United News of Bangladesh

Tim Seifert's explosive 45 off 22 balls and Finn Allen's rapid 38 from 16 deliveries powered New Zealand to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the rain-affected second Twenty20 international on Tuesday. With the win, New Zealand took a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. Pakistan, led by captain Salman Ali Agha's 46-run knock, managed to post 135-9 in their allotted 15 overs after a wet outfield caused delays and reduced the game to 15 overs per side. New Zealand's chase started cautiously as Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled a maiden over. However, Seifert and Allen quickly turned the tide, smashing seven sixes in the next 12 balls. Their aggressive approach saw New Zealand comfortably chase down the target with 11 balls to spare. The duo combined for ten sixes—five each—setting the pace for the chase. After a slow opening over, Allen hammered three sixes in the second over, while Seifert cleared the boundary four times in the third over, propelling New Zealand to 44-0. Chasing 136 in 90 balls, the hosts had already reduced the requirement to 70 from 60 balls by the end of the power play. By the seventh over, New Zealand stood at 87-2 after Allen's dismissal, following Seifert's earlier departure. Saudi investment poised to challenge IPL's dominance in global cricket “There’s not too much talking in the middle,” Seifert said after the match. “It’s all about backing our skills and putting pressure on the bowlers when we get the chance.” Mitchell Hay’s unbeaten 21 ensured New Zealand crossed the finish line, while Michael Bracewell sealed the win with a boundary off Jahandad Khan. Earlier, New Zealand, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, took advantage of the fresh pitch at University Oval. Jacob Duffy, who starred in the first match with 4-14, struck early, removing Hasan Nawaz in the first over. Pakistan’s innings saw some early promise at 19-1, but Ben Sears' introduction in the fourth over led to Mohammad Haris' dismissal on the very first ball. Sears, returning from an injury that kept him out of the Champions Trophy, used his height effectively, with Haris slicing the delivery to third man. By the end of the power play, Pakistan was 36-2. Salman tried to accelerate, smashing a 75-meter six off Jimmy Neesham and guiding his team to 48-2. However, spinner Ish Sodhi turned the game in New Zealand's favor, dismissing Irfan Khan (11) and Khushdil Shah (2) in the seventh over, reducing Pakistan to 52-4. Despite Salman’s efforts—taking 10 runs off Sears in the eighth over and 13 off Sodhi in the ninth—he was caught in the next over at deep mid-wicket off Sears’ bowling. Shadab Khan (26) kept the momentum going, hitting a six in the 10th over and adding 14 runs in the 11th over off Bracewell. He struck a six and a four off Duffy in the 12th but was eventually caught at cow corner. Mehidy confident about Bangladesh’s future, eyes 2027 World Cup Pakistan added 25 runs in the final three overs, with Afridi’s 22 off 14 balls providing a late boost. Reflecting on the loss, Agha said, “It was a better performance compared to the last match. We batted better, but we still need to improve our finishing.” Source: With input from agency 

New Zealand won the toss after a delay and opted to bowl in the second Twenty20 cricket international against Pakistan. The match was shortened to 15 overs per innings. The toss was originally set for 1:45 p.m. local time but was postponed by nearly 90 minutes as ground staff attended to damp patches on the University Oval. Thousands welcome football star Hamza Choudhury home to his village in Sylhet New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell was pleased to bowl first on a pitch that appeared fresh after being covered. The home side made two changes, bringing in fast bowler Ben Sears for Kyle Jamieson, who had claimed 3-8 in the first match that New Zealand won by nine wickets, and replacing Tim Robinson with Jimmy Neesham. Pakistan made one change as well, with Haris Rauf coming in for Abrar Ahmed. IOC board approves boxing for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Despite losing the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha remained confident. “When you come to New Zealand, you expect extra bounce,” he said. “We have prepared for that and are ready.”

The Indian Premier League's reign as cricket's most lucrative gift horse faces its first serious threat as Saudi Arabia prepares to launch a rival cricket league backed by hundreds of millions of dollars. According to a report in The Telegraph, Saudi Arabia's SRJ Sports Investments is planning an ambitious new competition featuring eight teams competing in four tournaments annually across multiple locations, including Australia. With a jaw-dropping £400 million ($500 million) investment planned, the league threatens to redraw cricket's global map by luring the sport's biggest stars with unprecedented paychecks. This could seriously disrupt India's tight control over cricket's purse strings. It's just the latest move in Saudi Arabia's sports shopping spree, which has already shaken up football, Formula 1, and golf with ventures like LIV. Cricket is simply the next target on their list. Saudi Arabia tipped its hand last year by hosting the IPL auction in Jeddah – a subtle but clear statement of intent. If this T20 venture materializes, it would represent the largest financial injection into cricket outside the IPL's strong financial ecosystem. They are planning something similar to tennis Grand Slams, with matches played across different countries. Since Saudi doesn't have much cricket infrastructure yet, they will probably host games alongside Australia or other cricket nations. Concussion sub Harshit Rana takes 3-33 as India seals T20 series win against England The IPL has ruled the roost since 2008, drawing the biggest crowds and paying the fattest salaries in domestic cricket. Nobody has come close to challenging it. But Saudi money could change all that by throwing even bigger paychecks at star players. While IPL teams can only field four international players per match, it is unclear what rules the Saudi league might play by. If the ICC gives them the green light, they could play more overseas talent in each match. The Telegraph reports that Cricket Australia is already in discussions with Saudi authorities, eager to participate in this potentially transformative venture. There are plenty of roadblocks ahead. They will need ICC approval and somehow have to find room in cricket's jam-packed schedule. Avoiding IPL clashes while still pulling in top talent won't be easy. Plus, Saudi Arabia has zero cricket grounds worth mentioning and basically no local players. They would have to rely entirely on foreign stars, and unless rules change to allow more overseas players per team, they might not match the IPL's star power. But if they pull it off, Saudi cash could completely rewire cricket's power structure. It might open doors for players and smaller cricket nations, though purists will worry about Test cricket getting pushed further to the margins, and another reality is: after ten years without a real rival, the IPL finally has something to worry about.

Following a disastrous campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the UAE and Pakistan, Bangladesh cricket is going through a transition period with some senior players waving goodbye to international cricket. But Mehidy Hasan Miraz says he sees a good future for the future of the country’s cricket. Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, and Tamim Iqbal stepped away from international cricket,  Mehidy sees this as an opportunity for the next generation to step up. “Currently, there are six to seven players in the team who have been playing international cricket for 7-10 years. They can’t be considered new anymore,” Mehidy recently told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The 27-year-old, who has played over 180 international matches, is expected to take on a more senior role in the squad. Mushfiqur, Miraz, and Saifuddin join Bangladesh Tigers camp Bangladesh’s recent performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they failed to progress past the group stage, has added urgency to the team’s rebuilding process. With an eye on the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, Mehidy emphasised the importance of long-term planning. “It’s a process. We must make decisions now and stay committed to the long-term vision. With two to two-and-a-half years left until the World Cup, we need to start preparing the team immediately. Consistency in selection is key. Starting preparations just two or three months before the tournament will make it very difficult,” he added. Despite Bangladesh’s struggles in global tournaments, Mehidy remains hopeful that the team can build on the foundation laid by its previous generation. Career, Performance of Miraz: An Emerging Star of Bangladeshi Cricket “Players like Mushfiqur bhai and others from the previous generation have served the team for 7-8 years, leading Bangladesh cricket to new heights. Now, we have also been around for a long time. Our goal should be to elevate Bangladesh cricket to the next level,” he said. As Bangladesh looks ahead, Mehidy’s leadership and vision will be crucial in shaping the team’s future.

Pakistan’s new era in white-ball cricket got off to a disappointing start as they suffered a nine-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the opening match of the five-game T20 series on Sunday. Led by debutant captain Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan fielded a fresh lineup following their poor performance at the Champions Trophy. However, their struggles continued as they were bowled out for just 91 in 18.4 overs—their fifth-lowest total in T20 internationals. New Zealand comfortably chased down the target, reaching 92-1 in just 10.1 overs. Tim Seifert top-scored with 44 off 29 balls, while Finn Allen added 29 from 17. Tim Robinson remained unbeaten on 18 and sealed the victory with a two-run shot on the first ball of the 11th over. “It was obviously tough, and we didn’t perform well,” said Ali Agha. "They bowled exceptionally in the right areas, using the swing and seam conditions to their advantage. But our batting wasn’t good enough. We have a day before the next game, and we’ll try to regroup and come back stronger.” Premier Division Cricket: Abahani win big as Mominul shines, Prime Bank stumble against Gazi Group Pakistan’s innings got off to a disastrous start as openers Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz—replacing Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam—were both dismissed for ducks within the first eight balls. Kyle Jamieson, returning at full fitness, was instrumental with 3-8, while Jacob Duffy starred with 4-14. Pakistan crumbled to 14-4 at the end of the powerplay, unable to counter the pace, bounce, and swing extracted by the Kiwi pacers. “It was great to be back playing at home,” said Jamieson, who bowled 18 dot balls. "The conditions suited us well, and we just tried to capitalize on them.” Salman and Khushdil Shah briefly revived the innings, adding 14 runs off Ish Sodhi’s over and 15 off Michael Bracewell’s, pushing the total from 28-4 after nine overs to 57-5 by the 11th. However, Duffy dismissed Khushdil for 32, and the rest of the batting lineup collapsed quickly, with only three players reaching double figures. Premier Division Cricket: Mehidy stars as Mohammedan thrash Legends of Rupganj by 94 runs Seifert powered New Zealand’s reply, hitting 12 runs in the third over and 14 in the fifth as the hosts raced to 43-1 in the powerplay. Allen, unusually cautious, managed just nine runs in the first six overs. By the 10th over, New Zealand was on the verge of victory at 90-1, needing only two more runs—though the umpires unexpectedly called for a drinks break. The second match of the series will take place in Dunedin on Tuesday. Source: With input from agency

Mominul Haque hit 92 and powered Abahani Limited to a 80-run victory over Brothers Union in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League at Savar. Meanwhile, Prime Bank Cricket Club suffered a shocking collapse against Gazi Group Cricketers, managing only 89 in their chase of 184 and falling to a 94-run defeat. Abahani posted a strong total of 310 for 8 in 50 overs, built around Mominul's 92 off 74 balls. His innings laced with seven fours and four sixes was the backbone for Abahani’s effort. He found solid support from Mohammad Mithun, who batted during the middle overs with 71. Despite a shaky start where they lost three wickets for just 53 runs, Abahani recovered well, thanks to a 143-run stand between Mominul and Mithun. Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby added a quick 28 off 28 balls in the lower order to push the score past 300. Al Amin Hossain took two for 41 for Brothers. Chasing 311, Brothers Union never looked settled despite a fighting 84 from skipper Myshukur Rahaman. The top order crumbled, losing four wickets inside 28 overs for just 106 runs. Mizanur Rahman tried to hold things together with a 45-run knock, but the required run rate kept climbing. Abahani’s disciplined bowling attack kept things tight. Mosaddek Hossain was particularly effective, taking 2 for 12 in his seven overs, while young spinner SM Meherob also picked up two wickets. Brothers Union managed 230 for 7 in their 50 overs, falling well short of the target. At another venue in Savar, Gazi Group Cricketers registered a 94-run win over Prime Bank, thanks to an all-round show from Abu Hasim. Batting first, Gazi Group struggled initially but managed to put up 183, thanks to a 48 from captain Anamul Haque and a 35 from Aminul Islam. Prime Bank’s bowlers, led by Arafat Sunny (3 for 22) and Nahidul Islam (3 for 46), had kept the opposition in check, but their batting lineup completely fell apart. In the chase, Prime Bank suffered a horror start, losing their first wicket on the very first ball of the innings. The collapse continued as wickets tumbled, with none of the batters finding their rhythm. The team was eventually bowled out for just 89 in 23.2 overs. Abu Hasim, who was named Player of the Match, starred with 3 for 12 and also took two catches.

An all-round performance from Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped Mohammedan Sporting Club secure a big 94-run win over Legends of Rupganj in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League at Mirpur.   Miraz, who was named Player of the Match, contributed 25 runs with the bat before delivering a decisive spell of 4 for 38, dismantling Rupganj’s batting lineup as they folded for just 159 in response to Mohammedan’s 253 for 9.   Towhid Hriody was the highest run-getter for Mohammedan after being put to bat first. The right-handed batter hit three fours and two sixes. Contributions from Mahidul Islam Ankon (42) and Rony Talukdar (36) provided stability, but the side struggled for acceleration in the middle overs. Shoriful Islam was the standout bowler for Rupganj, claiming 4 for 54, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib chipped in with 2 for 70. For Rupganj, Shoriful Islam was the best bowler taking four for 54 runs, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib took two for 70.  While chasing 254, Rupganj lost wickets at regular intervals. Taskin Ahmed removed Soumya Sarkar for a duck. Mehidy took double wickets in quick succession, removing Tanzid Ha/ssksan, and Afif Hossain to leave Rupganj struggling.  Despite some resistance from Mahedi Hasan, who top-scored with 43 off 49 balls, the rest of the batting lineup failed to build partnerships. Taskin (3 for 33) and Mohammad Saifuddin (2 for 15) provided excellent support as Mohammedan wrapped up the win inside 38 overs.

Fast bowler Mark Wood is set to miss England’s highly anticipated Test series against India this summer following knee surgery. The 35-year-old pacer suffered his latest setback last month during England’s disappointing Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan. Returning from an elbow stress injury, Wood experienced discomfort during the loss to Afghanistan. Despite receiving treatment, he continued to bowl in visible pain, prompting concerns that he had worsened an ongoing issue. The England and Wales Cricket Board later confirmed the injury had persisted for over a year. Wood’s eighth career operation revealed significant ligament damage in his left knee, ruling him out for at least four months. Teammates pay tribute as Mahmudullah retires from international cricket Although Wood is targeting a return by late July, the final match of England’s five-Test series against India begins on July 31 at The Oval, making his participation highly unlikely. He will also miss six white-ball matches against the West Indies and a one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May. “I’m gutted to be out for so long after playing for England across all formats since the start of last year,” Wood said. “But I’m confident I’ll be back at full strength now that my knee has been properly addressed.” Former Australian cricketer Stuart MacGill convicted in cocaine supply case Renowned for his express pace, reaching speeds of up to 97 mph (157 kph), Wood is considered an invaluable asset for England. His absence comes in a crucial year as the team looks to rebuild its struggling limited-overs side, challenge India, and reclaim the Ashes in Australia. Source: With input from news agency  

Gulshan Cricket Club managed a six-wicket victory over Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday. Gulshan Cricket Club batted after winning the toss and scored a moderate 228 runs for 9 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs, with opener Amit Majumder contributing the match-highest 88 runs off 108 balls. Asaduzzaman Payel grabbed four Rupganj wickets for 53 runs in his 10 overs and was adjudged the player of the match, while Nihaduzzaman also took three for 45 runs. Teammates pay tribute as Mahmudullah retires from international cricket Chasing a target of 229 runs, Gulshan Cricket Club scored 232 runs for the loss of four wickets in 46.5 overs to win the match convincingly. Opener Zawad Abrar (67), one down Khalid Hasan (43), and another opener cum captain Azizul Hakim (40) were the notable scorers for Gulshan CC. Mahmudul Hasan claimed three Gulshan CC wickets for 47 runs. In the day’s other match, Gazi Group Cricketers outplayed Shinepukur Cricket Club by eight wickets at BKSP ground-3 in Savar on Thursday. Sent into bat first, Shinepukur CC were all out for 161 runs in 45.2 overs with lower order Zubaer Hossain scoring the match-highest 46 runs off 59 deliveries, hitting three fours and two sixes. BCB pays tribute to Mahmudullah Riyad’s illustrious career Shamim Mia and Tofeal Ahmed captured three wickets each, giving away 22 and 24 runs, respectively. Later, Shamim Mia was adjudged the player of the match. In reply, Gazi Group Cricketers easily reached their target, scoring the match-winner 162 runs for the loss of two wickets in just 17.5 overs, featuring 92 runs in the opening stand. National coloured opener cum team captain Anamul Haque contributed the match-highest 52 runs off just 27 deliveries, featuring eight fours and two sixes, while another opener, Sadikur Rahman, scored 50 runs off 31 balls with eight fours and one six. Al Fahad and Rafiuzzaman Rafi took one wicket each, conceding 37 and 42 runs, respectively. In the day’s other match, Agrani Bank CC beat Shiekh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by five wickets. Batting first, Sheikh Jamal DC were all out cheaply for 115 runs in 33.5 overs. In reply, the bankers,team scored 120 runs for five wickets in 38.5 overs.

Mahmudullah Riyad’s retirement from international cricket has drawn emotional tributes from his long-time teammates, who reflected on his contribution to Bangladesh cricket. Former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who led Mahmudullah for most of his career, shared a heartfelt message on social media, recalling their journey together and the milestones Mahmudullah achieved. “Congratulations on a great international career, Riyad,” Mashrafe wrote. “The numbers beside your name are just statistics, but to us, you are much bigger than that. We know how important you were to the team and how deeply you committed yourself to it.” Mahmudullah Riyad announces retirement from int’l cricket Mashrafe reminisced about Mahmudullah’s iconic centuries in Adelaide and Cardiff, particularly his historic ton in the 2015 World Cup, the first by a Bangladeshi in the tournament. “No one can take away your achievement of being Bangladesh’s first centurion in a World Cup. I hope many from our country will follow your example and surpass your record of four ICC event centuries. You have shown how to step up on the biggest stage, and generations will learn from you.” Mahmudullah opts out as BCB’s new contract announced Tamim Iqbal, another of Mahmudullah’s long-time teammates, described him as one of the pillars of Bangladesh cricket. “You have been an inspiration both on and off the field. I will cherish the memories we shared in the dressing room. Thank you for your contribution to the country’s cricket, and best wishes for the days ahead,” Tamim wrote. Shakib Al Hasan echoed similar sentiments, calling it a privilege to play alongside Mahmudullah. “You led by example, both on and off the field. Your dedication, resilience, and love for the game and the country have made the nation indebted to you,” Shakib wrote. “May Allah bless you and guide you on your new journey.” Mushfiqur Rahim, another close teammate of Mahmudullah, expressed his admiration for the veteran all-rounder. “It has truly been an honor to share the field with you all these years. Thank you for your guidance and the countless memories we’ve made together. I am incredibly proud of all you’ve achieved for the nation,” Mushfiqur said. Mahmudullah’s departure marks the end of an era in Bangladesh cricket. While his absence will be deeply felt, his legacy as one of the country’s most dependable performers will continue to inspire future generations.