Sports
Super League Hockey: Dhaka Mariner Youngs stay in title race crushing Ajax SC
Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club stayed in the title race of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League, beating Ajax SC by 9-2 goals in a super six match at the Moulana Bhasani National Stadium here on Wednesday.
Earlier, Mohammedan SC also brightened their chance to clinch the league crown, beating Usha KC by 6-5 goals in a keenly contested super six match last Tuesday.
After the day's match, Dhaka Mohammedan SC dominated the league table, securing 35 points, while Dhaka Abahani Limited and Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club followed the leader neck and neck with 34 points each, all playing 14 matches.
However, the league title will depend on Friday's (April 19) Mohammedan-Abahani vital match where the black and white Mohammedans needed just a victory to be the league champions.
If Mohammedan conceded defeat against Abahani in their last match, then Dhaka Abahani and Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club entered the title battle.
In the day's lone match, star defender Shohanur Rahman Sabuj and Indian Sudeep Chirmako made hattricks, scoring four and three goals, respectively, while Mainul Islam Koushik and captain Fazle Hossain Rabby scored one each for the league champions, the Mariner Youngs.
Imtiaz Ahmed Rubel and Indian player Promot Dewan scored one goal each for Ajax SC.
Tamim's international career in limbo as BCB offers no clarity
As the Bangladesh team prepares for the upcoming Zimbabwe series, the possibility of veteran opener Tamim Iqbal's return to international cricket remains unclear.
A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official offered little insight into the situation.
What Lies Ahead for Tamim Iqbal?
Tamim's last international appearance was in September of last year. Since then, a combination of injuries and his absence from the national team have kept him out of the team. Tamim's request late last year to be excluded from the new year's national contract suggested a potential end to his international career.
However, neither Tamim nor the BCB have made definitive statements about his future.
BPL 2024: Tamim guides Barishal to playoff spot
“Did Tamim say that he was coming back?” Jalal Yunus, chairman of cricket operations, countered when asked about Tamim's potential return. “We had no such discussion with Tamim.”
Jalal also mentioned that he was tasked with discussing Tamim's future plans but declined to disclose the discussion's outcome. Instead, he said Tamim would meet with the board president to clarify his intentions. It was not clear when the anticipated meeting with Tamim and the board president would occur.
Mahmudullah included, Tamim axed from BCB's new central contracts
Tamim's strong performance in the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he led Fortune Barishal to their first title and was the season's top scorer, fueled speculation about a return to the T20I format. Tamim retired from T20Is but has not made any further announcements.
National team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed a desire to see Tamim back in international cricket. However, the overall situation surrounding Tamim's potential return remains shrouded in uncertainty.
BCB dismisses speculation over Hathurusingha
A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official has refuted recent media speculation about head coach Chandika Hathurusingha's future with the Bangladesh team.
Reports suggesting Hathurusingha would not return to Bangladesh surfaced after he travelled to Australia, where his family resides, ahead of the Eid break and the final Test against Sri Lanka.
“There is no doubt,” stated Jalal Yunus, BCB's chairman of cricket operations, when questioned about Hathurusingha. “Why should we doubt? We don't understand the reason behind (the speculation). Did we provide any statement (regarding Chandika)?”
Addressing the media at Mirpur on Wednesday, Jalal confirmed that the coaching staff will arrive in Dhaka ahead of the upcoming Zimbabwe T20Is. The head coach is scheduled to arrive on April 21st, with the other coaches following by the 23rd.
He further indicated that the selectors will soon announce the squad for the Zimbabwe series and that the World Cup team will likely be based on the same group of players.
“The selectors are working on the squad for the Zimbabwe series,” Jalal said. “As far as I know, they have been discussing the team composition and will finalise it soon.”
National team players are currently participating in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. However, they will soon join the national squad in preparation for the Zimbabwe series, which begins on May 3, in Chattogram. The first three matches will take place in Chattogram, with the final two matches in Dhaka.
Federation Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings reach semifinals beating Rahmatganj MFS
League champions Bashundhara Kings smartly reached the semifinal of the Federation Cup Football as the 2nd team eliminating Rahmatganj MFS by 2-0 goals in the 2nd quarterfinal at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Tuesday.
Defending champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC advanced to the semifinal of the Federation Cup Football Tournament as the first team eliminating Sheikh Russel KC by 2-1 goals in the first quarter final at the same venue on April 2.
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club to play Police FC in the 3rd quarterfinal on April 23 while Dhaka Abahani Ltd will face Fortis FC in the 4th and last quarterfinal on April 30, both at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj
In the day's well contested 2nd quarterfinal, Sohel Rana put the Kings ahead in the 24th minute of the match by a powerful shot, capitalizing on a Robson Robinho clever pass (1-0).
Nigerian booter Mfon Sunday Udoh scored the 2nd goal for the Kings in the 62nd minute sending the ball over the advanced opponent custodian, also off a Robson Robinho pass (2-0).
Later, the Kings day's play maker Robson Robinho was adjudged the best player of the match.
Super League Hockey: Mohammedan SC brighten their chances of clinching league title beating Usha KC
Dhaka Mohammedan SC brightened their chances of clinch Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League title beating Usha KC by 6-5 goals in a keenly contested super six match at the Moulana Bhasani National Stadium on Tuesday.
With the day's important win, Dhaka Mohammedan SC dominated the league table table securing 35 points from 14 matches while Dhaka Abahani Limited and Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club followed the leader with 34 and 31 points, playing 14 and 13 matches respectively.
Mohammedan SC will play their traditional rivals Dhaka Abahani Limited in their remaining super league match on Friday (April 19) and their win against Abahani will assure the league crown.
Dhaka Abahani Limited and Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club also have chance to clinch league title if they win their remaining (one and two respectively) super league matches.
In the day's vital match, Malaysian player Faizal Bin Sarri made a hattrick for the black and whites Mohammedan SC scoring three goals while Al Nahyan Shuvo, Din Islam Emon and another Malaysian Fitfi Bin Sarri scored one goal each.
Indian player Ishrat Iktidar struck twice while Arshad Hossain Raju, Ahmed Topu and another Indian recruit Mohammad Shariq scored one goal each for old Dhaka giant Usha KC.
Bangladesh announces women's squad for home T20 series against India
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday announced the T20 squad for the Bangladesh women’s team's upcoming home series against India.
A lot will be at stake as both teams have played impressive cricket against each other. Last year, Bangladesh achieved a historic feat by defeating India in an ODI for the first time.
However, that series also witnessed rising tensions when Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her dissatisfaction with the umpiring. The Bangladesh team responded in a similar manner, sparking a unique rivalry between the two sides.
Fifteen-year-old Habiba Islam Pinky is the only uncapped player included in the squad. The teams will clash in five T20Is in Sylhet, with the first match scheduled for April 28th.
Nigar Sultana will lead the Bangladesh team in this series, with Nahida Akter as her deputy. Sumaiya Akter and Nishita Akter Nishi have been named as standby players.
The other matches will be played on April 30th, May 2nd, 6th, and 9th. The first two and the fifth matches will be played under lights.
India has also announced a strong squad for this series, led by Harmanpreet Kaur with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy.
Asha Sobhana and Sajana Sajeevan, two star performers from the Women’s Premier League, also found their place in the team for the first time. Asha has recorded five-wicket haul in WPL as the first Indian cricketer, while Sajana drew attention of spectators with her hard-hitting ability.
Bangladesh Women’s T20 Squad: Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Nahida Akter (Vice Captain), Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shorifa Khatun, Dilara Akter, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Habiba Islam Pinky; Stand By: Sumaiya Akter, Nishita Akter Nishi
India Women’s T20 Squad for Bangladesh tour: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sajana Sajeevan, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Radha Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu.
BCB appoints former Pakistan great Mushtaq Ahmed as spin-bowling coach
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced today the appointment of renowned spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed to its national team. The former Pakistan leg-spinner and World Cup winner brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the role.
Mushtaq, 53, has previously served as spin bowling coach for prominent cricketing nations, including England, West Indies, and Pakistan. His impressive resume also boasts a stint as Pakistan's bowling consultant.
“It is a great honor for me to be a part of the Bangladesh cricket team as a spin bowling coach,” Mushtaq stated. “I am looking forward to the role and want to pass my experience to the players because they are very coachable and I always believe that they are one of the most dangerous teams around.”
Mushtaq’s appointment comes ahead of Bangladesh's preparation camp for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe later this month. He will be working closely with the team until the culmination of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place in the West Indies and USA.
Keep the expectation bar low': Shanto cautions ahead of World Cup
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto urged for tempered expectations ahead of the World Cup scheduled for June-July in the USA and the West Indies.
Shanto made the statement on Tuesday during a media session while signing a brand ambassador agreement with a corporation.
“I’ve a request to you all, we don’t need to expect much,” Najmul implored the reporters. “Everyone wants to achieve big things for Bangladesh, but when we talk much about these, I don’t like it personally. We will see when the result comes.”
Bangladesh recently concluded home series against Sri Lanka, with losses in the T20I and Test matches raising concerns about the team's form ahead of the World Cup.
Next, Bangladesh will host Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series, with the first three matches in Chattogram and the remaining two in Dhaka.
“I can assure you that we will give our 120 percent to play well and win,” Shanto added. “We will go to the World Cup with a high expectation.”
Shanto also addressed the potential return of Tamim Iqbal but couldn't provide a specific timeframe. He suggested Tamim might make a decision after the ongoing Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League season.
“If he returns to any format of the game, I will be so happy. Not just me, but I think everyone in the country, and every cricketer will be happy for him,” Shanto said of Tamim’s possible comeback.
For now, Shanto emphasizes the upcoming Zimbabwe series starting May 3rd in Chattogram: “This series is important for us. If we play well in this series, we will get confidence ahead of the World Cup. It would be ideal if the wickets in this series are similar to the ones we'll encounter at the World Cup in the World Cup.”
Gazi Group thrash Brothers Union in Dhaka League encounter
Gazi Group Cricketers secured a 130-run victory over Brothers Union in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League on Tuesday under the DLS method in the rain-affected game in BKSP.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Gazi Group piled on the runs. Anisul Islam Emon (65) and Habibur Rahman Sohan (81) built a strong foundation after losing the opener, Mehedi Maruf, early.The middle-order capitalized, with Sabbir Hossain (74) and Al-Amin (64) further boosting the total. Gazi Group ended their innings with a commanding 344 for 7 on the board.
For Brothers, Rahatul Ferdous took three wickets.
Brothers’ revised target was set at 309 in 41 overs, but they failed to chase it. They never got the momentum. Only Abdul Mazid (51) provided a bit of resistance, with Mahmudal Hasan (24) offering some support.
Gazi Group's bowlers, led by Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, who bagged four for 34, maintained relentless pressure. Brothers Union's innings folded at 178, handing Gazi Group a big win.
In the other match of the day, Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club beat City Club by a mere margin of five runs under the DLS method. Shamsur Rahman, the Rupganj captain, hit a century and led the team from the front. Riding on his century, Rupganj posted 297 for eight.
City’s target was 266 in 41 overs. But they fell short of 6 runs and lost the match. Arafat Sunny took four wickets for Rupganj in eight overs conceding 32 runs.
Nahid Rana takes five, Shinepukur beat Mohammedan in Dhaka League
Shinepukur Cricket Club secured a six-wicket win against giant Mohammedan Sporting Club on Tuesday in the ongoing Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League in Dhaka.
Nahid Rana, the young right-arm pacer fresh from his Test debut, bagged five wickets for Shinepukur.
Imrul Kayes, the captain of Mohammedan, scored a fifty, while Abu Hider Rony also pulled up a fifty for them. But the middle order failed to deliver well. Rony Talukdar and Mahidul Islam Ankon retured four and a duck, with both of them were taken by Nahid Rana.
National team stars Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mahmudullah Riyad scored 29 and 15, respectively, helping Mohammedan post a competitive total.
Nahid took five wickets, conceding 45 runs in 10 overs.
Rain revised Shinepukur's target to 158 runs in 30 overs, which they successfully chased in 27.4 overs.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim (36) and Marshal Ayub (30) laid the foundation, while Akbar Ali finished unbeaten on 27 off 20 balls.
This marks Shinepukur's fourth consecutive league victory, propelling them to third place in the standings. Mohammedan, on the other hand, suffered their second defeat in four matches and slipped to fourth place