United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first in the Dhaka Test against South Africa on Monday. Bangladesh came to this series after a 2-0 defeat to India. The hosts never won a Test against South Africa in their previous 14 meetings. But they aimed to change their fate, this time at home. Bangladesh included Mahmudul Hasan Joy, debutant Jaker Ali, and Nayeem Hasan for this match, replacing Shakib Al Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, and Zakir Hasan. Aiden Markram is leading South Africa in this match without regular captain Temba Bavuma. Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nayeem Hasan South Africa: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt/

South Africa was set a winning target of 159 runs against New Zealand in the Women’s T20 World Cup cricket final on Sunday that will produce a first-time champion. New Zealand scored 158-5 in 20 overs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium after South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl. Amelia Kerr top scored for New Zealand with a 38-ball 43. Brooke Halliday hit 38 runs in 28 deliveries and opener Suzie Bates scored 32 in 31. Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2-31 in four overs for South Africa. Both teams fielded an unchanged side from their semifinal wins where South Africa stunned defending champions Australia in the first semi by eight wickets on Thursday, while New Zealand beat West Indies in the second semifinal by eight runs on Friday. Women’s T20 World Cup final: South Africa to bowl first against New Zealand This is South Africa’s second straight final appearance in the tournament. Losing to Australia by 19 runs, it had finished runners-up in its home tournament in 2023, its best result in the tournament. New Zealand, meanwhile, reached the tournament final for the first time since 2010. In the first two editions – 2009 and 2010 – it had lost to England by six wickets in London, and to Australia by three runs in Barbados.

The Bangladesh cricket team is all set to begin their two-match Test series against South Africa on Monday with the Dhaka Test, which will be the first Test of the hosts after their premier allrounder Shakib Al Hasan announced his retirement. Before the Kanpur Test during Bangladesh’s last India tour, Shakib announced his retirement and expressed his desire to play his final Test in Dhaka in front of the home crowd. However, due to his political identity, Shakib was advised not to come to Bangladesh because of safety concerns, which has effectively made the Kanpur Test his last. Shanto calls Shakib’s absence ‘unfortunate’ ahead of South Africa Test Bangladesh captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, however, said he still hopes Shakib will one day retire in front of the home crowd. Keeping the Shakib controversy behind, the Bangladesh team is looking forward to changing their fate against South Africa, the team they never beat in Tests. “If we talk to0 much about this, nothing will change,” Shanto said. “Rather, we want to play good cricket and execute our plan well. If we can play according to our plan, we can get a different result against South Africa this time.” It’s been a decade since South Africa won a Test series in the subcontinent, which proved their dismal performance in the format in the subcontinent. Bangladesh’s new coach, Phil Simmons, who took the post after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) suspended the previous coach, Chandika Hatushingha, said it’s a great opportunity for Bangladesh. “It is definitely a good opportunity. Bangladesh are usually very strong at home. So it is a very good opportunity for us to win the Test series,” Simmons said on his first interaction with media in Bangladesh. Shanto also echoed the same idea. He said Bangladesh will be the favorite in this series. He added that spinners will play a crucial role in this series. “This series is going to be difficult for both teams,” the Bangladesh captain said. “I think we are a bit ahead of them at home. Spinners will play a big role there, as always. I am not looking for anything extra, just what they did in the past.”

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl against New Zealand in the Women’s T20 World Cup final on Sunday. Both teams fielded an unchanged side from their semi-final wins where South Africa stunned defending champions Australia in the first semi by eight wickets on Thursday, while New Zealand beat West Indies in the second semi-final by eight runs on Friday. This is South Africa’s second straight final appearance in the tournament. Losing to Australia by 19 runs, it had finished runners-up in its home tournament in 2023, its best result in the tournament history. New Zealand, meanwhile, reached the tournament final for the first time since 2010. In the first two editions – 2009 and 2010 – it had lost to England by six wickets in London, and to Australia by three runs in Barbados. The 2024 T20 World Cup will consequently crown a first-time champion. It is the first time South Africa and New Zealand have crossed paths in a T20 World Cup knockout – New Zealand leads their series 3-2 in past group encounters in the tournament. Both teams finished second in their respective league groups – New Zealand beat India in its all-important opener, as well as Sri Lanka and Pakistan, but lost to Australia thus finishing second in group A. South Africa lost to England, but beat West Indies, Scotland and Bangladesh to qualify second from group B. The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium should be good for batters on both sides. The average score in the powerplay has gone up at this venue as the tournament has progressed sp a high-scoring game could be on the cards. Lineups: New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (captain), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka

Supporters advocating Shakib Al Hasan's return to the country and those opposing it clashed in Dhaka's Mirpur stadium area just a day before the Bangladesh-South Africa Test match. A few hundred of Shakib’s fans gathered in front of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, the venue of the first Test, and were shouting slogans to include Shakib in the team and the resignation of Faruque Ahmed, the newly-appointed president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The protest was peaceful until another group of people, who were shouting anti-Shakib slogans, attacked Shakib’s fans. Shanto calls Shakib’s absence ‘unfortunate’ ahead of South Africa Test At the time of filing this report, army personnel were trying to disperse them all. A couple of days ago, Shakib's fans held another protest in front of the BCB headquarters after it was confirmed that Shakib would not return home to play the Dhaka Test against South Africa, which he said would be his last Test. Prior to the clashes, protesting students, who were part of the movement that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government, formed a human chain in front of the BCB headquarters, demanding that Shakib be excluded from the Bangladesh team. They also called for a trial to be conducted regarding Shakib's role during the anti-government protests before he is allowed to play for the national team. Bangladesh's new coach urges Tigers to focus on cricket amid chaos Earlier, during the Kanpur Test against India, Shakib Al Hasan announced his retirement from the format and expressed his desire to play this last Test in Dhaka. At the first reaction, the interim government and BCB officials said they could not guarantee any special security for Shakib other than what he deserves as a player. Later, the sports adviser to the interim government, Asif Mahmud, said they would provide Shakib with the security he needed during his stay in Bangladesh. At this point, the BCB announced the squad, including Shakib. In reaction, the protesters came to the streets and demanded that Shakib be removed from the national team. Following that, the sports advisor advised Shakib not to return home for security reasons, which Shakib followed.    

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said that it is unfortunate that Shakib Al Hasan cannot play the Test series against South Africa starting on October 21 in Dhaka. Bangladesh's interim government advised Shakib, who was a member of the government toppled by a student-citizen movement in August, not to come to the country now due to the security threat posed by the protesters. Bangladesh's new coach urges Tigers to focus on cricket amid chaos “It’s unfortunate,” Shanto said about Shakib’s absence in the Dhaka Test, which he said would be his last appearance in the longer format of the game. “It should have happened. But we all know why it didn't happen.” The Bangladesh captain also said they are now focusing solely on cricket. “I would say that it was unfortunate, it should have happened (Shakib’s participation in the Dhaka Test). But we all know why it didn't happen. But we don’t want to talk much about it before a Test match. I want everyone to focus on cricket.” Bangladesh captain also said it is difficult for Bangladesh to set up a combination when Shakib is not available. Anger against Shakib not unwarranted: Asif Nazrul “We can use an extra bowler or batter (when Shakib plays). But we cannot do anything talking about it much. What we can do is to focus on cricket,” Shanto added. Bangladesh played 14 Tests against the Proteas but never won. But this time, Shanto says, the result can be changed if they can play according to plan and execute their game well on the field.

New Zealand weathered a nery chase and a superb spell by Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah to win its first test on Indian soil since 1988. New Zealand made 110-2 on a rain-affected final day on Sunday to beat India by eight wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra shared a 75-run partnership for the third wicket to complete a famous victory after rain had again intervened early in the morning session. Bangladesh's new coach urges Tigers to focus on cricket amid chaos Young finished unbeaten on 48 runs off 76 balls, scoring six fours and a six, while Ravindra was 39 not out off 46 deliveries, hitting six fours. Bumrah finished with 2-29 after a stunning spell that removed both Black Caps openers and also beat the outside edge of the batters time and again, but couldn’t find the luck India desperately needed to make inroads into the Kiwis batting order. After the first day was washed out, India was then bowled out for its lowest test score at home in its first innings – 46 runs on day two. It rebounded with 462 runs in the second innings, but New Zealand’s first innings’ effort of 402 runs — with 134 from Ravindra — had the tourists in the ascendancy throughout. Earlier Sunday, play started an hour late due to a morning shower in Bengaluru. Sarfaraz Khan scores maiden century for India as the home side fights back against New Zealand Bumrah trapped captain Tom Latham lbw for a duck on the second ball of the morning. Latham reviewed, but the TV umpire decision went against him. It was a tough opening spell for the batters, with Devon Conway never looking comfortable against Bumrah. He was out lbw for 17 runs in the 13th over as New Zealand was reduced to 35-2. But Young and Ravindra calmed the nerves of the tourists’ dressing room with their attacking intent and fine stroke play. Once Bumrah’s spell was over, they settled down and attacked the Indian spinners. Kuldeep Yadav went for 8.7 runs per over in his short spell and Ravindra Jadeja didn’t fare much better. The pair put on 50 off 51 balls to lift New Zealand to the target 10 minutes prior to lunch in the extended morning session when Young played a cut shot for four off Jadeja. The second match in the three-test series will be played in Pune starting Thursday and the final match is in Mumbai from Nov. 1.

Amidst the multifaceted chaos surrounding Bangladesh cricket, newly-appointed head coach Phil Simmons wants the team to turn their focus to cricket. Two days ago, demonstrators gathered outside the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) headquarters, criticising Shakib Al Hasan for his role in the recent uprising against the former government. This was followed by another group of Shakib supporters, demanding he be allowed to play. With the tension lingering in Mirpur, where Bangladesh is set to face South Africa in the first Test of a two-match series on October 21, Simmons said they are not bothered about what is happening outside cricket. Simmons took over as Bangladesh's head coach just a couple of days ago, after the board suspended former coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who was accused of assaulting a national team player—a charge he denied. New Bangladesh cricket coach Phil Simmons arrives in Dhaka However, Simmons eyes to move on passing all these behind and focus on cricket, as he said in his first press meet on Saturday at BCB. “We have to try to leave out the confusion around the cricket and concentrate on preparing for Monday,” he said, referring to the opening day of the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa. Simmon took on one of the toughest jobs in the cricket world—being the head coach of the Bangladesh team. He knows that, but he said coaching an international team is always tough. He also accepted the fact that “Bangladesh is different.” The Caribbean coach has experience coaching in Afghanistan, from where, he said, he learnt how to communicate with the players despite having some language barriers. He was also a coach for the Ireland side. Simmons believes the experience of those jobs will help him to do well in Bangladesh too. South Africa’s Test series win came in the subcontinent more than a decade ago, inspiring Bangladesh ahead of the series. Bangladesh’s coach said it’s a good opportunity for Bangladesh to beat South Africa. “It is a good opportunity. Bangladesh are usually a strong side at home. So it is a very good opportunity for us to win the Test series,” Simmons said, noting that South Africa is also a resilient side. Before this series, Bangladesh played 14 Tests against South Africa and failed to win any of them. They have just two draws against the Proteas.

Sarfaraz Khan scored his maiden century as India continued its comeback on the fourth day of the first cricket test against New Zealand. Khan was unbeaten on 125 runs off 154 balls as India reached 344-3 in its second innings before rain intervened. Rishabh Pant was also batting on 53 runs, with the hosts still trailing by 12 runs. Lunch was called early by 10 minutes as the duo added 113 runs off 132 balls for the unbeaten fourth wicket to continue India’s turnaround after it had been bowled out for just 46 runs in its first innings. New Zealand scored 402 runs in its first innings, thanks to Rachin Ravindra’s 134 runs, taking a lead of 356 runs. India had lost Virat Kohli for 70 runs on the last ball of day three and began from its overnight score of 231-3. Coming into the second test as a replacement for injured Shubman Gill, Khan achieved his maiden hundred in only the fourth test. By lunch on day four, he had hit 16 fours and three sixes before rain stopped his charge. Meanwhile, Pant scored his 18th test half-century off 55 deliveries. Together, the duo put on 100 off just 120 balls as India looked to turn the game around. But Bengaluru's weather intervened — the fourth day began under a dark sky with the constant threat of rain, and it arrived shortly before the scheduled lunch break. Rain washed out all play on the first day on Wednesday. India leads the World Test Championship standings, and a 3-0 win in this series against New Zealand would all but assure its spot for the final at Lord’s next June. India recently beat Bangladesh 2-0. New Zealand has already been on a long subcontinental tour. It began with a washed-out test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, India, followed by a 2-0 series loss in Sri Lanka. The second match in the three-test series will be played in Pune starting next Thursday and the final one in Mumbai from Nov. 1.

Sarfaraz Khan scored his maiden century as India continued its comeback on the fourth day of the first cricket test against New Zealand. Khan was unbeaten on 125 runs off 154 balls as India reached 344-3 in its second innings before rain intervened. Rishabh Pant was also batting on 53 runs, with the hosts still trailing by 12 runs. Lunch was called early by 10 minutes as the duo added 113 runs off 132 balls for the unbeaten fourth wicket to continue India’s turnaround after it had been bowled out for just 46 runs in its first innings. New Zealand scored 402 runs in its first innings, thanks to Rachin Ravindra’s 134 runs, taking a lead of 356 runs. India had lost Virat Kohli for 70 runs on the last ball of day three and began from its overnight score of 231-3. Emerging Asia Cup: Bangladesh make flying start beating Hong Kong by 5 wickets Coming into the second test as a replacement for injured Shubman Gill, Khan achieved his maiden hundred in only the fourth test. By lunch on day four, he had hit 16 fours and three sixes before rain stopped his charge. Meanwhile, Pant scored his 18th test half-century off 55 deliveries. Together, the duo put on 100 off just 120 balls as India looked to turn the game around. But Bengaluru's weather intervened — the fourth day began under a dark sky with the constant threat of rain, and it arrived shortly before the scheduled lunch break. Rain washed out all play on the first day on Wednesday. India leads the World Test Championship standings, and a 3-0 win in this series against New Zealand would all but assure its spot for the final at Lord’s next June. India recently beat Bangladesh 2-0. India bowled out for 46 by New Zealand for its lowest test total on home soil New Zealand has already been on a long subcontinental tour. It began with a washed-out test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, India, followed by a 2-0 series loss in Sri Lanka. The second match in the three-test series will be played in Pune starting next Thursday and the final one in Mumbai from Nov. 1.     END/AP/UNB/SIS