United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh eliminated from Group B of the 10-team ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 losing to stronger South Africa by seven wickets with 16 balls remaining in their 4th and last match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday night. Bangladesh started their campaign in the ongoing World Cup beating debutante Scotland by 16 runs to taste their first victory after 16 consecutive defeats in last four editions of the World Cup in 10 years. But, they suffered a 21 runs defeat against the 2009 Women's T20 World Cup champions England in the 2nd match and conceded eight- wicket against another former world champions West Indies in the 3rd group match. After the day's Group B matches, South Africa dominated the group securing six points from all the group matches, West Indies and England bagged four points each playing three and two matches respectively. Bangladesh are in the 4th slot with two points from all the four group matches while debutante Scotland remained at bottom without any point playing three matches. In the day's last group match, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joyti decided to bat first after winning the toss and scored 106 runs for 3 in quota 20 overs, featuring 45 runs in the 3rd wicket stand by Sobhana Mostary and Nigar Sultana. One down Sobhana Mostary contributed the team highest 38 runs off 43 balls featuring four fours while skipper Nigar Sultana scored 38-ball 32 runs hitting two boundaries. Besides, opener Shati Rani (19), Shorna Akter (not out 4) were the other contributors for Bangladesh while another 13 runs of the innings came from extras. Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp and Nonkululeko Mlaba took one Bangladesh wicket each conceding 7, 10 and 11 runs respectively. In reply, the Caribbean team easily reach their target scoring the match- winner 107 runs for the loss of three wickets in 17.2 overs featuring 53 runs in the 2nd wicket stand by Tazmin Brits and Anneke Bosch. Opener Tazmin Brits hammered the match highest 42 runs off 41 deliveries including five fours while one down Anneke Bosch made run a ball 25 with two hits to the fence. Fahima Khatun grabbed two West Indian wickets for 19 runs in four overs while Ritu Moni took one for 22 runs.

Bangladesh suffered a crushing 133-run loss to India in the final T20I of the three-match series on Saturday in Hyderabad. India set a formidable target with a record-breaking total of 297 for six—their highest in T20Is and the second-highest in the format's history. In response, Bangladesh managed only 164 for seven. Opting to bat first, India dominated the Bangladeshi bowlers from the outset. Sanju Samson led the assault, scoring a quickfire century off just 40 balls. Four Indian batters maintained a strike rate above 200: Samson scored 111 off 47 balls, Suryakumar Yadav added 75 off 35, Riyan Parag hit 34 off 13, and Hardik Pandya contributed 47 off 18. Bangladesh's bowlers struggled to contain India’s firepower. Tanzim Hasan Sakib conceded a record 66 runs but managed to pick up three wickets, including two in the final over. He now holds the record for most runs conceded by a Bangladeshi bowler in a T20I inning. In their chase, Bangladesh failed to build the momentum needed to challenge India’s massive total. Towhid Hridoy scored a fifty, while Litton Das added 42, both at strike rates above 150. However, their efforts fell short of what was required. Ravi Bishnoi claimed three wickets for India, with Mayank Yadav taking two. This defeat caps off a winless tour for Bangladesh, who also lost the preceding two-match Test series. The match marked the final T20I appearance for Mahmudullah Riyad, who retires after 141 games in the format. Though his career includes many memorable performances, his last outing saw Bangladesh succumb to a tough defeat.

India delivered a masterclass in aggressive batting, amassing a record-breaking total of 297 in the third T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad on Saturday. This was the highest T20I score ever achieved by a full-member ICC team, and it ranks as the second-highest overall in T20I history. Indian batters unleashed a barrage of boundaries, hitting 22 sixes and 25 fours, surpassing their previous best of 260. At one point, India seemed poised to cross the 300-run mark, ultimately concluding their innings at 297. Opener Sanju Samson spearheaded the onslaught with a blistering 111 off just 47 balls, featuring 11 fours and eight sixes. Captain Suryakumar Yadav also made his mark with a rapid 75 off 35 balls at a strike rate above 200, while Hardik Pandya contributed a quickfire 47 off 18 balls. For Bangladesh, three bowlers conceded over 50 runs, with Tanzim Hasan Sakib yielding 66 runs despite picking up three wickets, including two in the final over. Sanju Samson’s innings included an over where he smashed five sixes off Rishad Hossain, reaching his century off a mere 40 balls. Bangladesh entered this match hoping for a consolation victory after losing both the previous T20Is, as well as the Test series. However, conceding 297 in 20 overs suggests they face the prospect of a heavy defeat in this final match.

Bangladesh lost the toss and were sent in to bowl first in the third and final T20I of their three-match series against India, which was also the farewell of Mahmudullah Riyad’s from the format. With the series already lost after defeats in the first two games, Bangladesh heads into this match hoping to end on a high note. Mahmudullah waves goodbye to T20Is The team made two changes to their lineup from the previous match. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali were rested, allowing Tanzid Hasan and Mahedi Hasan to step in. Ahead of the game, the Bangladesh team presented Mahmudullah with a commemorative crest, thanking him for his years of service to the national team. 3rd T20I: Bangladesh take on India Saturday, aiming for consolation win Mahmudullah, who debuted in T20Is back in 2007 in Kenya, will be playing his 141st match in the format today.

The Tigers are set to face India in the third T20I of their three-match series on Saturday in Hyderabad, hoping to avoid a clean sweep after losing the first two matches. With both defeats behind them, Bangladesh now seeks a consolation win. Bangladesh’s T20I track record has never been particularly strong. Despite this, there was optimism for this series, as they brought a more experienced squad compared to India’s relatively youthful team. However, the Bangladesh batting lineup has failed to impress, unable to showcase their potential. In the lead-up to the final match, Bangladesh’s fielding coach, Nic Pothas, drew on their recent T20 World Cup journey for inspiration, where the team advanced to the Super Eights. “If you talk about performance, we played in the Super Eights at the World Cup, which we hadn’t done before,” Pothas said on Friday, indicating that a series loss doesn’t necessarily mean they haven’t progressed. He also mentioned their historic wins in New Zealand and Pakistan, where Bangladesh secured their first Test victories. While they’ve shown progress in ODIs and Tests in recent years, their T20I performance remains inconsistent. In the series opener, Bangladesh suffered a seven-wicket loss, followed by a crushing 86-run defeat in the second match. On both occasions, they failed to mount any real resistance against the hosts. Considering these losses, fans will likely temper their expectations for the final match. Still, a victory could provide a boost as the Tigers prepare for their upcoming home series against South Africa, featuring two Tests in Dhaka and Chattogram.

Cricket's 2,553th test match won't be forgotten in a hurry. England set records and reached milestones in compiling an extraordinary 823-7 declared against Pakistan in Multan. Here's a flavor of them: TOTAL SCORE It was the fourth time a team scored more than 800 runs — and the first time this century. Only three totals have been bigger: Sri Lanka's 952-6 declared against India in 1997; England's 903-7 declared against Australia in 1938; and England's 849 all out against the West Indies in 1930 JOE ROOT Root became England's highest run-scorer in tests during his career-best knock of 262 as he surpassed Alastair Cook. He moved to fifth place on the all-time list, behind only Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid. 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal will retire from tennis after next month's Davis Cup finals HARRY BROOK Brook outscored Root in hitting 317, tied for 20th in the list of highest individual scores in test cricket. He became the sixth Englishman to make a triple-hundred, and the first since Graham Gooch in 1990. Jurgen Klopp to take on new role as head of global soccer at Red Bull PARTNERSHIP Root and Brook put on a partnership of 454 runs, the highest ever for England and the fourth highest in test history. The biggest remains 624 between Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene for Sri Lanka against South Africa in 2006. BOWLING Six Pakistan bowlers conceded more than 100 runs. It is just the second time that has happened in tests, after Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in 2004.  

Following a poor bowling performance, Bangladesh's batting lineup also crumbled, resulting in a big defeat in the second T20I of the three-match series against India on Wednesday. India batted first in this match in Delhi after losing the toss and posted a big total of 221 runs for nine wickets.  In response, Bangladesh managed only 135 runs for nine wickets, losing the match by 86 runs. And with this win, India sealed the series with one match to play.  India post big total as Bangladesh bowlers struggle in second T20I Mahmudullah Riyad, who will play the final T20I of his career in the next match, top-scored with 41 runs. However, his innings only served to delay India's victory. Openers Parvez Hossain and Litton Das showed promise early on but failed to build a solid foundation. Instead, they kept losing wickets when they needed strong partnerships to challenge India in a big chase.  Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali, known for their big-hitting abilities, failed to deliver, scoring just two and one run, respectively. For India, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Varun Chakravarthy took two wickets each. Second T20I: Bangladesh opt to bowl first in Delhi Earlier, Nitish also top-scored for India with 74 off just 34 balls, while Rinku Singh contributed a fifty. Though Bangladesh managed to take some quick wickets in the final overs, including three wickets from the last over bowled by Rishad Hossain, it did little to limit India's total to a manageable figure. Bangladesh and India will face off in the final match on October 12 in Hyderabad.

India lost four wickets in the last seven balls of their innings; nevertheless, they posted a big total of 221 runs for nine wickets in the second T20I of the three-match series against Bangladesh on Wednesday in Delhi. Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first at a venue where the team batting first had won all five previous matches. The Bangladeshi bowlers struggled throughout the innings. They made one change to the playing XI, bringing in Tanzim Hasan Sakib to replace Shoriful Islam, but it did not have the desired impact. In the third-wicket stand, Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar added 108 runs off just 49 balls, significantly influencing the match. Nitish scored 74 runs off just 34 balls, while Rinku contributed 53 runs off 23 balls. In the last five overs, India scored 56 runs, as the Bangladeshi bowlers failed to contain the runs during this crucial phase of the game. For Bangladesh, Rishad Hossain claimed three wickets in the last over, finishing with figures of three for 55 runs in four overs. Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Sakib each took two wickets. India have won the first match, meaning a win in Wednesday’s match will seal the series for them.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bowl first in the second T20I against India in Delhi, aiming to bounce back in the series after the defeat in the first match. Bangladesh made one change in the playing XI, bringing in right-arm pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib, replacing Shoriful Islam. India opted for an unchanged playing XI that won the first match. The pitch of this match is hard and might result in big scores, as was consistently seen in the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. In that sense, it’s not clear if the Bangladesh team's decision to bowl first was a good call, as they have a habit of failing to read the pitch correctly. According to stats, the team batting first won the matches at this venue on the last five occasions. Before this match, Bangladesh had won only one T20I against India, and that was in Delhi, the only inspiration that Bangladesh could get from their T20I history against India. Bangladesh XI: Litton Das (wk), Parvez Hossain Emon, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmadullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, a regular face in the commentary box during the ongoing India-Bangladesh series, expressed concerns that infrastructural shortcomings are hindering the development of Bangladesh cricket. Tamim gave an interview to the Indian sports magazine, Sportstar, where he candidly discussed his retirement, potential return to international cricket, his relationship with Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's continued struggles in Test matches, and the factors impeding the cricketing progress of Bangladesh. In the extensive interview, Tamim also addressed the possibility of a Bangladeshi coach leading the national team. The former captain, who has scored over 15,000 runs and 25 centuries in international cricket, said that the lack of adequate facilities in Dhaka is a big factor to the slow development of Bangladesh cricket. “I made my debut in 2006-2007, and as we speak in 2024, not a single new training facility has been developed in Dhaka over the past 17 years,” Tamim said while discussing the areas Bangladesh cricket needs to focus on for growth. “Some aspects in Bangladesh are fine, but most need to change.” Tamim was critical of the board's financial management. The previous board president, Nazmul Hasan, often boasted about the board having hundreds of crores of taka in the bank to indicate the financial strength of the board. However, Tamim believes that instead of accumulating money in bank accounts, the board should invest it in developing infrastructure. “The funniest thing is that when the BCB claims to have Rs 1200 crore in its bank account, it feels like a slap in the face,” Tamim said. “There shouldn’t be 1200 crore sitting idle; there should be 200 crore in the account, and the remaining 1000 should be invested in developing infrastructure.” He added that corporate entities typically reinvest their earnings to facilitate growth, something the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) fails to do. The left-handed batter also questioned the absence of another facility in Dhaka comparable to the one in Mirpur and advocated for the need for good quality pitches across the country. “You definitely need a facility like Mirpur, and while I’m okay with playing to your strengths on certain pitches, it’s crucial to produce quality wickets at the domestic level as well,” he said. “This way, you can test your cricketers and prepare them for the international stage.” Regarding his potential return to international cricket, Tamim said that there needs to be a clear path and purpose for him to consider it. He neither explicitly ruled out a return nor definitively confirmed it. On his relationship with Shakib, Tamim remained somewhat vague and did not explicitly state what transpired between them to cause their relationship to deteriorate. Furthermore, one of Bangladesh's all-time best batters expressed his belief that Bangladesh currently lacks someone capable of being the head coach of the national team. He suggested that the board should recruit coaching staff for the national team at a 30:70 ratio, with 30% being foreign coaches in top positions and the remaining 70% being local officials, allowing them to develop for a better future. Tags: BCB, Bangladesh cricket, Tigers, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan