United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has strongly denied allegations of financial irregularities following media reports questioning its recent banking transactions. In a statement issued on Saturday, the BCB described the recent reports as “misinformed” and “intentionally constructed” to tarnish the image of the Board and its President, Faruque Ahmed. The BCB said that upon taking charge in August 2024, Faruque prioritized safeguarding the financial assets of the board. Following a reassessment, the BCB withdrew BDT 250 crore from banks considered risky and reinvested BDT 238 crore into institutions categorized in the “Green” and “Yellow” zones by Bangladesh Bank. The remaining BDT 12 crore was kept for operational expenses. Sourav Ganguly calls for severing all cricketing ties with Pakistan The Board clarified that all banking decisions were made with full knowledge and approval of the board members, involving two designated signatories — the heads of the finance and tender & purchase committees — and not by the president alone. The BCB also revealed that since September 2024, its financial restructuring led to a 2–5% increase in interest earnings from fixed deposits. At the same time, BCB secured nearly BDT 12 crore in sponsorships from three banking partners, with another BDT 20 crore pledged for infrastructure development. This statement of BCB came amidst criticisms claiming that the president moved the fund from one bank to another without the knowledge of other board members.

Sunrisers Hyderabad made history on Friday by clinching their first-ever win against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk, securing a five-wicket victory in the Indian Premier League. Chennai struggled to build momentum, managing only 154 runs after being stifled by sharp bowling spells from Harshal Patel, who grabbed 4 for 28, and captain Pat Cummins, who chipped in with 2 for 21. Hyderabad chased down the target with ease, reaching 155/5 in 18.4 overs. Ishan Kishan top-scored with 44, while Kamindu Mendis anchored the finish with a composed 32 not out off just 22 balls. Cricketers voice concerns over inconsistent BCB decision and call for urgent reforms Reflecting on the win, Cummins said, “We haven’t had the best record against CSK, so it’s nice to change that. We would’ve liked to finish it a bit more cleanly, but overall, very pleased with the result.” Hyderabad was eighth on the table after its third win in nine matches while Chennai was in danger of missing the playoffs after a seventh defeat.   Kishan and Mendis star in chase Chennai made early inroads in Hyderabad's chase when Khaleel Ahmed had Abhishek Sharma caught at extra cover for 0 off the second ball, and Travis Head’s off bail was knocked back on 19 by Anshul Kamboj in the last over of the batting powerplay. Hyderabad promoted in-form batter Heinrich Klaasen ahead of Nitish Kumar Reddy but the South African could score only 7 off eight balls, holing out against Ravindra Jadeja. But with heavy dew settling in, it became difficult for the bowlers to grip the ball. Kishan timed the ball well and struck five boundaries and a six. Left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad gave Chennai hope when he dismissed Kishan to a great catch by Sam Curran and Aniket Verma to reduce Hyderabad to 106-5 in the 14th over. But Mendis and Reddy, 19 not out, combined in a match-winning stand of 49 runs to finish off the game with eight balls to spare. Pace pins down Chennai Chennai top order has struggled to fire all season. Shaik Rasheed was caught in the slips off the first ball and Curran’s promotion to No. 3 didn’t work out. The 17-year-old Ayush Mahtre showed smashed six fours in his 19-ball 30 but he, too, fell inside the powerplay as Chennai limped 47-3. South Africa Dewald Brevis, known for his big hitting, made an impactful debut for Chennai as he slammed four sixes in his 42. He was out to a stunning diving catch by Mendis at long-off. The middle order couldn't compensate for the top order as Patel and Cummins squeezed, and Chennai was all out with one ball remaining. "In the first innings the wicket was slightly better and 157 wasn’t a justifiable score,” Dhoni said. “It wasn’t turning a lot, a little two-paced but nothing out of the ordinary. Yes, second innings there was a bit of help … but we were 15, 20 runs short.”  

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal and a group of other senior cricketers met the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed on Friday to express frustration over recent decisions that they believe undermine the dignity of players and damage the integrity of the game. Their concerns centre around three key issues, including inconsistent disciplinary actions against Towhid Hridoy, a national team player, who has been playing for the Mohammedan Sporting Club in the ongoing season of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. Initially, Towhid was handed a two-match ban for misbehavior towards an umpire, the BCB's umpires committee unilaterally reduced the suspension to one match—overstepping their authority. After Towhid played two matches, the BCB reversed course and imposed the ban again, which has prompted Tamim to describe the move as “absurd” and “unjustifiable.” “This process makes no sense,” Tamim told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. “He served the penalty already. How can they now ban him again?” The players were also disturbed by a recent anti-corruption enactment involving two cricketers reenacting an alleged fixing incident in front of media—an act they labeled humiliating and unprecedented. Along with all these, the premature leak of 10 players’ names accused of fixing in the BPL also drew criticism from the cricketers. New Zealand to invest in a new franchise in US-based Major League Cricket “What if some of them are innocent?” Tamim questioned. “Publishing names before an investigation is a violation of basic rights.” Urging urgent action, Tamim said that players are the sport’s biggest stakeholders. “This needs immediate resolution,” he said, following a tense meeting with BCB officials. “The board must treat players with the respect they deserve.”

New Zealand Cricket will invest in a new franchise that will join Major League Cricket in the United States from 2027. Chief executive Scott Weenink on Thursday said NZC will partner with U.S.-based True North Sports Ventures to form the new team, which could be based in Toronto or Atlanta. The partnership is the first of its kind between a full member nation of the International Cricket Council and a franchise in a leading professional cricket league, Weenink said. The Board of Control for Cricket in India governs the lucrative Indian Premier League, which features players from all over the world, including stars from New Zealand, but the franchises are all independently owned. New Zealand Cricket will provide financial equity and high-performance and operational support to the new MLC team, including coaching, management and support staff. Pakistan’s Amir aims to play in IPL next year “It’s a reasonable investment but it’s fair to say we are still minority investors,” Weenink said. “Hopefully, we will also see a growth in capital but also dividends which will start to be spun out of that equity investment. “We still see India as untapped from a New Zealand Cricket perspective so we are putting a significant amount of energy and resource into growing New Zealand Cricket and New Zealand cricket players’ brand in India and we see the same in the US. We see America as such a huge market from a sports perspective.” Weenink said NZC sees cricket “really taking off” in the United States on the back of the T20 Cricket World Cup, which the U.S. co-hosted last year, as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “So we really want to tap into and jump on board the huge growth opportunity that Major League Cricket offers,” he said. “As franchise cricket grows globally, NZC needs to adapt to seize strategic opportunities that ensure the sustainability of our cricket network. “This helps diversify our revenue streams, expands our global brand and fan base and creates new talent development and retention pathways for both our players and coaches.” Several leading New Zealand players already have played in MLC and NZC hopes an association with the U.S. tournament will provide a new pathway for young and senior players. Boult and Sharma shine for Mumbai in massive 7-wicket victory over Hyderabad The 2025 MLC season will be played within the space of a month in June with salaries of up to $200,000 being paid to top players. The short duration of the competition makes it particularly lucrative and attractive.

Ahead of the Chattogram Test against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh called left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, indicating that the hosts are considering a spin-heavy attack to save the series. With pacer Nahid Rana unavailable due to his participation in the Pakistan Super League, selectors have opted not to replace him with another seamer. Instead, Tanvir’s inclusion proves the think tank’s assessment of Chattogram’s spin-friendly surface and the relative ineffectiveness of the fast bowlers in the first Test. “That leaves room for an additional spinner,” Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain told reporters, noting that the move is also a precaution in case of injury or concussion. Tanvir, who has largely featured in white-ball cricket, is seen as a more effective option than left-arm spinner Hasan Murad for this particular Test. “Tanvir offers more in terms of loop and flight,” Ashraf explained.

Amidst the tensions between Pakistan and India following the deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir has expressed his desire to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) if given the opportunity next year. Approximately a dozen Pakistani players participated in the inaugural IPL season in 2008. However, following the Mumbai attacks later that year, Pakistani cricketers were subsequently barred from the lucrative league. No players from Pakistan have featured in the IPL since then. While Amir cannot currently play in the IPL as a Pakistani citizen due to the existing restrictions, a potential pathway might open via British citizenship. After earning Test recall, Anamul aims to cement national team place  His wife is a British citizen, and Amir reportedly expects to receive his British passport soon. This could make him eligible to register for the IPL auction as a local English player, potentially opening the door for him to participate in the world's most popular T20 league. In an interview with local media in Pakistan, the left-arm pacer confirmed his hope of playing in the IPL if the chance arises. With the IPL and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) schedules sometimes overlapping, Amir was asked which league he would choose if eligible for both. He stated his preference would be the IPL.

After hitting four centuries in the ongoing season of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, Anamul Haque Bijoy earned a recall to the Bangladesh Test team after three years. The right-handed batter is now aiming to cement his place. Bangladesh lost the first Test of the Zimbabwe series in Sylhet. Now, the hosts are looking forward to making a comeback and saving series in the second Test Chattogram, starting on April 28. Anamul was included in the 15-member team of the second team.  Anamul currently leads the Dhaka League’s run charts with 874 runs in 14 matches, including four centuries. Boult and Sharma shine for Mumbai in massive 7-wicket victory over Hyderabad His recent performances were particularly headline-grabbing; he became the first Bangladeshi batsman to score 50 centuries in recognized cricket, and incredibly, followed it up with his 51st ton in the very next match. These back-to-back centuries likely sealed his selection.    But his prolific scoring isn't just limited to the white-ball format. Selectors also noted his strong performance in the last National Cricket League (NCL), Bangladesh's first-class tournament. There, he amassed 700 runs in 7 matches at an impressive average of 67.37, finishing as the second-highest run-getter. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf praised Anamul's consistency, good temperament, and ball selection ability as key reasons for his inclusion, seeing him as a potential "mid-term solution" for the opening slot. Premier Division Cricket: Title race heats up as Abahani, Mohammedan win again

Mumbai Indians surged into the top three of the Indian Premier League standings on Wednesday with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rohit Sharma, stepping up as an impact player, smashed his second consecutive half-century, scoring 70 runs to lead Mumbai to 146-3 in just 15.4 overs. The five-time champions, who had a slow start to the season, have now climbed to third place in the points table. Remaining 15 minutes of Federation Cup final to be played on Tuesday Heinrich Klaasen’s 71 off 44 balls had earlier saved Hyderabad from complete destruction to score 143-8 with new ball bowlers Trent Boult (4-26) and Deepak Chahar (2-12) doing the most damage. It’s a remarkable turnaround for Mumbai, which won only one of its first five games before bouncing back with four straight wins. Hyderabad is at No. 9, just ahead of last-place Chennai Super Kings. Sharma sets sixes record Sharma had a quiet start to the season with a top-score of 26 in his first six games. But the seasoned T20 batter got back into his groove when he smacked unbeaten 76 against Chennai at home three days ago. Sharma continued where he left off and despite the slowness of the wicket he smacked three sixes and eight fours in his fluent half-century. Sharma also became the highest six hitter for Mumbai with 259 sixes and surpassed Kieron Pollard’s Mumbai record of 258. Ryan Rickelton (11) yet again couldn’t capitalize on a good start and offered a one-handed return catch to Jaydev Unadkat, who had replaced struggling Mohammed Shami in Hyderabad’s playing XI. Sharma then shared two half-century stands with Will Jacks (22) and Yadav before chipping a regulation catch at mid-wicket when Mumbai was just 14 runs away from victory. Yadav summed up a dismal night for Hyderabad when the ball burst through the hands of Nitesh Kumar Reddy at deep mid-wicket for a four as the fielder seemed to have lost the ball in the floodlights and it crossed the ropes. “Glad the boys are taking the momentum in the right way,” Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya said. “I’ve felt, once everyone starts clicking in this team there will be domination. ... Overall, a wonderful win.” Boult subdues Hyderabad Hyderabad’s top-order had showed early sparks in the tournament when it not only racked up 286 against Rajasthan Royals in its opening game but also chased down 246 against Punjab Kings at home last week. Other than those two bright moments, Hyderabad batters had mostly struggled this season. Head fell for a four-ball duck when he top-edged Boult’s length delivery outside the off stump and Abhishek Sharma was caught at cover point when he got deceived by left-armer’s slow knuckle ball. In between those two wickets, Chahar had removed Ishan Kishan in a bizarre fashion. On-field umpire first declared Chahar’s leg-side delivery a wide but changed his decision and lifted his finger when he saw Kishan walking back. However, Ultra edge later showed on television that the ball had missed the bat as Kishan got strangled for the second time this season. Klaasen revived the innings by combining in a 99-run stand with Abhinav Manohar (43) off 63 balls before Jasprit Bumrah completed 300 wickets in T20 cricket when Klaasen missed out the low full toss and was caught at deep mid-wicket in the penultimate over. Boult, who had removed openers Travis Head for nought and Abhishek Sharma for eight in his opening spell, bagged two more wickets in the last over when Manohar got hit wicket and then clean bowled captain Pat Cummins with a perfect yorker. “Never got going,” Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins said. “After a couple of wickets, you have to find a way to steady the ship, (but) couldn’t do that.”  

The battle for the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League title turned into an exciting stage after defending champions Dhaka Abahani Limited and their nearest rivals Dhaka Mohammedan SC won their 2nd super league matches at different venues in the capital and adjoining areas on Wednesday. With the day’s feat, Dhaka Abahani Limited maintained their supremacy in the six-team super league securing highest 24 points from 14 matches beating Gazi Group Cricketers 10 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Muzarabani overshadows Mehidy as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 3 wickets   Dhaka Mohammedan SC followed the leaders neck and neck with 22 points from 14 encounters defeating Gulshan Cricket Club by five wickets at BKSP ground -3 in Savar. In the day’s other match, Legends of Rupganj advanced to the 4th slot in the six-team fray with 17 points from 14 outings toppling Gulshan CC crushing Agrani Bank Cricket Club by a huge 103 runs at BKSP ground-4 in Savar also on Wednesday. BCB security official Ikram dies during Sylhet Test duty Sent into bat first in Mirpur, Dhaka Abahani Ltd were all out for a moderate 249 in 48.2 overs featuring 107 runs in 19.1 overs in the opening stand by Shahriar Komol and Parvez Hossain Emon. Opener Shahriar Komol contributing the team highest 96 runs off just 100 balls hitting eight fours and three sixes and was adjudged player of the match while another opener Parvez Hossain Emon scored 52-ball 45 runs including seven boundaries. Besides, SM Meherov (45), Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbu (19), Mrittunhoy Chowdhury (15), captain Mosaddek Hossain (10) were the other notable contributors for Abahani. Wasi Siddiquee grabbed four wickets for 38 runs while Sheikh Parvaz Jibon took three wickets for 40 runs. Chasing a target of 250 runs, Gazi Group Cricketers were all out for 239 runs in 49. 3 overs despite back to back century by former national opener Anamul Haque Bijoy’s, who hits 108 runs off 133 deliveries with nine hits to the fence.   Mrittunjioy Chowdhury captured three wickets for 51 runs while captain Mosaddek Hossain and Ripon Mondal grabbed two wickets each conceding 35 and 40 runs respectively. Sent into bat first at BKSP ground -3 in Savar, Gulshan Cricket Club were all out for 224 runs in 47.4 overs with Shakil Hossain making the team highest 57 runs off 71 balls including two fours and three sixes. Mohammad Saifuddin claimed three wickets for 42 runs while Nabil Samad, Nasum Ahmed and Abu Hider Rony took two wickets each. In reply, Mohammedan SC reached their target scoring the match winners 225 runs for the loss of five wickets in 46.4 overs featuring 93 runs in the 3rd wicket stand by captain Towhid Hridoy and veteran Mahmudullah Riyad.  Veteran national cricketer Mahmudullah Riyad hammered the match highest 71 runs off 103 balls featuring three fours and a six and was adjudged the player of the match while captain Towhid Hridoy added 85-ball 62 runs with four boundaries. At BKSP ground-4 in Savar, Legends of Rupganj  outplayed Agrani Bank CC by a massive 103 runs. Sent into bat first, Legends of Rupganj piled up a huge total of 333 runs for loss of three wickets in quota 50 overs with national coloured opener Soumya Sarkar hammering a polished 153 runs off 112 balls hitting 17 fours and six sixes. In reply, the bankers team were all out for 230 runs in 43. 1 overs with middle order Marshall Ayub making 74 runs off 96 balls hitting three boundaries. Saif Hasan took three wickets foir 20 runs.  

Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 10-wicket haul in the match went in vain as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by three wickets on Wednesday in the Sylhet Test, riding on the bowling and batting brilliance of Blessing Muzarabani and Brian Bennett.  Set a target of 174 runs, Zimbabwe reached the mark during the third session of day four. Opener Brian Bennett anchored the chase superbly, scoring his second half-century of the match. He shared a crucial 95-run opening stand with Ben Curran, providing a solid platform for the visitors. However, the chase wasn't straightforward. Bangladesh spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who completed his second five-wicket haul of the match, triggered a collapse by dismissing Curran and claiming four more wickets rapidly. Taijul Islam added two more, creating big pressure and sending tremors through the Zimbabwe camp. Sylhet Test: Muzarabani takes six, Zimbabwe need 174 to win Despite the wobble, Wessly Madhevere (19*), supported by Wellington Masakadza (12) and Richard Ngarava (4*), showed admirable composure to guide their team home. Zimbabwe owed much of their position to Blessing Muzarabani. The fast bowler was exceptional throughout, finishing with match figures of 9/122. His second-innings haul of 6/72 was instrumental in bowling Bangladesh out for 255, despite fifties from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (60) and Jaker Ali (58). Failures from other key batters and an inability by Bangladesh's pacers to exploit the helpful Sylhet conditions meant the hosts couldn't set a more daunting target. With Zimbabwe taking the lead in the series, both teams will now travel to Chattogram to play the second Test, starting from April 28.