United News of Bangladesh

In a calm and control chase, Virat Kohli starred as India beat Australia to march to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai. Kohli hit 84 to guide India to a chase down the 265 with 11 balls to play. The former captain showed why he is considered one of the best in pressure chases, pacing his innings to perfection and forming crucial partnerships through the middle overs. Australia, after opting to bat first, posted 264 in 49.3 overs. They started briskly, with Travis Head playing his natural attacking game, scoring 39 off 33 balls before falling to Varun Chakravarthy. But, the top order faltered against a disciplined Indian attack, with Mohammed Shami dismissing both Cooper Connolly and Steven Smith. Smith’s 73 was the backbone of Australia’s innings, but the lack of support from others left them short of a truly imposing total. India stumble to 249 as Matt Henry’s five-for puts New Zealand on top Alex Carey injected life into Australia’s innings with a lively 61 off 57 balls, but regular wickets at the death ensured they couldn’t accelerate as much as they wanted. Shami ended with 3 for 48, while Jadeja and Varun took two wickets each. India’s chase got off to a shaky start when both openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, departed inside eight overs. At 43 for 2, the pressure was on, but Kohli, calm as ever, rebuilt the innings alongside Shreyas Iyer. The pair added 91 runs, balancing caution with timely boundaries. Iyer fell for 45, but Kohli carried on, guiding the chase with help from Axar Patel and KL Rahul. Kohli’s innings was a masterclass in control — rotating the strike, finding the gaps, and keeping the required rate in check without unnecessary risks. His 84 off 98 balls contained just five boundaries, but it was the singles and twos that kept the scoreboard moving. Kohli eventually fell to Adam Zampa in the 43rd over, but by then India were firmly in control. Rahul’s unbeaten 42 off 34 and Pandya’s quick 28 ensured there were no late stumbles, and India reached 267 for 6 with ease. “It was pretty similar to the other day against Pakistan,” Kohli said after the match. “Understanding conditions, rotating the strike and building partnerships was the key.” This win puts India in the second consecutive final of the ICC Champion Trophy. In the last final in 2017, they lost to Pakistan. This time, they have got another chance to lift the Champions Trophy title.

The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPDCL) saw an eventful day on Tuesday, with Nurul Hasan Sohan guiding Dhanmondi Sports Club to a four-wicket win over Brothers Union, while Shinepukur Cricket Club eased past Partex Sporting Club by 77 runs, and Legends of Rupganj cruised to a commanding 10-wicket victory over Gazi Group. Nurul's unbeaten half-century helped Dhanmondi chase down a target of 263 with eight balls to spare at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Brothers Union's top order had earlier set the stage with half-centuries from Mahfizul Islam (84), Imtiaz Hossain (50), and Mizanur Rahman (73). The opening pair Mahfizul and Imtiaz added 99 runs, but their slow scoring rate of 148 balls put pressure on the innings. Mizanur tried to accelerate the scoring, but a late-innings injury forced him to retire hurt. In response, Dhanmondi's Ashiqur Rahman and Habibhur Rahman provided a solid start, putting on 56 runs for the opening wicket. Fazle Mahmud then contributed a vital 55, and Yasir Ali Chowdhury chipped in with 41. However, quick wickets in the middle overs left Dhanmondi needing a steady hand to guide them home. Sohan, the captain, stepped up to the occasion. His composed knock of 58 not out from 53 balls, including four boundaries, steered Dhanmondi to victory. He was well-supported by Ziaur Rahman, who remained unbeaten on 19. Abahani, Mohammedan suffer defeats in Dhaka League Meanwhile, in another match, Shinepukur Cricket Club secured a comfortable 77-run win over Partex Sporting Club, after some good batting up the order, coupled with Rafuzzaman Rafi's miserly bowling. Anik Sarkar (77) and Ryan Rafsan Rahman (87) starred with the bat for Shinepukur. Rafi then strangled the Partex innings with his left-arm spin, conceding just 14 runs and taking 3 wickets in his 10 overs. Al Fahad also chipped in with 3 wickets. Partex Sporting Club was never really in the chase, with Jawad Rowen top-scoring with 46. But, the Shinepukur bowlers kept the pressure on, ensuring a comfortable victory. Rafuzzaman Rafi's economical spell was the standout performance, earning him the Man of the Match award. In another match of the day, Legends of Rupganj dominated Gazi Group, securing a 10-wicket victory. Gazi Group collapsed to just 93 runs, losing six wickets for four runs, with Shoriful Islam claiming 4-14. Rupganj openers Saif Hassan (27*) and Tanzid Hasan (65*) then chased down the total in 13.5 overs. Shoriful's performance earned him Player of the Match.

Pakistan dropped captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam for the T20 series against New Zealand and rewarded several domestic performers for the five-match series starting on March 16. Salman Ali Agha will lead the side with all-rounder Shadab Khan as the vice-captain. Salman also led Pakistan to a 2-1 win in the T20 series against Zimbabwe late last year. Rizwan was retained as skipper for the three ODIs against New Zealand starting March 29, and the squad also included Babar. However, selectors have rung in several changes in the ODI squad after Pakistan made an early exit from the Champions Trophy, losing to both New Zealand and India. It finished fourth in its group after its last game was washed out against Bangladesh. Fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi are part of the T20 squad, but were dropped for the ODIs. Top-order batters Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel were also dropped but opener Abdullah Shafique was recalled after selectors ignored him for the Champions Trophy because he had made three successive ducks in South Africa. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub are still recovering from injuries and neither left-handed batters was considered for the eight white-ball games in New Zealand. “We need to play fearless and aggressive cricket in the T20 format and that’s why we have brought in new players,” Pakistan interim head coach Aaqib Javed told reporters on Tuesday. “Nowadays teams are scoring over 200 in T20 cricket. We also need batters who could utilize the first six overs of the batting powerplay and play big shots.” Javed's contract initially ran until the Champions Trophy, but will continue as the Pakistan Cricket Board is still searching for a full time head coach. New Zealand “A” cricket team to travel to Bangladesh in May Batters Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz along with fast bowler Mohammad Ali are the three uncapped players in the T20 squad. Samad scored 115 runs at a strike-rate of 166.67 in the domestic T20 Champions Cup while Nawaz scored 312 runs and finished as the second highest run-getter in the tournament. Ali, a right-arm Pakistan test fast bowler, topped the bowling chart in the same tournament with 22 wickets. ___ T20 squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem and Usman Khan. ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem and Tayyab Tahir.

The New Zealand national cricket team toured Bangladesh several times in the past, but for the first time, their “A” team is travelling to Bangladesh in May this year. Before the tour, a two-member representative of New Zealand cricket, is now visiting Bangladesh to inspect the venues and other facilities. The series will feature two four-day and some one-day matches. The number of matches is yet to be finalized. India looks to press ‘advantage’ against Australia in Champions Trophy semifinal The venues and the dates of the matches are yet to be finalized too. Bangladesh “A” team took part in a competitive cricket event more than six months ago. Now with the home series against their New Zealand counterparts, Bangladesh “A” will return to competitive cricket.

A storied cricket rivalry will add a new chapter when India and Australia square off in the first semifinal of the Champions Trophy on Tuesday. And it comes with controversy. While Pakistan is hosting the tournament, India has not gone near Pakistan, refusing to go there. Instead, India has played all of its games in Dubai amid security concerns. This has caused debate about India's advantage from playing in one venue that has marred the buildup to the knockout rounds. The Indian government denied permission for the cricket team to travel to its neighbour. The latest refusal came on the heels of viable security threats – tensions on the border, particularly in the northern region of Jammu and Kashmir. India stumble to 249 as Matt Henry’s five-for puts New Zealand on top While Pakistan went to India for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, the last time either team toured the other was 12 years ago. Because the tournament couldn't be played without India's financial muscle, all of its games are in Dubai, including the semifinal and the final on Sunday, if it qualifies. If not, the final will be in Lahore. It has caused scheduling and travel headaches for the Champions Trophy. Bizarrely, Pakistan had to give up hosting rights and go to Dubai to face India, and lost. South Africa and Australia flew to Dubai last Saturday because it wasn’t clear which team would take on India in the semifinals. Only after India beat New Zealand on Sunday in the last group game did South Africa return to Pakistan late Sunday with New Zealand to prepare for their semifinal on Wednesday in Lahore. The preferential treatment has put India in an advantageous position to many eyes. "If you can stay in one hotel, practice in the same facilities, play in the same stadium, on the same pitches every time, it’s definitely an advantage,” South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen said on Thursday. But India captain Rohit Sharma shrugged off talk of any advantage. “We are very much aware of the conditions here, but we don’t know which pitch is going to be played," Sharma said. "This is not our home, this is Dubai. We don’t play so many matches here. This is new for us, too.” Anushka to attend Virat Kohli’s 300th ODI in Champions Trophy Dubai was chosen because its the largest of the UAE’s three cricket grounds; it seats up to 30,000 fans compared to Abu Dhabi (20,000) and Sharjah (16,000). India played its three group games at Dubai International Cricket Stadium — on different pitches — and won them all. “They are in Dubai for a reason," Pakistan coach Aqib Javed said. "If you play on the same pitch or ground, you will have an advantage. But we didn’t lose because they stayed in the same hotel or played on the same pitch. Neither did they play 10 matches there.” Depleted Australia has defied the odds The India-Australia semifinal is a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad where Australia upset India and sent the country into mourning. This time, Australia isn't at full strength. It is missing its front-line pace attack and opening batter Matt Short has been sidelined by a quad injury, and replaced by left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly. Connolly's selection pays respect to Dubai's spin-friendly pitches. But Australia doesn't normally bank heavy on spin, and has defied the odds to reach the semifinals under Steve Smith. India, however, unleashed a fourth extra spinner on New Zealand, and they shared nine wickets as they defended 249 with ease. Whether India stays with four spinners or goes back to three is its main question. “Even if we want to play four spinners, how can we squeeze (them in)," Sharma said. “If we don’t, then we don’t.”

In the first round of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPDCL), Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting League suffered defeats on Monday. Imrul Kayes, leading Agrani Bank Cricket Club, fell just short of a century. After setting a target of 235 runs, Imrul was dismissed for 94 runs. Despite the setback, Agrani Bank secured a six-wicket victory over defending champion Abahani Limited. Imrul Kayes secured Man of the Match for his brave 94 runs innings. Another near-century performance came from Shamim Hossain. Shamim led Prime Bank Cricket Club to a remarkable three-wicket victory. The left-handed batter was named Player of the Match, securing 98 runs of 83 balls. Litton Das to play for Gulshan Cricket Club in DPL The biggest surprise of the opening day was Mohammedan Sporting Club's defeat to newcomer Gulshan Cricket Club. Despite boasting a star-studded lineup, the Mohammedan team lost by 107 runs. Iftikhar Hossain was the star of the match. He played an instrumental role in Gulshan Cricket Club securing their first victory on opening day. Iftikhar scored a century after securing 108. His innings coupled with three-wicket haul earned him the Player of the Match. Mohammedan's big names failed to deliver. Tamim Iqbal managed just 22 runs, Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed for seven, and Mahmudullah contributed only 10. Ariful Islam top-scored for Mohammedan with 73.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the renaming of the Sheikh Hasina International Cricket Stadium in Purbachal to the National Cricket Ground (NCG). The decision came during the BCB's 18th board meeting held on Monday. The “Boat”-themed stadium project, financed entirely by the BCB, has faced numerous delays and setbacks since its inception several years ago. Last August, the tender process for the construction work was even cancelled. Bangabandhu National Stadium renamed as “National Stadium, Dhaka” BCB Media Committee Chairman Iftikhar Ahmed Mithu confirmed the name change at a press conference following the meeting. “In today's meeting, we discussed many things and took several decisions,” Iftikhar stated. “As you know, there has been a notification from the government. In response to that, we have changed the name of Sheikh Hasina Stadium... from now on it will be called NCG, National Cricket Ground. This has been done.” However, the stadium's boat-shaped design, the electoral symbol of the previous Sheikh Hasina government, will remain unchanged despite the shifting political climate.//  

English coach Peter Butler's new look Bangladesh national women's football team again conceded 1-3 goal defeat against hosts UAE in the 2nd match to whitewash in two- match International Friendly series at the UAE Football Association Complex in Dubai Sunday night. Touring Youthful Bangladesh Women's team also conceded 1-3 goal defeat against the home side in the FIFA International Friendly at the same venue last Wednesday. Newly appointed captain Afeida Khandokar- led Bangladesh national women's team in their first international meeting against UAE suffered two consecutive defeats although Bangladesh women's beat the UAE women's team several times in different age group competitions. However, Head coach of Bangladesh team Peter Butler expressed his total satisfaction over team's performance and said " I am really proud of them and they are the future of Bangladesh". "I am not for win, win win mentality ,but I believed Bangladesh football will grow" he added In the Sunday's match, midfielder Nouf Aladwan put the home side ahead in the 31st minute (1-0) while forward Mia Lindborg doubled the hosts margin in the first half (2-0) Forward Georgia Gibson, who struck twice in the first match against Bangladesh, scored the 3rd goal for 116th ranked hosts UAE in the 61st minute to assure team victory (3-0). The Bengal Tigresses captain cum defender Afeida Khandakar, who scored only goal in the first half of the first.match from a penalty, also scored the face saving goal for 132nd ranked Bangladesh in Sunday's 2nd match too in the 80th minute, also from a penalty (3-1). Earlier, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) announced a 23-member youthful national women’s football team excluding captain Sabina Khatun-led rebelling 18-senior national footballers just few hours after the SAFF winning Bangladesh women's football team received Ekushey Padak from Chief Adviser. But, the Peter Butler's Youthful Bangladesh women's team failed to fulfill the expectation in the series after suffering two consecutive defeats in international matches just four months after winning the SAFF Women's championship in Nepal.

England ended their ICC Champions Trophy campaign with three defeats in as many matches. Following these disappointing results, they are set to begin a period of introspection, with their immediate focus shifting to the future of white-ball leadership. Head coach Brendon McCullum said that England’s struggles in the tournament stemmed, at least in part, from a lack of self-belief among the players. Speaking after their heavy defeat to South Africa, McCullum said his team lacked the confidence required to succeed at this level.  “We didn’t play with enough conviction,” McCullum quoted in an ICC news article. “There’s no hiding from that fact. In professional sport, sometimes things don’t go your way, and you have to accept it and keep moving forward.”  The situation has been made even more complex by Jos Buttler’s decision to step down as captain just before England’s final group match. Buttler’s call to relinquish the role was a direct response to England’s prolonged struggles in one-day cricket, and his decision leaves a big leadership void for McCullum and the England and Wales Cricket Board to fill.  South Africa romps into Champions Trophy semifinals with 7-wicket win over England McCullum confirmed that England will assess their leadership structure over the coming weeks. One key question is whether England will appoint a single captain for both ODIs and T20Is, or split the responsibility between two players.  “We’ll figure that out after proper discussions,” McCullum said. “Whether it’s one captain or two, the important thing is to understand what each team needs and how to put the right structure in place for both formats.”  McCullum also hinted that a new captain will likely want to shape the team in their own image, bringing fresh ideas and their own brand of leadership. That, he believes, could spark the evolution the team needs after a tough campaign.  The search for Buttler’s successor will begin almost immediately, with McCullum planning to meet with ECB officials to map out a plan for the future. “The conversations will start once I’m back home. We need to understand what the team needs and learn from this tournament so we come back stronger next time,” McCullum said.

India were restricted to 249 for nine by New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack in their ICC Champions Trophy match on Sunday in Dubai. Opting to field first, New Zealand’s bowlers made early inroads, exposing India’s vulnerability when put to bat first in this tournament. Matt Henry was the star of the show, claiming 5 for 42. His sharp opening spell removed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli within the first seven overs, with Kohli’s dismissal coming courtesy of a stunning catch by Glenn Phillips at backward point. The early blows left India struggling at 30 for 3. Shreyas Iyer led the recovery, stitching a crucial 98-ball 79. Batting alongside Axar Patel, who contributed a measured 42 off 61, Iyer navigated a slow, spin-friendly pitch with caution. Australia through to Champions Trophy semifinal after rain denies result against Afghanistan Together, they added 98 for the fourth wicket, stabilizing India’s innings after the shaky start. However, the middle and lower order found it tough to accelerate in the final overs. Hardik Pandya’s quick 45 off 45 balls injected some momentum, but regular wickets at the death meant India fell well short of a par score. New Zealand’s spinners, led by captain Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra, kept the Indian batters in check, exploiting the sluggish nature of the pitch. New Zealand’s death bowling, particularly from Henry, ensured India could not cross the 250-mark, a target that seemed well within reach at one point. India’s total of 249 for 9 leaves the match delicately poised, with the pitch offering assistance to both pacers and spinners.