United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cleared six national team players to compete in the upcoming Pakistan Super League on Monday, issuing No Objection Certificates after the government concluded there were no visible security threats in the host country. The board said it consulted extensively with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Bangladesh mission in Islamabad before authorizing the travel. Officials prioritised the personal safety of the players amid ongoing regional instability. Following the clearance, fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Nahid Rana, along with top-order batter Parvez Hossain Emon, departed for Pakistan on Monday. Rana shared a photograph of the group on social media from their flight, captioned "Eid ends." Batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain complete the contingent of cleared players. Mustafizur and Parvez will join the Lahore Qalandars. Shoriful, Nahid, and Tanzim signed with Peshawar Zalmi, while Rishad will play for the Rawalpindi Pindis. The franchise tournament, scheduled from March 26 to May 3, will operate under severe logistical constraints this year. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Saturday that matches will be restricted to two venues and played in empty stadiums, citing a domestic fuel crisis exacerbated by the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East.

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz advanced to the seventh position among ODI bowlers and climbed to second in the all-rounder standings in the latest rankings released Wednesday, following his team's 2-1 series victory over Pakistan. Miraz jumped nine spots in the bowling rankings after finishing the series, which ended March 15, as the most economical bowler. He took five wickets across 30 overs with an economy rate of 3.33. In the all-rounder category, the 28-year-old moved up two places to secure 280 rating points, overtaking Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza (276 points). Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai retained the top all-rounder spot with 329 points. Opening batter Tanzid Hasan surged 31 spots to No. 55 in the batting rankings after scoring 175 runs in three matches, including a century. Towhid Hridoy advanced two places to No. 32, maintaining his position as the highest-ranked Bangladeshi batter. Daryl Mitchell, Virat Kohli, and Ibrahim Zadran hold the top three batting positions globally. Fast bowler Nahid Rana made a massive leap in the bowling rankings, climbing 65 spots to No. 98. Taskin Ahmed moved up 12 places to No. 28, and Mustafizur Rahman advanced 13 spots to No. 47. Conversely, Rishad Hossain dropped seven places to No. 68 in bowling and fell 13 spots to No. 43 among all-rounders. The top three positions in the global ODI bowling rankings remain occupied by Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, and Keshav Maharaj.

Devon Conway struck a team-high 60 as New Zealand national cricket team defeated South Africa national cricket team by 68 runs in the second Twenty20 on Tuesday, leveling the five-match series 1-1. Sent in to bat, New Zealand posted 175-6 on a surface that became increasingly difficult as the match progressed. In reply, South Africa were bowled out for 107 in 15.3 overs, with pacers Ben Sears and Lockie Ferguson sharing six wickets. The Proteas struggled with timing on a pitch offering uneven pace and bounce, and all 10 wickets fell to catches. South Africa lost their last six wickets for 40 runs, with only George Linde showing resistance, smashing 33 off 12 balls, including three fours and three sixes. Sears returned figures of 3-14, while Ferguson claimed 3-16, including the wicket of Linde to end the innings. “We bowled well for a while but lost our way with the bat,” said South Africa captain Keshav Maharaj, noting that dew did not aid batting as expected and New Zealand’s disciplined bowling made scoring difficult. New Zealand made a solid start, reaching 43 without loss in the powerplay, with Conway leading the charge and Tom Latham contributing with inventive strokeplay. They were 81-2 at the halfway stage. Australia overcome China 2-1 to book place in Asian Cup final However, scoring slowed on the two-paced pitch. Nick Kelly (21 off 12) and Mitchell Santner (20 off 14) made useful contributions before Conway fell after anchoring the innings. A late flourish from Josh Clarkson, who scored 26 off nine balls, along with Cole McConchie, added quick runs in the final over. The third match of the series will be played in Auckland on Friday.

Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer-e-Jamaat, on Monday congratulated the Bangladesh national cricket team for securing a historic 2-1 ODI series victory over the Pakistan national cricket team. In a congratulatory message, he said, “On behalf of myself, my party and the people of the country, I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Bangladesh national cricket team for winning the historic three-match ODI series 2-1 against Pakistan in a thrilling encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.” He said the brave and talented Bangladeshi cricketers demonstrated extraordinary skill, confidence and strong team unity in the thrilling match, calling the victory “a matter of great pride for the nation.” Shafiqur Rahman said that the eye-catching performance of the Tigers has brought immense joy and pride to people across the country. “This sporting success will inspire the country’s young generation and further strengthen Bangladesh’s status in the international arena,” he said. He also expressed hope that the Bangladesh team would continue its winning momentum in the future and bring more glory and recognition for the nation.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque on Monday congratulated the Bangladesh national cricket team for the three-match ODI series victory against Pakistan after securing an 11-run win  in the final match. In a congratulatory message, the state minister praised the team’s fighting spirit and determination, describing the series win as a historic milestone for Bangladesh cricket. “I am extremely proud of the indomitable spirit and competitive mindset shown by our cricketers,” he said, adding that the players’ patience and courage on the field brought joy to the entire nation. The minister also extended his greetings to the team’s coaches and all those associated with the Bangladesh Cricket Board for their contribution to the success. He expressed hope that the national team would continue its winning momentum and further strengthen Bangladesh’s position in world cricket.

Bangladesh secured a 11-run victory over Pakistan in the series-deciding third ODI on Sunday, claiming the three-match series 2-1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Defending a target of 291, Bangladesh dismissed Pakistan for 279 on the final ball of the innings, with spinner Rishad Hossain conceding just two runs and executing a stumping in a tense final over. "This is a massive series win for us," Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said. "The team showed incredible fight today, especially when the game got tight at the end." The victory was anchored by opener Tanzid Hasan, who scored his maiden ODI century. Tanzid smashed 107 off 107 deliveries, including seven sixes and six boundaries, to power Bangladesh to a total of 290 for 5 in their 50 overs. He formed a 105-run opening stand with Saif Hassan (36) and added 53 for the second wicket with Najmul Hossain (27). Towhid Hridoy provided late support, remaining unbeaten on 48 off 44 balls alongside Litton Das, who contributed 41. Pakistan's chase started poorly against Bangladesh's pace attack. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed struck in the first over, removing Sahibzada Farhan, and followed up by bowling Mohammad Rizwan in the third over. Fellow pacer Nahid Rana claimed the wicket of Maaz Sadaqat in the second over, leaving Pakistan reeling at 17 for 3. Salman Agha mounted a fierce counterattack, scoring a brilliant 106 off 98 balls to keep Pakistan in contention. He formed an 82-run partnership with debutant Saad Masood (38) and a 48-run stand with Faheem Ashraf. However, Ahmed returned to break the lower-order resistance. He bowled Ashraf and later claimed the crucial wicket of Agha in the 48th over, effectively derailing Pakistan's chase. Ahmed finished with figures of 4 for 49, while Mustafizur Rahman took 3 for 54.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday congratulated the Bangladesh national cricket teamfor their thrilling victory over the Pakistan national cricket team and for winning the ODI series 2–1. In a message, the Prime Minister warmly greeted the players following Bangladesh’s historic 11-run win in the final match of the series held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. “Bangladesh’s brave young cricketers have proved that victory can be achieved through determination and united effort by winning today’s thrilling match against Pakistan by 11 runs and clinching the ODI series 2–1,” he said. The Prime Minister said the team’s impressive performance has made the nation proud. He expressed hope that the young players will continue their journey of success in the days ahead. Bangladesh secured the three-match series 2–1 with an 11-run victory in the final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday night. The win marked Bangladesh’s second bilateral ODI series triumph over Pakistan national cricket team after 11 years.

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday, ending a career that saw him lead the national team in 100 matches across formats. “I would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board for the trust they placed in me over the years,” Sarfaraz said in a statement. “Pakistan cricket has always been close to my heart, and I will continue to support the game in every possible way.” Following the disappointing T20 World Cup, the PCB has included him in the revamped four-member men’s selection committee. Pakistan levels series after run-out controversy and rain disruptions Sarfaraz made his ODI debut against India in 2007, his first Test appearance against Australia in 2010, and his T20 debut against England in Dubai. Across formats, he scored 6,164 runs with six centuries and 35 fifties, represented Pakistan in 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20s, and as a wicketkeeper, held 315 catches and 56 stumpings. During his nearly two-decade-long career, Sarfaraz led Pakistan to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy triumph and the 2006 U-19 World Cup title. He also holds the national record of 10 catches in a Test and remains the only Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter to score an ODI century at Lord’s. “Captaining Pakistan was a dream come true,” he said, expressing pride in mentoring players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. His final international appearance was a Test against Australia in Perth in 2023.

Opening batter Tanzid Hasan struck his first One-Day International century to anchor Bangladesh to a competitive 290 for five in the third and final match of the series against Pakistan at Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday. Tanzid’s 107 off 107 balls provided the backbone of the innings after Bangladesh was asked to bat first in the series decider. The 23-year-old left-hander reached the milestone in style, pulling spinner Salman Agha for six to record his maiden ton in his 31st appearance. His innings included seven sixes and six boundaries before he fell to a soft dismissal, caught at short cover off Abrar Ahmed. The hosts enjoyed a prolific start as Tanzid and Saif Hassan shared a 105-run opening stand, Bangladesh’s second 50-plus opening partnership in 17 innings. Saif contributed a steady 36 before being bowled by Shaheen Afridi. Pakistan’s pace spearhead Haris Rauf momentarily shifted the momentum in the later stages. Rauf claimed two wickets in consecutive deliveries in the 47th over, removing Litton Das for 41 and bowling Rishad Hossain for a golden duck. Litton, who was earlier dropped on three, struggled to find his usual rhythm, taking 51 balls for his 41. Despite losing set batters, Towhid Hridoy maintained the pressure with a brisk, unbeaten 48 off 44 deliveries. However, Pakistan’s death bowling proved effective; Bangladesh managed only 13 runs in the final two overs, falling just short of the 300-run mark.

Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim hit a century in the series decider against Pakistan on Sunday in Dhaka. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first. The opening partnership amassed over 100 runs, fueled by Tamim's fluent display in the middle. On 94, Tamim struck Salman Agha for a six to complete his maiden hundred in style. It was his sixth six of the innings. Stranded South African and West Indies squads finally depart India following logistical deadlock Bangladesh won the first match, but Pakistan bounced back in the rain-affected second match. The third match was now the series final.