches in the Bashundhara Group Senior (First) Division Football League 2023-24 at the Bir Sherestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Wednesday. Arambagh Football Academy defeated Mugda Samaj Kallyan 0 Krira Parishad by 2-0 goals. Shohag Borman and Chiga Marma scored for Arambagh FA, one in each half. Hafizur Rahman Pramanik of the Mugda team got the marching order after receiving a direct red card in the match. In the day's another match, Mohakhali Ekadosh also earned a 2-0 goal victory over Sadharan Bima Corporation SC on Wednesday. Sabbir Ahmed Opurbo put the Mohakhali team ahead in the 10th minute (1-0), while Zakirul Islam scored the second goal for Mohakhali Ekadosh in the 22nd minute (2-0). The day's other match between Arambagh Krira Sangha and Little Friends Club ended in 1-1 draw at the same venue on Wednesday. Arambagh KS took the lead in the 18th minute by a gifted goal when Little Friends booter Mohammad Shakil sent the ball to his own net (1-0). Ujawong Marma levelled the margin for Little Friends in the 83rd minute of the match (1-1).

Anamul Haque Bijoy will lead the Bangladesh A side in the two-match four-day series against Pakistan A team while Tawhid Hridoy has been named as Bangladesh A team captain for the one-day series. The 2nd string Bangladesh side will play two four-day and a three-match one-day series, all in Islamabad, during their three-week long tour of Pakistan. The 31-year-old opening batsman, Bijoy, who played just five Tests for Bangladesh, has a good first class record with an average of 44. The 23-year-old Hridoy is a regular face in the Bangladesh top-order batting in white ball cricket since his debut in March 2023. He scored 3024 runs in List A matches with a healthy average of 48. Earlier on Tuesday, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced three separate squads of Bangladesh A Team for the next month's tour of Pakistan to play two four-day and a three-match one-day series, including two former national captains Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque in the squad. The 2nd string Bangladesh Cricket team will leave the capital for Pakistan on August 6. During the three-week long tour, Bangladesh A team will play the first four-day unofficial test match against Pakistan A team from August 10-13 and will play the 2nd and last four dayer against the same team from August 17-20. Touring Bangladesh A team will also play a three-natch one-day series against their Pakistani counterpart on August 23, 25, and 27. Bangladesh squad for the first four-day match: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sahadat Hossain Dipu, Modaddek Hossain Saikat, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rahman Rejaur Raja, and Ruyel Miah. Bangladesh squad for the 2nd four day match: Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Saif Hasnat, Soumya Sarkar, Sahadat Hossain Dipu, Modaddek Hossain Saikat, Zaker Ali Anik, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Hasan Murad, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rahman Rejaur Raja, and Ruyel Miah. Bangladesh squad for one-day match: Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Saif Hasnat, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Zaker Ali Anik, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hassan, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rahman Rejaur Raja, and Ruyel Miah.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday announced the Bangladesh A Team for the next month's tour of Pakistan. Bangladesh A team will play two four-day matches and a best-of-three one-day series against the hosts Pakistan, all in Islamabad. The 2nd string Bangladesh Cricket team will leave the capital for Pakistan on August 6. During the three-week long tour, Bangladesh A team will play the first four-day unofficial test match against Pakistan A team from August 10-13, while the 2nd and last one will be played from August 17-20. Touring Bangladesh A team will also play a three-match one-day series against their Pakistani counterparts on August 23, 25 and 27. Bangladesh squad for first four day match: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sahadat Hossain Dipu, Modaddek Hossain Saikat, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rahman Rejaur Raja and Ruyel Miah. Bangladesh squad for 2nd four day match: Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Saif Hasnat, Soumya Sarkar, Sahadat Hossain Dipu, Modaddek Hossain Saikat, Zaker Ali Anik, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Hasan Murad, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rahman Rejaur Raja and Ruyel Miah. Bangladesh squad for one-day match: Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Mohammad Naim, Saif Hasnat, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Zaker Ali Anik, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hassan, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rahman Rejaur Raja and Ruyel Miah.

Bangladeshi swimmer  Samiul Islam Rafi finished overall 69th among 79 competitors in the men's 100-meter freestyle swimming in the ongoing Paris Olympics held at the Paris La Defense Arena on Tuesday (July 30). Samiul Islam, who was trained in Thailand ahead of the Paris Olympics, participated in the event's heat number 2 and was placed 5th among the eight competitors making his career best timing of 53.10 seconds. Samiul fulfilled his dream of making his career best timing in the mega games on Tuesday to improve his previous best timing of 53.12 seconds. Later, in the overall performances of all the 10 heats, Samuel Islam was placed 69th among the event's 79 participants, despite his career best timing. Top 16 swimmers of the event have qualified for the  semifinals with Korean swimmer booking the 16th and last place with a timing of 48.41 seconds. American swimmer Alex J clinched the top in overall heats to reach semifinal with a timing of 47.57 seconds. After the event, Samiul Islam Rafi from Rajbari District, expressed his overall  satisfaction over his day's performance and said" My target was to improve my timing, and I am very much happy to achieve my career best timing here". Another Bangladesh swimmer Sonia Khatun will compete in the women's 50-meter freestyle heats at the same venue on August 3. Bangladeshi fastest man Imranur Rahman will compete in Bangladesh's last Paris Olympics event men's 100-meter sprint heats on Wednesday  (August 4) at the Stade de France.

The men's Olympic triathlon planned for Tuesday has been postponed over concerns about water quality in Paris' Seine River, where the swimming portion of the race was supposed to take place. Organizers said they will try to hold the men's triathlon Wednesday instead. The women's competition is also scheduled on Wednesday, but both are subject to water tests. A risk of storms in the forecast for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings could complicate rescheduling the events. Heavy rains generally cause levels of E. coli and other bacteria in the Seine to rise. Paris experienced a downpour during the Olympic opening ceremony Friday, with rain continuing into Saturday. The swimming portion of training events meant to let the triathletes familiarize themselves with the course was canceled on both Sunday and Monday because of concerns over water quality. The decision to postpone the men's triathlon followed a meeting early Tuesday morning that included the sport’s governing body, World Triathlon, its medical team and city officials. The event is now scheduled to start at 10:45 a.m., which may make heat a factor. Wednesday's high temperature is forecast to be 95 F (35 C), and the event may be finishing at the hottest part of the day. Organizers and city officials had expressed confidence that bacteria levels would improve as skies cleared and temperatures warmed in the days that followed, but that apparently wasn't sufficient to ensure the athletes' safety. Paris made an enormous effort to improve the water quality in the long-polluted Seine so the swimming portion of the triathlon and the marathon swimming event in August could be held in the famed river that runs through the city center. But bacteria levels have remained in flux. Daily water quality tests measure levels of fecal bacteria known as E. coli, with a safe limit of 900 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters determined by European rules. Monitoring group Eau de Paris releases data each Friday, but it is updated only through the previous Tuesday. High levels of E. coli in water can indicate contamination from sewage. Most strains are harmless and some live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. But others can be dangerous. Even a mouthful of contaminated water can lead to diarrhea, and the germ can cause illnesses such as infections in the urinary tract or in the intestines. Efforts to make the river suitable for swimming cost 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion). They include the construction of a giant basin to capture excess rainwater and keep wastewater from flowing into the river, renovating sewer infrastructure and upgrading wastewater treatment plants. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo very publicly took a swim in the river two weeks ago, along with Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet, and the top government official for the Paris region, Marc Guillaume, along with swimmers from local swimming clubs. Data released last week show that E. coli levels at the Bras Marie were at 985 units per 100 milliliters that day, slightly above the established threshold. Other swimming events planned in the Seine are the triathlon mixed relay on Aug. 5 and the women's and men's marathon swimming events on Aug. 8 and Aug. 9.