United News of Bangladesh

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in the second ODI of the three-match series against Bangladesh in Dhaka today. They had won the toss in the opening match too and had decided to bowl first. They lost the first match, which was Bangladesh’s first ODI win against Australia in 21 years. Bangladesh made one change to the playing XI, replacing Saif Hassan with Soumya Sarkar. In his last 10 ODI innings, Soumya scored two fifties. Bangladesh XI:  Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Tanvir Islam Australia XI: Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (capt & wk), Matt Renshaw, Alex Cary, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Riley Meredith//  

A fiery spell of high-pace bowling from youngster Nahid Rana after Mosaddek Hossain’s brilliant batting performance guided Bangladesh to a comprehensive 86-run victory over Australia under the DLS method in the first ODI at Mirpur on Tuesday. It marks Bangladesh's second ODI win against Australia, and their first since the historic 2005 triumph in Cardiff. Defending 284 for 8, the hosts consistently chipped away at Australia’s batting lineup, reducing them to 191 for 9 before a thunderstorm and rain ended the match early. The afternoon belonged to Nahid Rana, whose raw pace and accuracy tore through the Australian middle order.Consistently bowling above 146 kph, the young speedster tore through a star-studded lineup to finish with match-winning figures of 4 for 41 from his 10 overs. Australia’s chase ran into trouble on the very first ball of the innings when Taskin Ahmed bowled Matthew Short for a duck. Mustafizur Rahman added to the visitors' early woes shortly after, trapping Marnus Labuschagne leg-before for 1 to leave the tourists reeling at 2 for 2. Captain Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly briefly steadied the ship, putting on a small partnership before Nahid Rana turned the match firmly in Bangladesh's favor. He broke through by extracting sharp bounce from a hard length at 147.9 kph, forcing a faint outside edge from Inglis straight to wicketkeeper Litton Das. The dismissal triggered an intense exchange of words between the batsman and bowler, forcing teammates and fielders to step in and diffuse the situation. Nahid Rana returned in his second spell to deliver a decisive double-blow that killed off the chase. He first removed a well-set Alex Carey for 47 with a 146 kph wobble-seam delivery that straightened just enough to catch the outside edge. Two overs later, he used his height to dismiss Liam Scott, extracting a sharp, rearing delivery from a back of a length that Scott could only fend to Towhid Hridoy, who took a brilliant diving catch at gully. The pacer completed his four-wicket haul by rushing Xavier Bartlett with a ferocious 148.5 kph short ball directed at the ribs. Hurried by the pace, Bartlett spooned a simple catch off the handle to Tanzid Hasan at square leg, leaving Australia stranded at 140 for 8. Earlier in the day, Bangladesh posted a competitive total on the back of an unbeaten 86 from Mosaddek Hossain and half-centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto (67) and Tanzid Hasan (54).Nathan Ellis bowled exceptionally well under pressure for Australia, taking 3 for 38, but his efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Mosaddek's late hitting and Nahid Rana’s subsequent burst. Cameron Green offered some late resistance with an unbeaten 52, but he lacked support as the rest of the lineup crumbled against a disciplined, multi-pronged home attack. With the victory, Bangladesh take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

An impressive, unbeaten 86 from Mosaddek Hossain and half-centuries from Najmul Hossain Shanto and Tanzid Hasan propelled Bangladesh to a competitive 284 for 8 in the first ODI against Australia at Mirpur on Tuesday. With this, Mosaddek made a memorable comeback to the national side after a three-year hiatus. After Australia opted to field, the hosts weathered top-order stumbles before firing late in the innings. Australia struck in the second over when Nathan Ellis induced an edge from Saif Hassan, which was brilliantly taken by a diving Marnus Labuschagne at second slip. Tanzid Hasan repaired the early damage alongside Shanto, striking a quickfire 54 off 44 balls featuring seven boundaries and a six. The duo put on a rapid 96-run partnership for the second wicket, taking Bangladesh past the 100-run mark in the 16th over. Ellis broke the stand by deceiving Tanzid with a clever back-of-the-hand slower ball, which the opener chipped straight to mid-off. Shanto anchored the middle period, bringing up a patient half-century off 57 deliveries. However, off-spinner Matt Renshaw checked Bangladesh’s momentum with quick breakthroughs. Renshaw first caught Litton Das off his own bowling for 7, before drawing an error from Shanto. Shanto, trying to hit Renshaw over the top, picked out long-off perfectly to depart for 67 off 86 balls. At 140 for 4, Bangladesh required stability, which Mosaddek provided. He forged a crucial 75-run partnership with Towhid Hridoy (31) to rescue the innings. While wickets fell around him—including captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz falling leg-before to debutant Liam Scott for 3—Mosaddek took control. He reached his fifty off 49 balls and accelerated heavily in the final powerplay. Striking seven boundaries and three sixes in his 70-ball stay, Mosaddek's aggression ensured Bangladesh added 45 runs in the final five overs. Taskin Ahmed chipped in with a brisk 20 off 16 balls before holing out off the final delivery of the innings. Ellis was the pick of the Australian bowlers, finishing with 3 for 38 from his 10 overs. Renshaw and Scott supported well with two wickets apiece, though Scott and Xavier Bartlett proved expensive in the death overs against a rampant Mosaddek. Australia will require 285 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Bangladesh has only one win against Australia that came in 2005.

Australia have won the toss and asked Bangladesh to bat first in the opening match of the three-match ODI series in Dhaka on Tuesday. With this match, Australia is playing their first ODI in Bangladesh since 2011. Bangladesh fielded a three-bowler pace attack in that match that included Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Nahid Islam. They sidelined Rishad Hossain for this match, while Musaddek Hossain made a comeback after around four years. Bangladesh have only one win against Australia, which came in 2005 in Cardiff. In the last 15 years, Bangladesh played three ODIs against Australia in different venues and lost two of them, with the other match washed away due to rain. In the last 15 years, Bangladesh has become a strong force in ODI cricket. So the chance is high for the hosts to win matches in this series. Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Tanvir Islam Australia XI: Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (capt/wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa.

Newly elected Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director Mir Shakhrul Alam Simanto resigned from his position on Monday, just a day after the formation of the board’s new committee. Simanto, son of State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, submitted his resignation letter to the BCB president, citing business commitments as the reason behind his decision. Tamim becomes BCB president in election marred by conflict-of-interest claims In the letter, Simanto said he had been elected unopposed as a BCB director from the Rajshahi region. However, as his father serves as a state minister, he currently bears significant responsibilities in managing the family’s business interests. He said those responsibilities will make it difficult for him to properly discharge the duties of a director at an important national institution like the BCB. Simanto further stated that, out of a sense of responsibility and in consideration of the institution’s interests, he decided to step down from the post. He also requested the BCB president to accept his resignation. Simanto was elected unopposed as a BCB director from the Rajshahi region as he was the sole candidate. Before the election, he had already expressed his intention not to serve as a director. He formally submitted his resignation letter within a day of being elected.

Bangladesh ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz is banking on greater all-round depth while seeking tactical maturity from his bowling unit in the home series against Australia, starting on Tuesday in Dhaka.  The latest squad selection has reopened a long-standing debate regarding team balance and how Bangladesh deploy its spin resources. The inclusion of Mosaddek Hossain, returning to the ODI setup after a three-and-a-half-year absence following a strong domestic season with Abahani Limited, gives Miraz a flexible option. Mehidy Hasan Miraz reaches No. 2 in the ICC Test All-Rounder Ranking Despite past selection controversies suggesting the two off-spinning all-rounders could not play together, Miraz dismissed any talk of friction, noting they previously shared the field during the 2019 World Cup. "Mosaddek is a batting all-rounder, and I am a bowling all-rounder – our roles are distinct," he said. "Having an extra cushion in the lineup provides immense security, especially if a frontline bowler has an off day." While Mosaddek offers a reliable backup option, the Tigers’ skipper is pushing his main bowlers to adopt a more aggressive mindset. The captain pointed specifically towards rising leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, challenging him to adapt from the short-burst demands of franchise T20 cricket to the patient build-up required in the 50-over format. Though Rishad proved his match-winning capabilities by taking 12 wickets against the West Indies last October, his recent drop from the final ODI against New Zealand highlighted management's caution regarding his consistency. Historically, Bangladesh's cricket strategy has favoured conservative finger-spinners who excel at containing runs over the unpredictable, attack-minded nature of leg-spin. Miraz, however, wants Rishad to break that mold by becoming more deliberate in his spells. "Franchise T20s and ODIs are completely different dynamics," he said. "Rishad is an essential part of our plans and we trust him completely, but he needs to be more proactive in checking runs while hunting for wickets." By balancing Mosaddek's experience with Rishad's raw wicket-taking potential, the Bangladesh skipper aims to build a versatile game plan capable of troubling a formidable Australian batting lineup. Australia are touring Bangladesh after 15 years. They last travelled to Bangladesh for the 2011 ODI.

Tamim Iqbal, the former national team captain, was elected president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday night, formalizing his rise to the sport’s top office. Following an internal vote by the newly formed 23-member director panel, Tamim transitioned from his role as the head of the interim ad-hoc committee into the board's chief executive position. His path to the presidency was paved by a landslide win in the Category-2 club elections, where he secured 73 of the 76 available votes. While the result was widely anticipated, the lead-up to the election was marked by intense controversy and claims of systemic engineering. Critics and media outlets raised alarms over a clear conflict of interest, noting that seven of the eleven members on the ad-hoc committee—the very group charged with ensuring a neutral vote—were themselves running for board seats. Public frustration was equally palpable, as the interim administration faced widespread ridicule. The board was frequently labeled the "Baper Doa Cricket Board"—a satirical jab implying nepotism—due to the inclusion of influential ministers' children who arrived at their posts without any background in sports administration. This deep-seated political backing effectively hollowed out the election’s democratic core. Competition was scarce, with seven of the ten regional director spots decided without a single vote cast, fueling widespread allegations of backroom deal-making and pressure from powerful government quarters. Regarding the broader election results, the Category-2 club race saw 12 directors elected from a pool of 16 candidates. Four hopefuls—Major Imroz Ahmed, Faiyazur Rahman, Amjad Hossain, and Syed Borhanul Hossain—failed to secure seats. In the regional Category-1 contests, most races were decided by walkovers, with voting restricted to the Barisal and Khulna divisions. Mizanur Rahman, owner of the BPL franchise Fortune Barishal, defeated Muntasir Alam to take the Barisal seat, while Shafiqul Alam and Shantanu Islam claimed the two contested spots in Khulna. Meanwhile, Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir was elected uncontested to Category-3, which represents universities and institutional bodies. The incoming board consists of regional representatives Sayeed Bin Zaman, SM Abdullah Al Fuad, Minhajul Abedin, Moin Uddin Chowdhury, Mir Shakrul Alam, Mirza Faisol Amin, and Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury. The club directors joining Tamim include Masuduzzaman, Fahim Sinha, Asif Rabbani, Yasir Mohammad Faisal Ashik, Mirza Yasir Abbas, Israfil Khosru, Rafiqul Islam, Sarkar Mahbub Ahmed Shamim, Shanian Tanim, Saheed Ibrahim Ahmed, and Sakif Ahmed.

Former national team captain Tamim Iqbal secured the highest number of votes to become a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday. It has placed him as the frontrunner to be elected the board's next president later on Sunday night.  Tamim, who also headed the ad-hoc committee responsible for organizing the election, secured 73 out of 76 possible votes in Category-2 (Dhaka clubs). Sixteen candidates contested the 12 available director posts in this category. The four candidates who lost the club-category race are Major Imroz Ahmed, Faiyazur Rahman, Amjad Hossain, and Syed Borhanul Hossain. The majority of the board’s leadership took office without a contest, as seven out of ten regional director posts in Category-1 were decided uncontested. Voting took place only in the Barisal and Khulna divisions. In Barisal, Fortune Barishal BPL team owner Mizanur Rahman defeated Muntasir Alam to claim the lone director seat. In the Khulna division, where three candidates vied for two spots, Shafiqul Alam and Shantanu Islam won. Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir had already secured his position uncontested in Category-3, which represents universities and various institutions. Following the confirmation of all 23 elected directors, the newly formed panel will cast their votes on Sunday night to elect the next BCB president, a position Tamim is expected to assume. The newly elected BCB director panel features representatives across three distinct categories. In Category-1, which covers regional divisions and districts, Sayeed Bin Zaman and SM Abdullah Al Fuad won seats for Dhaka, while Minhajul Abedin and Moin Uddin Chowdhury secured leadership for Chittagong. Shafiqul Alam and Shantanu Islam claimed the two available spots for Khulna, alongside individual division representatives Mir Shakrul Alam for Rajshahi, Mirza Faisol Amin for Rangpur, Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury for Sylhet, and Mizanur Rahman for Barisal. The highly competitive Category-2, representing the Dhaka clubs, saw twelve directors take office: Tamim Iqbal, Masuduzzaman, Fahim Sinha, Asif Rabbani, Yasir Mohammad Faisal Ashik, Mirza Yasir Abbas, Israfil Khosru, Rafiqul Islam, Sarkar Mahbub Ahmed Shamim, Shanian Tanim, Saheed Ibrahim Ahmed, and Sakif Ahmed. Completing the board's new leadership structure, Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir secured his position as the sole representative for Category-3, which governs universities and institutional bodies.

Centuries from skipper Shubman Gill and Lokesh Rahul powered India to a commanding 368 for 3 at stumps on the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh on Saturday. Gill remained unbeaten on 103 from 143 deliveries, while Rahul struck 100 off 165 balls as India made the most of winning the toss at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, the 31st venue in India to host a Test match. India got off to a steady start with Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal adding 41 runs for the opening wicket before Jaiswal was dismissed for 24, caught behind off Mohammad Saleem. Rahul survived an early scare when an edge went unnoticed by the umpire and Afghanistan opted not to review the decision. He capitalised on the reprieve to register his 12th Test century before being caught at extra cover off Ziaur Rahman. Rahul, who struck 11 boundaries, shared a 139-run partnership for the second wicket with Sai Sudharsan. Sudharsan contributed a fluent 81 off 104 balls, including 13 fours, before becoming Saleem’s second victim shortly before tea. Gill then combined with Rishabh Pant in an unbroken 121-run stand that further strengthened India's position. Gill’s century came without offering a chance and featured 11 fours and a six. Pant remained unbeaten on 50, hitting three sixes during his innings. The match marks only the second Test meeting between the two sides. Their previous encounter came in 2018 when India defeated Afghanistan by an innings and 262 runs in Bengaluru during Afghanistan’s inaugural Test match. The game is Afghanistan’s 13th Test overall and does not count towards the World Test Championship standings.

Amid mounting criticism over political infiltration and conflict of interest, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to hold its highly controversial election on Sunday. In a bid to defuse the growing backlash, BCB Ad-hoc Committee Chief Tamim Iqbal called on candidates to separate their personal backgrounds from their administrative responsibilities, urging them to leave their individual identities outside the stadium gates. "When you sit in those seats, you only serve Bangladesh cricket," Tamim said. However, Tamim’s appeal comes against a backdrop of severe institutional critique surrounding the integrity of the election. Observers have heavily questioned the moral grounding of the process, pointing out that seven of the eleven ad-hoc committee members including Tamim himself are actively contesting the election they were explicitly appointed to oversee neutrally. Furthermore, public frustration has intensified over the overwhelming influx of political figures into the sports body. The government faced open mockery, even earning the satirical moniker "Baper Doa Cricket Board"—roughly translating to "The Nepotism Cricket Board"—due to the inclusion of ministers' children who lack sports organizing experience. The democratic credibility of the election has also been rendered largely hollow by a total lack of competition. Out of ten available director positions in Category-1, seven candidates have already secured their seats completely uncontested. In the highly sought-after Dhaka club category (Category-2), sixteen candidates are competing for twelve seats amid serious allegations of behind-the-scenes manipulation and intense political pressure to dictate the final outcome. Despite these controversies and a wave of unsuccessful legal challenges from former board members, the election will proceed as scheduled. Tamim maintained that the process remains transparent and legally sound, expressing optimism that the vote will finally deliver a settled board capable of driving the sport forward.