United News of Bangladesh

Afghanistan successfully chased down Bangladesh’s 245-run target with 10 balls to spare, winning the third ODI by five wickets to secure a 2-1 series victory in Sharjah. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s stunning 101 laid the groundwork for Afghanistan’s chase, while Azmatullah Omarzai’s composed 70 not out ensured they crossed the line in the final overs. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh posted 244 for 8, thanks largely to a 98 from veteran Mahmudullah Riayd and a supportive 66 from stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The Bangladesh innings had its highs and lows, with regular breakthroughs from Afghanistan's bowlers keeping them in check. Azmatullah Omarzai led with 4 wickets for 37, dismantling Bangladesh’s middle and lower order to restrict the final push. Afghanistan’s chase started shakily as they lost opener Sediqullah Atal for 14, bowled by Nahid Rana with a searing delivery in the eighth over. Rahmat Shah fell shortly after, giving a simple catch back to Mustafizur Rahman. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi struggled for runs, and his dismissal to a sharp slip catch from Soumya Sarkar off Mustafizur left Afghanistan at 84 for 3. Rahmanullah, however, held firm at one end, scoring a measured century off 120 balls, including five fours and seven sixes. Gurbaz showcased power and resilience, forming a 100-run partnership with Omarzai, which put Afghanistan firmly in contention. Gurbaz’s dismissal at 184 in the 39th over, caught at deep square leg by Zakir Hasan off Mehidy, briefly offered Bangladesh a glimmer of hope. Yet, Omarzai stayed steady, pacing his innings with both caution and aggression, scoring boundaries to keep the required rate under control. A short-lived scare followed when Gulbadin Naib was dismissed for 1, miscuing Nahid Rana to keeper Jaker Ali at 188 for 5 in the 41st over. But Mohammad Nabi’s swift 34 off 27 balls, striking five boundaries, provided the necessary finishing kick. The Nabi-Omarzai stand ensured that Afghanistan reached the target comfortably in the 49th over. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Mustafizur Rahman’s 2 for 50, put in a commendable effort, with Nahid Rana impressing early on with figures of 2 for 40. However, Afghanistan’s determined batting lineup proved too resilient in the end. With this win, Afghanistan clinched the series 2-1, marking a memorable performance in Sharjah, and proved their growing strength in international cricket.

In the third and final ODI of the series at Sharjah, Bangladesh set a target of 245 for Afghanistan after posting 244 for 8 in their 50 overs. A crucial 98 from veteran batter Mahmudullah and a patient 66 from stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz laid the foundation for Bangladesh's total, as Afghanistan’s bowlers, particularly Azmatullah Omarzai, posed challenges throughout. Opting to bat, Bangladesh made a promising start, with openers Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan adding 53 runs for the first wicket. Soumya, looking fluent, scored a brisk 24 off 23 balls but was dismissed by Omarzai, chopping one onto his stumps in the ninth over. Tanzid followed shortly after, caught by Hashmatullah Shahidi off Mohammad Nabi for 19. Zakir Hasan, new to the crease, fell to a direct hit from Nangeyalia Kharote after a mix-up with Miraz, reducing Bangladesh to 58 for 3 by the 11th over. Under pressure, Mehidy and Mahmudullah stabilised the innings with a methodical partnership. Miraz played a cautious knock of 66 from 119 balls, anchoring Bangladesh’s innings alongside Mahmudullah, who took a more aggressive approach. Their 145-run partnership consumed 188 balls, helping Bangladesh rebuild after the early setbacks. Mehidy was eventually dismissed in the 46th over, caught by Gulbadin Naib off another slower ball from Omarzai, but his innings provided the solidity Bangladesh needed. Mahmudullah then took charge in the death overs, accelerating his scoring rate to ensure a competitive total. He hit seven boundaries and three sixes as he reached 98 off 98 balls. However, he fell just short of a century, running out on the final ball of the inning while attempting a risky second run. Omarzai finished taking 4 for 37 in his seven overs, effectively derailing Bangladesh’s late push with timely strikes. Afghanistan’s spinners were disciplined, with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi each taking a wicket and keeping the scoring rate in check. Nabi’s economical 10-over spell, conceding just 37 runs, kept Bangladesh under constant pressure in the middle overs. Bangladesh’s innings ended at 244 for 8, a challenging but defendable score on the Sharjah surface.With the series tied at 1-1, Afghanistan will need a well-coordinated chase to clinch the series, while Bangladesh will look to their bowlers to deliver a series win.

Bangladesh stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and opted to bat first in the third and final ODI against Afghanistan on Sunday in Sharjah. Bangladesh’s regular captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was out of this match due to a muscle injury, and Mehidy, the vice captain, is leading the team in this match, making his debut as Bangladesh catapin. Bangladesh made two changes— bringing Nahid Rana and Zakir Hasan in to replace Taskin Ahmed, who was rested, and bringing Nahid Rana to the XI as a debutant. Nahid impressed in the Test and has now made his appearance in ODIs. He is a right-arm fast bowler. Afghanistan did not change anything in their XI. Bangladesh lost the first match of the series by 92 runs, but they made a comeback in the second match. And if they win on Sunday, they will also seal the series. Bangladesh XI: Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali (wk), Nasum Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named the squad for the two ICC World Test Championship (WTC) matches against the West Indies. It'll be Bangladesh's first Test series in West Indies since 2022, when they suffered a clean sweep in a two-match series. Bangladesh brought back left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam for this series. He missed home series against South Africa and also missed the India series before that. The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 22 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, followed by the second match on November 30 at Sabina Park in Jamaica. The tour will begin with a 4-day warm-up match from November 15-19 at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. After the Test series, Bangladesh will play a limited-overs segment, with the first ODU set for December 8 at Warner Park in St. Kitts. The subsequent ODIs are scheduled for December 10 and December 12, both at the same venue. Read: Pakistan beats Australia by 8 wickets to clinch 3-game ODI series Following the ODI series, the tour will conclude with a three-match T20I series in St. Vincent. The T20Is are slated for December 15, December 17, and December 19, all taking place at Arnos Vale Playing Field in Kingstown. Bangladesh Test Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Litton Kumer Das (Wicketkeeper), Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice Captain), Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad.

Pakistan achieved its first win over Australia in a 50-overs series in Australia since 2002 when it won the deciding third one-day international Sunday by eight wickets. Australia’s under-strength batting lineup folded in the face of hostile bowling from Pakistan’s pace attack and was all out for 140 in 31.5 overs. The home team was without captain Pat Cummins, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Marnus Labuschagne, all of whom were rested to prepare for the first of five tests against India that begins in Perth on. Nov. 22. Saim Ayub (42) and Abdullah Shafique (37) then gave Pakistan’s chase a solid foundation in an 84-run opening partnership before both fell in the same over, bowled by Lance Morris. That left Babar Azam and captain Mohammad Rizwan to steer Pakistan to an important victory. The pair put on a further 58 for the third wicket before Babar ended the chase in the 27th over when he hit Adam Zampa for four to take Pakistan to 143-2. Pakistan won with 139 balls to spare. “This is a special moment for me because we know our nation will be happy,” Rizwan said. “They don't always get what they expect from us as a team. Today we are happy as a team because our nation will be happy.” The Pakistan pacemen have dominated the series since Australia won the opening match by two wickets in Melbourne. Pakistan leveled the series when it won the second match by nine wickets in Adelaide when Australia was bowled out for 163 with Haris Rauf taking 5-29. As a result, Rizwan had no hesitation in choosing to bowl when the he won the toss Sunday. Naseem Shah dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk in the fourth over, Rauf dismissed Aaron Hardie in the seventh and Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Aidan Hardie in the 11th and from there Australian wickets fell at regular intervals. Shaheen finished with 3-32, Naseem took 3-34 and Rauf took 2-24 from seven overs as Australia was bowled out for its lowest total at home in a decade. The Australia batters looked particularly vulnerable against the short ball on a lively pitch and allrounder Cooper Connolly retired hurt on 7 after being struck in the hand by Mohammad Hasnain. Fraser-McGurk and Short struggled for form in the first two matches, sharing partnerships of 19 in the first match and 21 in the second. They started positively this time, taking 12 runs from the first over but were separated with the total on 20 when Fraser-McGurk was caught at second slip by Rizwan from Naseem’s bowling. Hardie reached 12 from 13 balls when he also edged to second slip from Shaheen, who caused a ball to nip away off the seam. Josh Inglis captained Australia for the first time in his home town and came to the crease after learning he had been included in Australia’s 13-man squad for the first test against India. His celebrations were cut short when he skied an attempted pull off Naseem to Rizwan when on 7. “It's disappointing. We just didn't get enough runs on the board,” Inglis said. Short grafted his way to 22 from 30 balls and then picked out square leg from Rauf’s bowling when Australia was 72-4. Connolly retired hurt with the total on 79 and Glenn Maxwell also fell to Rauf on that total for a duck. The rest followed in procession but for Sean Abbott who made a defiant 30 from 41 balls and had support from Spencer Johnson who finished 12 not out. Sunday's win was a major confidence boost to Pakistan as it prepares to host the ICC Champions Trophy tournament early next year.

SYDNEY, Nov 10 (AP/UNB) — Nathan McSweeney is set to open the batting on debut for Australia against India in the first test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Perth this month after being named in a 13-man squad on Sunday. The selectors played a wild card by also calling up England-born wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis who will captain Australia in the third one-day international against Pakistan on Sunday. Chairman of selectors George Bailey previously ruled out Inglis as a candidate to open the batting but said his form was such he would be considered to play as a specialist batter in another. That likely means McSweeney will open the batting with Usman Khawaja in the first test at Perth Stadium which starts on Nov. 22. He has been preferred in the opening role to Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas and Cam Bancroft. “Nathan has displayed the attributes we believe will equip him well for test cricket along with a strong recent record in domestic cricket," Bailey said. “His performances for South Australia and Australia A weighed in his favor and supports our view he is ready for the opportunity at test level. “Similarly, Josh has been in great touch in the Sheffield Shield and deserves his place in his first test squad.” Inglis' call-up is still a surprise as Australia has seldom named an extra batter or additional specialist wicketkeeper in a test squad, preferring to carry an extra bowler. McSweeney who captains South Australia, sealed his place with strong performances for Australia A against India A over the past two weeks. His innings of 39 and 88 not out in the first match of the A series saw him promoted to open in the second match, the first time he has opened the batting in his first-class career. Inglis' promotion reflects his excellent form for West Australia in the Sheffield Shield this season. He has two centuries from two matches at Perth. Incumbent wicketkeeper Alex Carey also has two centuries in the Sheffield Shield and is the leading run-scorer in the competition with 452. He made 98 in Australia's most recent test against New Zealand in Christchurch. Scott Boland has been favored as the extra fast bowler behind captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. An injured hamstring for swing bowler Michael Neser during the India A game scuttled his hopes, despite an impressive spell that yielded four top-order wickets.   Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.  

A disciplined all-rounder performance handed Bangladesh a clinical 68-run win over Afghanistan in the 2nd ODI in Sharjah on Saturday, Bangladesh’s maiden win at the venue. Bangladesh won the toss, and elected to bat first, and posted a challenging total of 252 for seven, anchored by a composed 76 from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Shanto, who faced 119 balls and struck six boundaries and a six, held the innings together after early wickets as he guided Bangladesh to a solid platform. He ended up in the 41st over – caught by Mohammad Nabi off Nangeyalia Kharote at long-off while attempting to accelerate – briefly stalled Bangladesh’s progress. Soumya Sarkar contributed a steady 35 from 49 balls, building momentum in the early phase. Middle-order batter Jaker Ali provided the late impetus with a brisk 37 not out off 27 deliveries, striking a six and a four to help Bangladesh push beyond the 250-run mark. Jaker made his ODI debut in this match. Afghanistan left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote claimed 3 for 28, effectively disrupting Bangladesh’s lower-middle order. Chasing a target of 253, Afghanistan faced immediate setbacks, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz to Taskin Ahmed in the fourth over. Opener Sediqullah Atal showed promise with 39, but he was caught by Mehidy Hasan Miraz off Nasum Ahmed in the 16th over, leaving Afghanistan on 70 for two. Afghanistan’s hopes rested on Rahmat Shah, who scored 52 from 76 balls, including five boundaries. Shah, however, was run out in the 30th over following a mix-up with Gulbadin Naib, a crucial blow that derailed Afghanistan’s chase just as they attempted to rebuild. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed emerged as the standout, taking 3 for 28 in his 8.3 overs, consistently troubling Afghanistan’s batters with his variations. Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided vital support with 2 for 37, claiming the wickets of Mohammad Nabi and Nangeyalia Kharote, while Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam contributed key breakthroughs. Ultimately, Afghanistan’s innings concluded at 184 in 43.3 overs, falling well short of the target. The third and final ODI of the series will take place on November 11 at the same venue. The winner of the match will take the series series.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and debutant Jaker Ali propelled the Tigers to 252 for seven in the second ODI against Afghanistan on Saturday in Sharjah. Najmul hit the only fifty for Bangladesh. He made 76 with six fours and one six before getting dismissed by Nangeyalia Kharote. Jaker scored 37 off 27 with one four and three sixes. He got a place in the team in the absence of Mushfiqur Rahim, who suffered a blow on his finger in the first match in which Bangladesh lost 92 runs. Nasum Ahmed, who replaced Rishad Hossain in the playing XI, scored 25. For Afghanistan, Nangeyalia Kharote scalped three wickets, while Rashid Khan and AM Ghazanfar took two wickets each. Afghanistan need to score 253 to win this match, which will eventually seal the series for them. Bangladesh played six ODIs in Sharjah but never won a match in this venue.

Sanju Samson became only the fourth batter to score consecutive hundreds in Twenty20 international cricket when he backstopped India's 61-run win over South Africa on Friday. Samson scored 107 runs off 50 balls and led India to 202-8. Wrist spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi then shared six wickets as South Africa crashed to 141 all out in 17.5 overs. India maintained its unbeaten record at Kingsmead against South Africa since 2007. The second match of four is on Sunday at Gqeberha. Samson hit his first T20 hundred less than a month ago, 111 against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. On Friday, he smacked 10 massive sixes and seven boundaries. The previous batters to score consecutive centuries were France's Gustav Mckeon (2022), South Africa's Rilee Rossouw (2022), and England's Phil Salt (2023). Samson shrugged off losing opening partner Abhishek Sharma for 7 by powering to 50 off 27 balls, including three fours and five sixes. India scored 56-1 in the powerplay as Samson put on 66 off 37 balls with skipper Suryakumar Yadav (21). Samson added another 77 off 34 with Tilak Varma, who scored 33 off 18 balls. Samson stole the show as he hit another five sixes to reach 100 off only 47 balls. Samson became only the fourth Indian batter score two or more T20 hundreds after Rohit Sharma (5), skipper Yadav (4), and Lokesh Rahul (2). His 10 sixes were the joint highest for an India T20 batter, beside Sharma against Sri Lanka in 2017. Samson was finally out caught in the 16th over and India lost steam in the death overs. Hardik Pandya fell cheaply but Rinku Singh (11) just managed to push the total past 200. Chasing a par-plus total, South Africa faltered at the start. Skipper Aiden Markram was out for 8, caught behind off Arshdeep Singh. Avesh Khan sent back Tristan Stubb on 11 and the Proteas were down to 30-2 in 3.3 overs. Ryan Rickelton scored 21 off 11 but he fell in the final powerplay over, caught off Chakravarthy. Chakravarthy also ended a rescue attempt between Heinrich Klaasen (25) and David Miller (18), who partnered for 42 off 37. Klaasen was caught in the 12th over and South Africa folded. Four wickets fell for seven runs across just nine deliveries – the Proteast went from 86-3 to 93-7. Gerald Coetzee blazed three sixes in a consolation 23 off 11. Chakravarthy picked 3-25 in four overs, and Bishnoi took 3-28.

Dhaka, Nov 9 (UNB) —Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss in the second ODI against Afghanistan and opted to bat first in Sharjah on Saturday.  Afghanistan are leading the series 0-1, winning the first match by 92 runs after Bangladesh’s batting suffered a dramatic collapse. Bangladesh made two changes in their playing XI, which lost in the first match.  Jaker Ali, and Nasum Ahmed are in to replace Mushfiqur Rahim and Rishad Hossain. With this match, Jaker is making his ODI debut.  Afghanistan fielded an unchanged playing XI. Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Nangeyalia Kharote, Fazalhaq Farooqi.