Cricket
Nasum's hunger for wickets spurs Mohammedan's Super League Campaign
Nasum Ahmed's hunger for wickets was on full display as his mesmerizing spell of spin bowling, claiming 5 for 22, propelled Mohammedan Sporting Club to a dominant victory over Brothers Union and secured their place in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League Super League.
After the match, Nasum opened up about his recent struggles and the desire that fueled his match-winning performance.
"I had been feeling a strong urge for a breakthrough," he admitted. "Despite picking up a few wickets, I was at the bottom of the bowling charts. I was hungry to make a real impact."
Nasum emphasized his focus on consistency and building pressure, rather than taking unnecessary risks.
"I never challenge batsmen during the powerplay," he explained. "I prefer to stick to my strengths - bowling dot balls and restricting runs."
He also acknowledged the need to evolve his bowling strategies. "It seems batsmen are reading my arm ball more easily," Nasum observed. "I need to work on some variations during the off-season."
With wickets becoming more favorable for bowlers, Nasum expressed confidence for the remainder of the tournament. "My five-wicket haul today gives me a lot of confidence going forward," he stated. "I'm excited to see what we can achieve in the Super League."//
Nasum's five-wicket haul propels Mohammedan to Super League
A mesmerizing spin bowling display from Nasum Ahmed, claiming five wickets for just 22 runs, spearheaded Mohammedan Sporting Club to a convincing 5-wicket victory over Brothers Union in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League on Thursday.
'Mustafizur has nothing to learn from IPL,' says BCB Cricket Ops chair
This win secured Mohammedan's spot in the Super League phase with 16 points, trailing only Abahani Limited.
Brothers Union struggled from the outset, losing early wickets to Nasum's masterful control and variations. Mahmudul Hasan (45) and Rahatul Ferdous (45) offered some resistance, but Nasum's consistent breakthroughs restricted Brothers to a modest total of 135.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz also contained runs and bagged three wickets for Mohammedan.
Who's leading Bangladesh's Premier Cricket League?
Mohammedan started with a strong opening stand. Skipper Imrul Kayes anchored the innings with a magnificent unbeaten knock of 92, laced with 12 boundaries and 3 sixes. His dominant display ensured Mohammedan comfortably reached the target in just 23.2 overs.
Nasum Ahmed deservingly earned the Player of the Match award for his match-winning bowling performance.
Women's Cricket: Bangladesh suffer yet another big defeat to Australia
While Mohammedan secured 16 points, Brothers slipped to eighth position in the points table with only six points from three wins in 11 matches.
Prime Bank and Shinepukur Secure Big Wins in Dhaka League
Prime Bank Cricket Club and Shinepukur Cricket Club emerged victorious in their respective Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League matches on Thursday.
In Fatullah, Prime Bank posted a challenging total of 269 for 9 against Gazi Tyres Cricket Academy, thanks to a 71-run knock by Mushfiqur Rahim.
For Gazi Tyres, Shamim Mia was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets. Iftekhar Sajjad and Nuhayel Sandeed also contributed with two wickets each.
Gazi Tyres' batting line-up faltered in response, and they were bowled out for a mere 128 runs in 32.2 overs. Asraful Alom Asif top-scored with 34 runs but found little support from his teammates.
Prime Bank's national team stars, Hasan Mahmud and Mahedi Hasan, wreaked havoc with the ball, taking three and four wickets, respectively. This dominant performance secured a 141-run victory for Prime Bank, bringing their points tally to 14 and placing them in fifth position on the points table.
Meanwhile, in Savar, Shinepukur Cricket Club triumphed over Legends of Rupganj by 67 runs. Irfan Sukkur's impressive century laid the foundation for Shinepukur's victory.
Shoriful bags four as Abahani thrash Shiekh Jamal
Abahani Limited delivered a dominant performance, crushing Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 10 wickets in a lopsided Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match at Mirpur on Thursday.
'Mustafizur has nothing to learn from IPL,' says BCB Cricket Ops chair
Sheikh Jamal's batting crumbled under Abahani's relentless bowling attack, managing a paltry total of 88 runs. Shoriful Islam, the left-arm national pacer, was the star with the ball, claiming impressive figures of 4 wickets for 35 runs. Taskin Ahmed also chipped in with two wickets, leaving Sheikh Jamal reeling.
Ex-test cricketer Slater in custody after facing an Australian court on domestic violence charges
Abahani's openers, Anamul Haque (37*) and Mohammad Naim (53*), made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 10.2 overs. Naim's aggressive knock, studded with eight fours and two sixes, ensured a swift victory for Abahani.
Shoriful Islam's devastating spell earned him the Player of the Match award.
Who's leading Bangladesh's Premier Cricket League?
With this win, Abahani cemented their place at the top of the points table. They now have won 11 matches in a row, becoming the only team to do so in this season of the Dhaka League.
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20 Series 2024: Fixtures, Head-To-Head Records
The Tigers will take on Zimbabwe as a last assignment before visiting the USA. Zimbabwe will tour Bangladesh for a 5-match T20I series to bolster their preparation for World T20 as well. This is the first time these two teams will be facing each other since the thriller in World T20 2022 at Brisbane. Both teams are likely to come up with their best possible squads for this series. Here is all you need to know for the Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Men's T20I Series 2024.
Full Fixtures of BAN vs ZIM T20I Series in 2024
The series is scheduled to kick off on Friday, May 3 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. It will end with the 5th T20I of the series on Saturday, May 11 at Dhaka's Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Table: Full fixture of the T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
Match
Date
Venue
1st T20
Friday, May 3, 2024
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
2nd T20
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
3rd T20
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
4th T20
Friday, May 10, 2024
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
5th T20
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
Read more: BCB appoints former Pakistan great Mushtaq Ahmed as spin-bowling coach
BAN vs ZIM Head-to-Head T20I Records So Far
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe have faced each other 20 times in T20I. Bangladesh has won 13 games against Zimbabwe which is the most for them against a single opponent. Similarly, Zimbabwe has won 7 games against Bangladesh which is their highest (along with Ireland) against a single opponent.
There have been 7 bilateral T20 series played between these two sides. 3 have been won by Bangladesh, 1 by Zimbabwe and the rest were a draw. However, Zimbabwe were the last bilateral series winners among them. Therefore, it is the perfect opportunity for both sides to brush up before the World T20. Let’s dive into some more detailed H2H records among these two familiar sides.
Table: Head-to-Head Records between Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe
Records
Bangladesh
Zimbabwe
Match Wins
13
7
Highest Total
200/3
205/3
Lowest Total
135/9
119/7
Largest Victories by Runs
48 Runs
31 Runs
Largest Victories by Wickets
9 Wickets
3 Wickets
Read more: Tamim's international career in limbo as BCB offers no clarity
Table: Notable Individual Head-to-Head Records between Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe:
Records
Bangladesh
Zimbabwe
Most Matches
Mahmudllah Riyad (16)
Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams (16)
Most Runs
Litton Das (308)
Hamilton MasaKadza (377)
Highest Score
Najmul Hossain Shanto(71)
Hamilton Masakadza (93)
Most 50
Litton Das (3)
Wesley Madhevere (3)
Most Sixes
Soumya Sarkar (15)
Malcolm Waller (18)
Most Wickets
Mustafizur Rahman (24)
Graeme Cramer (11)
Best Bowling
Mosaddek Hossain (4-0-20-5)
Neville Madziva (4-0-34-4)
Most Catches
Soumya Sarkar (8)
Sikandar Raza (9)
Most Dismissals
Mushfiqur Rahim (7)
Regis Chakabva (5)
Highest Partnership
Shakib Al Hasan-Shamsur Rahman (118)
Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza (101)
Most Matches as a Captain
Mashrafe Mortaza (6)
Elton Chigumbura (4)
Bottom Line
Both of the teams are coming to the series after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh lost to them at their home while Zimbabwe lost to Sri Lanka. Therefore, both of them will go to the field having a similar situation. The last 1 year of Bangladesh at T20 cricket on home ground, where they beat England, Ireland, and Afghanistan, makes them a slight favorite for this series. On the other hand, Zimbabwe lost their last 3 series in a row. Nevertheless, both teams can ulitilise the BAN vs ZIM T20I Series 2024 to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup tournament.
Read more: 'Mustafizur has nothing to learn from IPL,' says BCB Cricket Ops chair
'Mustafizur has nothing to learn from IPL,' says BCB Cricket Ops chair
Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) Cricket Operations Chairman, Jalal Yunus has sparked debate with his statement that star left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has nothing more to gain from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This declaration comes despite Mustafizur's strong performance for the Chennai Super Kings, where he has taken 10 wickets in five matches, including a four-wicket haul.
BCB extended Mustafizur's IPL participation by one day, allowing him to play on May 1. He is expected to join the national team camp on May 3.
“Mustafizur has nothing left to learn by playing in the IPL. His learning process is over. In fact, many IPL players can learn from Mustafizur. Bangladesh will not benefit from this. Others will benefit from having Mustafizur,” Jalal asserted in Mirpur on Wednesday.
Jalal emphasised that the IPL is not limited to four-over spells for Mustafizur and expressed concern over the physical demands of the tournament's tight schedule.
“Our concern is Mustafizur's health. His fitness. They (the IPL teams) will want to take 100% from him. They don't have a headache about his fitness, but we do,” Jalal added. “What do we need? We need a fresh Mustafizur. We don't want an exhausted Mustafizur.”
He explained that the decision is part of managing Mustafizur's workload due to his recent heavy involvement in cricket.
Jalal's comments drew a reaction from renowned Bangladeshi cricket coach Mohammed Salah Uddin, who took to social media with a mocking response: “Nothing (is) expected better than that, brilliant thinking. Best jokes ever (I) heard,” accompanied by laughing emojis.
Tamim's international career in limbo as BCB offers no clarity
As the Bangladesh team prepares for the upcoming Zimbabwe series, the possibility of veteran opener Tamim Iqbal's return to international cricket remains unclear.
A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official offered little insight into the situation.
What Lies Ahead for Tamim Iqbal?
Tamim's last international appearance was in September of last year. Since then, a combination of injuries and his absence from the national team have kept him out of the team. Tamim's request late last year to be excluded from the new year's national contract suggested a potential end to his international career.
However, neither Tamim nor the BCB have made definitive statements about his future.
BPL 2024: Tamim guides Barishal to playoff spot
“Did Tamim say that he was coming back?” Jalal Yunus, chairman of cricket operations, countered when asked about Tamim's potential return. “We had no such discussion with Tamim.”
Jalal also mentioned that he was tasked with discussing Tamim's future plans but declined to disclose the discussion's outcome. Instead, he said Tamim would meet with the board president to clarify his intentions. It was not clear when the anticipated meeting with Tamim and the board president would occur.
Mahmudullah included, Tamim axed from BCB's new central contracts
Tamim's strong performance in the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he led Fortune Barishal to their first title and was the season's top scorer, fueled speculation about a return to the T20I format. Tamim retired from T20Is but has not made any further announcements.
National team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed a desire to see Tamim back in international cricket. However, the overall situation surrounding Tamim's potential return remains shrouded in uncertainty.
BCB dismisses speculation over Hathurusingha
A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official has refuted recent media speculation about head coach Chandika Hathurusingha's future with the Bangladesh team.
Reports suggesting Hathurusingha would not return to Bangladesh surfaced after he travelled to Australia, where his family resides, ahead of the Eid break and the final Test against Sri Lanka.
“There is no doubt,” stated Jalal Yunus, BCB's chairman of cricket operations, when questioned about Hathurusingha. “Why should we doubt? We don't understand the reason behind (the speculation). Did we provide any statement (regarding Chandika)?”
Addressing the media at Mirpur on Wednesday, Jalal confirmed that the coaching staff will arrive in Dhaka ahead of the upcoming Zimbabwe T20Is. The head coach is scheduled to arrive on April 21st, with the other coaches following by the 23rd.
He further indicated that the selectors will soon announce the squad for the Zimbabwe series and that the World Cup team will likely be based on the same group of players.
“The selectors are working on the squad for the Zimbabwe series,” Jalal said. “As far as I know, they have been discussing the team composition and will finalise it soon.”
National team players are currently participating in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. However, they will soon join the national squad in preparation for the Zimbabwe series, which begins on May 3, in Chattogram. The first three matches will take place in Chattogram, with the final two matches in Dhaka.
Bangladesh announces women's squad for home T20 series against India
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday announced the T20 squad for the Bangladesh women’s team's upcoming home series against India.
A lot will be at stake as both teams have played impressive cricket against each other. Last year, Bangladesh achieved a historic feat by defeating India in an ODI for the first time.
However, that series also witnessed rising tensions when Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her dissatisfaction with the umpiring. The Bangladesh team responded in a similar manner, sparking a unique rivalry between the two sides.
Fifteen-year-old Habiba Islam Pinky is the only uncapped player included in the squad. The teams will clash in five T20Is in Sylhet, with the first match scheduled for April 28th.
Nigar Sultana will lead the Bangladesh team in this series, with Nahida Akter as her deputy. Sumaiya Akter and Nishita Akter Nishi have been named as standby players.
The other matches will be played on April 30th, May 2nd, 6th, and 9th. The first two and the fifth matches will be played under lights.
India has also announced a strong squad for this series, led by Harmanpreet Kaur with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy.
Asha Sobhana and Sajana Sajeevan, two star performers from the Women’s Premier League, also found their place in the team for the first time. Asha has recorded five-wicket haul in WPL as the first Indian cricketer, while Sajana drew attention of spectators with her hard-hitting ability.
Bangladesh Women’s T20 Squad: Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Nahida Akter (Vice Captain), Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shorifa Khatun, Dilara Akter, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Habiba Islam Pinky; Stand By: Sumaiya Akter, Nishita Akter Nishi
India Women’s T20 Squad for Bangladesh tour: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sajana Sajeevan, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Radha Yadav, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu.
BCB appoints former Pakistan great Mushtaq Ahmed as spin-bowling coach
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced today the appointment of renowned spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed to its national team. The former Pakistan leg-spinner and World Cup winner brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the role.
Mushtaq, 53, has previously served as spin bowling coach for prominent cricketing nations, including England, West Indies, and Pakistan. His impressive resume also boasts a stint as Pakistan's bowling consultant.
“It is a great honor for me to be a part of the Bangladesh cricket team as a spin bowling coach,” Mushtaq stated. “I am looking forward to the role and want to pass my experience to the players because they are very coachable and I always believe that they are one of the most dangerous teams around.”
Mushtaq’s appointment comes ahead of Bangladesh's preparation camp for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe later this month. He will be working closely with the team until the culmination of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place in the West Indies and USA.