United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s under-19 team rewrote the record books on Saturday with a landmark chase in the Asia Cup, overhauling a target of 284 to defeat Afghanistan by three wickets in Dubai. No side in the tournament’s 36-year history had ever chased down a total of that size at under-19 level. Bangladesh did so with seven balls to spare, riding a commanding opening stand and holding their nerve through a tense finish at the ICC Cricket Academy ground. Afghanistan, sent in to bat, posted 283 for seven, anchored by a polished century from Faisal Shinozada. The batter struck 103 from 94 balls, his third hundred against Bangladesh in youth one-day internationals, before departing in the 33rd over. Afghanistan added 108 runs after his dismissal to set what appeared an imposing target. Bangladesh’s reply was shaped by a fluent opening partnership between Jawad Abrar and Rifat Beg. The pair added 151 runs in 26.4 overs, giving the chase early momentum. Rifat fell for 62, but Jawad carried on, mixing control with power and keeping the asking rate in check. He was dismissed for 96, four runs short of a century, after striking nine fours and six sixes in a 112-ball innings. A brief wobble followed as wickets fell in quick succession, bringing pressure back into the contest. Captain Azizul Hakim and Kalam Siddiki steadied the innings, and despite further losses late on, Bangladesh stayed within reach. The equation was reduced to 15 runs from the final 18 balls, and after a late dismissal, Shahriar Ahmed calmly nudged the winning run to seal a historic victory.

Devon Conway compiled a composed half-century in a 67-run stand with Kane Williamson to guide New Zealand to 112-2 at lunch on Thursday, the second day of the second Test against the West Indies. The hosts added 88 runs in the morning session, responding to the West Indies’ first-innings total of 205, on a Basin Reserve pitch that continued to offer pace and movement for the quicks. Kemar Roach struck early, removing Tom Latham for 11 in the fifth over of the day with a delivery that seamed back and hit off stump. Williamson, who looked settled on his way to 37, was undone just before lunch by a superb Anderson Phillip delivery that pitched on middle and straightened enough to clip off stump. Conway went into the interval unbeaten on 55, while Rachin Ravindra was batting on 5. Conway enjoyed a life on 29 when Brandon King dropped him at leg gully off Jayden Seales, and Williamson survived a tough return chance to Phillip on 22. Cummins returns for third Ashes Test as Australia aims to seal series West Indies’ seamers worked hard to unsettle Conway, alternating between attacking his pads from around the wicket and moving the ball across him from over the wicket. The surface hardened overnight, offering consistent bounce and sharp movement from a good length. Ravindra, who struck 171 in the second innings of the drawn first Test, got off the mark shortly before lunch with an edge that flew between slip and gully. Meanwhile, New Zealand confirmed that fast bowler Blair Tickner, who dislocated his left shoulder on day one after taking 4-32, has rejoined the squad but will not bowl or field again in the match. He will bat only if required. The opening Test in Christchurch ended in a draw. The series finale begins Dec. 18 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Source: AP 

Bangladesh leg spinner Rishad Hossain has left for Australia to take part in the upcoming Big Bash League, where he will play for defending champions Hobart Hurricanes. With this, his dream is coming into true, as he was unable to play last season as the BCB did not grant him the No-Objection Certificate.  Rishad is the only Bangladeshi cricketer after Shakib Al Hasan to play this Australian league.  This time, the clearance came early, which also kept Rishad out of the Bangladesh Premier League auction. Hobart retained their faith in him during the draft, calling him in the second round. Before that, they secured England fast bowler Chris Jordan as their first overseas pick, and later added another English leg spinner, Rehan Ahmed, in the fourth round. Jordan has been a key figure for Hobart over the last two seasons, taking seven wickets during their title-winning campaign last year and nine wickets the previous season. He remains the Hurricanes’ preferred option in the death overs and was their top overseas priority once again. With Rishad and Rehan both in the squad, two of Hobart’s three overseas slots are now occupied by leg spinners who can also contribute with the bat. Mushtaq backs Rishad for Test, citing his height and bounce advantage Rehan brings stronger red-ball batting credentials, with six first-class centuries, while Rishad has featured in ninety-six recognized T20 matches, scoring one fifty at a strike rate of 134.39. Rehan last played competitive cricket in mid-November and recently recovered from injury, which British media say will not affect his Big Bash availability. Only three overseas players can feature in a match-day eleven, making competition for places intense. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis led the team last season. The new Big Bash season begins on December 14, with Hobart Hurricanes setting to play their opening match on December 16.  

Australia’s 15-man squad for next week’s third Ashes Test features just one notable addition — captain Pat Cummins, who is set to bolster the pace attack when the series resumes in Adelaide. Selectors retained a larger squad to maintain flexibility ahead of the Dec. 17 match, with Cummins and off-spinner Nathan Lyon both expected to return to the starting XI. Australia leads the five-Test series 2-0 and needs only a draw at Adelaide Oval to retain the Ashes. Cummins has been sidelined since Australia’s 3-0 sweep of the West Indies in July, when he began experiencing the back soreness that kept him out of the opening two Tests. Lyon, who was unexpectedly dropped for the team’s eight-wicket win at the Gabba, has been cleared to play and is set to reunite with the attack. McCullum blames England’s Ashes slump on overtraining, opts for beach reset The remaining fitness concern is opener Usman Khawaja, who is recovering from a back complaint. The 38-year-old remains optimistic about being available, though it is uncertain whether he will reclaim his spot. In his absence, Travis Head partnered Jake Weatherald in Brisbane, scoring 33 and 22 after his match-winning century in Perth. Australia squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster. Source: AP 

Shakib Al Hasan, who lives out of country after the fall of his political party Awami League from the government facing a mass uprising last year, has said he remains hopeful of playing for Bangladesh again and wants to end his international career with a full series on home soil across all three formats. Many observers believe Shakib’s international career for Bangladesh effectively ended after he last played during the team’s tour of India in 2024. Following the political changes later that year, the former Bangladesh captain has remained outside the country. Shakib was a member of parliament after Awani League won an election early last year. The election was boycotted by major political parties. In July- August last year, a mass uprising ousted Sheikh Hasina-led government after she brutally superseded an earlier students-movement demanding a fair system for government job. Speaking on the YouTube podcast Beard Before Wicket, Shakib said his plan is clear. “My plan is to return to Bangladesh and retire after playing a full series — one-day internationals, Tests and T20Is,” he said. “I want to say goodbye to all three formats in a single series. It could be T20Is first, then ODIs and Tests, or in any order. I have no issue with that,” he added Shakib had earlier announced before the Kanpur Test in September last year that he would no longer play international T20Is. He had also hoped to play his final Test at home against South Africa in October, but protests and clashes near the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka preceded that series. After later apologising for his silence during the July–August student-led uprising, Shakib was not included in the squad for the South Africa Tests. However, despite the apologies, Shakib later said what he had done during the protest was right. Now, again, the star all-rounder expressed his hope to play for Bangladesh. Since the India tour in 2024, he has not featured for the national team but has continued to play regularly in overseas franchise leagues. He is currently playing in the International League T20 in the United Arab Emirates for MI Emirates. Shakib said he is still playing because of his dream to return. “This is the dream. That is why I am still playing,” he said. He added that a farewell at home would be for the supporters. “They have always stood by me. I want to close this chapter by playing a full series in front of them on home soil.” But the current political reality that emerged after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s fifteen-year rule in Bangladesh, which analysts say was authoritative, now casts serious doubt on whether that “dream” can be fulfilled.

England coach Brendon McCullum says the team’s biggest issue after consecutive eight-wicket defeats to Australia in the Ashes isn’t technical — it’s exhaustion from too much training. With England needing to win all three remaining Tests to reclaim the Ashes, McCullum wants his players to step back, relax and recover at one of Australia’s top beach destinations. Speaking to broadcasters from both Australia and the U.K., McCullum said the heavy loss in Perth followed by over-preparation ahead of the Brisbane day-night Test left the squad drained. “Going into this Test, I think we overprepared,” he told Australia’s 7 network after Sunday’s defeat at the Gabba. “We had five very demanding training days. In the middle of a tough series, sometimes the key is to stay fresh and keep your mind clear. “The boys need a break. We’ll adjust our training approach, take a breather after a hectic couple of weeks, and start planning our way back.” The third Test begins Dec. 17 in Adelaide, where Australia needs only a draw to retain the urn. In the opening two matches, England surrendered promising positions due to wayward bowling, rash batting and dropped catches. The coaching setup has also been criticized for scheduling just one warm-up game and for sticking too rigidly to an aggressive style rather than adapting to conditions. Australia crush England in Brisbane to take lead in Ashes McCullum urged his team to stay mentally strong. “The message from me and the captain is simple: you can’t sulk in Australia,” he said. “You can’t have a glass jaw here. You’ve got to stand firm, take a few blows and keep moving forward.” England hasn’t won an Ashes Test in Australia since 2010–11, something McCullum and captain Ben Stokes are determined to change. Stokes fought back with a gritty half-century on Sunday, putting on 96 with Will Jacks in a more traditional Test approach that briefly slowed Australia’s charge. Stokes said England has the talent to win but must perform better in pressure moments. “When it’s not about skill, you have to dig deeper and figure out why we’re falling short in big moments,” he said. “Australia keep outdoing us when the heat is on.” He acknowledged the tough Australian conditions — the harsh sun, the bouncy pitches and the lively crowds. “Australia isn’t a place for the weak — we’re not weak,” Stokes said. “But we need to find answers quickly. We’re 2-0 down with three to play, and we’re not backing away from the fight. We just need to sort out what’s gone wrong and do it fast.”

Australia moved to the brink of an Ashes series victory with a big eight-wicket win over England in the Brisbane day-night Test on Sunday. They took a two-nil lead in the five-match series. Chasing a paltry target of 65 runs, Australia completed the formalities with little trouble despite early wickets for Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne. Steve Smith and opener Jake Weatherald stayed to the end, with Smith sealing the win with a six off the final ball of the 10th over. The result strengthened Australia’s grip on the series, with history firmly on their side. Only once has a team lost an Ashes series after winning the first two Tests — when England fell three-two in Australia during the 1936–37 campaign. The Brisbane Test was shaped as much by fielding as by runs. England dropped five catches during Australia’s first innings, while the hosts held almost everything that came their way. Those margins proved decisive. Earlier, Australia had posted a commanding 511 in their first innings, with half-centuries from Jack Weatherald, Labuschagne, Smith, Carey and Mitchell Starc. With two victories in Perth and Brisbane, Australia now stand firmly in control of the Ashes series.  

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman made an impactful debut in the International League T20 on Saturday for Dubai Capitals He produced a strong all-round performance with the ball and in the field, even as his team, the Capitals, suffered a four-wicket loss to Gulf Giants in the United Arab Emirates. Playing his first match of the tournament, Mustafizur finished with figures of two for 26 from four overs and also took two catches in the field. Despite his efforts, Dubai Capitals were unable to defend their total of 160 runs, which Gulf Giants chased down with seven balls to spare. Mustafizur struck with the very first delivery of his spell, removing Gulf opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the start of the second over. He returned to bowl the final over of the powerplay but narrowly missed another wicket when James Vince mistimed a shot off his last ball. David Willey dropped the chance at backward point, and the ball ran away for four. That over conceded 10 runs, and Vince went on to play a decisive role in the chase. The left-arm pacer returned to make another key breakthrough in the 12th over, dismissing Pathum Nissanka, who had already reached his half-century. Mustafizur then produced a tight final spell, conceding just five runs across his last two overs after giving away 21 runs in his first two. By the time Mustafizur completed his spell, Gulf Giants still needed 29 runs from 24 balls, a target they reached comfortably. Nissanka played a match-winning innings of 67 runs from 31 balls and was named player of the match.  

Yashasvi Jaiswal's maiden one-day international century trumped Quinton de Kock's 23rd as India clinched the series from South Africa by nine wickets on Saturday. Jaiswal's unbeaten 116, beside Rohit Sharma's 75 and Virat Kohli's unbeaten 65 powered India to the target of 271 with 10.1 overs to spare. They won the series 2-1 after losing the test series 2-0. The teams start a five-match Twenty20 series on Tuesday in Cuttack. De Kock's 89-ball 106 and captain Temba Bavuma's 48 were South Africa's only substantial innings before it was all out for 270 in 47.5 overs. Medium-pacer Prasidh Krishna took the sting out of the Proteas with three wickets in three overs, including de Kock, after India ended a string of 20 lost tosses in ODIs since the 2023 Cricket World Cup semifinals. “I don't think the team has looked at me more proudly after the toss,” India captain Lokesh Rahul said. South Africa, at 168-2 with de Kock and Matthew Breetzke lashing India to all parts, would have entertained thoughts of 350. But Prasidh, who'd had an ordinary series and was conceding almost 10 an over, was persisted with and suddenly came through. He trapped Breetzke for 24 and dismissed Aiden Markram on 1 in the same over. De Kock got his seventh century against India (off 80 balls) in style with a six over square leg but added only six more runs when Prasidh smacked over his off and middle stumps. Prasidh took 3-9 in the spell. “It was really hard for me (in my first spell). I had to think how to get back,” Prasidh said. “I was under pressure after the last game. It's a matter of keeping it simple and being calm.” Kuldeep Yadav cleaned up the tail with 4-41 and the Proteas were restricted to 270. Jaiswal and Rohit cruised in the reply with an opening stand of 155 from as many balls until Rohit's slog sweep misjudged spinner Keshav Maharaj and he lobbed the ball to deep square leg. He scored 75 off 73 balls. Jaiswal raised his ton off 111 balls then Kohli raced to the end with 65 off 45 balls, his 128th ODI half-century, and was awarded the player of the series for 302 runs in three matches. “Just playing the way I have this series has been the most satisfying for me,” Kohli said. "Feel really free in my mind, whole game is coming together nicely. “You have many phases where you feel doubt. You feel nervous, especially in batting where one mistake can cost you. I'm glad to still contribute to the team. When I play freely, I know I can hit sixes.”

New Zealand’s injury-hit bowling unit finally ended the long stand between Shai Hope and Justin Greaves on the final morning of the first Test Saturday, boosting their chances of securing a win over the West Indies. Hope fell for 140 midway through the session, bringing to an end a 186-run partnership that had kept New Zealand wicketless for 64 overs across nearly three sessions. Greaves remained unbeaten on 97 at lunch, closing in on his second Test hundred, with Kemar Roach accompanying him on 12 as the visitors reached 295-6, still 235 runs behind. Spinner Taijul nominated for ICC Player of the Month for November New Zealand appeared on course for a dominant victory on day four after setting a target of 531 and reducing the West Indies to 72-4. But Hope and Greaves resisted superbly, capitalizing on a depleted home attack missing Matt Henry and Nathan Smith due to injuries, and already without Tom Blundell. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, recovering from injuries, were required to field extensively. Starting the day on 212-4, the West Indies pair handled the second new ball calmly, extending their stand. It took a short-pitched delivery from Jacob Duffy to finally dismiss Hope, who edged to Tom Latham after 234 balls with 15 fours and two sixes. Three overs later, Tevin Imlach fell lbw to Zak Foulkes, with his review upholding the on-field call. Source: AP