United News of Bangladesh

Sunil Narine’s all-round performance kept defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders alive in the Indian Premier League with a 14-run victory over Delhi Capitals on Tuesday. Narine made a brisk 27 up front to set up a platform for Kolkata’s total of 204-9 after Delhi captain Axar Patel won the toss and elected to field. Narine, an experienced West Indies all-rounder, then grabbed 3-29 and ran out Lokesh Rahul to restrict Delhi to 190-9 — its third defeat in four home games this season. Delhi stayed at No. 4 with 12 points while Kolkata remained in contention for playoffs with nine points after 10 league games. Narine holds down Delhi Faf du Plessis top-scored with 62 off 45 and had pushed Delhi to 136-3 when he combined in a 76-run partnership with Patel, who made a quickfire 43 off 23 balls. Patel batted with lot of aggression despite sustaining a hand injury during Kolkata's innings as he smashed Narine for three sixes and kept Delhi in the driving seat. But Narine first had the wickets of Patel and Tristan Stubbs in the 14th over and then du Plessis lofted the spinner to deep mid-wicket in the 16th over which brought Kolkata back into the game. 14-year-old Suryavanshi smashes a record-breaking T20 century in IPL Impact player Ashutosh Sharma could score only seven as he tried to accelerate against Varun Chakravarthy, but his reverse sweep went straight into the hands of Narine at backward point and Mitchell Starc fell of the next delivery when he skied a simple catch to wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Vipraj Nigam’s late countercharge gave Delhi a glimmer of hope before Andre Russell clean bowled him in the final over for 38 off 19 balls as Kolkata squeezed the home team in the final five overs. Kolkata's top-order batters shine Narine and Gurbaz featured in Kolkata’s highest opening partnership of the season when they smacked 48 runs of the first three overs with Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmanta Chameera conceding 25 runs in one over. Starc had Gurbaz (26 off 12 balls) caught behind off a fullish delivery outside the off stump and Narine was out plumb leg before wicket when he tried to slog sweep leg-spinner Nigam’s quickish leg-break soon after the power play. Patel then dried up the runs and got the wickets of captain Ajinkya Rahane (26) and Venkatesh Iyer (7) as Kolkata slipped to 113-4 in the 10th over. Towhid Hridoy handed four-match ban amid controversy Top-scorer Angkrish Raghuvanshi (44) and Rinku Singh (36) then rebuilt the innings with a 61-run partnership before both fell in the death overs. Kolkata lost three wickets in Starc’s final over of the innings when the Australian (3-43) claimed two wickets and Russell was run out after he tried to regain the strike.

Abahani Limited won yet another title of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, beating their arch-nemesis Mohammedan Sporting Club on Tuesday in Dhaka.  It was their third straight title in the Dhaka League. Overall, it was Abahani’s 24th title in this league, and seventh after the league got its List-A status in the 2012-13 season.  Chasing 241, Abahani reached the target with 56 balls to spare, thanks to a match-winning partnership between captain Mosaddek Hossain and Mohammad Mithun. The duo added an unbeaten 135 runs for the fifth wicket, steering their side to 243 for 4 in 40.4 overs. Mosaddek led from the front with an all-round performance. After claiming 2 for 39 in 10 overs with the ball, he remained unbeaten on 78 off 65 balls, striking five sixes and six fours. Chattogram Test: Bangladesh makes steady start, Shadman hits fifty Mithun supported him well with a fluent 66* off 66 deliveries. Earlier, Mohammedan posted 240 for 7 in 50 overs after being asked to bat.  Veteran Mahmudullah (50 off 63) and Ariful Haque (50 off 59) guided their team with a 90-run stand after the top order faltered. Opener Rony Talukdar scored 45, while Farhad Hossain added 42. Abahani lost opener Shahriar Kamal for just 1 in the opening over but recovered through a 56-run stand between Parvez Hossain (28) and Zishan Alam (55). Nasum Ahmed, who took 2 for 59, briefly stalled Abahani’s progress, but Mosaddek and Mithun ensured there were no further hiccups. With this victory, Abahani wrapped up the DPL season with 15 consecutive wins, overturning a loss in their opening game.

Bangladesh appeared in control for much of the second day of the Chattogram Test thanks to a century from Shadman Islam, but late wickets handed Zimbabwe a way back as the hosts closed on 291 for 7, leading by just 64 runs. Shadman starred with a fluent 120, marking his second Test hundred and his first at home. He shared a century opening stand with Anamul Haque (39), giving Bangladesh their first 100-plus opening partnership in 33 innings. Mominul Haque (33) also chipped in with a steady hand as Bangladesh built a strong platform.However, a series of poor decisions and a disciplined Zimbabwean bowling effort derailed Bangladesh's progress. Debutant leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa was the best bowler with 3 for 44, including the crucial wickets of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Jaker Ali, and Nayeem Hasan. Brian Bennett also struck with the key dismissal of Shadman. Mushfiqur Rahim (40) was run out needlessly, adding to Bangladesh’s frustrations. From a commanding 259 for 3, Bangladesh slipped to 291 for 7 by stumps. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (16*) and Taijul Islam (5*) will resume on Day 3, with the hosts hoping to stretch the lead beyond 100. Earlier in the morning, Taijul Islam wrapped up Zimbabwe’s first innings with a six-wicket haul, as the visitors were bowled out for 227, deciding to bat first after winning the toss.//  

Opener Shadman Islam smashed a ton, his second in Test career, to guide Bangladesh to a lead in the Chattogram Test against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.  ‍Shadman scored his career-best 120 off 181 balls before falling prey to Brian Bennett.  While hitting the ton, Shadman and his opening partner, Anamul Haque Bijoy, added 118 runs in the opening stand to lay a solid foundation in reply to Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 227.  Anamul fell for 39, best in his Test career, but Shadman continued to keep the scoreboard afloat.  Mominul Haque (33), and Najmul Hossain Shanto (23) have also passed the initial phrase to get a good start each, but eventually failed to carry on.  At the end of the 77th over of their innings, Bangladesh lost six wickets for 274 runs.  Vincent Masekesa, the debutant leg-spinner, scalped two wickets for Zimbabwe.  

The 14-year-old batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi hit a breathtaking century in the Indian Premier League on Monday, and made it one of the greatest innings in men's Twenty20 cricket history. Just nine days after becoming the youngest player to debut in the IPL, Suryavanshi blew away observers again with a century in just his third match and, to boot, the second fastest in the tournament's 18 years. He got there in just 35 deliveries by pulling Gujarat Titans star spinner Rashid Khan for a six over midwicket, and sending the Rajasthan Royals' packed home crowd in Jaipur to their feet yet again. Of the 100 runs, an incredible 94 came off boundaries. He hit 11 sixes and seven fours. “It feels really good,” Suryavanshi said. “It is like a dream to score a century in the IPL. What I’ve been practicing for the last three, four months, the result is showing.” He was out three balls later for 101, missing a yorker. But his 166-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 70 not out off 40 balls, propelled Rajasthan to a remarkable rundown of Gujarat's imposing total of 209-4 with 25 balls to spare. Rajasthan made 212-2, winning for only the third time in 10 games to stay in playoffs contention. Hyderabad notches its first IPL win at Chepauk as Chennai's struggles continue Cricket is the most popular sport in India by a considerable margin, and the lucrative IPL has offered a showcase for talent emerging from the population of 1.4 billion to mix it with the sport's top international stars. Fervent fans are always on the lookout for the “next” superstar player like Sachin Tendulkar, who transformed from precocious teenage talent into an iconic figure and the leading international scorer in the sport. The great Tendulkar was impressed with Suryavanshi, who was described by TV commentators during his dramatic innings as an amazing “14-year-old boy.” Suryavanshi rose to fame when he was drafted at age 13 last November. In a splashy debut this month, he whacked the first ball he faced for six at the same venue. He showed brutal power-hitting on Monday against a battery of seasoned international bowlers including Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma and Washington Sundar. The teenager smacked Sharma for three sixes and two fours in one over and clubbed spinner Sundar for two sixes and a four to raise the 2025 IPL's fastest half-century off 17 balls. Suryavanshi raced to 94 when he belted Afghanistan fast bowler Karim Janat for three sixes and three fours, and raised the hundred against the great Khan. “It was incredible,” Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag said of Suryavanshi. "We’ve spent two months with him (and) we have seen what he can do, but to see him do this against the world-class bowlers ... (I) can't express in words.” Suryavanshi was patted on the back by his partner Jaiswal as he celebrated, removed his helmet and raised his bat to acknowledge the applause of the home crowd. He also saluted his teammates in the dugout with his bat. Only West Indies great Chris Gayle has hit an IPL hundred in less balls, 30, and that was 12 years ago. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna finally bowled out Suryavanshi, who walked off to another standing ovation and to hugs from teammates. Left-handers Suryavanshi and Jaiswal raised Rajasthan's highest stand for any wicket in the IPL, and the teenager eclipsed Sanju Samson's record of 10 sixes in an IPL innings for an Indian batter. “Batting with him (Jaiswal) gives me confidence because he keeps very positive, (and it) becomes easy to bat with him,” Suryavanshi said. He added he doesn't notice the crowds much to "just focus on the ball.” Gill and Buttler shine for Gujarat New Zealand to invest in a new franchise in US-based Major League Cricket Gujarat captain Shubman Gill made an aggressive 84 off 50 balls while his opening partner Sai Sudharsan scored 39 to overtake Virat Kohli as the leading scorer of the season with 456 runs in nine matches. The pair added 93 runs for the first wicket off 62 balls before Sudharsan holed out at long-on in the 11th over. Gill looked well set for a century but missed Maheesh Theekshana’s low full toss and was caught at long-off. Jos Buttler cut loose in the death overs with a 26-ball unbeaten 50.

Bangladesh's spinners, led by a five-wicket haul from Taijul Islam, helped the hosts seize the advantage as Zimbabwe ended the first day of the second Test on 227 for 9 at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram. It was Taijul’s 16th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, fifth against Zimbabwe, and fourth at this venue. Choosing to bat first, Zimbabwe made a steady start with openers Brian Bennett (21) and Ben Curran (21) adding 41 for the first wicket. However, they failed to continue on the good run. They lost the first wicket to Bangladesh’s debutant Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Nick Welch anchored the innings with a 54 but was forced to retire hurt after tea. Sean Williams also fought hard with a 67 off 166 balls, but the middle order collapsed around him as Bangladesh’s spin trio tightened the grip. Chattogram Test: Bangladesh to bowl first with three changes vs Zimbabwe Nayeem Hasan chipped in with two important wickets, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled economically without success. Taijul was the star of the day, exploiting the turning surface to claim 5 for 60. His dismissals included key scalps like Curran, Madhevere, Masakadza, and Ngarava, with the latter falling first ball. Tafadzwa Tsiga (18*) and tail-ender Blessing Muzarabani (2*) were unbeaten at stumps, as Zimbabwe struggled to reach a competitive total. They survived 30 deliveries in the last wicket stand. Towhid Hridoy handed four-match ban amid controversy Zimbabwe won the first Test in Sylhet. Another win in Chattogram or even a draw will ensure the series for them.

Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first in Chattogram in the second Test against Bangladesh on Monday.  Zimbabwe came to this match aiming to win the series, with a win in the first match in Sylhet.  Bangladesh made three changes to their playing XI, bringing back Anamul Haque Bijoy, Nayeem Hasan and giving the Test cap to Tanzim Hasan Sakib. To pave the way for them, Bangladesh overlooked Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Nahid Rana, and Khaled Ahmed.  Sylhet Test: Muzarabani takes six, Zimbabwe need 174 to win Zimbabwe sidelined Victor Nyauchi and Nyasha Mayavo to pave the way for leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa and Tafadzwa Tsiga. Vincent is getting his Test cap in this match.  Chattogram’s wicket is traditionally friendly for the spinners, and that history has prompted both teams to field a spin-heavy attack.  Bangladesh XI: Anamul Haque, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali (wk), Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nayeem Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Zimbabwe XI: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzawa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Vincent Masekesa    

Towhid Hridoy, one of the most talked-about figures in Bangladesh cricket in recent weeks, has been handed a four-match suspension in the Dhaka Premier League following a fresh breach of conduct. The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) issued the ban after Hridoy showed visible dissent after his dismissal during Friday’s match against Gazi Group Cricketers. Although summoned for a hearing, the Mohammedan Sporting Club player did not appear. As a result, match referee Akhtar Ahmed fined him BDT 10,000 and added one more demerit point to his record. Premier Division Super League: Mohammedan, Abahani, Agrani Bank all win Hridoy already had seven demerit points from previous offenses. With the latest addition, he now accumulates eight points, which under Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) code of conduct automatically triggers a four-match ban. The CCDM has confirmed that the suspension takes immediate effect, ruling Hridoy out of Mohammedan’s crucial clash against Abahani Limited, widely regarded as the "unofficial final" of the league.

Mohammedan Sporting Club clinched a four-wicket win over Gazi Group Cricketers in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League Super League match on Saturday. In other matches, Abahani Limited and Agrani Bank also registered wins. Chasing 237, Mohammedan reached the target off the final ball, finishing at 237 for 6. Mohammad Saifuddin starred with 3 for 42 and an unbeaten 30, while Rony Talukdar contributed 55 runs at the top. Earlier, Gazi Group posted 236, thanks to Munim Shahriar’s 80. Mustafizur Rahman and Saifuddin shared six wickets between them to keep Mohammedan in control. At BKSP Ground 4, Abahani overpowered Legends of Rupganj by seven wickets. Mosaddek Hossain delivered a superb spell, taking 4 for 41 to restrict Rupganj to 225 for 9. In the chase, Parvez Hossain Emon scored 73, and Jishan Alam added 63, helping Abahani cruise to 226 for 3 with 12.3 overs to spare. Meanwhile, Agrani Bank Cricket Club beat Gulshan Cricket Club by 137 runs at BKSP Ground 3. Imranuzzaman led the charge with a sparkling 123 off 108 balls, while Pritom Kumar blasted 59 from just 29 balls to lift Agrani to 340 for 7. Gulshan CC never got going in their chase and were bowled out for 203. Sandip Roy starred with the ball, grabbing 5 for 35. After winning in this round, Abahani strengthened their hold at the top of the Super League table with 26 points from 15 matches, winning 13 games. Mohammedan follow closely behind with 24 points, securing 12 wins. Agrani Bank sit at the bottom among the six teams, with 16 points from 15 matches after winning eight games.  

As Bangladesh gear up for the second Test against Zimbabwe starting Monday in Chattogram, the focus remains on the collective responsibility of the team rather than individual performances that often fail to win the match. Wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali said that the burden should not fall on just one player like Mushfiqur Rahim. Mushfiqur has recently come under tremendous pressure for his poor performances, and Jaker came to his defence. BCB defends financial decisions, rejects allegations of irregularities “Mushfiq bhai is not playing alone. Everyone has to take responsibility and contribute. It’s unfair to expect him to deliver every time,” Jaker told reporters on Saturday in Chattogram. Jaker said that the entire batting unit must step up, recalling how lower-order resistance, including Hasan Mahmud’s 58-ball 12 in Sylhet, helped Bangladesh fight despite the defeat. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe opener Ben Curran, one of the main players who contributed to the team's win in Sylhet, is keeping an eye on family matters even while preparing for the second Test. Curran’s brothers, Tom and Sam, are busy with franchise leagues — Tom in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Sam in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Both his brothers represent England in international cricket. “I try to follow their matches whenever possible. We talk regularly, especially on match days. We are a very close family,” Ben said on Saturday in Chattogram. Ben Curran, who chose to represent Zimbabwe like his father Kevin Curran, played a vital role in the 2nd innings of the first Test, scoring 44 in a tight chase of 174. While Bangladesh aim for a spin-heavy strategy to bounce back, Zimbabwe seem quietly confident after the win in the first match. The second and final Test will be played in Chattogram from April 28th.//