United News of Bangladesh

The spectators of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) cricket will get Ravoo Electric Bikes on every match day through a raffle draw. The seven-franchisee based teams will compete in the BPL’ 25 beginning on Monday at the home of Bangladesh cricket, Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Barisal will play Durbar Rajshahi at 1 pm while Rangpur Riders will face Dhaka Capitals at 6 pm in two opening day’s fixture in Mirpur. Two matches will be held every match day in the first round at 1 pm and 6 pm from December 30 to February 1 in Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram. The eliminator and first qualifier match will be held on February 3 while the 2nd qualifier match is billed for February 5 and the grand final on February 7. All spectators with confirmed admission before the 2nd match of the day will be eligible for the raffle draw and one lucky winner will get a bike every day in the preliminary round. BPL 2025: A new era dawns amidst political changeover, calling for cricket-centric focus In the 1st qualifier and eliminator matches, all spectators with confirmed admission before the 2nd match of the day will be eligible for the raffle draw and the two Revoo bikes will be given to 2 lucky winners on each of the days through raffle draws. In the final match, all spectators with confirmed admission before the 2nd innings of the match will be eligible for the raffle draw and three Revoo Bikes will be given to 3 lucky winners on the biggest day of the tournament.

The 11th season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is all set to kick off on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, making it a new era for the tournament following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government and making it the first BPL since a groundbreaking political shift in the country. In the opening match of the season, defending champions Fortune Barishal will take on newcomer Durbar Rajshahi. In this match, Barishal will have to carry the weight of expectation and the legacy of their maiden title triumph last season. “On paper, you could definitely put us among the top two teams,” Tamim Iqbal, the Barishal captain said, mentioning the balance they have. “We’ve tried to address every weakness and have assembled a very competitive squad.” He appeared at a pre-event press conference on Sunday in Mirpur. “Mugdho Corners” to provide free water at BPL matches In the challenge of defending the title, Tamim has national team stars like Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah Riyad, alongside young players like Towhid Hridoy, and Ariful Islam. They also have Najmul Hossain Shanto in the mix. In the bowling department, Ebadot Hossain and Rishad Hossain are the main strengths of Barishal. They also secured the services of Pakistan star Shaheen Afridi, and Afghanistan star Mohammad Nabi alongside Kyle Mayers, Dawid Malan and Pathum Nissanka. Despite having a strong team, Barishal captain Tamim believes that they will have to face a tough challenger after the initial rounds of matches when some of the players will leave for other T20 events around the globe like ILT20, SA20 and Big Bash. “The real test will be after seven or eight matches,” he pointed out. “That's when the ability to effectively fill those gaps will determine which teams are genuine contenders.” The changed political landscape has also contributed to shaping this year’s BPL, as the record four-time BPL winner Comilla Victorians are missing this time. The franchise is owned by former finance minister and Awami League leader AHM Mustafa Kamal. He has been missing since the mass uprising in August. How to get your BPL tickets: online platform and bank branches open for sales The political shift has also cast a shadow over the participation of veteran players Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza, both associated with the previous ruling party. Chittagong Kings, who are making a comeback in BPL, drafted Shakib for this season. But the participation of the star allrounder remained doubtful for his political affiliation. He attempted to play his last Test in October at home, but students protested against his homecoming. Mashrafe, who is a two-time member of the parliament for the Awami League, has been absent from public view since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. He was signed by his old team Sylhet Strikers, but his participation is also uncertain. Beyond the political implications, Tamim has been vocal about the need for a shift in the BPL's priorities. He criticized the emphasis on concerts and promotional events, arguing for a more cricket-centric approach. “Honestly, I haven't seen anything different apart from the concerts,” Tamim said. “If we truly want a different BPL, we need to invest in the cricket itself. That's where the real change will happen, not in the entertainment surrounding it.” Mashrafe doubtful for BPL due to fitness concerns The former Bangladesh captain said that a successful tournament is the responsibility of both players and organizers. He also added that players’ performance is crucial, and providing them with the best facilities is equally important. Along with Durbar Rajshahi, the Dhaka Capitals are the new team in this year's BPL. Both the teams heavily invested in the young local players, including the members of Bangladesh’s Under-19 Asia Cup-winning squad, which is injecting further excitement into the tournament and offering a glimpse into the future of Bangladesh cricket. The BCB started selling tickets for BPL on Sunday, with the fans being able to buy tickets from both online and offline facilities. But it met with criticism when hundreds of fans were involved in chaos in front of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday for tickets as they had no information where the tickets would be available until the afternoon. In this seven-team event, the fans will get free water drinking facilities at every venue across Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram. The organizers will install water drinking points called “Mugdho Corners” remembering Mir Mugdho, a protester who was martyred during the uprising, while distributing water bottles among his protesting peers.    

India’s superstar seamer Jasprit Bumrah was at his unplayable best at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Sunday, claiming 4-56 including his 200th wicket in a breathtaking performance in the fourth test against Australia. Bumrah dominated Australia’s middle order, removing Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey cheaply before the home side’s tail wagged, reaching 228-9 at stumps, with one day of play remaining. Australia leads by 333 runs. Earlier, Australia lost four wickets for 11 runs in 22 deliveries, slumping from 80-2 to 91-6 in a dramatic middle-order collapse after lunch. But the home side rallied thanks to a 57-run partnership between Marnus Labuschagne (70) and Pat Cummins (41). India resumed Sunday on 358-9 and was bowled out for 369 in reply to the home side’s 474. Nitish Kumar Reddy top-scored with 114. It was the 21-year-old’s maiden century in his fourth test. Cummins (3-89), Scott Boland (3-57) and spinner Nathan Lyon (3-96) took three wickets each. Reddy said to have family and friends including his father Mutyala watching on when he scored his maiden test century was a special moment. “That was a special century for me and for my father,” Reddy said. “When I was nothing, the first person who believed in me was my father. He believed in me and he resigned his job for me. “He made a lot of sacrifices. I’m so grateful to have a father like him.” Australia edged slowly to 53-2 off 25 overs in its second innings at lunch Sunday on a pitch that continued to offer sideways movement. Openers Sam Kontas (eight) and Usman Khawaja (21) departed before lunch. Mohammed Siraj (3-66) triggered a collapse by removing first-innings century-maker Steve Smith caught behind for 13 at 80-3. In the next over, Bumrah broke through twice. The 31-year-old claimed his 200th wicket, removing Head caught at forward-square leg for one, and Marsh was caught behind four balls later for a duck. The 44-test capped Bumrah claimed his fourth wicket of the innings when he bowled Carey (2) in his next over as Australia staggered to 91-6. Labuschagne described the bowling of Bumrah, who has taken 29 wickets in the series at an average of 13.24, as “relentless”. “He just bowls a relentless length. He attacks the stumps. He’s tough to navigate,” Labuschagne said. “He was hot. He had three wickets in two overs. He’s been very good this series.” Yashavi Jaiswal missed three catches in the field, including dropping Labuschagne at gully on 46, and Cummins on 21 at silly point. Australia regained its composure, pushing its lead beyond 250, before Siraj trapped Labuschagne lbw at 148-7. Mitchell Starc (5) was run out shortly after tea at 156-8. Cummins was caught at slip 17 runs later, but India fumbled a fourth chance when Siraj put down a caught-and-bowled chance when Lyon was on five. Lyon (41 not out) and Boland (10 not out) added to India’s frustrations with an unbeaten 55-run partnership for the final wicket. Bumrah had Lyon caught in slips on 35 in the final over of the day, but it was a no-ball. The highest successful run-chase in a test match since 2000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is Australia’s 231-2 in 2013/2014 against England. Reddy said it would be important to have “one or two good partnerships” to give India a chance of victory. “We can see later on the fourth day the pitch was doing a little bit more,” Reddy said. “We don’t need to put more pressure (on ourselves) by saying the pitch is doing this or that.” The five-match series is level at 1-1. The fifth and final Australia-India test is scheduled to start on Jan. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

South Africa tailenders Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen hung in against relentless fast bowler Mohammad Abbas for a tense two-wicket win in the first test on Sunday to seal the Proteas' place in next year’s World Test Championship final. Jansen (16 not out) overshadowed Abbas’ brilliant figures of 6-54 with a square driven boundary against the fast bowler as South Africa reached 150-8 just after lunch on Day 4 and escaped with a close win in the opener of the two-match series. “Quite an emotional moment for me, good advert for test cricket,” said South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who made 40. “We haven’t been ruthless but have found a way to ensure the result was on our side. Lot of joy and happiness on our side, a bit of a rollercoaster, glad that we were able to get the result.” Abbas, making a comeback after more than three years in the test wilderness, had knocked back South Africa’s tricky chase of 148 runs in a marathon 13-over spell before lunch on Day 4 as the home team limped to 99-8, losing four wickets for three runs. Australia lose openers but stretch lead to 158 runs at lunch, day 4 of 4th test against India However, Rabada changed gears in an unbroken 51-run stand with Jansen and made an unbeaten 31 off 26 balls with five fours to seal a memorable victory and denied Pakistan its first test win in South Africa in almost 18 years. South Africa had started this WTC cycle with a 1-1 drawn series against India before getting swept 2-0 in New Zealand. But since then the Proteas have beaten West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to stay on top of the table. “It (WTC final) is a big one, not just for myself but also the team and the coach," Bavuma said. "The way we started our campaign, against India and then New Zealand with a not-so-strong team, and the way we have gone through with our performances, not many gave us a chance.” India, Australia and Sri Lanka are the other teams still in contention for next June’s WTC final against South Africa at Lord’s. Captain Temba Bavuma (40) and Aiden Markram (37) had thwarted Abbas for an hour after South Africa resumed at a wobbly 27-3, still needing 121 for victory. Bavuma’s controversial dismissal punctuated a South Africa collapse in the latter half of first session with Abbas grabbing three off his six balls in a sensational home team collapse. Bavuma, who made 40, surprisingly didn’t request a television review when replays suggested that Abbas’ ball had brushed the batter’s pocket and didn’t make contact with the inside edge of the bat but the South African skipper walked back to the dressing room. Abbas bowled an unchanged marathon spell of 13 overs, but had to wait as Markram and Bavuma saw off eight overs from the fast bowlers. Resuming at 27-3, Bavuma and Markram showed plenty of patience against Abbas’ probing line and length before the fast bowler finally got the breakthrough after the first drinks break. Abbas was rewarded for his brilliant seam bowling when he beat the outside edge of Markram’s bat and knocked back the off stump. Rain washes out first session on Day 3 of 1st test between South Africa and Pakistan Bavuma survived a couple of close chances when he successfully overturned an on-field lbw decision against him early in the day and Naseem Shah couldn’t hold onto a sharp catch at fine leg as he overstepped the boundary cushion while grabbing the ball over his head. South Africa had controlled the game at 96-4 before Bavuma’s dismissal saw Abbas finding the outside edges of David Bedingham (14) and Corbin Bosch’s (0) bat off successive deliveries and in between Kyle Verreynne dragged Naseem Shah’s delivery back onto his stumps. Abbas found the outside edge of Rabada's bat in his first over after lunch that fell just short of wicketkeeper Rizwan before both tailenders took the team home. “Extremely proud of the efforts, but going forward we need to be ruthless,” Pakistan captain Shan Masood said. “We keep making the same mistakes but we have to get over the line, seize moments.” The second test begins at Cape Town on Friday.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) organisers have announced free water services for the fans at all the venues in Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram.  This is the first time when the BPL organisers are taking this initiative in BPL.  Organisers said  there will be Mugdho Corners at the gallery, where fans can drink free water thanks to BCB’s drinking partner Pusti.  Those designated areas are named after Mir Mugdho, a man who was killed during the July- August uprising that ousted the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina.  How to get your BPL tickets: online platform and bank branches open for sales The announcement was made during an event to introduce the tournament's official drinking partner on Sunday.   Similar “Mugdho Corners” will also be installed at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium and the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, confirmed BPL Member Secretary Nazmul Abedin. BPL will kick off with the match between Fortune Barishal, the defending champions and newcomer, Durbar Rajshhai, at 1:30 PM on Monday. On the other match of the opening day, Dhaka Capital will take on Rangpur Riders at 7:00 PM at the same venue. 

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) started selling tickets for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) following a demonstration by hundreds of eager fans outside the venue— Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium— on Sunday afternoon. Fans can purchase tickets either online or in person, with sales already underway from Sunday at different places close to the venue. For online buyers, tickets can be accessed through the official website (www.gobcbticket.com.bd). Hard copies of tickets are being sold at designated Modhumoti Bank PLC branches. On Sunday, tickets were made available between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. On Monday, the opening day of BPL, sales will continue from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The branches facilitating sales include those located in Mirpur, Motijheel, Uttara, Gulshan, Dhanmondi, Kamrangir Char, and on VIP Road in Paltan. Fans are advised to visit the branch closest to them during the specified hours. The price of the tickets varies based on seating categories. Premium seats at the Grand Stand, both lower and upper levels, will cost BDT 2,000. Tickets for the International Gallery North (Media Block) and International Lounge South (Corporate Block) are available for BDT 1,000, while seats in the International Gallery South (Corporate Block) are priced at BDT 800. The Club House stands, both North and South, are available at BDT 500, and for Southern or Northern Galleries, tickets are priced at BDT 300, while most affordable tickets are at Eastern Gallery which costs BDT 200. For the first time, BCB designated an area as a “Zero Waste Zone”, where around 300 seats are available for BDT 600 each. BPL will kick off with the match between Fortune Barishal, the defending champions and newcomer, Durbar Rajshhai, at 1:30 PM on Monday. On the other match of the opening day, Dhaka Capital will take on Rangpur Riders at 7:00 PM at the same venue.  

Australia claimed a lead of 105 runs on the first innings and stretched its advantage to 158 at lunch Sunday on day four of the fourth cricket test against India. After bowling India out for 369 in reply to the home side’s 474 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia was 53-2 in its second innings at lunch Sunday on a pitch that continued to offer sideways movement for India’s crafty seamers Jasprit Bumrah (1-18 off eight overs) and Mohammed Siraj (1-10 off seven). Resuming on 358-9, India added 11 runs in 3.3 overs before Nitish Kumar Reddy (114) holed out to long-off off the bowling of spinner Nathan Lyon (3-96). The 21-year-old Reddy added nine runs to his overnight score of 105 before he was the tenth wicket to fall. India was bowled out for 369, trailing Australia by 105 runs on the first innings. Reddy, whose innings included 11 fours and one six, had celebrated with gusto in front of an adoring crowd of over 83,000 Saturday after reaching his century in a tense finale to the day’s play with nine wickets down. Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc sent down 25 wicketless overs for 89 runs and is carrying what appears a rib complaint, which may place strain on Australia’s attack during India’s second innings. Pace bowlers Pat Cummins (3-89) and Scott Boland (3-57) took three wickets each in India’s first innings. Australia’s opening batter Sam Konstas, whose debut innings of 60 included six fours and two sixes in an audacious display of shot-making, fell for eight. The 19-year-old had no answer to a probing delivery from Bumrah which crashed into the stumps via a gap between bat and pad with the hosts at 20-1. Dropped on two at leg gully off Bumrah’s bowling, opener Usman Khawaja continued to struggle and was bowled by an inswinger from Siraj for 21 to reduce Australia to 43-2. Marnus Labuschagne was hit several times on the thigh and groin as he scrapped his way to an unbeaten 20 off 46 deliveries and Steve Smith was two not out off 21 balls. Australia’s 53 came off 25 overs in what was hardly a free-flowing opening session of play for the batting side. The five-match series is level at 1-1. The fifth and final Australia-India test is scheduled to start on Jan. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Two Services teams--Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force-- will lock horns with each other in the final match of the Paragon Group Victory Day Hockey on Monday. The title deciding match will kicks- off  at 2:30 pm  on Monday at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium here. In the day's semifinals,  Bangladesh Navy eliminated  Hockey Players Welfare Unity by 4-1 goals in the first semis while Bangladesh Air Force thrashed BKSP 5-2 in the second semis at the same venue on Saturday. National coloured forward Rasel Mahmud Jimmy,  the inspirational Air Force skipper made his way through the Hockey Players Welfare Unity defence in the 12th minute and cut the ball back to Din Islam who was obstructed just in front of the post.  Umpire Selim Lucky pointed to the spot and Ashraful Islam converted the penalty stroke (1-0). Hockey Players Welfare Unity hit back in the 40th  minute off a penalty corner and it was none other than Amirul Islam whose drag landed in the net with the scoreboard showing (1-1). However,  Air Force showed their mettle in the later part adding another three in the last two quarters.  It was Ashraful again whose drag put Air Force ahead in the 49th minute (2-1),  Roman Sarker added the third in the 49th minute (3-1)  and Mahbub Hossain netted the fourth in the 58th minute to complete the rout (4-1). In the day's 2nd semi-final,  BKSP had no answer against the prowess of Bangladesh Air Force. Air Force penalty corner specialist Sohanur Rahman Sabuj scored five goals to set fire  on the blue turf.  He scored in the 21st, 27th, 29th, 31st and 43rd minutes.  The two BKSP goals came from the sticks of Mehedi Hasan Ovi and Huzaifa Hosain. 

Bangladesh women’s national team captain Nigar Sultana and her teammate Murshida Khatun hit centuries in the second round of the Women's Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL). Both the matches of this round ended in a draw. Nigar scored her career-best 171, while Murshida ended on 170. Riding on the record-breaking stand between Nigar and Murshida, Central Zone piled up a total of 528 for eight wickets at the Shahid Kamaruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi. Resuming on 242 for 2, with Nigar on 64 and Murshida on 122, the pair continued their relentless assault on the East Zone bowlers. Their 228-run stand for the third wicket finally came to an end when Murshida was trapped LBW by East Zone captain Fahima Khatun for a brilliant 170, with 23 boundaries off 286 deliveries. Nigar carried on to reach 171, smashing 18 fours in her 322-ball innings before becoming the seventh wicket to fall. East Zone had earlier been bowled out for 354 in their only innings. Sobhana Mostary, the national team batter, also notched a century, leading North Zone against South Zone. She remained unbeaten on 118, hitting 14 fours and 4 sixes in her 146-ball knock. North Zone declared their second innings at 257 for 5, setting South Zone a target of 276. Despite having two sessions to chase down the target, South Zone fell short, finishing on 232 for 8 when the match concluded. Rubaiya Haider, who had scored a century in the previous game, top-scored for South Zone with 49.

Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society and Dhaka Abahani Limited maintained their 2nd slot jointly in the 10-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football by winning their 5th round matches at two seperate venues across the country Saturday afternoon. Six-time champions Dhaka Abahani Limited, without any foreign player and in absence of injury grabbed main striker Sumon Reza, faced no trouble to beat Bangladesh Police FC by 2-0 goals at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla Saturday afternoon. Forward Arman Foysal Akash put the traditional sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani ahead in the 23rd minute by an angular shot while another forward Shahiar Emon confirmed the Abahani victory scoring one more goal in the 89th minute by his lone effort. In the day's another match, Rahmatganj MFS crushed lowly Young Men's Club Fakirerpool by 6-1 goals at the Shaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur Saturday afternoon. Ghana forward Samuel Boteng struck twice in the 25th and 72nd minutes, defender Rajon Howlader also netted twice in the 54th and 90+6 minutes, another defender Taj Uddin and striker Nabib Newaz Jibon scored one each for the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj in the 62nd and 66th minutes respectively. Akobir Turaev scored the face-saving goal for Youngmen's Club in the 28th minute from a penalty. After the day's 5th round matches, Rahmatganj MFS and six-time champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd have secured 12 points each from five matches. But in goal differences, Rahmatganj MFS were in the 2nd slot while Dhaka Abahani in the 3rd place. Dhaka Mohammedan SC Ltd maintained the solo lead in the league table with an all-win record securing full 15 points from straight five matches. Brothers Union Club are in 4th place with eight points while defending champions Bashundhara Kings are struggling at 5th with seven points.