United News of Bangladesh

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially revealed the complete schedule and groupings for the expanded 12-team Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be hosted across England and Wales from June 12 to July 5. Bangladesh, having qualified unbeaten alongside Ireland, Scotland, and tournament debutants the Netherlands in Nepal last month, has been placed in a highly competitive Group 1. The Tigresses will face cricketing heavyweights Australia, India, South Africa, and Pakistan, as well as the Netherlands. ICC opens hearings into former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Group 2 will feature tournament hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Scotland. A major highlight of the group stages will be the historic clash between England and Scotland at Headingley on June 20—marking the first time the two nations will meet in a World Cup match on English soil. Bangladesh will kick off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on June 14 at Edgbaston. They will then face a stern test against Australia on June 17 at Headingley, followed by crucial fixtures against Pakistan (June 20), India (June 25), and South Africa (June 28). ICC confirms Bangladesh's direct qualification for 2028 T20 World Cup Reacting to the finalized schedule, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty expressed both excitement and determination. “We’re really happy to have qualified for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. I’m incredibly proud of the way the team performed, dominating in every game,” she said. “We have never played in England before so we’re excited but know it’s going to be a big challenge. We can’t wait for the big event and we’re going to prepare ourselves with everything we have,” she added. The 24-day tournament will feature a total of 33 matches across seven top-tier venues, including Old Trafford, Headingley, the Hampshire Bowl, and Edgbaston. The semi-finals will be held at The Oval on June 30 and July 2, with the grand finale scheduled for Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 5.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has disclosed that he was rejected for a coaching position in the Caribbean Premier League strictly because of his Pakistani nationality. Speaking on a recent cricket podcast, Mahmood detailed how a CPL franchise offered him a coaching role shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the offer was subsequently pulled when the team management informed him that they were not permitted to hire Pakistani coaches or players. Rain washes out T20 World Cup Super Eight opener between Pakistan- New Zealand Mahmood, who holds British citizenship and possesses extensive coaching experience in both the English county setup and the Pakistan national team, highlighted a growing barrier in global franchise cricket. He noted that as IPL-based ownership groups expand their reach into tournaments like the SA20 and Major League Cricket, securing opportunities has become increasingly difficult for Pakistani players and coaching staff. This revelation comes amid reports that four Indian-owned franchises in England's The Hundred tournament might actively avoid signing Pakistani cricketers in the upcoming draft. Pakistan, New Zealand clash in high-stakes Super Eight opener The England and Wales Cricket Board has responded by warning franchises that while it cannot dictate player purchases, any proof of discriminatory selection practices will trigger strict disciplinary actions and potential independent regulatory investigations. Prominent figures in English cricket have also voiced their disapproval. Current white-ball captain Harry Brook described the potential exclusion of Pakistani players from The Hundred as a sad development, while former captain Michael Vaughan firmly asserted that geopolitical issues must remain separate from cricketing decisions.

Akbar Ali and Afif Hossain struck centuries while leg-spinner Rishad Hossain claimed a four-wicket haul on the opening day of the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day tournament, guiding their respective teams to comprehensive victories on Monday. At the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura, Akbar Ali’s maiden List A century propelled North Zone to a commanding 54-run victory over East Zone. Sent in to bat, North Zone posted a massive 335. After an 82-run second-wicket stand between Tanzid Hasan (54 off 44 balls) and captain Najmul Hossain (68 off 87 balls), Akbar took charge of the innings. He smashed 111 off just 87 deliveries, an aggressive knock laced with eight boundaries and six sixes. East Zone pacer Mohammad Saifuddin endured a forgettable outing, conceding 98 runs in his 10-over spell—the fifth most expensive bowling figure in Bangladesh's List A history. In reply, East Zone was bowled out for 281 with two balls to spare. Despite Mominul Haque’s fighting 83 and an unbeaten 50 from Naim, Rishad Hossain derailed the chase by taking 4 for 57 in his 10 overs. Star Sports deletes controversial 'cupcake' promo after India's crushing defeat Meanwhile, at the Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium in Rajshahi, South Zone cruised to a seven-wicket win against Central Zone, anchored by an unbeaten century from Afif Hossain. Chasing a target of 266, South Zone found themselves at 108 for 3 before Afif and Mohammad Mithun stitched together a match-winning 159-run unbroken partnership. The climax arrived in the 46th over bowled by Saif Hassan. With Afif on 96 and South Zone needing just two runs to win following a wide, the left-hander struck a boundary to simultaneously seal the match and bring up his hundred. Earlier, Central Zone posted 265, bolstered by half-centuries from Mohammad Naim, Mahfizul Islam, and Mahidul Islam, but the lower order failed to push the total past the 300-mark.

Official T20 World Cup broadcaster Star Sports has quietly deleted a controversial promotional video following India's humiliating 76-run defeat to South Africa in Sunday's Super Eight clash in Ahmedabad. The promo, which aired days before the match, depicted an Indian and a South African fan reaching for the last cupcake in a cafe. In the video, the Indian fan aggressively mocked South Africa's reputation as "chokers" and taunted them over their loss in the 2024 World Cup final. ICC confirms Bangladesh's direct qualification for 2028 T20 World Cup The advertisement drew immediate ire, not just for its overt arrogance, but because "Cupcake" is also the popular nickname of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The broadcaster's pre-match hubris backfired spectacularly on the pitch. Chasing a target of 187, Suryakumar Yadav’s team delivered a dismal batting performance, collapsing to 111 all out. Shivam Dube, who scored 42, was the only Indian batter to cross the 20-run mark during the massive collapse. As the hashtag #CupcakeGate trended across social media, Star Sports pulled the video from its X account. The deletion, however, failed to stop the mockery from fans. South African influencers quickly capitalized on the moment, with one viral post showing an actor happily eating a cupcake next to the final match scorecard with the caption, "So sweet!"

The India 'A' women's cricket team clinched their second consecutive Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars title, defeating Bangladesh 'A' by 46 runs in the final in Bangkok today. Defending a modest total of 134, the Indian bowlers systematically dismantled the Bangladesh batting lineup, bowling them out for just 88 runs in 19.1 overs. The chase derailed completely after the powerplay. Bangladesh 'A' managed 36 for 1 in the first six overs but soon felt the pressure of a dipping run rate and quick dismissals. The team suffered a massive collapse, losing their last seven wickets for a mere 40 runs off 55 balls. Opener Shamima Sultana (20) and Sharmin Sultana (18) were the highest scorers, failing to build any partnership beyond 25 runs. Indian leg-spinner Prema Rawat led the bowling attack with exceptional figures of 3 for 12. Earlier in the day, Bangladesh 'A' captain and leg-spinner Fahima Khatun rattled the Indian top order, claiming 4 for 25. India 'A' found themselves in a precarious position at 53 for 4 at the halfway mark. However, a crucial 69-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Tejal Hasabnis and Radha Yadav shifted the momentum. Yadav contributed 36, while Hasabnis anchored the innings with an unbeaten 51 off 34 balls, capitalizing on a dropped catch in the final over to push the total to 134 for 7. Hasabnis was subsequently named Player of the Match. This victory mirrors the inaugural 2023 tournament in Hong Kong, where India 'A' also defeated Bangladesh 'A' to lift the trophy.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has implemented stringent age and residency regulations for the upcoming 64-team National Cricket Championship to boost competitiveness, though the tournament's eve was marred by a road accident involving the Chandpur district team. Beginning Sunday, the two-tier 50-over competition will restrict teams from fielding more than four players over the age of 30, a move designed to eliminate the casual participation of much older individuals and foster a stronger Under-23 development pipeline. And, squads are now limited to hiring a maximum of three players from outside their home district. This officially reverses a previous practice that sometimes saw entire squads formed by non-local cricketers. The board has noted they will consider exceptions for an extra over-30 player if districts can verify their superior quality over younger alternatives. The tournament structure features two 32-team tiers, with a promotion and relegation system in place. Top-tier group winners will advance to a three-day competition in April 2026, while the bottom eight teams will face relegation. To identify emerging talent, the board is deploying coaches across the 16 match venues for a dedicated scouting program. Top-level players not involved in the Bangladesh Cricket League one-day competition, such as Hasan Murad and Musfik Hasan, are also participating. Despite the board's push for increased professionalism, basic logistical challenges remain glaring. Highlighting these infrastructural hurdles, a Chandpur district player sustained injuries in a road accident while the team was travelling precariously with their equipment in an auto-rickshaw just before the tournament.

The highly anticipated start to the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup ended in frustration as the opening clash between Pakistan and New Zealand was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to persistent heavy rain in Colombo. The weather intervened just moments after Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and opted to bat first. During the toss, Agha said that his team needs to play their best cricket and added that his spinners would play an important role, while confirming a lineup featuring two pace bowlers. New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner also expressed his side's readiness for the critical encounter. Unfortunately, light rain began falling as the toss concluded, quickly forcing ground staff to cover the entire field. The abandonment serves as a damp start to the Super Eight phase, where the final eight teams out of the original 20 are competing across two groups to secure one of the four semi-final spots.

All eyes are on Colombo as Pakistan and New Zealand face off in the opening Super Eight match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. With semi-final places on the line and no room for mistakes in the Super Eight stage, both teams are keen to make a strong start and gain early momentum. The clash brings together two leading T20 sides whose rivalry has repeatedly produced high-intensity and memorable contests. Pakistan enter the match with greater familiarity with local conditions, having remained in Sri Lanka throughout the group stage. New Zealand, by contrast, arrived in Colombo after playing all their first-round matches in India. Although Pakistan played most of their group matches at the SSC Ground, they trained extensively at the Premadasa Stadium. The venue is known for its slow surface, low bounce and spin-friendly conditions, especially under lights. These factors could play a key role, given Pakistan’s strong spin resources and experience on subcontinental pitches. However, the same ground also witnessed Pakistan’s heavy defeat to India earlier in the tournament, a setback they will be eager to overcome with a solid performance. Historically, the T20I contest between the two sides has been closely fought. Pakistan hold a narrow overall advantage, winning 24 of their 47 matches, while New Zealand have won 23. Recent form, however, slightly favours the Black Caps, who secured a convincing 4–1 series win over Pakistan at home earlier this year. Zimbabwe stays unbeaten, beats Sri Lanka to top T20 World Cup group In T20 World Cup meetings, Pakistan have enjoyed greater success. They have won four of their six encounters against New Zealand, including a semi-final victory in the inaugural 2007 tournament, as well as wins in 2009, 2012 and 2021. New Zealand’s wins have been dramatic, including a one-run victory in 2012 and a 22-run success in 2021, underlining their tactical strength in major tournaments. The rivalry has also produced high-scoring games. Pakistan’s highest T20I total against New Zealand is 207 for 1, while New Zealand have posted an even bigger 226 for 8. One of the standout performances came from Finn Allen, who scored a blistering 137 in a recent bilateral series. Pakistan have also delivered memorable moments, notably Umar Gul’s six-wicket haul in the 2009 World Cup, regarded as one of the finest bowling spells in the tournament’s history. Both teams suffered one loss in the group stage. Pakistan were beaten by India, while New Zealand narrowly lost to South Africa. Those defeats have sharpened their focus as the competition moves into its decisive phase. Pakistan will look for consistency from their top order and stronger execution at the death. New Zealand, meanwhile, will rely on aggressive batting and disciplined bowling to challenge their opponents. With only the top two teams from the Super Eight advancing to the semi-finals, every match carries knockout pressure, making Saturday’s encounter crucial for both sides. Meanwhile, the toss is expected to play an important role. New Zealand batter Mark Chapman said Sri Lankan conditions present a unique challenge, particularly for batters. He noted that spin is likely to be more influential than in India and highlighted Pakistan’s varied spin attack as a major threat. Chapman also said New Zealand are prepared, having faced Pakistan frequently in recent years. New Zealand are hopeful their bowlers will make an impact, with expectations high for Mitchell Santner, whose experience and variations could prove vital on the slow surface. #From Geo News

Zimbabwe completed the group stage of the T20 World Cup unbeaten after defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets on Thursday, with Brian Bennett finishing a chase set up by captain Sikandar Raza. Zimbabwe topped Group B, which also featured former champions Sri Lanka and Australia. Zimbabwe will open their Super Eights campaign against the West Indies in Mumbai on Monday, while Sri Lanka are set to host England in Pallekele on Saturday. Sri Lanka chose to bat and posted 178 for 7, but Zimbabwe chased down the target with three balls remaining, finishing on 182 for 4. Bennett anchored the innings with an unbeaten 63 off 48 balls and remains not out throughout the tournament after earlier scores against Oman and Australia. Pathum Nissanka once again led Sri Lanka’s batting with 62 off 41 balls, following his unbeaten century against Australia. Pavan Rathnayake added 44 from 25 deliveries to lift the total. Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said his team lacked confidence in the field and hoped for a stronger showing next time. Raza said few expected Zimbabwe to reach the Super Eights and that the team is enjoying its underdog status. He added that winning two of their next three games could open up further possibilities. West Indies also finished the group stage unbeaten after defeating Italy by 42 runs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Captain Shai Hope led the way with 75 off 46 balls, while Italy were dismissed for 123 despite Ben Manenti’s 26. Shamar Joseph starred with 4 for 30 and also took four catches as West Indies defended 165. Italy ended their first World Cup campaign with praise after notable performances, including a win over Nepal and a narrow loss to England. Captain Harry Manenti said more matches and funding would help associate nations become more competitive. England scrape past Italy to reach Super Eight In Chennai, Afghanistan beat Canada by 82 runs in a match between two teams already out of contention. Ibrahim Zadran fell just short of a maiden men’s T20 World Cup century, scoring an unbeaten 95 from 56 balls as Afghanistan reached 200 for 4. Canada were restricted to 118 for 8, with Mohammad Nabi claiming a career-best 4 for 7. Zadran said he was not disappointed to miss the hundred and was focused on contributing to the team’s total.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has published its new central contract list for the national men's team for 2026, featuring a total of 28 cricketers. Notably, no player has been awarded the highest 'A Plus' category in the latest grading system, which evaluates players based on their recent performance and experience. The new central contract structure divides the players into four active grades out of a possible five. The vacant 'A Plus' grade offers a top monthly salary of BDT 10 lakh. Among the active tiers, four players have been placed in Grade A, earning BDT 8 lakh per month. The bulk of the players, 11 in total, are in Grade B with a monthly salary of BDT 6 lakh. Additionally, six cricketers are in Grade C earning BDT 4 lakh, and seven players have been handed Grade D contracts worth BDT 2 lakh per month. The four cricketers securing the top available Grade A contracts are Test captain Najmul Hossain, ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, T20I captain Litton Kumar Das, and fast bowler Taskin Ahmed. Taskin's placement marks a downgrade, as the pacer held an 'A Plus' contract last year. ICC confirms Bangladesh's direct qualification for 2028 T20 World Cup The Grade B category includes veteran campaigners such as Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, and Mominul Haque, alongside Taijul Islam, Towhid Hridoy, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, and fast bowler Nahid Rana. Meanwhile, the Grade C bracket comprises Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, and Khaled Ahmed. Finally, Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Murad, Shamim Hossain, and Nurul Hasan make up the Grade D list for the upcoming year.