United News of Bangladesh

Fans vandalised a ticket booth, broke chairs, and set a booth ablaze after failing to get tickets for the matches of the Bangladesh Premier League on Thursday in Mirpur. They also broke the window of a nearby establishment. Before this incident, fans clashed for tickets on the day before the opening matches, and on the opening day too. On the opening day, fans broke the main gate of the stadium which prompted police to use batons to disperse the desperate fans. Fans can buy tickets this year from the online platforms and from some designated branches of a private bank. But many fans said they were unable to ensure a ticket on either way. BCB boss Faruque Ahmed earlier said the online ticketing system is not as efficient as they expected it to be, making the fans angry, who eventually vandalized the ticket booths near the stadium. Read: Defending champions Barishal start BPL with thumping win over Rajshahi 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.//

Kusal Perera scored Sri Lanka's fastest Twenty20 international century — from 44 balls — on Thursday to spur his team to a consolation win over New Zealand by seven runs in the the final match of the three-match series. Perera's career-best score in a century partnership with captain Charirth Asalanka lifted Sri Lanka to 218-5 — its second-highest T20 score, as it batted first for the first time in the series. New Zealand held a winning 2-0 lead in the series after winning the first match by eight runs and the second by 45 runs. New Zealand needed to achieve its highest run chase in T20s to complete a clean sweep of the series and was given a good start by Rachin Ravindra who made 69 from 39 balls. But it fell just short, held to 211-7. The Black Caps began at a pace to match Sri Lanka, reaching 60-0 in the six-over power play. But Asalanka slammed the brakes on the New Zealand innings when he dismissed Ravindra, Mark Chapman (9) and Glenn Phillips (6) in quick succession. Asalanka had figures of 3-25 after those dismissals but Daryl Mitchell hit four consecutive sixes from his final over to wreck his analysis and bat New Zealand back into the game. Wanindu Hasaranga then dismissed Mitchell Hay (8) and Michael Bracewell (1) in the 16th over to tip the match back in the visitors' favor. Asalanka took a superb diving catch to remove Bracewell and managed his bowlers well in a superb all-round performance. “I think it's a good win for us,” Asalanka said. "I think throughout the series we've played good cricket but couldn't manage to get a win. Finally we got it. I hope this is a momentum shift for us. Adapting to these conditions has been a key for us.” Read: William, Mahidul help Khulna beat Chittagong Kings New Zealand came to the last over, bowled by Binura Fernando, needing 22 to win. After taking six runs from the first three balls, one of which was a wide, Zak Foulkes hit the fourth ball for six, leaving New Zealand needing 10 from the last two balls. It was too much and the New Zealand batters managed only three more runs. The start of the match was delayed by 30 minutes by a wet outfield and when it began Sri Lanka lost the toss but had the chance to bat first on a good pitch at Saxton Oval. The tourists lost both openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, inside the power play. But Perera powered up the Sri Lanka innings in an outstanding batting performance, hitting 13 fours and four sixes in his 101 from 46 balls. One of the keys to victory was the 75 runs Perera and Asalanka hit between the 14th and 18th overs which proved vital in making the run chase just too much for New Zealand. The teams meet in the first of three one-day internationals in Wellington on Sunday.

Bangladesh men’s and women’s national cricket teams are gearing up for an action-packed year, with a packed international calendar featuring the Champions Trophy in February, alongside several bilateral series at home and abroad. The Bangladesh men’s team will dive into international action shortly after the conclusion of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the nation’s premier franchise-based cricket league. The marquee event, the Champions Trophy, also dubbed the "Mini World Cup," will take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan, with India playing their matches in Dubai due to the ICC Hybrid Model. Bangladesh has been placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, and New Zealand. Fixtures are as follows: February 20: Bangladesh vs India in Dubai February 24: Bangladesh vs New Zealand in Rawalpindi February 27: Bangladesh vs Pakistan in Rawalpindi In March, Bangladesh will host Zimbabwe for a three-match ODI and T20 series. This will be followed by a tour to Pakistan in May for another three-match ODI and T20 series. The action continues in June, with a full-fledged tour to Sri Lanka, including two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20s. Later in the year, Bangladesh will host several high-profile series: August: Three ODIs and three T20s against India. October: Three ODIs and three T20s against West Indies. November: A comprehensive series against Ireland, featuring two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20s. The Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team also faces a busy calendar, starting with a tour to the West Indies in January-February 2025, where they will play three ODIs and three T20s. The team aims to qualify for the Women’s One-Day World Cup, slated for September-October. Their year will conclude with a tour of India in December, featuring three ODIs and three T20s.

World No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev withdrew from the United Cup mixed teams tennis tournament on Wednesday with a biceps strain less than two weeks from the start of the Australian Open. The 27-year-old Zverev won his opening two singles matches of the season against Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro and China’s Zheng Zhizhen at the United Cup. He was scheduled to face Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan in Perth in the United Cup quarterfinals, but withdrew at the last minute with Kazakhstan leading the tie 1-0 after Elena Rybakina beat Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-1. Read: Australian Open lookahead: Djokovic returns after COVID ban “Alexander Zverev has withdrawn from the United Cup due to a bicep strain,” organizers said. “Daniel Masur will take his place for Team Germany in today’s singles match against Kazakhstan.” Zverev has not won a Grand Slam singles title, finishing as runner-up in the 2020 U.S. Open and the 2024 French Open. The Australian Open begins Jan. 12.

Former champions Rangpur Riders off to a great start to their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) campaign as they beat Sylhet Strikers to secure a consecutive second win on Tuesday in Mirpur. The Riders beat Sylhet by 34-run. A career-best performance by Nahid Rana, who claimed 4 for 27 and two catches, dismantled Sylhet’s batting lineup under the lights at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Riders opted to bat first winning the toss. But they failed to impress as their top three batters failed cheaply inside the powerplay. Alex Halex, Steven Taylher and Saif Hassan only made 6, 12 and 4, respectively. Iftikhar Ahmed came forward to do a recovery act. He anchored with a 47 off 42 balls. Riders captain Nurul Hasan supported him with 41 off 24 balls. In the fifth wicket stand they added 65 runs that propelled them to a defendable total of 155 runs for 6 wickets. Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Al Amin Hossain took two wickets for Sylhet. They kept the pressure on, but could not resist a late surge by Mahedi Hasan who scored 16 off 8 balls. In reply, Sylhet never got into a position to offer some hope to win the match. They were rocked early as Kamrul Islam Rabbi dismissed George Munsey in the second over of the innings. And then Nahid Rana came in and overshadowed all efforts of Sylhet. He strike twice to remove Zakir Hasan for 18, and Paul Stirling for 6 in the powerplay, and left Sylhet reduced at 43 for three. Sylhet's middle order needed to accelerate to keep them in the contest. Rony Talukdar fought hard with 41 off 36 balls. But his overly cautious approach stalled the chase of Sylhet. Rony and Jaker Ali put up a partnership of 48 runs, but they consumed too many deliveries making their chase ineffective. Sylhet’s last chance was shattered by Khusdil Shah who took two wickets for only 10 runs. He removed Rony and captain Ariful Haque in two back-to-back deliveries. And got a great chance for a hattrick, his lbw appeal was denied by the umpires twice against Samiullah Shenwari. Nahid sealed the deal when he came back for this second spell and removed Jaker and Shinwari. Mohammad Saifuddin also supported him by taking two wickets for 18 runs. Eventually, Sylhet were wrapped up for 121 for nine wickets as the Riders sealed a comfortable win to get early momentum in the event.

Fortis FC maintained the top slot while holders Bashundhara Kings returned to winning ways in the Group A of the Bashundhara Group Federation Cup Football Tournament on Tuesday (December 31). After the 3rd group matches, giant killer Fortis SC maintained their top slot intact with an unbeaten run securing seven points while holders Bashundhara Kings remained at the 2nd slot with six points. Brothers Union Club followed them with three points from two matches. Defending champions Bashundhara Kings beat Bangladesh Police FC by 3-2 goals in their keenly contested 3rd Group A match at their home venue—Bashundhara Kings Arena--in Dhaka Tuesday afternoon. Last season's treble winners Bashundhara Kings, made a good start beating Brothers Union Club 1-0 in the tournament opener but tasted defeat in the 2nd match losing to mediocre Fortis FC by 0-2 goals at their home ground-- Bashundhara Kings Arena –last Tuesday. In the day's match, defender Topu Barman put the Kings ahead in the 7th minute (1-0) while Al Amin restored the parity for Police FC in the following minute (1-1). Brazilian forward Miguel Damasceno again took the Kings ahead in the 11th minute (2-1). Brazilian midfielder Jonathon Fernandes further sounded the Kings margin in the 53rd minute (3-1). Forward Al Amin of Police FC reduced margin scoring his 2nd goal in the 54th minute (3-2). In the day's other match, group leader Fortis FC earned a comfortable 3-0 goals victory over Dhaka Wanderers Club at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla Tuesday afternoon. Joy Kumar struck twice in the 45+2 and 75th minutes (2-0) while Piash Ahmmed Nova netted the remaining goal for Fortis FC in the 89th minute (3-0) Grouping of Federation Cup: Group A -Bashundhara Kings, Bangladesh Police FC, Fortis FC, Brothers Union Club and Dhaka Wanderers Club Group B - Mohammedan SC Ltd, Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Chattagram Abahani Ltd, Rahmatganj MFS and Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club. Later, top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the meet's next round (qualification and elimination) like the Franchisee cricket league.

Mahidul Islam Ankon scored an 18-ball fifty, the fastest by Bangladeshi in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) history, and guided his team Khulna Tigers to beat Chittagong Kings by 37 runs on Tuesday. Khulna batted first at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and scored 203 runs for four wickets. William Bosisto was their best batter hitting 75 off 50 balls with eight fours and three sixes. However, it was Mahidul who stole the show with a 59* off just 22 deliveries. He smashed sixes. Chittagong’s bowlers struggled to contain the Khulna Tigers’ charge. While Aliss Al Islam bagged 2 for 17 in his four overs, others, including Shoriful Islam and Khaled Ahmed, were taken to the cleaners, conceding runs at over 11 runs per over. Riders set a tough target for Dhaka with 191 In reply, the Kings lost half of their wickets in just 56 runs inside the powerplay. But Shamim Hossain formed some fightback with 78 off 38 balls. He smashed seven fours and five sixes. But his fightback was not enough for the Kings to avoid a defeat to start their BPL. They were bowled out for 166 in 18.5 overs. Abu Hider took four wickets for 44 for Khulna. Mohammad Nawaz of Pakistan also bagged two for 13 runs.

Defending champions Bashundhara Kings will play Bangladesh Police FC in their 3rd Group A match of the Bashundhara Group Federation Cup Football on Tuesday at 2:30 pm at their home venue—Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka. In the day’s other fixture, group leader Fortis FC will face Dhaka Wanderers Club at 2:30 pm at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla. After two Group A matches, giant killer Fortis SC topped the list with unbeaten run securing four points after playing goalless draw with Police FC in the first match while holders Bashundhara Kings and Brothers Union Club followed the leader neck and neck with three points each. Star studded Bashundhara Kings, which made a good start beating Brothers Union Club 1-0 in the tournament opener, tasted the first defeat in their 2nd Group A match losing to mediocre Fortis FC by 0-2 goals at their home ground-- Bashundhara Kings Arena –last Tuesday. Incidentally, last season's treble winners Bashundhara Kings suffered a shocking 0-1 goal defeat against Dhaka Mohammedan SC also in their 2nd match of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football in Cumilla last week. In Group B, Rahmatganj MFS dominated the table securing full six from two matches while former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited and Dhaka Mohammedan SC followed the leaders securing three points each playing one and two matches respectively. Grouping of Federation Cup Group A -Bashundhara Kings, Bangladesh Police FC, Fortis FC, Brothers Union Club and Dhaka Wanderers Club Group B - Mohammedan SC Ltd, Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Chattagram Abahani Ltd, Rahmatganj MFS and Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club. Later, top two teams from each of the two groups will play in the meet's next round (qualification and elimination) like the Franchisee cricket league.

A brilliant hat-trick by forward Rakibul Islam guided Bangladesh Air Force to clinch the first major hockey title dethroning last four times champions Bangladesh Navy by 5-4 goals in a keenly contested final of the Paragon Group Victory Day Hockey Tournament at the Maulana Bhashani National Stadium here on Monday. Chief of Bangladesh Air Force and President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF) Air Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan was the chief guest in the day’s final and later he distributed the prizes. BHF General secretary Lt. Col. (Rtd) Riazul Hasan, Paragon Group representative and other federation officials were also present on the occasion. In the day’s title deciding match, ace forward Rakibul Hasan slammed a hattrick for the last time runners-up Bangladesh Air Force. But, youngster Obaidul Hasan Joy, the winger of Air Force was the game changer producing excellent stick-works and an innovative approach throughout the game. Navy defender Farhad Ahmed Shitul was sent off in the 51st minute of the match as he hit opponent midfielder Tasin Ali without the ball. Air Force defense was cautious for not conceding penalty corners as Navy relied on the drag and flick of Ashraful Islam. Navy skipper cum national forward Rasel Mahmud Jimmy was off coloured in the day’s vital match under the stern marking of Air Force defenders. Air Force team took the lead in the 4th minute of the match with Joy paving the way for Rakibul, who pushed the ball home from a close range (1-0).   The lead was extended to 2-0 in the 11th minute when a reverse hit of Krishna Kumar rocked the wood of Navy post . Ashraful reduced the margin for the sailors team in the 17th minute with his favorite penalty corner with Air Force team dominating the half time by 2-1 goals Mehrab Hasan Samin further sounded the Air Force margin 3-1 with a fierce angular hit in the 31st minute. Two goals by national players Mainul Islam Koushik’s 37th minute and Farhad Ahmed Shitul’s superb goal in the 47th minute made the match exciting one with the scoreboard flashing 3-3. However Rakibul Hasan’s two goals in the 49th and 57th minutes put Air Force on the verge of the victory (5-3) . A last minute goal by Navy captain Jummy made the scoreline 5-4 but Air Force players exploded in wild celebrations within seconds after the re-start.

Rangpur Riders posted a challenging total of 191 runs against Dhaka Capitals in the second match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. After Dhaka won the toss and opted to field, Rangpur scored 20 runs in the first two overs. But they also lost their first wicket in the second over of the innings. With 20 runs on the board, the Riders lost two wickets. Despite this early blow, Saif Hassan and Iftikhar Ahmed steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership in the third-wicket stand. Saif fell for 40 off 33 balls with two fours and two sixes. Iftikhar played a crucial knock of 49 off 38 balls, supported by Khushdil Shah, who scored 46 off 23 balls, including three sixes, giving Rangpur a late surge. Captain Nurul Hasan contributed with a fiery cameo scoring 25 off 11 balls. Alauddin Babu was the best bowler for Dhaka. He bagged three wickets for 43 runs, while Mukidul Islam took two.