United News of Bangladesh

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first in the opening match of the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh on Friday in Dhaka. Bangladesh brought in Shoriful Islam replacing Mustafizur Rahman, who has been suffering from an injury. This New Zealand squad is somewhat inexperienced compared to Bangladesh. However, the Bangladesh captain and coach both noted they are expecting a tough challenge from the visitors. Bangladesh XI: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (w), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam New Zealand XI: Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Tom Latham (c & w), Muhammad Abbas, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will O'Rourke, Jayden Lennox.    

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) introduced a "Captains’ Card" on Thursday, granting former national team leaders lifetime access to all board events and comprehensive medical benefits. BCB ad-hoc committee president Tamim Iqbal distributed the cards during a ceremony at a Dhaka hotel Tamim, who received his own card from former captain Shafiqul Haq Heera, said the initiative was designed to honour the historical leaders of Bangladesh cricket and alleviate the anxiety many face when visiting stadiums post-retirement.  "I am sure all the captains present here have felt a sense of insecurity at some point about whether they would be recognized, stopped, or disrespected if they went to the ground," Tamim said. "This has happened to me as well. The card is meant to remove that hesitation." Cardholders will receive the same medical services from the BCB medical department as active national players. The board will also arrange health insurance for the former captains and provide financial assistance for overseas medical treatment if necessary. The event marked a rare gathering of Bangladesh's cricketing leadership, though several prominent figures were absent. Out of the 26 men and six women who have captained Bangladesh across all formats, only Rumana Ahmed represented the women's team.  Notable absentees included former Awami League lawmakers Naimur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. Also missing were Faruque Ahmed, Khaled Mashud, and Aminul Islam Bulbul, key figures in the elected board that the National Sports Council dissolved last week to make way for Tamim’s ad-hoc committee.  Tamim said that all former captains were invited, though he noted his attempts to reach his immediate predecessor were unsuccessful.  “I called Bulbul bhai, sent him a message, and then realized I was blocked,” Tamim said. Despite the absences and recent administrative turmoil, Tamim emphasized that the BCB will hold the cards for those who could not attend. “I do not want to talk about politics or what recently happened at the BCB,” Tamim said. “Your contribution to Bangladesh cricket is immense. Whenever you can, whenever you come to the country, please accept the card. We are all cricketers and we respect each other.”//  

Bangladesh ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said Thursday that the sudden elevation of his former teammate Tamim Iqbal to the presidency of the national cricket board provides a distinct advantage for the squad ahead of their series against New Zealand. Tamim took charge as the head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ad-hoc committee on April 7 following a period of intense administrative upheaval. The appointment created an unusual dynamic for the current roster, as Tamim captained the national side as recently as 2023 and played alongside Miraz for Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Dhaka Premier League just last year. Speaking at a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Miraz framed the transition from peer to boss as a structural benefit for the players. "Since we played cricket together, he knows us very well," Miraz said. "Because he left playing only recently, he knows what our demands are and what we prefer. This is a positive side for the players." The swift transfer of power at the BCB occurred squarely during the national team's training camp, raising external concerns about potential psychological distractions. However, Miraz insisted the squad successfully insulated itself from the administrative noise. "As professional cricketers, what happens outside does not affect our minds," Miraz said. "Our job is to perform. The way we practiced over the last three weeks was very good. We never thought about what happened outside." Tamim has already leveraged his new executive authority to enact structural changes, recently announcing significant salary and match-fee increases for domestic cricketers. Miraz confirmed the new president also held informal discussions with the national squad to offer encouragement and underscore the need to maintain their recent on-field momentum. Bangladesh will face New Zealand in the first of three ODIs on Friday at 11 a.m. local time in Mirpur. The teams will play a second match at the same venue before traveling to Chattogram for the series finale, which will be followed by a three-match Twenty20 series.    

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has dismissed concerns that the rapid leadership changes within the national cricket board are destabilising his squad, insisting the team remains strictly focused on Friday’s ODI series opener against a seemingly depleted New Zealand. The three-match ODI series begins on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Speaking at a press conference in Mirpur on Wednesday, Simmons addressed the recent administrative upheaval that saw former captain Tamim Iqbal assume the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) presidency on April 7, replacing Aminul Islam Bulbul. Veteran pacer Rubel retires from int’l cricket  Tamim marks the third BCB president Simmons has worked under since his sudden appointment in October 2024. Despite the swift boardroom turnovers occurring squarely during the team's preparation camp, the West Indian coach said the players' psychological readiness and training routines have not been compromised. He noted he has already met with Tamim twice since the transition. "Nothing in life surprises me anymore," Simmons said. "I have been through enough to understand that everything happens on a day-to-day basis. I am not surprised by anything. As a coaching group, it has not affected our work. The presidents are not coming in as the head coach. We are preparing for a series and trying to build something, and no one has tried to change what we are building." Simmons is demanding that same level of tunnel vision when evaluating the opposition. New Zealand arrive in Dhaka missing an estimated 16-17 top-tier players, as the bulk of their primary roster is currently participating in franchise tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Even fast bowler Ben Sears was recently released from the visiting squad to honour a PSL contract. Led by Tom Latham, the visiting squad lacks the star power that recently propelled the second-ranked ODI team to the Champions Trophy final and a historic series victory in India this past January. However, Simmons firmly rejected the notion that Bangladesh will be facing a secondary roster. "I don't know anything about a second-best team," Bangladesh coach said. "When a team comes representing a country, that is their best. Especially a team like New Zealand, which continuously produces players. These guys have played a massive amount of domestic cricket across all formats. They are solid, experienced cricketers. There is no reason to consider them a second-best team. International cricket doesn’t work that way."

Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, ending a career defined by dramatic high points in limited-over formats and significant struggles in the Test arena.  The 36-year-old, known for his slinging action, shared the decision on his social media accounts. He expressed his intention to continue playing domestic cricket, though he has not featured in an international match since a T20 against New Zealand in April 2021. “The national team is my emotion, but I had to say goodbye to international cricket at some point,” Rubel said. “However, I wish to continue playing in domestic tournaments.” Mustafizur, Nahid to return from PSL as BCB names unchanged squad for New Zealand ODIs Emerging from a pace-bowling talent hunt, Rubel debuted in January 2009 against Sri Lanka, becoming the first Bangladeshi bowler to take four wickets on his ODI debut. He proved most effective in the ODI format, claiming a total of 129 wickets in 104 matches.  His career-defining moment came during the 2015 World Cup in Adelaide, where his aggressive late spell against England secured Bangladesh's first-ever quarterfinal berth. He also recorded a hat-trick against New Zealand in Dhaka in 2013, taking 6-26, which remains tied for the best ODI bowling figures by a Bangladeshi player. Rubel’s performance in other formats was markedly less impactful. He took 36 wickets in 27 test matches with an average of 76.77, the highest bowling average in test history among players with more than 20 wickets. In T20 internationals, he claimed 28 wickets in as many matches while conceding nearly 9.5 runs per over.  His international tenure also included significant off-field legal issues. Rubel spent time in jail following personal allegations prior to the 2015 World Cup, eventually securing bail to travel to Australia for the tournament. Despite his stated desire to extend his domestic career, Rubel’s recent participation at that level has been minimal. He has played only one domestic match in the past two years, with his last appearance occurring approximately 15 months ago.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced an unchanged 15-member squad on Saturday for the first two ODIs of the upcoming home series against New Zealand. To ensure availability for national duty, fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman and Nahid Rana, along with opening batsman Tanzid Hasan, are returning to Bangladesh midway through their stints in the Pakistan Super League. The board had issued their No Objection Certificates for the overseas franchise tournament with a strict expiration date of April 12. Selectors opted for continuity for the New Zealand assignment, retaining the exact roster that featured in the team's recent white-ball series against Pakistan. Bangladesh squad: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Nahid Rana.

Bangladesh's domestic cricketers, particularly the women, have received a significant financial boost as the newly formed BCB ad-hoc committee announced its first major decision on Thursday. The move comes after new board chief Tamim Iqbal was reportedly shocked to learn about the current pay structure for female players. Until recently, women in the domestic circuit were earning a match fee of just BDT 1,000 (USD 8 approx.) for a one-day competition. Under the revised structure, women will now receive BDT 10,000 for T20s, BDT 15,000 for 50-over games, and BDT 20,000 for first-class matches. The monthly salary for the top 36 women in the domestic setup has also been pushed up from BDT 30,000 to BDT 40,000. "This may not be ideal, but it is certainly an improvement, considering there are limits to how much can be increased at once," Tamim said. The men's domestic circuit also saw a substantial pay rise, with Tamim noting there had been little increment over the last three to four years. First-class match fees for men have gone up to BDT 100,000 from the previous BDT 70,000 . In the new monthly salary brackets, Category A players will now get BDT 65,000 , while Category B and C will receive BDT 50,000 and BDT 40,000 respectively. "I think the players were highly underpaid in the previous salary structure," Tamim said. "These players work hard, and cricket exists because of their efforts. At the very least, they deserve fair compensation." The new monthly salaries for both men and women will come into effect from January 1, 2026. With the financial changes secured, the 11-member ad-hoc committee is now turning its attention toward ending a stalemate with local club teams, as they look to get the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League underway in the coming weeks.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has advanced the match timings for the upcoming home series against New Zealand and the Sri Lanka women’s team as part of a national effort to conserve fuel and electricity. Under the revised schedule announced on Thursday, the One Day International (ODI) matches will begin at 11 a.m. local time, instead of the previously scheduled 3 p.m. The Twenty20 International (T20I) games have been moved up to 2 p.m. from their original 6 p.m. start time. By avoiding evening hours, the board aims to conclude the ODIs by 6:30 p.m. and the T20Is by 5:10 p.m., significantly reducing the reliance on stadium floodlights. BCB President Tamim Iqbal indicated on Wednesday that daylight scheduling would be implemented to save energy, though the specific hours were formalized by the board the following day. The New Zealand national team is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on April 13 for the white-ball tour. The three-match ODI series will commence at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on April 17, followed by the second match at the same venue on April 20. The teams will then travel to Chattogram, where the Bir Shreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium will host the final ODI on April 23. Chattogram will also stage the first two matches of the T20I series on April 27 and April 29. Both squads will subsequently return to Dhaka for the third and final T20I on May 2 at Mirpur. Along with these, the BCB confirmed that the match timings for the Sri Lanka women’s team's upcoming three-match T20I tour of Bangladesh this month have also been adjusted. Those fixtures, initially slated for 6 p.m. starts, will now be played in the afternoon.  

Ousted Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam has categorically rejected the government’s decision to dissolve his elected committee, branding the move a "constitutional coup" and urgently appealing to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to intervene against “state interference”. In a strongly worded statement released hours after the National Sports Council (NSC) ousted his administration on Tuesday, Aminul denied all allegations of corruption and vote-rigging during the October 2025 board elections. He dismissed the government’s investigation probe as legally void, politically driven vendetta initiated by State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque. The NSC dissolved the board earlier in the day, citing an investigation that uncovered widespread electoral fraud, coerced electronic voting, and illegal interference orchestrated by former Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain under the previous interim administration. It also appointed former national captain Tamim Iqbal to lead an 11-member ad-hoc committee mandated to manage daily operations and hold a fresh election within three months. Refusing to recognise the ad-hoc body, Aminul defended the integrity of the October polls. He stated that the election was transparently managed by a legitimate three-member commission, which included a Supreme Court lawyer and the chief of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He asserted that all electoral objections, including those regarding specific clubs and Tamim’s councillorship, were resolved through quasi-judicial hearings. Aminul accused former players with political ambitions of fabricating the election-fixing narrative to destabilise the board. "The National Sports Council has absolutely no authority to investigate a closed, concluded electoral process of an autonomous, self-governing federation like the BCB," he said, arguing that the dissolution violates the NSC's own ordinances. He warned that the government's actions create a "black hole of governance" that threatens the future of player development, sponsorships, and international investment in Bangladesh cricket. Aminul maintained that he remains the sole legitimate BCB president until the High Court dictates otherwise. The standoff sets the stage for a potential clash with the sport's global governing body. While NSC officials previously expressed confidence that the ICC would endorse the ad-hoc committee, the abrupt dissolution risks triggering the council's strict regulations against government interference, which can result in a national federation's suspension. The bureaucratic maneuver also unfolds against a delicate geopolitical backdrop. The ICC is currently chaired by Jay Shah, a powerful figure in Indian sports administration. Concurrently, the Prof Muhammad Yunus-led interim government – under which the 2025 BCB elections occurred – had maintained a highly critical stance toward New Delhi for sheltering ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following the 2024 mass uprising. Aminul’s direct appeal to the ICC ensures the global body will be forced to evaluate the legality of the NSC's intervention amidst these intersecting political tensions.

The National Sports Council (NSC) dissolved the elected board of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday following an investigation that uncovered, according to the NSC, widespread fraud, coercion, and government interference during the last election. Former national captain Tamim Iqbal has been appointed to lead an 11-member ad-hoc committee to steer the organization. NSC Sports Director Aminul Ehsan announced that the ad-hoc committee is mandated to manage the board's daily operations and hold a free, fair, and transparent election within the next three months before handing over power to a newly elected body. Shakib says he prioritises cricket over politics, eyes final run with national team The dissolution stems from a comprehensive probe into the 2025 BCB elections, which took place under the interim government and former Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud. The NSC claimed,the investigation revealed a highly coordinated effort to rig the election, heavily utilizing a compromised e-voting system. Investigators found that voters were coerced by government officials into casting electronic ballots collectively from a specific location—the Hotel Sheraton in Banani—destroying the fundamental democratic principle of a secret ballot. The report stated the electronic system was pre-planned specifically to manipulate the outcome. According to the findings, Asif Mahmud, his assistant Saiful Islam, and now ousted BCB President Aminul Islam orchestrated an overarching campaign to control the electoral process. They reportedly exerted severe pressure on district and divisional presidents, including local deputy commissioners, to nominate favored individuals. According to NSC, to facilitate this, the BCB repeatedly extended nomination deadlines without valid justification, covertly replacing previously nominated councilors with preferred candidates. The manipulation extended to voter registries and regional bodies, the NSC further said. The final voter list was delayed and published in multiple conflicting versions, with a revised list mysteriously adding voters from five previously excluded districts just days before the polls. To pack the voter base, the NSC illegally expanded the membership of several regional ad-hoc committees—such as in Chattogram and Rangpur—beyond the constitutional limit of seven members. Furthermore, many of these expired ad-hoc committees were allowed to submit councilor names well past their 90-day legal mandates. Investigators also cited severe abuses of executive power by Aminul. He unilaterally nominated 10 former cricketers as councilors without the required board authorization. And, government officials used their influence to force the inclusion of Aminul and Nazmul Abedeen Fahim into Dhaka-based ad-hoc committees, guaranteeing their subsequent elections as BCB directors. Despite the gravity of the allegations surrounding the coercive voting environment, former Sports Adviser Mahmud and his APS both refused to attend interviews with the investigation committee to defend against the charges. Joining Tamim Iqbal on the newly formed ad-hoc committee are Rashna Imam, Mirza Yasir Abbas, Syed Ibrahim Ahmed, Israfil Khosru, Minhajul Abedin, Athar Ali Khan, Tanjil Chowdhury, Salman Ispahani, Rafiqul Islam, and Fahim Sinha.