United News of Bangladesh

Having already secured their berth in the 2026 T20 World Cup, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team has shifted its focus to a singular new goal: lifting the Qualifier trophy for a record fourth time. Despite the relief of confirming their spot in the main event in England and Wales, all-rounder Rabeya Khan emphasized that the Tigresses are far from complacent. Speaking ahead of their Super Six clash against Scotland on Thursday, the 20-year-old leg-spinner declared that the team’s mission in Nepal remains unfinished. “We will play against Scotland, but our mindset is very clear. We have come here from Bangladesh to become champions,” Rabeya said in a video message to fans. “So we will not consider any team small. We will continue to follow our process.” Bangladesh has been a dominant force in the qualifiers historically, having won the title three times previously—beating Ireland in 2018 and 2022, and Thailand in 2019. Currently riding the momentum of five consecutive convincing victories, including a 39-run win over Thailand that sealed their World Cup fate, the team is brimming with confidence. “I am very happy,” Rabeya added. “These qualifiers were challenging because there was always uncertainty… but we managed to win five matches convincingly. We are all very happy and confident going forward.”

As the cricketing world awaits the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) final decision on participating in the T20 World Cup, Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane and commentator Harsha Bhogle have dismissed the boycott threats as empty posturing, claiming Pakistan lacks the “courage” to actually withdraw. Speaking on a show for a news website, Rahane was blunt in his assessment of the standoff. “I don't think Pakistan can stay away. I don't think they have that courage,” the Indian batter stated, referring to the speculation that Pakistan might pull out in solidarity with Bangladesh. Renowned analyst Harsha Bhogle echoed Rahane’s sentiment, describing the current delay in decision-making as mere “noise.” Bhogle argued that international cricket operates on a different level than local leagues. “This isn't club cricket where you can say, ‘the manager didn't come, so we won't play, take a walkover.’ This is the World Cup,” Bhogle said. Bhogle further remarked that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the ICC are unlikely to plead with Pakistan to participate. “Pakistan knows they will play. They are just making noise…,” he said. “If they say they won't play, people will say, 'don't come.' No one is going to go and say, ‘please come, please come.’” T20 World Cup: PCB suspends preparations, Pakistan signals Support for Bangladesh The speculation regarding a boycott stems from the ICC's recent decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after the former refused to tour India due to security concerns. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently stated that a final decision regarding Pakistan's participation—pending consultation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—will be announced by Friday or next Monday.

England Test captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Moeen Ali will join the England Lions coaching staff for their upcoming series against the Pakistan Shaheens in the United Arab Emirates next month. Stokes is currently recovering from an adductor injury sustained during the fifth Test against Australia earlier this month, while Moeen will take on his first coaching role with the Lions. Both Moeen and Stokes, who will continue his injury rehabilitation in the UAE, are set to assist head coach Andrew Flintoff during a three-match T20 series and five 50-over games against Pakistan’s second-string team. Moeen Ali, who played 298 matches for England before retiring from international cricket in 2024, announced Monday that he would cancel plans to retire from domestic cricket and has signed with Yorkshire. He will join England Lions coaching staff alongside head coach Andrew Flintoff for their upcoming series against Pakistan Shaheens in the UAE. The coaching party also includes elite pace bowling lead Troy Cooley, who rejoined the England set-up last week, former South Africa batter Neil McKenzie, ex-England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor, former Durham seamer Neil Killeen and Amar Rashid, brother of England spinner Adil. Jordan Cox and Dan Mousley will captain the T20 and 50-over squads respectively, joined by full internationals Saqib Mahmood in T20s and Matthew Potts in the 50-over games. Essex seamer Sam Cook features in both squads, alongside James Rew, Asa Tribe, James Coles and Scott Currie. The tour begins with the first T20 match on 21 February. Read More: Australia to play three T20Is in Lahore ahead of T20 World Cup ECB men’s performance director Ed Barney said the selection “brings a real blend of proven performers and exciting talent” ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s World Cup, while Rashid will return to SACA after his Lions coaching stint. Lions T20 squad: Jordan Cox (Essex, capt), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Luc Benkenstein (Essex), James Coles (Sussex), Sam Cook (Essex), Scott Currie (Hampshire), Calvin Harrison (Northamptonshire), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Ben McKinney (Durham), Tom Moores (Nottinghamshire), Dan Mousley (Warwickshire), Matt Revis (Yorkshire), Will Smeed (Somerset), Nathan Sowter (Durham), Mitchell Stanley (Lancashire), Asa Tribe (Glamorgan) Lions 50-over squad: Dan Mousley (Warwickshire, capt), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Luc Benkenstein (Essex), Sam Cook (Essex), James Coles (Sussex), Scott Currie (Hampshire), Calvin Harrison (Northamptonshire), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Ben McKinney (Durham), Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire), Matthew Potts (Durham), Matt Revis (Yorkshire), James Rew (Somerset), Mitchell Stanley (Lancashire), Asa Tribe (Glamorgan), James Wharton (Yorkshire)   With inputs from BBC

The Bangladesh Women’s cricket team has officially booked their ticket to the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The Tigresses’ qualification was confirmed on Wednesday evening following the Netherlands' victory over the USA, hours after Bangladesh secured a commanding 39-run win against Thailand. With five consecutive wins in the qualifiers, Nigar Sultana Joty’s side has looked unstoppable. The victory against Thailand took them to the top of the Super Six table with 6 points. As per tournament rules, the top four teams from the Super Six stage will travel to England and Wales for the main event in June-July this year. The Netherlands have also secured their qualification alongside Bangladesh. Earlier in the day at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, Bangladesh was asked to bat first and posted a formidable 165 for 8—their fourth-highest total in T20I history. The innings began disastrously with opener Dilara Akter dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball, followed quickly by Sharmin Akhter’s departure. However, a record-breaking 110-run partnership off just 82 balls between Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary turned the tide. Six English clubs battle for top-eight finish on Champions League final day Juairiya played a blistering knock of 56 off 45 balls, smashing four sixes—a joint record for the most sixes by a Bangladeshi batter in a T20I innings. On the other end, Sobhana Mostary was equally aggressive, scoring a match-winning 59 off 42 balls to earn the Player of the Match award. A late cameo from Ritu Moni (15 off 6 balls) ensured a daunting target for the opposition. In reply, Thailand’s chase never truly took off. Pacer Marufa Akter mirrored the first innings by taking a wicket on the very first ball. Despite a fighting 46 from Natthakan Chantham, the Thai innings stalled at 126 for 8. Marufa finished with figures of 3 for 25, while spinners Ritu Moni and Shorna Akter claimed two wickets each.

The Bangladesh Women’s cricket team is on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup after securing a dominant 39-run victory over Thailand in the Super Six stage of the qualifiers on Wednesday.  It was the Tigresses' fifth consecutive victory in the tournament, maintaining a perfect record. Playing at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, Bangladesh successfully defended a total of 165, restricting Thailand to 126 for 8 to inch closer to the main event. Nigar Sultana’s side could confirm their World Cup berth later today if the Netherlands defeat the USA in the afternoon fixture. Even if the USA wins, Bangladesh needs just one win from their remaining two matches—or a washout—to seal their spot. After being asked to bat first, Bangladesh faced an early scare, losing opener Dilara Akter for a golden duck on the very first ball and Sharmin Akhter shortly after, leaving them reeling at 12 for 2. U-19 World Cup: Bangladesh eliminated after crushing 7-wicket defeat to England However, a brilliant 110-run partnership between Sobhana Mostary and wicketkeeper Juairiya Ferdous rescued the innings. Player of the Match Sobhana anchored the side with a stylish 59 off 42 balls, studded with four boundaries and two sixes. Juairiya provided excellent support with a steady 56 off 45 balls. A late cameo from Ritu Moni (15 off 6) helped propel Bangladesh to a competitive 165 for 8, despite a flurry of late wickets falling to Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong (3 for 22). In reply, Thailand’s chase faltered immediately as pacer Marufa Akter trapped Suwanan Khiaoto lbw on the first ball of the innings. While Natthakan Chantham offered resistance with a fighting 46 off 41 balls and skipper Naruemol Chaiwai added 30, the Thai batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of the rising required run rate. T20 World Cup: ICC rejects Bangladesh’s safe-venue request, includes Scotland Marufa Akter was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 for 25, while spinners Shorna Akter (2 for 21) and Ritu Moni (2 for 20) strangled the middle order to ensure a comfortable win.

Captain Aiden Markram led from the front with an unbeaten 86 to steer South Africa to a comfortable nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in the opening match of their three-game Twenty20 international series on Tuesday. Markram’s 47-ball knock featured nine fours and three sixes. He put on 83 runs with Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who scored 44, and later added an unbroken 93-run stand with Ryan Rickelton as South Africa chased down the target, reaching 176 for one with 13 balls remaining. Yousuf questions ICC governance: ‘Cricket must be ruled by principles, not influence’ Earlier, left-arm spinner George Linde delivered a match-winning performance with the ball, claiming 3 for 25 to earn the player-of-the-match award. Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch also contributed, taking two wickets each, as the West Indies were restricted to 173 for seven after South Africa won the toss and chose to field. Shimron Hetmyer was the top scorer for the visitors, hitting 48 off 32 balls with four fours and three sixes. He shared a 74-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Rovman Powell, who remained unbeaten on 29. The second match of the series will be played on Thursday in Centurion.

Pakistani batting legend Mohammad Yousuf has issued a scathing critique of the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing the global body of compromising the sport's integrity by ignoring Bangladesh's “legitimate security concerns” regarding the T20 World Cup in India. Yousuf’s comments come days after the ICC officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland following the BCB's refusal to play in India due to safety fears. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday night, the former captain highlighted the sheer magnitude of the Bangladeshi fanbase to underscore the ICC's strategic blunder. Read More: Mohammad Yousuf steps down as Pakistan cricket selector He pointed out that Bangladesh’s population of approximately 176 million is nearly equal to the combined population of ten other cricketing nations, including Australia, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka (178 million). “In a sport that relies globally on viewership, ignoring the legitimate security concerns of Bangladesh raises serious questions about consistency and governance,” Yousuf wrote. He added, “When privileges are granted selectively, fairness is lost. Cricket must be governed by principles, not influence.” Yousuf joins a growing chorus of former Pakistani greats, including Shahid Afridi and Jason Gillespie, in condemning the decision. Meanwhile, the crisis continues to widen, with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirming on Monday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the board to keep “all options open”—including a potential boycott—regarding Pakistan's participation. A final decision from Islamabad is expected by Friday or next Monday.

The government has not ruled out playing in T20 World Cup but asked for alternative venues to ensure the safety of players and spectators, said Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Tuesday. “The government has never said that we will not play. We have clearly stated that we are interested in participating in the World Cup. What we have asked for is an alternative venue,” he told reporters responding to a question after a meeting of the Economic Affairs Committee at the Secretariat. Referring to past precedents, the adviser said the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier arranged neutral venues for teams facing security or political concerns. “India did not play in Pakistan for many years and played matches in different countries. So, providing an alternative venue is nothing unusual,” he added. He stressed that Bangladesh did not make any unprecedented or unreasonable demand. “This was not something absurd or an innovation coming out of nowhere. It is a practice that already exists in international cricket,” he said. Explaining the rationale behind the government’s decision, the adviser pointed to security concerns arising from political developments in the host country. He cited the exclusion of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from a previous event as a key factor. “You know why Mustafiz was excluded. Certain political groups including the BJP and Shiv Sena demanded that he be dropped,” Khan said. In that context, the government considered the safety of our players and the security of spectators and that is why this decision was taken, he added. He reiterated that the government’s priority is to ensure a safe and secure environment for Bangladeshi athletes whenever they compete abroad.”This is a policy-based stand, not a political one.” Read More: ICC rejects accreditation for Bangladeshi journalists to cover T20 World Cup Khan expressed hope that the ICC would address Bangladesh’s concerns in line with established international practices and facilitate arrangements that allow the team to participate without compromising security.

The diplomatic fallout between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh has extended to the press box, with the global body denying accreditation to all Bangladeshi journalists for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The decision effectively creates a media blackout for Bangladesh at the tournament, barring reporters from covering matches in both host nations, India and Sri Lanka. A member of the BCB Media Committee Chairman confirmed the mass rejection to UNB on Monday night, saying that approximately 130 to 150 applications were turned down. The move follows the ICC’s recent decision to replace the Bangladesh team with Scotland after the BCB refused to tour India citing security risks. U-19 World Cup: Bangladesh eliminated after crushing 7-wicket defeat to England However, the treatment of the media has sparked particular outrage. Bangladeshi journalist associations are now planning to lodge a formal protest through the Ministry of Information and the BCB, demanding an explanation for why access was denied even for matches held in co-host Sri Lanka.

The Bangladesh Under-19 has been eliminated from the ongoing ICC U-19 World Cup after suffering a crushing seven-wicket defeat against England in their opening Super Six match at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. In a must-win encounter, the Junior Tigers capitulated under pressure, being bundled out for a paltry 136 in 38.1 overs. England chased down the target with ease, reaching 137 for 3 in just 24.1 overs, with 155 balls to spare. This defeat confirms Bangladesh's exit before the semi-finals for the third consecutive World Cup since their historic title win in 2020. Read More: ACC summons cricket ace Shakib Al Hasan Bangladesh entered the Super Six stage with a distinct disadvantage, carrying only one point from the group stage due to a loss against India and a washout against New Zealand. Facing England, who started the round with four points, victory was imperative to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh struggled to build momentum. After opener Jawad Abrar fell in the first over, Rifat Beg (31) and captain Azizul Hakim (20) stitched together a 46-run stand. However, once English spinner Farhan Ahmed broke the partnership, the innings unraveled. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Abdullah (25) offered some resistance, but no other batter crossed the 20-run mark. England’s Morgan claimed 3 for 28 to wreck the lower order. Read More: Fatigue sets in as Bangladesh cricketers struggle through packed calendar In reply, Bangladeshi pacer Al Fahad provided an early spark, removing opener Joseph Moores—courtesy of a spectacular catch by Swadhin Islam after a drop by Samiun Basir on the previous delivery—and later Ben Dawkins (27). However, England captain Thomas Rew led the chase with an unbeaten 59, earning the Player of the Match award. His 78-run partnership with Ben Mayes (34) effectively sealed Bangladesh’s fate. The Junior Tigers will play a consolation match against Zimbabwe in Harare on January 31 before returning home.