Cricket
Tamim fails to make the cut, Riyad's return complete as Tigers World Cup squad named
Following a series of dramatic events, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled the 15-member squad for the ICC World Cup 2023.
In a social media video, the board introduced the squad while showcasing Bangladesh's World Cup jersey.
Also read: Bangladesh suffers ODI series defeat to New Zealand
Shakib Al Hasan will lead the team in the World Cup, with Najmul Hossain Shanto as his deputy. Consequently, Litton Das has been relieved of his vice-captaincy.
Veteran Tamim Iqbal has not secured a spot in Bangladesh's World Cup squad, in a move that is certain to polarise opinions throughout the country. The left-handed opener, Bangladesh's highest run-scorer in international cricket across all three formats, has been grappling with a back injury, and didn't look fully convincing in the one complete outing he had in the just-concluded ODI series against New Zealand.
Also read: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
Ultimately it has ruled him out of the tournament set to commence early next month in India. Fans will recall his dramatic retirement from all forms of the game hardly three months ago, that he was forced to revoke in the space of 24 hours with the intervention of the prime minister herself - partly in view of the World Cup being so near.
Another veteran however, assuredly booked himself a ticket to India by presenting his calming presence in the middle during the New Zealand series, as batsmen kept committing harakiri all round him - Mahmudullah Riyad.
Riyad, whose career looked to be over at more than one point as selectors could never make their minds up on his role, will get another shot at glory as a mainstay of the middle-order alongside his brother in law Mushfiqur Rahim. Both however have shown indifferent form in the lead up to the big event.
Also read: Bangladesh's probable squad for ICC ODI World Cup 2023
Right-arm pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib has also been added to the squad. Along with him, Bangladesh announced a five-member pace-attack in this World Cup under the guidance of South African legend Alan Donald. Sakib is joined by Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and the two left-armers - Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam.
Who might open?
In the absence of Tamim, the obvious question would be who will take his place at the top of the batting order partnering Litton Das. From what has been tried till now, the two options would look to be trying youngster Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who opened in the 3rd ODI against the Kiwis, or promoting all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz up the order again, who has had some notable success in that position in limited overs cricket.
Although Tanzid was tried, he failed to impress batting in the top order during the NZ series, including today as opener, scoring just 5. As things stand, the Miraz option might be most attractive.
Vice captain Shanto, the team's in form batter, will hold down his favourite no.3 position in the order.
Key figures of the Bangladesh cricket team held a late-night meeting at the residence of Nazmul Hasan, the board president, to deliberate on Tamim's inclusion in the World Cup.
BCB sources confirmed that captain Shakib Al Hasan and head coach Chandika Hathurusingha were present in the meeting with Nazmul. They expressed reservations about including Tamim in the World Cup due to concerns regarding his injuries.
In a sudden turn of events, Tamim’s elder brother, Nafis Iqbal, who served as the operational manager even in the third ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand, was abruptly removed from his position.
This year’s World Cup features a total of 10 teams. Aside from Bangladesh, only Sri Lanka had been awaiting the official squad announcement until Tuesday.
Bangladesh World Cup 2023 squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (Vice Captain), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Sudden removal of Nafis Iqbal from team role fuels buzz over brother Tamim's place in WC squad
Former Bangladesh cricketer Nafis Iqbal has been relieved of his duties as the national team's operations manager.
Nafis signed the team sheet in the third ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand on Tuesday, suggesting he was removed while the match was still on.
A source close to Nafis confirmed the development. However, Nafis was not available for immediate comment.
Read: Bangladesh suffers ODI series defeat to New Zealand
This development has coincided with the buzz in Bangladesh cricketing circles regarding his younger brother Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh's leading run-scorer in international cricket.
The buzz suggests he may be left out of the World Cup squad.
Read: Shanto Hits Fifty, Bangladesh Tumble for 171
Following the T20 World Cup last year, Nafis was appointed to a staff role with the national team. Since then, there have been sporadic reports about his potential removal, though none had materialized until now.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stated that the World Cup squad will be announced after the third and final ODI between Bangladesh and New Zealand, scheduled to take place in Mirpur on Tuesday.
As of now, it remains uncertain whether Tamim will secure a spot in the World Cup squad. Unconfirmed sources have suggested that Tamim's inclusion in the Bangladesh World Cup team may be in doubt due to uncertainties surrounding his fitness.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) did not confirm the reason behind Nafis’ removal. Several attempts by UNB to get BCB’s comments went in vain, as no official was available for comment.
Bangladesh suffers ODI series defeat to New Zealand
Bangladesh lost the third and final ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand by seven wickets with 91 balls to spare on Tuesday in Dhaka.
With this victory, New Zealand clinched the series 2-0, marking Bangladesh's first home series loss to the Blackcaps in over a decade and a half.
Also read: Bangladesh Opt to Bowl First in First ODI Against New Zealand
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh managed a below-par total of 171 runs in 34.4 overs, with Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scoring with 76 runs.
For New Zealand, Adam Milne claimed four wickets, conceding 34 runs.
Also read: First Bangladesh-New Zealand ODI abandoned for rain in Mirpur
In response, New Zealand chased down the target of 172 in 34.5 overs.
Shoriful Islam secured two early wickets, but it wasn't enough to halt the Blackcaps' progress. Will Young contributed 70, while Henry Nicholls remained unbeaten with 50.
Also read: New Zealand's stand-in captain embraces Bangladesh challenge
This series serves as Bangladesh's final preparation ahead of the World Cup, leaving the Tigers with the memory of a series defeat to overcome as they head into the tournament.
Shanto Hits Fifty, Bangladesh Tumble for 171
In his debut as captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto showcased an impressive performance with a score of 76, the highest for any Bangladeshi making their debut as captain in an ODI.
However, Bangladesh failed to mount a strong challenge against New Zealand in the third ODI of the three-match series on Tuesday, as they were bundled out for 171.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh introduced left-handed batter Zakir Hasan, who earned his first ODI cap in this match. Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Zakir opened the innings, but their partnership yielded only 6 runs before their dismissals. Zakir was the first to depart after scoring one, while Tanzid managed 5.
Mahmudullah 4th Bangladeshi to score 5000 runs in ODIs
At this juncture, Shanto held his ground at one end of the wicket, but on the other side, Towhid Hridoy fell for 18, and Mushfiqur Rahim also couldn't prolong his innings beyond 18.
Despite a promising start, Mahmudullah Riyad was unable to build momentum and was out after contributing 21 runs.
In the end, Bangladesh faltered to a below-par total of 171 in 34.3 overs. Adam Milne from New Zealand claimed four wickets, conceding 34 runs, while Trent Boult and Cole McConchie secured two wickets each.
Bangladesh bat first in 3rd ODI with Zakir making debut
Having won the previous match, New Zealand is poised to clinch the series with a victory in this match. Bangladesh has not lost a series to New Zealand at home for over 15 years.
Shakib visits US embassy, plays cricket with Peter Haas
Mahmudullah 4th Bangladeshi to score 5000 runs in ODIs
Right-handed all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad has become the fourth Bangladeshi to achieve the milestone of scoring 5000 runs in ODIs.
In the third ODI against New Zealand in Dhaka on Tuesday, Mahmudullah only needed one run to reach the 5000-run mark. He effortlessly secured that single run, thereby becoming the fourth Bangladeshi player to accomplish this feat.
Mahmudullah joins practice camp with backup playersDespite initial uncertainties about his participation in the New Zealand series, the 37-year-old batter ultimately made it onto the field. In the second ODI, he narrowly missed out on a 50 by just one run.
Mahmudullah Riyad's International Cricket Career Overview: Records and AchievementsPrior to Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mushfiqur Rahim had all achieved the same milestone for Bangladesh.
Has Mahmudullah's international career in cricket come to an end?
Bangladesh bat first in 3rd ODI with Zakir making debut
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first in the third and final ODI against New Zealand on Tuesday in Dhaka.
Bangladesh lost the last match and are now on the verge of a series defeat.
Asia Games Cricket: Bangladesh women win bronze beating Pakistan by 5 wickets
Zakir Hasan, the left-handed top-order batter, is making his ODI debut in this match. He has played three Tests and one T20I. He has one hundred and two fifties in Tests.
Dean Foxcroft is also making his debut for New Zealand. The right-handed allrounder has played a T20I before his ODI debut.
Asia Games Cricket: Bangladesh women win bronze beating Pakistan by 5 wickets
Bangladesh XI: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Zakir Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Shoriful Islam
New Zealand XI: Finn Allen, Will Young, Dean Foxcroft, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Rachin Ravindra, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
Shakib visits US embassy, plays cricket with Peter Haas
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan paid a visit to the US Embassy in Dhaka and engaged in friendly cricket with US Ambassador Peter Haas.
The US Embassy shared a video on their social media platforms, showing Shakib bowling to Haas, who in turn faced Shakib's deliveries.
The video captured the camaraderie between Shakib and the US Ambassador, along with others briefly participating in the friendly game of cricket.
Bangladesh poised to be a formidable contender in World Cup, Shakib believes
Accompanied by his wife and children, Shakib also posed for a photo with the US ambassador.
Bangladesh ready for Asia Cup with Shakib at the helm
Shakib's wife, Umme Ahmed Shishir, lives in the US with their children, and Shakib frequently travels to the US whenever he finds breaks in his busy cricketing schedule.
Shakib is currently enjoying a break from cricket. He is expected to join the national team soon that will travel to India to take part in the World Cup.
Shakib chosen as ODI Captain of Bangladesh
Bangladesh aiming to bounce back in 3rd ODI
After a 15-year home ODI defeat to New Zealand, Bangladesh aims to rebound in the final ODI under newly appointed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
With regular captain Shakib Al Hasan absent and vice-captain Litton Das opting for rest after the first two matches, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) turned to Shanto, who brings leadership experience from U-19 and age-level cricket.
"This is a moment of great pride for me and my family," Shanto remarked on Monday. "I'm eager to embrace this opportunity."
Read: Litton rested, Shanto to lead Bangladesh in 3rd ODI vs New Zealand
Facing a potential series defeat against a team that hadn't won an ODI in Bangladesh until the previous match, Shanto remains undaunted. He seeks to end the series on a high note, recognizing a victory as a confidence boost ahead of the World Cup in India next month.
"We're not dwelling on the past," stated the newly-appointed captain. "We must be prepared for whatever comes our way. A victory in the series' final match would be a strong step towards the World Cup, instilling greater confidence in us."
Read: BPL Players’ Draft 2024: Ashraful and Sabbir overlooked
With ten teams participating in the upcoming World Cup, Bangladesh is one of only two yet to finalize their squad, leaving players uncertain. Shanto, however, dispelled this uncertainty, affirming the players have a clear understanding of who will be in the World Cup squad.
Shanto envisions making the upcoming World Cup a memorable campaign, drawing motivation from Bangladesh's strong performance in the World Cup Super League. As one of the top three teams in the qualifying event, Shanto believes this achievement fuels their ambitious aspirations.
The success of Bangladesh's World Cup campaign largely hinges on Shanto's performance at the top order. He embraces the responsibility with optimism, prepared to play a pivotal role for the Tigers.
Bangladesh has made two adjustments to the third ODI squad, reinstating Khaled Ahmed due to Taskin Ahmed's illness, and adding left-handed batter Afif Hossain. These alterations align with Bangladesh's rotation policy aimed at fine-tuning their World Cup squad and ensuring player recovery.
"We have a busy schedule ahead," Shanto emphasized, defending the rotation policy. "It's part of our strategic approach, not a sudden shift in strategy."
Asia Games Cricket: Bangladesh women win bronze beating Pakistan by 5 wickets
An all-round performance by Shorna Akhter helped Bangladesh women's cricket team to clinch the country's first medal, a bronze, in the ongoing 19th Asian Games Cricket in Hangzhou on Monday (September 25).
Two-time Asian Games silver medalists Bangladesh women's cricket team won their games first medal beating Pakistan by five wickets in a 3rd place deciding play-off match at the Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket ground in Hangzhou Monday morning.
Shorna, 16- year old all-rounder from Jamalpur district, grabbed three wickets for 16 runs in four overs to restrict Pakistan for a low total of 64 for 9 in allocated 20 overs.
Later, she guided Bangladesh towards the victory scoring the match- winner 65 runs for the loss of five wickets in 18.2 overs, contributing the team highest unbeaten 14 runs off 33 balls.
Read: Asian Games Football: Bangladesh play out goalless draw with much higher-ranked China
Sent into bat first in the match, Pakistan women's team folded their innings for only 64 runs for 9 in stipulated 20 overs with lower order Aliya Riaz (17), captain Nida Dar (14), Sadaf Shams (13) and Natalia Pervaiz (11) were the notable scorers reaching the double digit.
Apart from Shorna's three wickets haul, Sanjida Akter claimed two wickets for 11 runs in four overs while Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan and Nahida Akter took one Pakistani wicket each.
For Bangladesh, two openers Shamima Sultana and Shathi Rani made 27 runs in the first wicket stand scoring 13 runs each apart from Shorna Akter's 14 runs.
Nashra Sandhu captured three Bangladesh wickets giving 10 runs while Nida Dar and Sadia iqbal shared one wicket each.
Read: AFC Women's Asian Cup: Bangladesh suffer 0-4 goal defeat against Australia
Earlier, Bangladesh reached the semifinal as they declared winner against Hong Kong in a rain- marred quarter final in Hangzhou last Friday as their ICC ranking is higher than the Hong Kong.
But in the semifinal, Bangladesh lost to their giant neighbour India by eight wickets to join the bronze medal battle with Pakistan.
Litton rested, Shanto to lead Bangladesh in 3rd ODI vs New Zealand
With regular captain Shakib Al Hasan and vice-captain Litton Das unavailable, Najmul Hossain Shanto has been named the captain of the Bangladesh ODI team for the third and final match of the series against New Zealand.
The match is scheduled for September 26th at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
It’s going to be the first time that Shanto will lead the Bangladesh senior side in an international match. He has previously led the Bangladesh U-19 team, Bangladesh A team, and other age-level teams.
BAN vs NZ ODI Series: Tamim and Litton may sit out the final match
Alongside Litton, Tamim Iqbal has also been rested. The left-handed opener made a noteworthy score of 44 in the last match upon returning from an injury-induced break.
Bangladesh has introduced several changes for this match; Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehdiy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam are making their return after a brief hiatus.
Black Caps win comfortably as Sodhi runs through Tigers in 2nd ODI
To pave the way for them, some players who were part of the squad of the last match have been omitted, and they are Soumya Sarkar, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Khaled Ahmed.
Bangladesh’s squad for third ODI vs New Zealand:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain