United News of Bangladesh

The eight-nation ICC Champions Trophy' 2025 is set to begins on February 19, 2025 in Pakistan in promises to deliver intense cricketing action among the top teams in the world. Hosts Pakistan will play New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 in Karachi Bangladesh is likely to start their campaign taking on their giant neighbor India on the following day (February 20) at neutral venue in Dubai. BCB announces much-needed pay rise for women cricketers with central contracts The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash will take place on February 23. The highly anticipated tournament, hosted by Pakistan, will feature eight teams divided into two groups, will play across the Pakistani city of Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.  Grouping of Champions Trophy : Group A: Pakistan, New Zealand, India, Bangladesh Group B: South Africa, England, Australia, Afghanistan U-19 cricketers get cash bonus from BCB for Asia Cup triumph As per latest ICC ruling, all the matches of the Indian team will be held in neutral venue, likely in Dubai,  as per its hybrid deal. The grand final will commence on March 9, 2025, with March 10 reserved as the backup day Tentative schedule of the Champions Trophy. Date Time (IST) Venue Match February 19, 2025 2:30 pm Karachi Pakistan vs New Zealand February 20, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Bangladesh vs India February 21, 2025 2:30 pm Karachi Afghanistan vs South Africa February 22, 2025 2:30 pm Lahore Australia vs England February 23, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Pakistan vs India February 24, 2025 2:30 pm Rawalpindi Bangladesh vs New Zealand February 25, 2025 2:30 pm Rawalpindi Australia vs South Africa February 26, 2025 2:30 pm Lahore Afghanistan vs England February 27, 2025 2:30 pm Rawalpindi Pakistan vs Bangladesh February 28, 2025 2:30 pm Lahore Afghanistan vs Australia March 1, 2025 2:30 pm Karachi South Africa vs England March 2, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral New Zealand vs India March 4, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Semi-Final A1 vs B2 March 5, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Semi-Final B1 vs A2 March 9, 2025 2:30 pm Neutral Final March 10, 2025 - Neutral Reserve Day  

Bangladesh fell short in their chase for the ACC U-19 Women’s Asia Cup title, losing to India by 41 runs in the final in Malaysia on Sunday. It was the second defeat of Bangladesh to India in the tournament. Despite a disciplined bowling performance, Bangladesh’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure during the modest chase of 118 runs. U-19 cricketers get cash bonus from BCB for Asia Cup triumph Bangladesh started bowling well, reducing India 25 for two. Pacer Farzana Yasmin led the attack with an impressive haul of 4 for 31, while Nishita Akter supported with 2 for 23.  But, a 41-run third-wicket partnership between Gongadi Trisha and Niki Prasad helped India recover. Trisha top-scored with 52 runs as India posted 117 forb7 in their allotted 20 overs. Bangladesh’s chase began slowly, reaching 35 for 2 in the powerplay. However, their innings stalled in the middle overs, with no boundaries scored and the required run rate climbing. Losing four wickets for just 13 runs in the final stages, Bangladesh were bowled out for 76 in 18.3 overs. Juairiya Ferdous contributed 22 runs, while Fahomida Choya added 18, but their efforts were not enough against India’s disciplined bowling. Ayushi Shukla claimed 3 wickets for 17, dismantling Bangladesh’s middle and lower order. It was the maiden edition of the event, where eight teams participated.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has approved a salary increase for the women’s national cricket team as part of their new central contract for the 2024-25 season. The announcement came following the BCB’s 16th board meeting at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Under the revised structure, players in Grade A will now earn BDT 1,20,000 per month, a rise of BDT 20,000, while those in Grade B will receive BDT 1,00,000, also up by BDT 20,000. Grade C and D players will see their monthly salaries increase by BDT 10,000, to BDT 70,000 and BDT 60,000, respectively.  U-19 cricketers get cash bonus from BCB for Asia Cup triumph The central contract includes 18 players, with Sharmin Akter Supta, Murshida Khatun, Marufa Akter, and Rabeya receiving promotions to higher salary grades.  The BCB introduced a match and series-winning bonus system for the women’s team. Bonuses range from BDT 30,000 to BDT 1,00,000 depending on the ranking of the opposing team and match format.  To provide financial stability for a broader pool of players, the board has also launched the Women’s National Contract, covering 30 additional players outside the central contract.   “This step is a reflection of our effort to ensure the financial well-being of our women cricketers while motivating them to perform at the highest level,” Faruque Ahmed, the president of the BCB, said. Women cricketers in new national contract (2024-2025): Grade A: Nigar Sultana Joty, Farzana Haque, Ritu Moni, and Nahida Akter. Grade B:  the players are Fahima Khatun, Shamima Sultana, Sharmin Akter Supta, Murshida Khatun, Marufa Akter, and Rabeya. Grade C: Sobhana Mostary, Lata Mondol, Jahanara Alam, and Shoma Akter. Grade D: Disha Biswas, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, and Shathi Rani.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Faruque Ahmed has left the door open for Shakib Al Hasan’s inclusion in the ICC Champions Trophy squad but admitted to having no updates on the all-rounder’s current status about playing for Bangladesh. Speaking after a board meeting in Mirpur, Faruque acknowledged Shakib’s eligibility for selection but said his participation remains uncertain.  “Shakib’s case is a completely different matter. This isn’t new. During the last series against the West Indies, he wasn’t mentally prepared to play, so he didn’t travel. Now, whether he will play in the BPL is something only he can decide. I don’t have any updates on his situation,” Faruque told reporters.  Despite Shakib’s absence from recent series and his retirement from Tests and T20Is, Faruque reiterated that as long as a player has not retired, they remain available for selection.  However it is doubtful whether Shakib could be minded to officially announce his retirement anymore, after the hostile reaction to his desire to retire from Test cricket by appearing in the home series against South Africa last month. U-19 cricketers get cash bonus from BCB for Asia Cup triumph On Tamim Iqbal, who has been out of the national side for over a year, Faruque said the decision lies with the selectors. “The chief selector has already spoken about Tamim. There’s no special policy yet. If a player hasn’t retired and the selectors feel they are needed, they will engage in discussions with that player,” he explained. In the ongoing inaugural edition of the National Cricket League T20, Tamim showed promising form. But his participation in the Champions Trophy, which will be held next February 2025 in Pakistan, remains uncertain. Tamim had announced his retirement from T20Is in 2022. In 2023, he stunningly announced his retirement from international cricket, but was persuaded to take back that announcement in 24 hours by deposed autocrat Sheikh Hasina.  

Manchester City’s stunning slump deepened after losing to Aston Villa 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday. Goals from Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers at Villa Park consigned the four-time defending champion to a ninth defeat in 12 games in a season that is unravelling. Pep Guardiola’s team has won just once during that run. “We don’t have a defense for the results. They are not good,” Guardiola said. Third-placed Arsenal closed the gap on league leader Liverpool to three points with a 5-1 win at Crystal Palace, but has played two games more. City dropped to sixth in the standings, nine points below Liverpool, and has played two games more. “It’s about what I can do with my people to get the results back and continue,” Guardiola said. “If there is a moment that I cannot overthink, it is right now. Try to be simple, stick to my principles and give certainty to the team.”   Title hopes fading After winning six titles in seven years and an unprecedented four in a row, City’s remarkable fall shows little sign of stopping. Guardiola admitted last week he had not been good enough to turn his team’s form around. City was without a win in any of its last eight away games in all competitions. While it looks unlikely to win a fifth straight title, a place in the top four and Champions League qualification could also be in jeopardy after fourth-placed Nottingham Forest won at Brentford 2-0 to move four points clear of City. Only once under Guardiola has City managed to win the title when losing six times in the league. That was in 2021, when it lost two of its last three games, having already been confirmed as the champion. City lost nine times when Liverpool won the title in 2020, but its sixth defeat didn’t come until February. Guardiola also lost six times in his first season in English soccer in 2016-17 and City finished third. The latest defeat could have been even more emphatic from a dominant Villa, which moved up to fifth. Duran scored his sixth goal in as many starts in the 16th minute from Rogers’ assist. Duran had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half and Rogers hit the post before doubling Villa’s lead in the 65th. Phil Foden pulled a goal back for City in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to spark a late comeback. “We have to stay positive, even though it’s difficult, and we have to keep working hard,” City striker Erling Haaland said.   Jesus streak It’s five goals in a week for Gabriel Jesus against Crystal Palace. After scoring a hat trick in Arsenal’s 3-2 comeback win against Palace in the English League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, the Brazil striker hit another two goals when the teams met again on Saturday. Going into Wednesday’s game, Jesus had only scored once for Arsenal since the end of January. Jesus struck twice in a frantic start at Selhurst Park. He opened the scoring in the sixth, with Ismaila Sarr leveling five minutes later. Jesus restored Arsenal’s lead in the 14th and was denied back-to-back hat tricks when hitting the post and then having another close range effort saved by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice also scored for Arsenal.   Forest flying high If City’s demise is a surprise story of the season, so is Forest’s rise. After battling relegation for much of last term, Forest is in contention to qualify for the Champions League and possibly more. Facing a Brentford team that was unbeaten at home, goals from Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga secured another statement win on the road for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, having already won at Anfield and Old Trafford this year.   Isak treble Alexander Isak hit a hat trick in Newcastle’s 4-0 win at Ipswich. The Sweden international, who has 10 goals in his last 11 games, wrapped up his treble inside 54 minutes at Portman Road, including one in the opening minute. Jacob Murphy also scored. Brighton was 1-0 up at West Ham through Mats Wieffer, but Mohammed Kudus levelled for the draw.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a cash reward for the Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team after their recent victory in the Asia Cup. The young Tigers defeated India by 59 runs in the final, securing their second consecutive U-19 Asia Cup championship. Azizul Hakim Tamim, the team captain, returned to Dhaka late on December 9 and was warmly welcomed by BCB officials. Following a board meeting on Saturday, BCB President Faruque announced the reward. “We have decided to award BDT 300,000 to each member of the squad, including the officials, for winning the U-19 Asia Cup,” Faruque told the media.

Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society advanced to the 2nd slot in the 10-team Bashundhara Group Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football beating Brothers Union Club by 3-1 goals at the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Saturday afternoon. With the well-merited victory, the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS toppled the Gopibagh outfit Brothers securing nine points from four matches to go level on points with six-time champions Dhaka Abahani Limited. But, Dhaka Abahani are ranked 3rd in the league table in goal differences despite earning nine points. Federation Cup and Challenge Cup runners-up Dhaka Mohammedan SC comfortably dominated the league with an all-win run securing 12 points from straight four matches while Brothers Union Club went down to the 4th slot with seven points from four outings. Last five times champions and star studded Bashundhara Kings are struggling at the 5th slot in the ongoing league with Police FC securing six points each from four matches with two wins and two defeats, playing four matches each. BPL Football: At last, Dhaka Abahani taste maiden victory against Bashundhara Kings In the day’s match, Rahmatganj MFS dominated the first half by 1-0 goal. Ghana forward Samuel Boateng struck twice in the 2nd and 90+6 minutes while local striker Nabib Newaz Jibon netted the remaining goal for Rahmatganj MFS in the 80th minute Senegalese midfielder Cheikh Sene netted the lone goal for Brothers in the 70th minute from a penalty. Brothers Union were restricted to 10-man in the 73rd minute of the match as their forward Sazzad Hossain received a direct red card.  The day’s other match between Fortis SC and Dhaka Wanderers Club ended in a 1-1 draw at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Saturday. Hamza Choudhury cleared by FIFA to play for Bangladesh Local forward Sakib Bepari put Wanderers Club ahead in the 37th minute while Ukraine forward Valerii Hryshyn leveled the margin for Fortis FC in the 52nd minute.  In the day’s other match, Youngmen’s Club Fakirerpool tasted the first victory in their 4th league match beating all losers Chittagong Abahani Ltd by 2-0 goals at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh on Saturday. After a barren first half, Sayed Hossen Sayem scored first for Fakirerpool team in the 55th minute while Uzbek  medio Sardor Jokmonov confirmed the team’s  victory scoring one more goal in the added time (90+3 minute) of the match. Fed Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings taste first defeat in 2nd match losing to Fortis FC by 0-2 goal

The Bangladesh U-19 women’s cricket team is set to face India in the final of the ACC U-19 Women’s Asia Cup on Sunday in Malaysia. On their path to the final, Bangladesh defeated Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Nepal, though they suffered a loss to India in the Super Four stage. Bangladesh register historic 3-0 T20I series sweep vs West Indies Bangladesh began the tournament with a 28-run win over Sri Lanka, driven by Nishita Akter Nishi’s impressive bowling performance, taking two wickets for just 16 runs. In their second match, Bangladesh dominated the hosts, Malaysia, securing a massive 120-run victory. Jannatul Maoua’s unbeaten 45 off 45 balls played a key role in the win. However, they stumbled against India in their third match, their only defeat in the tournament so far. U-19 Women's Asia Cup: Bangladesh suffer 8-wicket loss to India in Super Four opener Bangladesh bounced back strongly with a big 9-wicket win over Nepal, securing their place in the final.  

Dhaka Abahani Ltd tasted their first-ever victory against last five times' Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Bashundhara Kings beating them by 1-0 goal at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla Friday afternoon. This was the 2nd defeat for the star studded Kings in their 4th BPL match this season. With the day's debacle, last season's treble winners and star studded Bashundhara Kings went down to the 4th slot in the league table with Police FC securing  six points from four matches while foreign booter and star player less Dhaka Abahani Ltd advanced to the 2nd slot collecting nine points from four outings. Defending champions Bashundhara Kings made a flying start crushing Chittagong Abahani Ltd 7-0  in league opener, suffered a big blow losing to Dhaka Mohammedan 0-1 goal in the 2nd match and bounced back in the race in the 3rd round beating Rahmatganj MFS comfortably by 4-1 goals. Dhaka Abahani, which maintained an all-win record in first two matches beating Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club 2-0 and Dhaka Wanderers Club 1-0,  tasted the only defeat, losing to arch-rivals Mohammedan SC by 0-1 goal in the 3rd match. New look Brothers Union Club were in the 3rd place securing seven points from three encounters after beating Police FC 2-1, Chittagong Abahani 2-0 and played 1-1 draw with Fortis FC. In Friday's vital match, local forward Sumon Reza scored the match-winning goal for the six times champions sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani in the very 2nd minute of the match by a brilliant header  (1-0). Federation Cup and Challenge Cup runners- up Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintained their top slot intact with all-win run securing full 12 points from straight four matches outplaying Bangladesh Police FC by 3-1 goals at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh on Friday. They also dominated the league earlier with an all-win run after beating Dhaka Wanderers Club 6-0, Bashundhara,Kings 1-0 and Dhaka Abahani 1-0. In Friday's match, Mohammedan SC  dominated the first half by 2-1 goals. Nigerian defender Emmanuel Tony put the traditional Mohammedan ahead in the 31st minute,  Emmanuel Sunday doubled the margin in the 39th minute while captain cum Mali forward Souleymane Diabate scored the 3rd goal for the black and whites Mohammedan SC in the 71st minute. Al Amin netted the consolation goal for Police FC in the added time of the first half (45+2 minute).

Bangladesh clinched an 80-run victory over the West Indies on Friday in the third T20I, completing a historic 3-0 series sweep at the Arnos Vale Ground. Jaker Ali led the effort of Bangladesh with his career-best knock, and bowlers also put their best forward and sealed their best performance in the format against West Indies, who won two editions of the ICC T20 World Cup. With this win, Bangladesh ended the long tour of the West Indies. They started the series with a draw in the two-match Test series and then lost the ODIs 3-0. But the Tigers came back strongly in the T20Is. U-19 Women's Asia Cup: Bangladesh suffer 8-wicket loss to India in Super Four opener Bangladesh captain, Litton Das, won the toss and opted to bat first and posted 189 for 7 in their 20 overs. Jaker Ali was the best batter for Bangladesh with an unbeaten 72 off 41 balls, smashing three fours and six sixes. Parvez Hossain Emon gave the team a quick start with 39 off 21 balls, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed 29 off 23 deliveries. Parvez was included in the team in the absence of Soumya Sarkar, who suffered a blow on his hand in the last match and is now out of action for three weeks. Despite a few run-out mishaps in the middle overs, Bangladesh's batting depth ensured a challenging target for the hosts. For West Indies, Romario Shepherd was the best bowler for the West Indies, taking two wickets, and conceding 30 runs in four overs. Mahedi Hasan leaps to 23rd in ICC T20 bowling rankings after heroic performance against West Indies In response, the West Indies faltered from the outset, losing Brandon King for a duck in the second delivery of the innings. The hosts never recovered, struggling against a disciplined Bangladeshi bowling attack. Mahedi Hasan struck twice in the powerplay to remove Justin Greaves and Nicholas Pooran, while Rishad Hossain came out as the best bowler with the figures of 3 for 21. Taskin Ahmed also shone with 2 for 30, including the final wicket of Obed McCoy to wrap up the innings for just 109 in 16.4 overs. Romario Shepherd offered some resistance with a 27-ball 33, supported by Gudakesh Motie’s 12, but their efforts were not enough to challenge the visitors. The West Indies batting lineup once again struggled with consistency, losing wickets in clusters and failing to build partnerships. Jaker was named the player of the match for his knock that laid the foundation for a big win for Bangladesh, while Mahedi was awarded the player of the series award for his clever performance. Bangladesh clinch T20I series vs West Indies “This series showed our growth as a team. Our bowlers were exceptional, defending totals and executing plans flawlessly,” Bangladesh captain Litton said after the match. “We have a lot to work on, especially addressing the frequent loss of early wickets. Credit to Bangladesh for their outstanding performance,” West Indies captain, Rovman Powell, said, acknowledging his team’s shortcomings.