United News of Bangladesh

Pakistan’s debutants Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal shared an unbeaten 73-run stand to guide the visitors to 179-1 at stumps on day two, trailing Bangladesh by 234 runs. The hosts were bowled out for 413 during the morning session. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 101 and Mominul Haque’s 91 provided the foundation, while Mushfiqur Rahim added a gritty 71. Taskin Ahmed provided a late surge with a 19-ball 28 to help the side cross the 400-mark before the final wicket fell in the 118th over. Pakistan’s pace attack spearheaded the morning fightback, led by Mohammad Abbas. Abbas utilized the early conditions to claim 5-51, while Shaheen Shah Afridi provided vital support with 3-67, including the key wicket of Mushfiqur. In response, Pakistan navigated 46 overs with significant composure. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Awais put on 106 before Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided the breakthrough. Miraz trapped Imam (45) leg-before with a delivery that skidded through to hit the stumps; a desperate review failed to save the opener. Awais remained unbeaten on 85, striking 12 boundaries and nearing a debut century. He looked comfortable against both pace and spin alongside Fazal, who finished the day 37 not out. Bangladesh’s bowlers toiled in the final session as Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana struggled to find the movement seen earlier in the day. Miraz remained the most effective option for the hosts, finishing with 1-37 from 16 overs. Pakistan will resume Sunday morning looking to reduce the deficit, while Bangladesh seeks early breakthroughs to regain control on a wearing Mirpur track.

Lionel Messi has said Neymar remains among football’s elite and expressed hope that the Brazil forward will recover in time for next month’s FIFA World Cup. Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, has been sidelined from international duty since October 2023 after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. His injury troubles have persisted since returning to his boyhood club Santos, restricting him to 12 appearances across all competitions this year, following 28 matches in 2025. What to know about the 2026 Champions League final “We want the best players to be there [at the World Cup], and Neymar, regardless of his form, will always be one of them,” Messi said on the Lo Del Pollo show. “It would be wonderful to see him at the World Cup because of what he represents for Brazil and for football. I hope he can be there, though I can’t be objective - for me, he always has to be there.” Messi and Neymar were teammates at FC Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 and later reunited at Paris Saint-Germain between 2021 and 2023. Messi acknowledged that their close friendship affects his neutrality. “I can’t be objective. Neymar is a friend. Obviously, I would love for him to be at the World Cup and for good things to happen to him because he deserves it as a person. I hope he can make it,” he added. Messi also praised Neymar’s personality, saying: “He has a very special charisma. He doesn’t pretend - he lives his life according to how he feels, without worrying about the consequences. He’s happy and very natural.” The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner noted that Argentina will face a tough challenge defending its 2022 World Cup title, identifying Spain, France and Brazil as leading contenders. “We know the World Cup is always very difficult because of the quality of the teams involved,” the 38-year-old said. “We have to remain hopeful, as Argentines always are in official competitions like the Copa America or the World Cup, but we must also recognise that there are other teams ahead of us who are currently in better form,” he added.

Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana has been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for April following a dominant display in the recent home ODI series against New Zealand. The 23-year-old speedster earned his place on the three-man shortlist after being named Player of the Series in Bangladesh's 2-1 victory over the visitors. Rana claimed eight wickets across the three matches, maintaining a disciplined economy rate of 4.46. Shanto’s century takes Bangladesh to 301-4 against Pakistan The highlight of his month came during the second ODI in Mirpur, where he dismantled the New Zealand batting order with figures of 5-32. His five-wicket haul paved the way for a 55-run win, proving his ability to deliver under pressure. Rana concluded the series with two additional wickets in the final match in Chattogram. Rana faces competition from Oman captain Jatinder Singh and UAE left-arm seamer Ajay Kumar. Singh earned his nod through a record-breaking 139 against Nepal, while Kumar impressed with nine wickets in his first two career ODIs. The winner will be decided by a combination of votes from an independent ICC Voting Academy and global cricket fans. Bangladesh fans can cast their ballots via the ICC’s official website.

Najmul Hossain Shanto’s clinical ninth Test century dominated the opening day of the first Test in Mirpur, setting the foundation for Bangladesh to reach 301-4 at stumps against Pakistan on Friday. Shanto’s 101 anchored a massive 170-run third-wicket stand with Mominul Haque, as the pair effectively neutralised Pakistan’s pace-heavy attack throughout a humid afternoon. The captain reached his milestone by drilling a Mohammad Abbas half-volley through the covers for four, marking his first century against this opponent. His 130-ball innings, which included 12 boundaries and two sixes, eventually ended just before tea when Abbas trapped him leg-before. While the on-field umpire initially turned down the appeal, Pakistan successfully reviewed the decision to find the ball hitting off-stump. Mominul Haque continued the momentum following Shanto’s exit but fell in the "nervous nineties" for 91. Attempting to parry a quicker delivery from spinner Noman Ali, Mominul was trapped on the back foot; a review confirmed the ball was hitting middle-and-leg. Despite the late wickets, veteran Mushfiqur Rahim ensured the hosts maintained their advantage. Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 48, showing his trademark composure to guide Bangladesh past the 300-run mark. He will resume on the second day on Saturday morning alongside Litton Das, who is not out on 8. Pakistan’s bowlers toiled for most of the day on a surface that offered little lateral movement or turn. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, and Noman Ali each took a single wicket, but the visitors struggled to make regular inroads against a disciplined top order. With six wickets in hand and the set Mushfiqur nearing a half-century, Bangladesh will aim to bat Pakistan out of the game on day two.

Najmul Hossain Shanto struck a commanding century to put Bangladesh in control before Mohammad Abbas struck just before tea to give Pakistan a much-needed breakthrough on the opening day of the first Test in Mirpur. Shanto’s 101, his ninth Test hundred and his first against Pakistan, anchored a 170-run partnership with Mominul Haque. The duo dominated a humid post-lunch session on a surface that offered little assistance to either pace or spin.  The breakthrough arrived in the 53rd over when Abbas trapped Shanto leg-before just in the next ball after the century. A good-length delivery nipped back to strike the front pad as Shanto played across the line. Although the on-field umpire initially turned down the appeal, Pakistan captain Shan Masood successfully reviewed the decision, with ball-tracking showing the delivery hitting off-stump. Shanto reached his milestone in style the previous ball, drilling a half-volley from Abbas through the covers for four. His 130-ball innings included 12 boundaries and two sixes, continuing a prolific run of form where he has consistently converted fifties into centuries.  While the session belonged to the hosts, the late wicket provided Pakistan with late momentum. Bangladesh now face a rebuilding phase in the final session, while Pakistan will likely target Mominul, who remains unbeaten having reached his 26th Test half-century. The wicket ended Shanto's first big Test score against Pakistan, an opponent against whom he had previously struggled to reach double figures. Bangladesh will look to Mominul to lead the charge as they aim for a big first-innings total.  

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque shared an unbeaten 70-run partnership to guide Bangladesh to 101 for two at lunch on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Mirpur. Bangladesh reached 101 for two at the lunch break, having recovered from an early collapse. Captain Shanto remained unbeaten on 39 off 50 balls, featuring four boundaries and a six, while Mominul Haque was not out on 31 from 57 deliveries. After Pakistan opted to field, their pace attack made immediate inroads, reducing the hosts to 31 for two. Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the first to fall, edging Shaheen Shah Afridi to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan for 8. Shadman Islam followed shortly after for 13, caught in the slips off Hasan Ali. Bangladesh’s recovery was led by a counter-attacking Shanto, who reached 39 off 50 deliveries by the break. Shanto effectively balanced caution with aggression, punishing loose deliveries while Mominul provided steady support with a disciplined 31 off 57 balls. The partnership has placed Bangladesh in a solid position after the early collapse, with the hosts scoring at a brisk rate of nearly four runs per over heading into the second session.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first against Bangladesh in the opening Test of the two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday. The match marks Bangladesh’s return to Test cricket after a six-month hiatus. The hosts enter the series following a historic 2-0 sweep in Pakistan in 2024, a result expected to serve as a primary source of momentum for Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side. Bangladesh have named a pace-heavy lineup, relying on the trio of Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, and Nahid Rana.Pakistan handed debuts to Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal. Awais joins the side as a replacement for former captain Babar Azam, who was ruled out on the eve of the match with a left knee injury. Bangladesh XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Ebadot HossainPakistan XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas//

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has provisionally suspended several players, team officials, and a franchise owner for allegedly breaching anti-corruption codes during the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The charges follow an investigation by the BCB Integrity Unit into betting activities, corrupt approaches, and the obstruction of investigations. Md. Lablur Rahman, a team manager, and Md. Towhidul Haque Towhid, a franchise co-owner, both face charges for refusing to cooperate with the Anti-Corruption Official. The BCB alleged the pair failed to comply with demand notices and intentionally concealed or deleted relevant communications to delay the probe. Domestic cricketer Amit Mojumder and team manager Rezwan Kabir Siddique have also been charged with entering into bets related to the results and progress of matches. The BCB has given those charged 14 days to respond to the allegations. In a separate move, the board issued an exclusion order against Saminur Lablur for alleged corrupt activities spanning the 9th, 10th, and 11th editions of the BPL. Investigations linked Lablur to international betting networks and the facilitation of corrupt conduct. According to the BCB, Lablur waived his right to a response and accepted the exclusion order.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood has dismissed the idea of "revenge" against Bangladesh, choosing instead to focus on his side's immediate performance ahead of the first Test starting Friday in Mirpur. The narrative of the series has been dominated by Bangladesh's historic 2-0 sweep in Rawalpindi two years ago. However, Masood rejected any retaliatory framing of the upcoming matches. "We don’t use words like revenge," Masood said at a press conference on Thursday. "You have to give credit to Bangladesh for how they played in 2024. Even when we had them at 26-6, they showed the skill to fight back and win." While teammate Shaheen Shah Afridi recently spoke of reaching the World Test Championship final, Masood offered a more grounded perspective. Pakistan has struggled in the championship cycles, finishing at the bottom of the table last time. "The most important thing is to stay in the present," Masood said. "We are playing Bangladesh, which is both a challenge and an opportunity. We can't look too far ahead; we have to take it step by step." The Mirpur series is expected to feature "sporting" wickets, potentially favoring pace over traditional spin. Despite Pakistan’s historical reliance on fast bowling, Masood acknowledged that Bangladesh’s current attack might be the strongest in their history. He declined to compare the two units, noting that both sides now possess high-quality bowlers. Pakistan has brought a balanced 16-member squad capable of playing in varied conditions. "Our goal is to play 10 days of good cricket," Masood said. "Hopefully, the side that performs best will win the series."

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto wants his side to break into the top five of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings, building on the progress made during the previous cycle. The team finished seventh in the last edition with four wins, an improvement from consecutive last-place finishes in the first two cycles. Bangladesh currently have one draw and one loss from two matches in the present cycle and are seeking their first victory as they prepare to face Pakistan. The two-match series against Pakistan begins Friday in Mirpur. "We have played good cricket over the last two years," Shanto said on the eve of the match. "Finishing seventh last time was a good achievement, and we are gradually improving. This year, the goal is to perform better. It would be great if we could finish in fourth or fifth place." The captain acknowledged that several difficult away tours, including trips to Australia and South Africa later this year, stand in the way of that goal. However, he believes the current squad is better equipped to handle varying conditions. "There are challenges ahead with tours that will be entirely new for us," Shanto said. "But our home series are very important. We will try to create conditions and wickets that suit our strengths against specific opponents." Shanto described the squad as balanced across pace, spin, and batting departments, which allows the team more flexibility. Bangladesh enter the series with the confidence of a 2-0 sweep in Pakistan in 2024, though Shanto was quick to dismiss past records as a guarantee of future success. "We played well in that series, but that is in the past," he said. "While it gives us extra confidence, we have to play well again. Every day must be better than the last for us to get the result. We aren't thinking too much about records; it’s about playing competitive cricket daily." Preparation for the series has been mixed, with several players recently focused on limited-overs cricket. Shanto, however, expressed satisfaction with the work done by those in the red-ball camp.