Bangladesh
Mangoes dropping early in Rajshahi amid intense heat; growers, traders worried
Mango yield in Rajshahi district, known as the capital of mango, have been affected due to the prevailing severe heat wave condition and lack of rains, causing anxiety among farmers and traders.
The district and many other regions of the country have been experiencing intense heat wave for about a month, which has caused the water bodies and ponds in the Barind region to dry up, resulting in the early drop of mangoes and litchi pods.
Local mango growers and traders said the amount of buds in the mango trees of the district was much less than the previous year.Crop lands have been dried up due to absence of rains which is affecting mango and litchi production as well, they said.
Already 30 percent mango pods have been dropped, said the mango growers.
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According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), this year, a total of 19,602 hectares of land have been brought under mango cultivation, which is 24 hectares more than the previous year.
The DAE authorities set a target to produce 2,60,164 tonnes of mangoes this year. But it is feared that even half of the target won’t be achieved due to the high rate of mango dropping.
Bagha and Charghat upazilas of Rajshahi district are top in mango production but this year farmers are worried over possible losses.Abdul Mannan, a mango grower of Bagha upazila, said “Mangoes are produced in large quantities in Bagha upazila. But this year, most of the trees lack mangoes, making the farmers and traders disappointed. About 30 percent of the mango pods have dropped due to drought. Mango traders are worried about getting back the production cost.”
Fear of fruit failure grips mango growers in Chapainawabganj as heatwave Intensifies
Dr Shafiqul Islam, chief scientific officer of Rajshahi Fruit Research Centre, said, “The quantity of pods is good and if those sustain there is a possibility of good yield. But who can say about the heat wave? The current heat wave is causing problem not only for mangoes but also for litchi. To produce any crops, fruits and vegetables, water is needed. If there is a shortage of water, all of these will be affected.”
Umme Salma, assistant director of Rajshahi DAE, said “Mangoes fall for different reasons, even rains cause fall of mango pods. This year small trees have enough mangoes while big ones have a little less. But dropping mango pods is normal. Farmers who failed to nurture the trees properly are witnessing more fall of mangoes.”
'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041: Government undertakes 8 strategic initiatives
The government of Bangladesh has undertaken eight strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the nation into a cost-effective, sustainable, innovative, intelligent, and knowledge-based 'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041.
These initiatives are designed to enhance the ICT sector's contribution to the GDP, expand digital services, and foster innovation across various domains.
Key Initiatives and Targets
ICT Sector Growth: The government aims for the ICT sector to contribute 20 percent to the GDP by 2041. This ambitious target is part of a broader strategy to diversify the nation's economic foundations.
Digitization of Government Services: By 2041, 100 percent of government services will be digitized, making them more accessible to the populace. This effort seeks to streamline processes and enhance the efficiency of public service delivery.
Boost in ICT Exports and Employment: The plan includes increasing ICT exports to USD 5 billion and expanding ICT employment to 3 million by 2025. Additionally, professional mentorship will be provided to 1,000 Bangladeshi startups by 2025 to nurture emerging entrepreneurs.
Innovation Hubs: Establishment of 10 innovation hubs within the top universities aims to stimulate creativity and technological advancement.
Startup Ecosystem: The goal to build at least 5 unicorns—startups valued at over USD 1 billion—reflects the government's commitment to fostering a robust startup ecosystem.
Specialized Labs for 4IR Technologies: Universities will host specialized labs focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as Robotics, AI, IoT, Big Data, Blockchain, and AR/VR, preparing students for future job markets.
Smart Digital Leadership Academy and 4IR Centre: These institutions will play pivotal roles in cultivating leadership and technical skills necessary for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Read more: Govt to include Smart Bangladesh in mid-term dev plan: Official Document
Current Progress and Future Plans
With over two-thirds of Bangladesh's population in the workforce, skill development and employment generation, particularly in the ICT sector, are high priorities. The government is actively transforming its large workforce to meet future market demands, as evidenced by the slight decrease in unemployment from 4.2 percent in FY 2016-17 to 3.6 percent in 2022, according to the Labor Force Survey 2022.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently highlighted that the unemployment rate is at three percent. Efforts to decrease this further include the Skills for Employment Improvement Program, implemented by the Finance Division, under which over 600,000 individuals have been trained.
Furthermore, the successful implementation of various initiatives has already facilitated employment for about 2 million people in fields ranging from IT freelancing to fintech and e-commerce, according to the official document ‘Medium Term Macroeconomic Policy Statement (2023-24 to 2025-26)’. The Bangladesh Hi-tech Park Authority is also working to convert over 60,000 youths into IT professionals by 2025, with 37,800 already having completed training programs, the document added.
Read more: Join hands in building ‘Smart Bangladesh’ under PM Sheikh Hasina's leadership: Envoy
Looking Ahead
The ICT Division has formulated the "Smart Bangladesh: ICT 2041 Master Plan" centered around four pillars: Smart Citizen, Smart Government, Smart Economy, and Smart Society. These pillars are expected to guide Bangladesh to the next stage of development, leveraging the potential of the 4IR to achieve a smarter and more sustainable future.
The initiatives reflect a comprehensive strategy by the Bangladesh government to harness the power of digital technology and innovation, steering the country toward significant economic transformation and enhanced global competitiveness by 2041.
Read more: Palak delivers speech on Smart Bangladesh in Singapore
Heatwave being considered a ‘disaster’: State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief
With temperatures reaching unbearable levels, there is a call from public health experts and meteorologists to officially declare the heatwave a disaster and to establish a comprehensive action plan to address its impacts. Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief says it is considering the ongoing heatwave in Bangladesh as a “disaster”.
During the current summer season, the country has been experiencing a prolonged period of heat, causing widespread disruption to daily life. Instances of heatstroke have led to fatalities, numerous hospital admissions, and significant damage to crops and fruit trees.
In response to inquiries about whether heatwaves should be declared disaster like droughts, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md. Mohibbur Rahman emphasized, “I certainly would call this extreme heatwave a disaster.”
Dhaka’s air ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning
The ministry is actively gathering data on the severity of the heat, which has caused various forms of damage, including deaths from heatstroke, illness, and agricultural losses. This information will guide their decision on whether to extend financial and other forms of assistance to those affected, the state minister said.
Secretary Md. Kamrul Hasan of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief stated that while the government last declared lightning a disaster in 2016, the suggestion to categorize heatwaves similarly is under consideration. The ministry is collecting data on the highest temperatures and their impacts to determine the next steps.
Public health expert and former director of Disease Control at Directorate General of Health Services, Professor Dr. Be-Nazir Ahmed, warned that the current extreme temperatures pose a serious health risk, potentially leading to outbreaks of diseases like cholera.
Dr. Ahmed advocated for strategic planning to prevent heatwave-related deaths and suggested that such a strategy should aim to make the heat more tolerable, including increasing vegetation and maintaining water bodies as cooling measures.
Rain expected in Chattogram and Sylhet within 24 hours
Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Dhaka University, stressed that preparation is crucial as average temperatures have risen by one degree Celsius from 2011 to 2020. He noted that the country is experiencing hotter summers and emphasized the need for strategies to adapt to these increasing temperatures.
According to the Meteorological Department, a heatwave is categorized based on temperature ranges, with the highest category being "severe" when temperatures exceed 42 degrees Celsius.
On April 20, 2024, the country recorded its highest temperature of the season at 42.6 degrees Celsius in Jashore, indicating the severity of the current heatwave. Schools remained closed due to the extreme heat following the Eid holiday break.
The ministry and experts are considering implementing national strategies to mitigate the effects of heatwaves, emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to protect public health and ensure economic stability in the face of increasing temperatures.
Read more: Heatwave forces closure of schools until Thursday
Rain brings relief in Port City
Intermittent rains since Thursday (May 02, 2024) morning brought respite to Chattogram city dwellers from the scorching heat that has been prevailing across the country for the last several days.
Rain and thunderstorm started around 9:30 am in different parts of the Port City.
As rain provided relief, many expressed gratitude by posting on their social media profiles.
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Md Abdul Barek, a meteorologist at Patenga Weather Office, said they have recorded one mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours till 9 am on Thursday and city dwellers will likely experience more rains today.
Besides, the river ports have been asked to hoist local cautionary signal no 1 and more rains with thunderstorms will likely occur in the district.
According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Dhaka, Mymensingh and Barishal divisions with hails at isolated places.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Dhaka’s air ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning
Meanwhile, a very severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Jashore, Khulna, Chuadanga, Pabna and Rajshahi and severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Tangail, Faridpur, Gopalganj and rest of the Khulna division.
A mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping elsewhere over the country and it may abate from some places over the eastern part of the country.
Thailand visit a significant step forward in efforts to protect Bangladesh’s economic interests and enhance regional involvement: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared her recent six-day trip to Thailand as a landmark success, aimed at safeguarding Bangladesh's economic interests and elevating its regional presence. The visit, which took place from April 24 to April 29, was prompted by an invitation from Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
During a press briefing at her official residence, Ganabhaban, today (May 02, 2024), Prime Minister Hasina said, "Overall, this visit was a significant step forward in our efforts to protect our economic interests and enhance our regional involvement."
The trip included a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings, underscoring a commitment to strengthening ties between Bangladesh and Thailand.
PM Hasina to discuss outcomes of Thailand visit at media briefing today
"This official visit will serve as a milestone in our bilateral relationship and ushers in a new era of fruitful partnerships," stated Prime Minister Hasina.
She also highlighted the importance of her visit to Thailand, an influential ASEAN member, as being crucial for advancing economic and diplomatic ties. "The visit will play an important role in enhancing our bilateral economic relations, including advancing talks on a free trade agreement, boosting communication, and more," she elaborated.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Hasina expressed optimism regarding the impact of her discussions with Prime Minister Thavisin on the issue of Rohingya repatriation.
She was also hopeful that her discussions with the Thai Prime Minister will encourage Thailand to adopt a stronger stance on the speedy repatriation of Rohingyas, both bilaterally and within the ASEAN framework.
Govt steps brought unemployment down to 3 percent: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Hasina also pointed out that the visit is expected to significantly support Bangladesh's bid to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner by 2024, marking a significant step in its diplomatic endeavors in the region.
Bodies of 8 Bangladeshis who died in Tunisia boat capsize to arrive today
The bodies of eight Bangladeshi nationals who died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe and subsequently drowned near the coast of Tunisia will arrive in the country this afternoon.
According to a Facebook post by the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the coffins, transported via Saudia Airlines, are scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 12:15 pm on May 2.
On Tuesday, in the presence of Bangladesh's Ambassador to Libya and non-resident envoy to Tunisia, Major General (Retd.) Abul Hasnat Mohammad Khairul Bashar, embassy officials transferred the bodies to the authorities at Tunis International Airport.
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Following the tragic incident on the night of February 14, officials at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli worked closely with Tunisia's Foreign Ministry and local authorities to manage the forensic identification, confirmation of identities through domestic agencies, issuance of death and medical certificates, and coordination of the repatriation process.
The Foreign Ministry's Africa Wing coordinated inter-ministerial efforts to facilitate the repatriation of the bodies, with assistance from the ministries of home, law, and funds from the Expatriates Welfare Ministry.
Among the deceased are Sajal, Noyon Biswas, Mamun Sheikh, Kazi Sajib, and Kaiser Khalifa from Madaripur district, and Rifat, Russel, and Imrul Kayes from Gopalganj district.
A boat, carrying 52 passengers and a sailor from the coast of Zuwarah on its way to Europe, sank off the Tunisian coast. Out of the 44 survivors, 27 are Bangladeshis, with others from Pakistan (8), Syria (5), and Egypt (4). Among the nine fatalities, eight were identified as Bangladeshis and one as a Pakistani national.
Read more: Bangladesh, Austria agree to conclude MoU on migration, mobility
Bangladesh vs India Women’s 3rd T20I 2024: Match Preview
Bangladesh and India women’s teams will face each other for the 3rd T20I of the 5-match series in Sylhet. Indian women’s team, who are currently leading the series by 2-0, will look to wrap up the series after comfortably winning the first two games. On the other hand, Bangladesh Women have one last chance to stay in the series. The match will start at 4:00 PM BST.
Details of BAN vs IND Women 3rd T20I
Table: Schedule and Venue of 3rd T20I between Bangladesh and India Women’s Team
Match
Date
Time
Venue
3rd T20I
Thursday, May 2, 2024
4:00 P.M BST
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
Preview of Bangladesh vs India Women’s 3rd T20I
India are in a comfortable position after winning the first two games in the ongoing series. Bangladesh are struggling with their batting mostly. They could only manage 101 and 119 in the two matches after completing their full quota of batting. This is a worrying sign for them as they are not giving the bowlers much to play with.
Additionally, only three Bangladesh batters reached double figures in the first T20I. The second match saw only four Bangladeshi batters reaching double figures. The highest scorer of the first game from Bangladesh was Nigar Sultana who took 48 deliveries to make 51 runs. Murshida Khatun was the highest scorer for Bangladesh in the second game scoring 46 (49).
Read more: India Women secure lead with rain-affected win over Bangladesh
Ahead of the 3rd T20I, Bangladesh Women would desperately want their batters to contribute a lot more.
The bowlers didn’t have much to do in these two games but they could and should have done a lot better. The pitch of the first game was not a 145-run pitch according to experts. In the second game, they failed to take advantage of a rain-inflicted condition which was a disappointing scenario to watch. Marufa Akter is among the wickets which is a boost for Bangladesh. However, Nahida Akter, the main strike bowler for Bangladesh, has been wicketless and expensive as well. She needs to step up in this game for Bangladesh to have any chance of winning.
India, on the other hand, have been dominating Bangladesh in the ongoing series. Their performance is reflected in the results as well. Their bowling department is working as a unit to restrict Bangladesh to a low score. Their spin trio of Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, and Shreyanka Patil have been economical and picked up crucial wickets. The woman of the match from the first game Renuka Singh was quite expensive in the 2nd game and will try to bring her rhythm back in this game. Pooja Vastrakar has also been handy.
The batters did exactly what was expected of them. Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Richa Ghosh played quick innings in the first game to give India a winning total of 145. Dayalan Hemalatha’s 41(24) almost single-handedly won the second match for them with the bat. They would now hope for Smriti Mandhana to shine as she has not performed well in this series yet.
India mostly relied on overall team performance so far in this series. They would expect the same in the remaining games as well.
Read more: BCB announces ticket sales for Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe T20I Series
Bangladesh vs India Women’s H2H T20I Records So Far
Table: Head-to-head T20I Records between Bangladesh and India Women’s Team
Matches Played
Bangladesh Won
India Won
Tie
No Result
18
3
15
0
0
Bangladesh Squad Against India
Table: List of Bangladesh Players in the BAN vs IND Women’s 3rd T20I 2024
Bangladesh Player
Role
Nigar Sultana ©
Wicketkeeper Batter
Dilara Akter
Wicketkeeper Batter
Fahima Khatun
Bowler
Fariha Trisna
Bowler
Habiba Islam
Bowler
Marufa Akter
Bowler
Sobhana Mostary
Middle order Batter
Murshida Khatun
Opening Batter
Nahida Akter
Bowler
Rabeya Khan
Allrounder
Ritu Moni
Allrounder
Rubaya Haider
Wicketkeeper Batter
Shorifa Khatun
Bowler
Shorna Akter
Allrounder
Sultana Khatun
Bowler
Read more: Women’s Cricket: India register easy win in series opener vs Bangladesh
India Squad Against Bangladesh
Table: List of Indian Players in the BAN vs IND Women’s 3rd T20I 2024
India Player
Role
Harmanpreet Kaur ©
Batting Allrounder
Yastika Bhatia
Wicketkeeper Batter
Richa Ghosh
Wicketkeeper Batter
Dayalan Hemalatha
Top order Batter
Saika Ishaque
Bowler
Amanjot Kaur
Batting Allrounder
Smriti Mandhana
Opening Batter
Shreyanka Patil
Allrounder
Renuka Singh
Bowler
Titas Sadhu
Bowler
Sajeevan Sanjana
Allrounder
Shafali Verma
Opening Batter
Deepti Sharma
Allrounder
Asha Sobhana
Allrounder
Pooja Vstrakar
Bowler
Radha Yadav
Bowler
Read more: Women's Cricket: Bangladesh Restrict India to 145
Key Players from Bangladesh Squad
Nigar Sultana
Nigar Sultana scored a half-century in the first game of the ongoing BAN vs IND T20I series and is arguably the most consistent batter for this Bangladesh team. In a series where Bangladeshi batters are struggling so much, Nigar Sultana’s captain’s knock is exactly what’s needed for the team. She has also stepped up on such occasions and is expected to do it again.
Nahida Akter
Nahida Akter is still wicketless in this series. But Bangladesh needs their most in-form bowler to rise up. Especially the effective bowling from Indian spinners automatically asks a lot more from her. She is very much capable of providing such performance and both the team and their fans will expect her to deliver in this game.
Key Players from India Squad
Smriti Mandhana
The dashing Indian opener is yet to get runs in this series. She would be more than willing to get runs on the pitches where she would lead India’s batting in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Therefore, Bangladesh must be especially aware of this cricketer who is always hungry for runs.
Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma already picked three wickets in this T20I series against Bangladesh. But most importantly she kept an economy of 3.625 which kept Bangladesh under pressure and made the task easy for other bowlers. She is expected to do something similar in the 3rd T20I as well. Her strong game sense and effective bowling would also be key for India’s victory this time.
Final Words
India are the favorites ahead of the 3rd T20I in the 2024 BAN vs IND Women’s T20I series. But Bangladesh have grown a fighting and ‘never giving up’ mentality over the last 1-1.5 years. Therefore, tigresses are expected to fight strongly in this game to survive in the series. The stage is set for an exciting game on Thursday, May 2 at Sylhet.
Read more: Preview of Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Match of 2024
Age limit for entering govt service to be 35, if Nofel has his way
Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nofel has recommended that the age limit for entry into government jobs should be pushed back to 35, with another 2 years (37) allowed for quota positions.
The Education Minister has sent a letter to his counterpart, Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain, with this recommendation.
The age limit for entry into government service is 30 at present (32 under various quotas including freedom fighters, etc).
In the letter, the Education Minister said that the students have been protesting on the streets for a long time regarding the demand to make the age limit of job application minimum 35 years according to international standards.
In 2018, Bangladesh Awami League's election manifesto on page 33 stated that 'proper steps will be taken considering merit and ability to increase the age limit for entry into government jobs'.
Read more: Age limit raised by 3 years and 3 months for entering govt service; not applicable for BCS
It further states, "In reality, the age limit for applying jobs at all levels in Bangladesh was raised from 27 years to 30 years in 1991, 33 years ago, when the average life expectancy of people in Bangladesh was 57 years. At present, the average life expectancy of people in Bangladesh has increased to 73 years, so it is logical to increase the age limit for applying for jobs."
Nofel wrote that the age limit for applying for jobs in about 162 countries of the world is at least 35 years, among South Asian countries, our neighboring country India is the most populous country in the world, but the maximum age limit for applying for jobs is 45 years in different states, 45 years in Maldives, 45 years in Sri Lanka, 35 years in Nepal, 35 years in Afghanistan.
The developed countries of the world, including India, have done a lot of research about the age limit and increased it to about 35 years according to international standards. In order to eliminate unemployment and create a developed smart Bangladesh, it is important to make students skilled at international standards and also to create opportunities to enter the international job market.
In such cases, the maximum age limit for application in all Ministries, Departments, Directorates and Autonomous, Nationalized Institutions at various levels of employment is minimum 35 years as per International Standards (37 years for BJS, Doctors, Freedom Fighters Quota), Sub Inspector of Police and in case of appointment of sergeant, opportunity to participate in examination up to 30 years.
The Education Minister requested the Minister of Public Administration to take necessary steps considering the issue of opening the age limit in research and various special skill fields as per the government policy.
Read more: Police attack age limit protest rally in Shahbagh
Preview of Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Match of 2024
Bangladesh will face Zimbabwe for the 1st T20I match of the 5-match series starting from May 3 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Bangladesh, who saw a break in their winning run after losing against Sri Lanka, will look forward to regaining momentum and confidence in this series. On the other hand, Zimbabwe will take this series as an ideal preparation for the T20I World Cup 2024. The match will start at 6:00 PM BST.
BAN vs ZIM 1st T20I 2024: Match Details
Table: Schedule and venue of the first T20 Match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
Match
Date
Time
Venue
1st T20I
Friday, May 3, 2024
6:00 P.M BST
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram, Bangladesh
Read more: Shakib Gets Dhaka League Green Light, While Mustafizur Pulled from IPL for National Duty
First T20I Match between Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe in 2024: Preview
Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Sikandar Raza are responsible for leading Bangladesh and Zimbabwe respectively in this series. Bangladesh will depend on Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, and Nazmul Hossain Shanto in the top order.
The middle order is expected to be led by Tawhid Hridoy and then carried by Mahmudullah Riyad and Jaker Ali. Apart from that, the pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib are expected to play a big role in this game. However, the real competition would be for no. 7 and 8 positions. Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin are all in an equal battle and have equal claims for this position. But it is unlikely for Bangladesh to go with 4 pacers. Hence, Mahedi and Rishad should grab the spots for the first games. Another option could be to go with all three of them and drop one of the frontline seamers.
Operations Chairman of BCB Jalal Yunus has emphasised managing the workload for seamers in previous press interviews. After a long DPL season, this series would be a good opportunity to rotate the seamers. This can be beneficial for workload management as well as finding the best combination of seamers ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Zimbabwe would highly depend on their star and most in-form player Sikandar Raza with both bowling and batting. They have put a good amount of weight on the performance of African Games Cricket 2023 in their squad selection. Clive Mandane, Brian Bennett, and Johnathan Campbell got call-ups in their squad after their performances in this tournament. Johnathan Campbell, son of former Zimbabwean captain Alistair Campbell, got his maiden call-up in this series.
Their batting will be reliant on Craig Ervine and Sean Williams anchoring, and Sikandar Raza-Ryan Burl’s explosiveness. Apart from that they’d expect the likes of Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Bennett to step up. Their bowling department will be primarily led by Richard Ngrava and Blessing Muzarabani. Wellington Masakadza will have his part to play as well. Apart from that, Sikandar Raza’s off-spin can be their trump card. Johnathan Campbell might have a key role to play here as well with his leg-spin.
Read more: Squad announced for first 3 T20Is against Zimbabwe
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe H2H T20I Records So Far
Table: Head-to-head T20I records between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
Total Matches
Bangladesh Win
Zimbabwe Win
Tie/NR
20
13
7
0
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe always provide an exciting battle for the fans and audiences. These two sides have met 20 times. Bangladesh came out victorious 13 times and Zimbabwe won 7 of them.
They have fought in seven bilateral series, of which Bangladesh won three and Zimbabwe won only 1. The rest were a tie.
However, Zimbabwe is the winner of the last series between these two sides in Zimbabwe 2022. On the other hand, Bangladesh won the last game between these two sides in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Read more: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20 Series 2024: Fixtures, Head-To-Head Records
Bangladesh Squad Against Zimbabwe
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmud Ullah, Litton Kumer Das, Tawhid Hridoy, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Sharif Uddin, Jaker Ali Anik, Taskin Ahmed, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Afif Hossain.
Zimbabwe Squad Against Bangladesh
Sikandar Raza (Captain), Clive Madande, Faraz Akram, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, Johnathan Campbell, Joylord Gumbie, Craig Ervine, Luke Jongwe, Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Sean Williams, Blessing Muzarabani, Ainsley Ndlovu, and Richard Ngarava.
Read more: Zimbabwe cricketers arrive in Dhaka for 5-match T20I series against hosts
Key Players to Watch from Bangladesh Team
Litton Kumer Das
Litton Kumer Das has been a crucial factor in Bangladesh’s rise since T20I 2023. His quick starts in the powerplay set the momentum for a big score. Similarly, he can go big as well. In his last 10 innings, Litton scored 345 runs with an average of 38.33. Bangladesh would look for similar returns in this game as well.
Shoriful Islam
Shoriful Islam has developed himself as the key strike bowler of Bangladesh in recent times. He picked up 8 wickets in the last 6 games with a strike rate of 16.25. His success in making the batters of the opposition team unstable in the opening overs makes him a key player for this team.
Rishad Hossain
Rishad Hossain is one of the newest finds for Bangladesh. He sorts two sides where Bangladesh has been struggling for a long time. He can play as a pinch hitter in the lower-middle order. At the same time, his leg-spin is also a great help for the Bangladesh team.
Read more: Analyzing Bangladesh Preliminary Squad in the Upcoming BAN vs ZIM T20I Series 2024
Key Players to Watch from the Zimbabwe Team
Sikandar Raza
Sikandar Raza is the biggest threat to the opposition. His all-round capability as well as playing big roles in almost all the wins of Zimbabwe. He scored 398 runs and picked up 13 wickets in the last 8 games. This vastly experienced campaigner would be crucial for Zimbabwe.
Ryan Burl
Ryan Burl can take games away from the opponent with his big hits. He also shines against Bangladesh. He averages around 60 against Bangladesh. His explosive batting would be key in pitches like Chattogram
Richard Ngrava
Richard Ngrava is arguably the most in-form bowler for Zimbabwe currently. Picking up 16 wickets in the last 10 games with a strike rate of 13.75 makes him the most dangerous bowler for Zimbabwe in this game.
Final Words
In the upcoming BAN vs ZIM T20I Series 2024, both teams are well-equipped to beat the opponent. Bangladesh might start the series as a favourite due to being the host country. But Zimbabwe will fight an equal battle under the captaincy of Sikandar Raza.
Read more: What lies ahead for Bangladesh spinners under Mushtaq Ahmed's guidance
First private sector solar project in Bangladesh secures $121.55 million funding from ADB
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $121.55 million financing package with Dynamic Sun Energy Private Limited to build and operate a 100-megawatt (MW) grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant in Pabna, Bangladesh.
The plant is the country’s first private sector utility-scale solar facility to secure support from global financiers, said the Manilla-based lending agency on Monday (April 29, 2024).
ADB arranged, structured, and syndicated the debt package as the sole mandated lead arranger and bookrunner.
The financing package comprises a $46.75 million loan from ADB, a syndicated B-loan of $28.05 million from ILX Fund I, an Amsterdam-based emerging market private credit fund focused on supporting the Sustainable Development Goals with ADB as lender of record, and a syndicated parallel loan of $46.75 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Competition policy can unlock increased FDI flows into Bangladesh: ADB Country Director to MCCI
“As Asia’s climate bank, ADB welcomes the opportunity to support renewable energy in Bangladesh, where obtaining long-term financing for such projects is a challenge,” said ADB Private Sector Operations Department Director General Suzanne Gaboury.
“This partnership exemplifies our lead role in mobilising financing for clean energy facilities and stimulating further investment in sectors where it’s needed the most.”
The solar power plant will generate 193.5 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually and avoid 93,654 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
“We are delighted to secure financing for one of the largest private sector solar projects in Bangladesh to date, with the support of international lenders led by ADB,” said PT Managing Director Shakhawat Hossain.
“Partnering with an internationally reputable financial institution such as ADB affirms PT’s dedication to sustainability and marks a significant stride in our journey towards sustainable growth.”
Banks tailoring offshore services with lucrative benefits aimed at wealthy NRBs
DSE is owned by Paramount Textile PLC (PT), one of the largest woven textile manufacturers in Bangladesh, which also operates several power plants.
PT manufactures high-quality yarn-dyed and printed woven fabrics using a wide range of yarns, modern weaving technologies, and print types.
PT was publicly listed on the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges in 2013.