United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh cricketer Anamul Haque Bijoy has served a legal notice to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the BPL Governing Council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports after his name was left out of the players’ auction list for the upcoming BPL 2026 season. The notice, sent by Supreme Court lawyer Jobayer Mohammad Aourangzeb on Anamul’s behalf, argues that the decision to exclude him is arbitrary, professionally damaging and taken without any explanation or prior communication. It states that Anamul has not been accused of misconduct or any breach of cricketing integrity, yet was removed without being informed of any reason. In the notice, Anamul describes himself as a long-serving national cricketer with consistent performances across domestic and international cricket. He claims the omission has caused him reputational harm as well as emotional and financial loss, particularly because the BPL is considered a major platform ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. The notice demands that BCB immediately reinstates his name in the auction list, allows him to participate freely, and issues a public clarification. It gives the board three days to respond, warning that failure to do so will lead to further legal action, including possible claims for damages.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) auction returned in dramatic fashion on Sunday, with early bidding dominated by intense contests for top local players. Mohammad Naim was sold to Chattogram for BDT 1.10 crore.  The auction at a Dhaka hotel opened with BPL chairman Aminul Islam welcoming franchises and outlining expectations for a more transparent tournament. He also reiterated the board’s long-stated promise to introduce a women’s BPL, though past commitments have yet to materialize. Aminul urged teams to strengthen their ties with regional cricket and encouraged efforts to attract spectators across all three venues. Once proceedings shifted to the players, the first major contest erupted for opener Mohammad Naim. Sylhet, Rangpur and Noakhali all entered the bidding, but Chattogram Royals eventually outlasted the competition, securing Naim for Tk 1.10 crore — the day’s highest price so far. Moments later, Rangpur Riders picked up Liton Das for Tk 75 lakh. The auction began with local players, overseen by auctioneer Arman Rafi Nizam, following a lottery to determine whether Naim or Liton would appear first. Naim’s name was drawn, and the bidding escalated quickly. Away from the main floor, the day’s most contentious subplot involved the nine cricketers excluded from the auction after being flagged in fixing-related inquiries.  Earlier in the afternoon, the High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by several of the players seeking reinstatement. Though none have been formally charged, the BCB’s integrity unit recommended keeping them out as a precaution. The excluded cricketers expressed shock, calling the decision reputation-damaging and unfair without evidence. There was also enthusiasm from players already signed through direct contracts. Test captain Najmul Hossain, taken earlier by Rajshahi Warriors, said he was excited for the auction, acknowledging its intensity and the preparation by each franchise.  

South Africa won the toss and chose to field in the opening ODI against India on Sunday, extending India’s unusual streak to 19 consecutive lost tosses. With regular captain Shubman Gill sidelined by injury, Lokesh Rahul is leading India. Senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are also part of the playing XI. South Africa’s stand-in captain Aiden Markram said the likelihood of evening dew influenced his decision to field first. The visitors have rested skipper Temba Bavuma and spinner Keshav Maharaj after their 2–0 Test series win over India. They selected a pace-heavy attack with four seamers, with Prenelan Subrayen as the lone specialist spinner. Rahul said he would also have opted to bowl first, noting significant dew during India’s practice sessions. India has picked three spinners — Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav — supported by pacers Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. Line-ups India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, Lokesh Rahul (captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman

A group of nine local cricketers has been excluded from the Bangladesh Premier League’s (BPL) final auction list after a series of anti-corruption investigations flagged their involvement in suspected fixing activities in last season’s tournament. The exclusions follow an extensive probe led by the BCB’s three-member independent investigation committee, headed by former Appellate Division judge Mirza Hussain Haider. The committee examined alleged irregularities from the previous BPL and identified nine Bangladeshi and one foreign player as suspects. Their names were forwarded for further inquiry by Alex Marshall, the BCB’s anti-corruption consultant and former ICC anti-corruption chief. Read more: BCB finalizes 5 franchises for upcoming BPL season Based on Marshall’s findings, the BPL governing council removed nine locally contracted players from the final auction pool. Most had already appeared in the preliminary list but were omitted when the final roll was released on the eve of this year’s auction. The suspected group includes several players with previous national-team experience and multiple domestic regulars. Among them are personnel noted as “red-flagged” by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit. While not all were accused of direct fixing, their activities and access patterns raised concerns within the investigative review. Read more: Sameer Quader says ‘46 crore’ claim makes no sense, keeps BPL door open The governing council has instructed franchises not to involve any red-flagged personnel in team operations this season. Those named in suspicion will not be allowed in team areas, dressing rooms, or other restricted spaces. While the barred players may continue participating in other domestic competitions, they will not feature in this BPL. The 12th BPL auction is scheduled on Sunday (November 30) at a Dhaka hotel. Read more: BPL drops players linked to fixing allegations from final auction list

Bangladesh drew level in the T20I series with a composed four-wicket win over Ireland in Chattogram on Saturday night. Bangladesh chased 171 with two balls to spare after a disciplined closing stand from Mohammad Saifuddin and Mahedi Hasan finished the job. Ireland had posted 170 for six, a total built on short, steady contributions rather than one commanding innings. Paul Stirling set the tone with a brisk 29, Tim Tector added 38, and Lorcan Tucker’s 41 from 32 balls helped lift the visitors toward a competitive score. Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve through the middle overs, with Mahedi Hasan returning the night’s most important spell—three wickets for 29 in four overs—while Saifuddin and Tanzim Hasan chipped in with one each. The chase began strongly as Parvez Hossain Emon struck a fluent 43 from 28 balls, carrying Bangladesh to 50 inside the sixth over. Litton Das then anchored the innings with a measured 57 off 37, steering the hosts through a brief wobble when wickets fell in clusters around him. From 149 for five, however, Ireland dragged themselves back into the contest with tight overs from Mark Adair and Gareth Delany. The finish came down to the last over, with Bangladesh needing three off six balls. Saifuddin’s unbeaten 17 from seven deliveries proved decisive, and Mahedi ended the match in style by driving Josh Little through extra cover for four.//    

Ireland won the toss and opted to bat first in the second T20I against Bangladesh at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium on Saturday. Ireland made a single change from the opening match, bringing in Ben Calitz in place of Curtis Campher. Bangladesh came up with a reshuffle of their own. Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin and Nurul Hasan returned to the XI, replacing Shoriful Islam, Jaker Ali and Rishad Hossain. Ireland, leading the three-match series 1–0, will look to build on their strong batting display from the first game, while Bangladesh aim to bounce back after a difficult start in Chattogram. Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (capt, wk), Towhid Hridoy, Nurul Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin Ireland XI: Paul Stirling (capt), Tim Tector, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little    

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has removed a group of players from the final Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) auction list amid ongoing concerns over alleged fixing links. While the board has not formally named the cricketers, seven players who appeared in the preliminary draft are missing from the final list, effectively confirming their exclusion. Those omitted are Enamul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain, Alauddin Babu, Sanjamul Islam, Mizanur Rahman, Nihaduzzaman and Shafiul Islam — all of whom have played domestic cricket, and in some cases for the national team. The BCB has not stated publicly that the omissions are linked to corruption allegations, but officials have reiterated their position that anyone suspected of involvement in fixing will not be considered for BPL participation. The board has also instructed franchises to submit, by last night, the names of officials they intend to include in their BPL backroom staff. In its advisory, the BCB urged teams to avoid hiring individuals under suspicion. Anyone identified in that category will be denied tournament accreditation, effectively barring them from taking part in team operations. Last year, following the BPL season, the BCB formed an independent three-member committee to investigate corruption concerns. The committee’s 900-page report recommended sidelining several players and officials from the upcoming edition. The findings were later forwarded to Alex Marshall, the BCB’s anti-corruption consultant, for further scrutiny. This year’s BPL auction will take place tomorrow at a five-star hotel in Dhaka. The opening ceremony is scheduled for December 24 in Mirpur, with the first match slated for December 26 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Ireland seized the opening T20I with a big 39-run win over Bangladesh on Thursday night in Chattogram. Ireland successfully defended 181 with discipline and composure as the hosts faltered in a chase that never settled. Towhid Hridoy hit 83 not-out for Bangladesh, but other batters failed to cope up. Asked to bat first, Ireland delivered a polished performance built around Harry Tector’s assured 69* off 45 balls—a knock of clean timing and smart acceleration. Tim Tector’s brisk 32 and a late surge from Curtis Campher and George Dockrell lifted Ireland to 181 for four, a total that always felt above par on a surface offering just enough grip for smart bowling. Bangladesh’s response unraveled almost immediately. The top order collapsed to 5 for 4 inside the first six overs, with Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy dismantling the hosts’ batters. Matthew Humphreys then took control, producing a career-best 4 for 13. His spell broke the middle order and kept Bangladesh on the back foot throughout. Only Towhid Hridoy mounted meaningful resistance. The right-hander struck an inventive and assured 83* off 50 balls, carrying the innings alone while wickets tumbled around him. Jaker Ali chipped in with 20, but the asking rate grew steadily beyond reach. Bangladesh eventually closed on 142 for nine, well short of the target. Humphreys was named Player of the Match for his decisive spell.

Ireland posted a competitive 181 for four in the opening T20I in Chattogram on Wednesday night, leaving Bangladesh with a demanding chase after choosing to field first. Ireland’s innings was anchored by Harry Tector, who held the middle overs together with an unbeaten 69 off 45 balls. He struck one four and cleared the rope five times, accelerating late to lift the visitors past 180 on a surface that offered true pace and bounce. The visitors set the tone early despite losing captain Paul Stirling for 21, caught at mid-off in the fifth over off Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Tim Tector kept the tempo high with a brisk 32 from 19 balls before falling to Rishad Hossain, leaving Ireland well placed at 71 for two. Lorcan Tucker chipped in with 18, but it was Curtis Campher’s lively 24 off 17—featuring a six over midwicket—that helped Ireland steady after a brief slowdown. He eventually miscued Sakib to deep square leg in the 18th over. George Dockrell added late impetus with an unbeaten 12 off seven balls, ensuring Ireland finished strongly by taking 54 runs off the final five overs. Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled for consistency except Mustafizur Rahman, who conceded only 23 runs in his four overs. Sakib picked up two wickets but went for 41, while Shoriful Islam and Rishad Hossain claimed one each. Bangladesh won the toss in this match and opted to bowl first. This series came as a chance for Bangladesh to tune-up their T20I set-up ahead of the World Cup next year.

Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field first in the opening T20I against Ireland on Thursday in Chattogram. Bangladesh won the two-match Test series before this T20I series. This series is Bangladesh’s chance to fine-tune their T20I set-up ahead of the World Cup next year, which will take place in India. Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam Ireland XI: Paul Stirling (capt), Tim Tector, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little.