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Chattogram Test: Sri Lanka dominate day one against Bangladesh
Sri Lanka took control on the opening day of the second cricket Test against Bangladesh, propelled by strong performances from its top-order batters.
The visiting team reached 314 for 4 in 90 overs by stumps on Saturday, with Kusal Mendis leading the charge with 93 runs. Opening batter Dimuth Karunaratne contributed 86, while Nishan Madushka added 57 to Sri Lanka's total.
Sri Lanka win toss and bat in 2nd test against Bangladesh
Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, playing his first international match since the 2023 World Cup, took 1 wicket for 60 runs in 18 overs.
Dinesh Chandimal (34 not out) and captain Dhananjaya de Silva (15 not out) will resume Sri Lanka's innings on Sunday. De Silva, who scored centuries in both innings of the first Test, will look to continue his impressive form.
Shakib Al Hasan: Saviour or Disruptor?
Bangladesh's debutant fast bowler Hasan Mahmud bagged 2 wickets for 64 runs.
Commenting on the day's play, Sri Lanka's Karunaratne said, “300-plus for four on Day 1 is a good score. There’s turn and seam movement with the new ball ... There’s a result on this wicket.”
Despite a fluent start by the tourists, Bangladesh missed several opportunities, with Madushka surviving a dropped catch on 9 and Karunaratne escaping a dismissal thanks to a fielding error.
Madushka reached his second Test fifty off 80 balls before being run out, while Karunaratne notched up his 37th Test half-century off 93 balls. Both batsmen frustrated Bangladesh's bowlers, sharing a crucial partnership of 114 runs for the second wicket.
Mendis, who scored his 18th Test fifty, appeared to be heading towards a century before being dismissed by Shakib. Mahmud also claimed the wicket of Angelo Mathews for 23.
Sri Lanka made one change from the first Test, with Asitha Fernando replacing the injured Kasun Rajitha. Bangladesh brought in Shakib and Mahmud for Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam.//
BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings, Dhaka Abahani Ltd earn convincing win
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings and former champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd earned convincing victories in the ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League ( BPL) Football 2023-24' at the two different venues on Saturday.
At the Muktijoddha Smriti Stadium in Rajshahi, star-studded Bashundhara Kings outplayed lowly Brothers Union Club by 7-1 goals.
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Brazilian striker Miguel and Nigerian forward Mfon struck twice each while another Brazilian Robson Robinho, local defender Saaduddin and Sohel Rana netted one each for the winners while Eleta Kingsley scored the lone goal for the Brothers Union.
On the day's other match, Dhaka Abahani Limited defeated Rahmatganj MFS by 3-0 goals at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh on Saturday.
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After a barren first, Santos, Stewart and Jonathon scored one each for Abahani Ltd.
Shakib Al Hasan: Saviour or Disruptor?
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's most accomplished cricketer, finds himself at the center of a swirling debate regarding his commitment to the national team. His return to the team for the second Test starting tomorrow against Sri Lanka, after missing earlier matches in the series, has reignited questions about his priorities and the impact his sporadic appearances have on the team.
The left-handed all-rounder last appeared in a First-Class match a year ago, during a Test against Ireland in Dhaka. Now, after a year-long hiatus from the longest format of cricket, he is set to play another Test without any intervening First-Class appearances. He has not played any international matches in 2024, despite Bangladesh having played seven matches. While the reasons for his absence remain unclear, his abrupt end to the 2023 World Cup was due to a finger injury, which also caused him to miss the home Test series against New Zealand and the subsequent away T20I and ODI series against the same opponent following Bangladesh's disastrous World Cup outing.
Shakib Al Hasan diagnosed with retinal condition in left eye
Shakib's undeniable talent and past contributions are unquestioned. He is a genuine all-rounder, capable of winning matches with both bat and ball. However, in recent years, his appearances for the national team have been inconsistent, with breaks taken for personal reasons, injuries, and even political activities (while the Bangladesh team was busy playing against New Zealand in New Zealand late last year, Shakib was actively campaigning for the national election in his constituency, Magura district). This inconsistency has led to a sense of unease and frustration among fans and experts alike.
During the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Shakib faced an eye issue that required medical attention. This issue reportedly affected him during the World Cup, contributing to his lean batting display, as he hinted in an interview with a cricket website. Despite this, he continued playing in the BPL, leading to rumors that he would take a break after the tournament. However, even before the BPL concluded, he contradicted earlier statements from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) by claiming that he had no issues with his eyes.
Shakib Al Hasan named ICC Men's Player of the Month for March 2023
Ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, Shakib declared himself available, and the BCB promptly included him in the squad. This sudden turnaround has raised eyebrows and fueled the perception that Shakib dictates his own terms when it comes to playing for the national team. With his standout performances over the years, he made himself a difficult figure to criticize, though, the performance doesn't.
His absence from the earlier matches of the Sri Lanka series was attributed to personal activities, including brand endorsements. While these pursuits are understandable, their prioritization over national duty has left some questioning his commitment.
The times Shakib Al Hasan found himself in controversies
Shakib's leadership during the 2023 World Cup, which he himself acknowledged as one of Bangladesh's worst performances in the tournament, also comes under scrutiny. The team lost seven out of nine matches, including a shocking defeat to the Netherlands. This poor showing has led some to question his captaincy and ability to lead the team effectively.
Now, with his return for the second Test, Shakib's intentions and potential contribution are under the microscope. Is he returning to be the savior of a struggling team who lost the first Test by a margin of over 300 runs, or will his sporadic appearances further disrupt the rhythm and morale that the team is trying to build?
There are arguments to be made on both sides. On the one hand, Shakib's talent and experience are undeniable assets to the team. His presence can boost the morale of the players and provide much-needed stability in the batting and bowling departments. On the other hand, his inconsistent availability can disrupt team dynamics and make it difficult for the team management to build a cohesive unit.
Ultimately, the question of whether Shakib, in recent years, is a savior or disruptor for the Bangladesh national team remains open. His performance in the upcoming Test and his future commitment to the team will be crucial in determining the answer.
Sri Lanka win toss and bat in 2nd test against Bangladesh
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and elected to bat first in the second and final test against Bangladesh on Saturday in a bid to sweep the series.
Sri Lanka made one change from the team which won the first test by 328 runs with Asitha Fernando replacing the injured Kasun Rajitha.
Rajitha took eight wickets in the first match to play a leading role in Sri Lanka’s big win.
Bangladesh is bolstered by the return of star allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, whose last international match was at the 2023 World Cup in India. The hosts also handed a test debut to pacer Hasan Mahmud, who has played 39 white-ball matches for Bangladesh.
They replaced fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam.
Lineups:
Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando.
Bangladesh aim to prove their Test mettle
After a disappointing loss in the first Test of the two-match series in Sylhet, Bangladesh are determined to prove their Test credentials when they take on Sri Lanka in the second Test starting Saturday in Chattogram.
In the first Test, Bangladesh's batting faltered, failing to reach 200 runs in either innings. The top-order, in particular, failed to live up to expectations.
However, Bangladesh will be bolstered by the return of star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is making his Test comeback after a year-long absence. Despite not having played any first-class cricket in the past year, Shakib's presence is expected to boost the team's morale.
While Shakib returns, head coach Chandika Hathurusingha will be unavailable due to personal reasons. Assistant coach Nic Pothas will take charge of the Tigers for this Test. Pothas expressed his delight at Shakib's return, stating that the all-rounder is also happy to be back with the Test squad.
Unlike Sylhet, the Chattogram wicket is known to be more favorable to batsmen and spinners. This may prompt Bangladesh to field a spin-heavy playing XI, potentially including an extra batsman. However, Pothas has indicated that the final playing XI is yet to be determined.
Shakib's return provides Bangladesh with the flexibility to include an extra bowler or batter in their lineup. However, his recent lean patch with the bat may favor the inclusion of an extra batter.
The match is scheduled to begin at 10am Bangladesh time and will be broadcast live on T-Sports and various other platforms around the world.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Litton Das, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mominul Haque, Nahid Rana, Nayeem Hasan, Shadman Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Towhid Hridoy, Zakir Hasan
Sri Lanka squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Kusal Mendis (vice-captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Vishwa Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Chamika Gunasekara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Udara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Nishan Peiris, Kasun Rajitha, Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Premier Div Hockey: Ashraful's hattrick guides Dhaka Abahani Ltd to bag 8th successive win
A brilliant hattrick by Ashraful Islam helped Dhaka Ahahani Ltd to bag the 8th successive win in the 11-team Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League outplaying Bangladesh Sporting Club by 6-2 goals at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium in that capital on Thursday.
With this victory, Dhaka Abahani not only maintained their all-win record as the lone team in the league but also maintained their top slot intact in the league table securing 24 points from straight eight matches.
Earlier, they outplayed Dilkusha SC by 10-1 goals, Usha KC by 2-1 goals, Azad SC by 10-1 goals, Sadharan Bima KS by 3-0 goals, Victoria SC by 16-0 goals, Ajax SC by 7-1 goals and Police SC by 4-2 goals.
Premier Div Hockey: Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintain unbeaten run beating Police SC 4-3
Bangladesh SC collected eight points from as many matches with two wins, two draws and four defeats.
In the day's 2nd and last match, national star defender Ashraful Islam made a hattrick scoring three goals while Obaidul Hossain Joy, Pushkar Kisha Mimo and Mohammad Abdullah scored one each for the traditional sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani.
Indian recruit Gurpreet Singh scored both goals for Bangladesh Sporting Club.
Earlier in the day's first match, Ajax SC, riding on a hattrick by Silheiba Lesham, beat Victoria, SC by 7-3 goals at the same venue Thursday afternoon.
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Indian player Silheiba Lesham made a hattrick scoring three goals while Tanzim Ahmed and another Indian Harshukpreet Singh scored two goals each for the Ajax SC.
Syed Iqbal Nadir Prince, Indian Akkhar Dube and Irshad Mirza scored one each for the Victoria SC.
With the day's well-merited win, Ajax SC brightened their chance to reach Super Six stage of the league securing 11 points from nine matches while lowly Victoria SC bagged only three points from eight encounters.
Bangladeshi Umpire Sharfuddoula makes history on ICC's elite panel
Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid has made history as the first Bangladeshi umpire to join the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.
The announcement follows the International Cricket Council's (ICC) annual review.
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A selection panel made up of ICC General Manager Cricket Wasim Khan (Chair), Sanjay Manjrekar (former player and commentator), Tony Hill (retired umpire), and Mike Riley (consultant officiating expert) chose Sharfuddoula for the promotion.
Since joining the International Panel in 2006, Sharfuddoula has extensive experience, having officiated 10 men's test matches, 63 men's ODIs, 44 men's T20Is, 13 women's ODIs, and 28 Women's T20Is.
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He has also participated in major tournaments like the ICC Women's Cricket World Cups (2017 and 2021), the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2018.
“It is a great honour to be named on the ICC Elite Panel. To be the first from my country on the panel makes it extra special, and I look forward to justifying the faith shown in me…,” as Sharfuddoula was quoted by the ICC.
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“I would like to thank the ICC and the BCB for backing me and my other colleagues for all their help and guidance. I would also like to thank my family and friends for standing by and supporting me," he added.
Women's Asia Cup T20 Cricket 2024: Grouping, fixture finalised
The grouping and fixture of the ninth edition of the Women's Asia Cup T20 Cricket 2024, beginning on July 19 in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, have been finalised.
In the ensuing ninth edition, the Women’s Asia Cup cricket competition will feature eight teams—one more than in the previous edition in 2022—distributed into two groups.
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Seven-time and defending champions India were put in Group A with their arch rivals Pakistan, UAE, and Nepal, while Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, and hosts Sri Lanka were placed in Group B.
The top two teams from each group will play in the semi-finals on July 26. The final will be played on July 28.
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The India vs Pakistan vital group match will be played on July 21, while Bangladesh will play Sri Lanka in their first group match on July 20.
The inaugural Women’s Asia Cup was held in 2004 in Sri Lanka, with the first four editions played in the One Day International (ODI) format. India played in all eight finals, winning seven and losing one to Bangladesh in 2018.
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Sri Lanka have been runners-up five times, while the Pakistan cricket team has made the final twice.
The last edition was held in Bangladesh, with India restricting Sri Lanka to 65/9 in the final and winning the match with nine wickets to spare.
Grouping of the Women’s Asia Cup T20 Cricket 2024:
Group A: India, Pakistan, Nepal, UAE
Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand
Women’s Asia Cup T20 2024 fixture:
Date-Match-Group
July 19, Friday Pakistan vs Nepal AJuly 19, Friday India vs UAE AJuly 20, Saturday Malaysia vs Thailand BJuly 20, Saturday Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh BJuly 21, Sunday Nepal vs UAE AJuly 21, Sunday India vs Pakistan AJuly 22, Monday Sri Lanka vs Malaysia BJuly 22, Monday Bangladesh vs Thailand BJuly 23, Tuesday Pakistan vs UAE AJuly 23, Tuesday India vs Nepal AJuly 24, Wednesday Bangladesh vs Malaysia BJuly 24, Wednesday Sri Lanka vs Thailand BJuly 26, Friday Semi-final 1 -July 26, Friday Semi-final 2 -July 28, Sunday Final -
Premier Div Hockey: Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintain unbeaten run beating Police SC 4-3
Dhaka Mohammedan SC maintained their unbeaten record in the 11-team Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League beating Bangladesh Police SC by 4-3 goal in a keenly contested match at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
With the day's feat, Mohammedan SC maintained their 2nd slot intact in the league securing 19 points from seven matches after beating Victoria SC 10-1, Azad SC 4-0, drew 3-3 draw with Usha KC, crushing Dilkusha SC 11-1, Sadharan Bima KS 5-1 and Ajax SC 5-3, apart from day's 4-3 victory.
Bangladesh Coach Misses Second Test Against Sri Lanka, Pothas Steps In
Dhaka Abahani Ltd dominated the league with all-win record securing full 21 points from straight seven matches after beating Dilkusha SC 10-1, Usha KC 2-1, Azad SC 10-1, Sadharan Bima KS 3-0 Victoria SC 16-0, Ajax SC 7-1 and Police SC 4-2.
In the day's match, Malaysian player Faizal Bin Sarri struck twice,Din Islam Emon and Ashraful Islam scored one each for the traditional black and whites Mohammedan
Indian recruit Gurjot Singh, Abdul Malek and Nahid Labu scored one goal each for the Police team.
In the day's other league match, Sadharan Bima KS outplayed Azad SC by 6-2 goal at the same venue Wednesday afternoon.
Shakil Hossain scored two while Rabbi Salehin Rocky, Jamil Bin Talib Shihab, Hridoy Hossain and Indian Ashu scored one goal each for the Insurance men's team.
Mohabbat and Shahi scored for Azad SC.
The Tuesday's ill-fated match between Ajax SC and Bangladesh Sporting Club ended in 3-3 draw at the same venue wednesday noon.
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The match was abandoned 11.5 minutes before the final whistle on Tuesday following an umpire decision when the match was locked in 3-3 goals..
The result of the match remained unchanged as both teams failed score any goal in the remaining part of the match on Wednesday.
Bangladesh Coach Misses Second Test Against Sri Lanka, Pothas Steps In
Bangladesh Head Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe will miss the team's second Test match against Sri Lanka due to urgent personal reasons.
The match begins March 30th in Chattogram.
Hathurusinghe is traveling to Australia immediately. Assistant Coach Nic Pothas will take over as Head Coach for the match.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has asked for privacy and understanding for Hathurusinghe during this time.
Bangladesh lost the first Test to Sri Lanka by a big margin of over 300 runs. Earlier, Bangladesh won the ODI series against the same opponent, but lost the T20I series.