United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first in the first T20I of the three-match series against New Zealand on Monday in Chattogram. Just before the T20I series, Bangladesh defeated New Zealand in the three-match ODI series. Media from Chattogram reported heavy rain during the night and in the morning before the match. However, the sun emerged later, allowing the curators to prepare the field for play on time. Nevertheless, the weather became gloomy right after the toss. For the visitors, captain Tom Latham has been ruled out due to a toe injury. In his place, Nick Kelly is leading the team, becoming the 13th player to captain New Zealand in T20Is. Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (capt & wk), Parvez Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Ripon Mondol New Zealand XI: Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly (capt), Bevon Jacobs, Dean Foxcroft, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Matthew Fisher, Ben Lister

Bangladesh have named a 15-member squad for the first Test against Pakistan, handing maiden call-ups to opener Tanzid Hasan and middle-order batsman Amite Hasan ahead of the two-match series next month. The first Test begins on 8 May at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, with the second scheduled for 16-20 May at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Both matches count toward the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle. Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain the side, with all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz serving as vice-captain. Tanzid, a 25-year-old left-handed opener already established in Bangladesh’s white-ball setup, brings a strong first-class record of 1,792 runs in 25 matches at an average of 40. Amite, 23, is a right-handed middle-order batsman who has been among the most prolific run-scorers in domestic cricket, averaging 49 across 82 first-class matches since his debut in 2019. “Tanzid has been in our thoughts for Test cricket for some time,” said Kazi Habibul Bashar, chairman of the national selection panel. He praised the opener’s technique and natural ability, adding that the selectors were confident he could perform in the longer format if given the opportunity. Bashar described Amite as one of the most consistent batsmen in Bangladesh’s first-class competition, noting his temperament and discipline as qualities well suited to Test cricket. He said both players had time on their side and could serve the national team for years to come. The squad also features the returns of pace bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, who have not played Test cricket since late 2024, along with off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, who has been absent from the Test side for close to a year. Experienced campaigners Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, and Litton Das retain their places in the batting order. Pakistan are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on 3 May. Bangladesh for firstPakistan Test: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan, Amite Hasan.      

Bangladesh captain Litton Das intends to extend the team's batting lineup down to the number nine position, a structural shift designed to give top-order batters the freedom to play aggressively in T20 matches. Speaking ahead of the series against New Zealand in Chattogram, Litton said adopting an attacking mindset at the top of the order inevitably leads to early wickets. To sustain that aggression without triggering batting collapses, he said the team must rely on consistent run production from its tailenders and bowling all-rounders. Litton identified spin bowlers Sheikh Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, and Rishad Hossain as essential to this strategy. He said creating a healthy batting order depends heavily on their ability to contribute lower-order runs. "Large teams have batting depth up to number nine," Litton said. "If we can create that depth, our top batsmen will be able to play games more freely." The captain added that the team's pace bowlers are also expected to contribute at the crease. He noted that alongside established bowling all-rounders like Mohammad Saifuddin and Tanzim Hasan Sakib, the team is grooming newcomer Saklayen Sajib to strengthen the lower-middle order. Litton said if the lower-order bowlers can add even five or six runs each, it resolves a significant vulnerability.  As part of the effort to restructure the batting depth, Litton confirmed that Parvez Hossain Emon will be moved from his usual spot in the top order to play in the middle order during the upcoming matches.  While Litton expects the top order to elevate its overall strike rate during the current World Cup cycle, he said management will not place excessive pressure on the batters during the initial games against New Zealand, allowing them time to adjust to the format.

Bangladesh captain Litton Das said the team has moved past the disappointment of missing the recent T20 World Cup and is now focused on rebuilding for the 2028 tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday ahead of a T20I series against New Zealand, Litton addressed questions about the team's absence from the recent World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka. "Yes, I think we have moved on," he said. "We played another tournament during the World Cup and the players tried to perform well there." Litton, who recently received a two-year extension as captain, said the team is structuring its long-term plans around non-Asian conditions. He added that the squad intends to maintain the strong team bond and preparation habits developed over the past cycle. The upcoming series against New Zealand marks Bangladesh's first international appearance since the World Cup concluded. For this series, the team rested veteran fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman to manage their workloads. Uncapped players Abdul Gaffar and Ripon Mondol replaced them in the squad. Litton said the decision to rest the senior pacers is a proactive measure to prevent injuries, given the upcoming schedule of test matches and ODI fixtures. "I don't want them playing regularly, getting injured, and ending up exhausted," the Bangladesh captain said. "We are changing some things with that in mind."

Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana sustained a minor injury to his right hand while fielding during the third ODI against New Zealand in Chattogram, but he is expected to resume bowling within days. The incident occurred when Rana scraped his hand on an advertising peg near his bowling mark. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief medical officer Debashis Chowdhury said the wound required a bandage but no stitches, adding that the pacer will be able to bowl again in one or two days. Rana, who was named Player of the Series after taking eight wickets in the three-match contest—including a five-wicket haul in the second ODI—has already returned to Dhaka. Fast bowler Nahid Rana climbs 32 spots in ICC ODI rankings following five-wicket haul The cricket board rested the fast bowler for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, which begins Sunday in Chattogram. The board withheld his clearance to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), directing him instead to prepare for the upcoming two-match test series against Pakistan.

Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by 55 runs in the series-deciding third ODI on Thursday, driven by a five-wicket haul from returning fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and a century by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Chasing a target of 266, New Zealand was bowled out for 210 in 44.5 overs. Mustafizur anchored the bowling attack with figures of five for 43, dismantling the middle order after the visitors made a steady start. Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz praised his bowlers and fielders, noting the team anticipated a pitch offering spin and uneven bounce for the fast bowlers. "We knew early wickets would bring us momentum," Miraz said after the match. "They know how to bowl in these conditions." Fast bowler Nahid Rana, who was named Player of the Series after securing eight wickets across the three matches, claimed two wickets in the decider. "I was only thinking today that my captain has asked me to take wickets," Rana said. "I only assess the conditions and then bowl accordingly." Dean Foxcroft provided late resistance for the visitors, scoring 75 off 72 deliveries, including seven sixes. Foxcroft attempted to narrow the deficit but was the final wicket to fall, caught off the bowling of Miraz. Nick Kelly added 59 before falling to Rahman. Earlier, Bangladesh posted 265 for eight after New Zealand won the toss and elected to field. Following a top-order collapse orchestrated by New Zealand fast bowler Will O'Rourke, Shanto and Litton Das stabilized the innings. Entering the match with the score at 9 for two, Shanto scored 105 from 119 balls to earn Player of the Match honors. Litton contributed 76 from 91 deliveries to push the hosts to a defensible total. Shanto commended the New Zealand bowlers for their early precision but emphasized the importance of his 160-run partnership with Litton. "The way Litton played today, really outstanding," Shanto said. "He held one side and I tried to score some runs. It wasn't an easy wicket to bat on. We just tried to make a big partnership."

Najmul Hossain Shanto scored his fourth ODI century to rescue Bangladesh from an early collapse, guiding the hosts to 265 for eight against New Zealand in the series-deciding third match on Thursday. New Zealand require 266 runs to secure the series victory. Shanto hit 105 from 119 deliveries and shared a critical 160-run partnership with wicketkeeper Litton Das, who scored 76, after the home side stumbled to 32 for three inside the first nine overs.Fast bowler Will O'Rourke caused the initial damage for New Zealand. O'Rourke dismissed openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan for zero and one, respectively, before removing Soumya Sarkar for 18, finishing his seven-over spell with figures of three for 32. Following the sharp opening burst, Shanto and Das absorbed the pressure and initiated a controlled recovery. The pair relied heavily on strike rotation and gap placement during their 178-ball stand rather than regular boundaries. Left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Litton Das in the 39th over, and later claimed Shanto to finish with two for 50. In the lower-middle order, Towhid Hridoy provided late acceleration, remaining unbeaten on 33 from 29 balls. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz added a brisk 22 from 18 deliveries before falling to off-spinner Dean Foxcroft. The New Zealand bowling attack maintained discipline during the death overs, restricting Bangladesh to 34 runs in the final five overs while taking three late wickets. Fast bowler Ben Lister secured two of those dismissals in the 49th over, removing Shoriful Islam and Tanvir Islam in quick succession, finishing with two for 62.

Bangladesh suffered a top-order collapse, falling to 71 for three in the first 18 overs against New Zealand in the deciding third ODI in Chattogram.  New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first. The three-match series is currently tied at 1-1, with the visitors winning the opener and Bangladesh securing a six-wicket victory in the second match in Dhaka. Fast bowler Will O'Rourke dominated the opening powerplay, claiming all three wickets to dismantle the host nation's top order. He struck on his second delivery of the match, finding the outside edge of opener Saif Hassan for a scoreless duck, with wicketkeeper Tom Latham completing the catch. O'Rourke then dismissed Tanzid Hasan for one run. Hasan attempted to fend away a back-of-a-length delivery but dragged an inside edge onto his own stumps.  Soumya Sarkar, who provided early resistance with 18 runs from 26 deliveries, suffered a similar fate in the ninth over. Attempting a late cut against O'Rourke, Sarkar chopped the ball onto his stumps to leave Bangladesh in deep trouble at 32 for three.  At the end of the 18-over mark, Najmul Hossain Shanto was unbeaten on 28, and Litton Das was batting on 19.

Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana jumped 32 spots in the latest International Cricket Council One-Day International bowling rankings, reaching 64th place following his match-winning five-wicket haul against New Zealand. Rana, who has played 10 ODIs, secured five wickets for 32 runs and earned Player of the Match honors in the second game of the ongoing series in Mirpur on Monday. Fellow left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam, playing his first ODI series since December 2024, climbed to 39th after claiming two wickets in each of the first two matches. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain advanced 10 places to 58th after taking three wickets across the two games. Bangladesh rest key pacers, call up uncapped Saqlain for NZ T20 series In the batting rankings, opener Tanzid Hasan moved up 14 spots to 40th after anchoring the run chase with a 76-run innings in the second ODI. Towhid Hridoy advanced five spots to a joint 26th position following an unbeaten 30, while Najmul Hossain Shanto climbed one spot to 43rd after scoring a half-century in the same match. New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell retained the top position in the batting rankings despite not participating in the current series. In contrast, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz dropped two places to eighth in the bowling rankings after managing only one wicket in the first two matches. Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who missed the games due to injury, fell seven spots to 55th.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday announced a revamped pace bowling attack for the first two T20Is against New Zealand, resting key fast bowlers and handing a maiden call-up to all-rounder Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. Fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Nahid Rana have been rested for the upcoming fixtures. To fill the void, selectors included 28-year-old Saqlain, recognised for his format-suited bowling and lower-order hitting capabilities. The board also recalled 23-year-old right-arm quick Ripon Mondol, rewarding him for his consistency as a death-overs bowler. Mondol previously represented Bangladesh in three T20 matches during the 2023 Asian Games.Litton Das will captain the 15-member squad, with Saif Hassan serving as vice-captain.  The three-match series begins on April 27 at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, which will also host the second match on April 29. The series concludes at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on May 2. Bangladesh squad: Litton Das (captain), Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan (vice-captain), Shamim Hossain, Tawhid Hridoy, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Ripon Mondol, Shaif Uddin, and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.