United News of Bangladesh

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.

Shaun Tait, the former Australian pacer, stepped down from his post of Bangladesh’s bowling coach, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed in a press release on Thursday. Since informing the BCB of his circumstances, Shaun had expressed his willingness to continue in the role with a shortened time. He joined the Bangladesh National Team support staff in May 2025 and has made a significant contribution to the development of the country's fast-bowling resources. The former Australian fast bowler was also part of a successful period for the Bangladesh team, with the side producing a number of notable performances and results during his time with the team. “It has been a privilege to work with the Bangladesh National Team and to be part of a talented and committed group of players and support staff,” Shaun said. “This was not an easy decision, and I sincerely appreciate the understanding and support shown by the BCB throughout our discussions. I am proud of what the pace bowlers have achieved and I believe they have an exciting future ahead. I wish the team every success going forward,” he added.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday announced the squad for the 1st and 2nd ODIs of this month’s series against Australia in Dhaka, with all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, and wicketkeeper batter Nurul Hasan Sohan making a comeback.   The three-match series will begin on June 9, with the second and third matches scheduled for June 11 and 14, respectively. From the squad that played in the last ODI series in April against New Zealand, batsmen Afif Hossain and Mahidul Islam Ankon have been left out. Mosaddek makes a return to the Bangladesh fold after four years. The 30-year-old right-hander had last played an ODI in August 2022. Wicket-keeper batsman Nurul is also back after missing the series against New Zealand. Australia will play a bilateral ODI series in Bangladesh for the first time in 15 years, making their first visit to the country since 2011. The hosts face a daunting historical challenge, having lost all previous home ODIs against the tourists. Overall, Bangladesh have managed just a single victory against Australia in their 22 encounters in the format. Bangladesh squad against Australia: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.

England will begin its home Test season against New Zealand at Lord’s on Thursday, hoping to put behind it the disappointment and criticism that followed a heavy Ashes defeat in Australia. The series marks England’s first Test action at home since a difficult tour in which the team suffered one of its quickest Ashes losses in more than a century. The defeat sparked criticism over England’s preparation, tactics and off-field conduct. Despite the backlash, director of cricket Rob Key, head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes retained their positions following a review of the tour. McCullum acknowledged the disappointment among supporters but said the team had to accept criticism and focus on improving. England has since introduced several changes, including stricter team discipline measures and additional coaching support. Former England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor has joined the coaching staff, becoming the first woman to work with England’s men's Test team. The hosts have also made changes to their batting lineup. Openers Zac Crawley and Ollie Pope have been left out, with Durham batter Emilio Gay and young talent Jacob Bethell earning opportunities. Bethell scored his maiden Test century during the final Ashes Test in Sydney earlier this year. Fast bowler Ollie Robinson has also returned to the squad after being dropped in 2024 over concerns about fitness and attitude. Robinson has taken 76 wickets in 20 Tests and will strengthen England’s pace attack while Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse remain unavailable through injury. New Zealand, meanwhile, arrives with a strong bowling unit led by tall fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke, who are expected to play together in a Test match for the first time after recovering from back injuries. The visitors have also welcomed the return of white-ball captain Mitchell Santner from a shoulder injury. All-rounders Santner and Glenn Phillips are competing for places in the playing XI. Attention will also be on veteran batter Kane Williamson, whose long-term international future remains uncertain after stepping away from a full national contract in 2024. The 35-year-old is closing in on the milestone of 10,000 Test runs and has suggested this could be his final Test appearance at Lord’s. Williamson described Lord’s as one of cricket’s most special venues, praising its traditions and unique atmosphere. The three-match series offers England an opportunity to rebuild confidence after the Ashes setback, while New Zealand will be aiming to continue its strong recent Test performances.