United News of Bangladesh

Mitchel Santner, the New Zealand captain, said his team is confident as they are ready to take on India for the second time in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai.  While expressing confidence, the New Zealand captain said maintaining a consistent approach will be key for them in the final. “It's easy to say it's just another game, it's obviously not, but I think the way you approach it has to be the same,” Santner said at a press conference on the eve of the final.   “We've done a lot of good things in this tournament, and we’re just trying to build on them. It’s the biggest stage tomorrow, so the key is to stay confident, keep a relaxed environment, and let the guys enjoy the occasion,” the New Zealand captain added.  Before the final, New Zealand faced India once in this tournament and lost that match. But Santner said the experience of playing in Dubai before will help them do well in the coming match.  “You get to the business end of these tournaments, and it’s about standing up on the day,” he added. “We know we have to put in a good performance, but at the same time, we don’t want to get overawed by the occasion.” Ahead of the final battle, New Zealand’s biggest worry is the fitness of Matt Henry, who has taken the most wickets in this tournament so far. The pacer has injured his shoulder in the match against South Africa and is uncertain for the final.  India faces New Zealand in budding rivalry at Champions Trophy final “Matt’s going to have a bowl today, and we’ll assess his condition before making a decision,” Santner said in the press conference.  The Kiwi skipper also weighed in on India's bowling attack, particularly leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who took five wickets against New Zealand in the group match.   “He's a world-class bowler with a little bit of mystery,” Santner said. ”We’ve analyzed more footage, and the boys will be ready this time. We know what his threats are—especially that 115kph armball that got me!” It’s been two and a half decades since New Zealand won an ICC event. They are now aiming to end the drought in the final against India.

India faces New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final Sunday in what can be deemed a new-age rivalry. While India’s clashes against Pakistan, Australia and England have attracted more attention, this matchup with the Black Caps has slowly been bubbling under the surface. The 2024-25 season saw this new-age rivalry come to a proper flash point. New Zealand beat India 3-0 in a test series in its own backyard, a feat never registered before. India went on to lose in Australia. Both series defeats cost India a spot in the World Test Championship final. It has only gained little redemption in reaching the Champions Trophy final here. Last fall's test series is vital on another account. Mitchell Santner led New Zealand’s bowling attack with sizzling performances in Pune and Mumbai, as India got stumped against spin at home. Santner is now the Black Caps’ ODI skipper and has led them to the final — where spin is again expected to hold the key. The square at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium has progressively slowed down. Australia’s 264 in the first semifinal was the highest first innings’ total here in the Champions Trophy — chased down by India with 11 balls to spare. When India and New Zealand clashed here in their group game last Sunday, the ball hardly bounced up more than the knee in the second innings. Spin, thus, will play a key role in determining the outcome of this final. Gillespie says he was undermined before quitting as Pakistan coach Rohit Sharma started the tournament with three spinners and brought in Varun Chakravarthy with Mohammed Shami and all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the only pace options. It has worked well — Chakravarthy took seven wickets in two games; Indian spinners have picked 14 out of 20 wickets against New Zealand and Australia enroute to the final. With spin taking precedence on a two-paced surface, certain batters from both sides will hold the spotlight. Virat Kohli (217 runs in four matches) and Kane Williamson (189 runs in four matches) will anchor their sides with strike rotation. Rachin Ravindra (226 runs in three matches) and Shreyas Iyer (195 runs in four matches) have higher strike rates, and their aggression will be key in setting up the innings. “It could be a 300-run wicket or a 250-one,” Santner said on Saturday. “We have to go in with an open mind and adjust accordingly. There will be periods of sustained pressure on both sides.” Advantage India? India did not travel to host country Pakistan for security reasons and played all its group games, the semifinal and now the final too, in Dubai. Pakistan and the ICC didn’t think it best to split India’s games across other venues in the UAE for financial reasons. Opinion is varied, even within India’s dressing room, if that's given India an advantage. “What undue advantage?” asked coach Gautam Gambhir after the semifinal victory over Australia. “We haven’t practiced here even for a day. We have practiced at the ICC Academy (in Dubai). Some people are just perpetual cribbers — they need to grow up.” Shami, India’s lead pacer with eight wickets in four games, differed: “It definitely helped us because we know the conditions and behavior of the pitch." New Zealand, for its part, dominated the Pakistan leg of the Champions Trophy. It knocked out Pakistan and Bangladesh in the group games, and despite tiring journeys to-and-from Dubai, had enough gas in the tank to pummel South Africa in the Lahore semifinal. “The weather has been a little shock — it jumped up 10 degrees in the last couple days," Santner said. “We will get a run tonight and it will set us up for tomorrow.” Roots of the rivalry Nearly 25 years ago, Chris Cairns’ well-timed century in Nairobi powered New Zealand past India to win the ICC Knock Out Trophy, which later was renamed the Champions Trophy. Steve Smith retires from ODIs after Australia’s Champions Trophy defeat It remains the only limited-overs ICC trophy in New Zealand’s cabinet. The Black Caps did add another in 2021 — beating India in the World Test Championship final at Southampton. In between, the Men in Blue were stopped in their tracks at the semifinal stage of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, losing a two-day rain-affected semifinal to New Zealand at Manchester. There have been a handful of other vital clashes between the two sides — in 2021, New Zealand knocked India out of the T20 World Cup. In 2023, India returned the favor — beating New Zealand in the semifinal at Mumbai, denying them a third straight final appearance in the Cricket World Cup. India last won the Champions Trophy in 2013 — star players Rohit Sharma and Kohli were part of that winning group. Could it be a potential final ODI outing for the stars, if they manage to overturn the 2023 disappointment of losing to Australia in the final? “There is no talk about retirement in the dressing room, now,” vice-captain Shubman Gill said. “Last time we could not win the 2023 World Cup. We are determined to win this time.”

Jordan Morris became Seattle's career leader for goals scored, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored his first MLS goal, and the Sounders beat Los Angeles FC 5-2 on Saturday. Morris scored his 87th career goal in the 77th minute to make it 3-1, moving past Raúl Ruidíaz on the club's all-time list. Ruidíaz scored 71 goals in the MLS regular season for Seattle (1-1-1), two more than Morris, a 30-year-old Seattle-native. Paul Rothrock scored from well outside the area — his first goal of the season — to give the Sounders the lead for good in the 57th minute at 2-1. Christian Roldan subbed on in the 71st minute and his goal in the 84th made it a two-goal lead. Albert Rusnák added a stoppage-time goal and two assists for the Sounders. David Martínez scored his first goal of the season for LAFC (2-1-0) to make it 4-2 in the second minute of stoppage time. The 19-year-old midfielder scored four goals as a rookie last season. Kossa-Rienzi scored in the 11th minute to give the Sounders a 1-0 lead. The 22-year-old won a long ball played ahead down the right side by Jesús Ferreira from LAFC's Artem Smolyakov, cut back at the at the corner of the 6-yard box as the defender slid by and ripped a left-footed shot inside the back post and into the side net. Messi misses Inter Miami's CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Cavalier After Sounders goalkeeper Andrew Thomas mishandled a corner kick played in by Smolyakov, Nathan Ordaz had a one-touch shot blocked by Seattle's João Paulo, but he slammed home the rebound from point-blank range to make it 1-1 in the 38th. The 21-year Ordaz and Kossa-Rienzi became the eighth and ninth players to score a goal in the MLS this season after spending time in MLS Next Pro, a developmental league launched by MLS in 2022.

Centuries from batting sensation Rachin Ravindra and the ever reliable Kane Williamson powered New Zealand into the Champions Trophy final with a resounding 50-run win over South Africa in the second semifinal on Wednesday. New Zealand will now travel to Dubai for Sunday’s final against India, after Virat Kohli’s 84 anchored India to a four-wicket win over Australia in the first semifinal on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Ravindra hit 108 runs off 101 balls and raised his fifth ODI hundred at an ICC tournament. Williamson also impressed with 102 off 94 as New Zealand scored the tournament’s highest ever score of 362-6 in its 50 overs. Gillespie says he was undermined before quitting as Pakistan coach After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Black Caps bettered Australia’s Champions Trophy record of 355 made against England in the group stage at the same venue last month. South Africa, which was unbeaten in the group stage, again fell in the knockout stage of an ICC tournament. South Africa knew it was going to lose with 99 runs needed off the last three overs but David Miller (100 not out) reduced the scale of defeat by smashing 48 runs in those three overs — including seven fours and two sixes — as his team finished on 312-9. Miller raised his 67-ball century off the final ball with two runs. Half centuries from Rassie van der Dussen (69) and captain Temba Bavuma (56) kept the Proteas in the race by the halfway stage before New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner squeezed the chase with 3-43 in 10 overs. South Africa's batters also struggled against three other spinners with Glenn Phillips (2-27), Ravindra (1-20) and Michael Bracewell (1-53) sharing five wickets between them. It was New Zealand’s third win at the Gaddafi Stadium in almost a month after victories against host Pakistan and South Africa in the warmup tri-nation series last month. “It’s a cool feeling to make the final,” Santner said. “The platform we were able to set with Rachin and Kane, and set up the death phase earlier, was great … We got four allrounders who bowl spin, that gives (us) depth.” New Zealand reads conditions well Van der Dussen and Bavuma shared a run-a-ball 105 second-wicket stand before New Zealand spinners spun their web. Bavuma was lured by Santner’s flighted ball and gave Williamson a regulation catch at point, and van der Dussen couldn’t read a delivery that spun away just enough to have him clean bowled, as South Africa slipped to 161-3 in the 27th over. Heinrich Klaasen (3) was then caught off Santner by a diving Matt Henry, who hurt his right shoulder while completing a brilliant diving catch. Aiden Markram gave a tame return catch to Ravindra and the chase got derailed. With wickets falling all round him, Miller raised a personal milestone with his late assault. South Africa bowlers get a bashing Ravindra and Williamson set the platform for a strong total with a 164-run second-wicket stand after Lungi Ngidi deceived Will Young with a slower ball and had him caught at mid-off in the powerplay. Ravindra and Williamson rotated the strike and punished any loose ball from fast bowlers for boundaries. Both batters used their feet well against left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who returned his second most expensive figures of 0-65 in ODIs since his debut against England in 2017. Ravindra, who made three hundreds at the 2023 World Cup in India, and also a century against Bangladesh in the group game of the Champions Trophy at Rawalpindi, was dismissed when he edged Kagiso Rabada after hitting 13 boundaries and a six. Williamson took his time to settle down and got a lucky escape on 56 when wicketkeeper Klaasen couldn’t hold onto a sharp chance. Williamson took 61 balls to complete his half century, but pushed the scoring rate and raced to his 15th ODI hundred off the next 30 balls when he scooped Wiaan Mulder behind the wicket for a boundary before falling to the same shot shortly after. Daryl Mitchell (49) and Phillips (49 not out) cut loose in the death overs and despite both missing out on their half centuries they helped New Zealand accumulate 110 runs off the final 10 overs. Phillips smashed Marco Jansen for four successive boundaries before New Zealand surpassed Australia’s tournament record in the last over. Ngidi (3-72), Rabada (2-70) and Jansen (0-79) all proved expensive while Mulder gave away 48 runs off his six overs. “New Zealand were above par,” Bavuma said. “We had one or two good partnerships but not enough … New Zealand really put us under pressure from the get-go."

Jason Gillespie says he was undermined before quitting as Pakistan test cricket coach last December and has used a social media post to describe interim head coach Aaqib Javed as a “clown.” Gillespie was a fast bowler who played 71 tests and 97 one-day internationals for Australia from 1996-2006 before going into coaching. He was appointed last April for two years as Pakistan’s test coach but quit before a series in South Africa less than eight months later after an unsuccessful start. He was the second foreigner to leave Pakistan’s program in less than two months after South African Gary Kirsten stepped down as limited-overs coach in October. Aaqib, Pakistan's national selector and interim head coach, acknowledged this week after Pakistan’s failure to reach the knockout stage of the Champions Trophy — following losses to New Zealand and India — that the chopping and changing hasn’t helped the national team. BCB thanks Mushfiqur Rahim for remarkable ODI career “We have changed nearly 16 coaches and 26 selectors in the last two years or so,” he was quoted as saying at a news conference to announce the latest overhaul of Pakistan's limited-overs squads. “You put that formula on any team in the world, I think they will also be in the same situation. "Until you get consistency right from the top down to the bottom, from the chairman down, then your team will not progress.” Gillespie responded to those comments by posting an Instagram story late Wednesday describing the analysis as “hilarious.” “Aaqib was clearly undermining Gary and I behind the scenes campaigning to be the coach in all formats,” Gillespie posted. “He is a clown.” Aaqib,a former Pakistan cricket international, had been acting as interim coach of the limited-overs squads following Kirsten's departure when he took over the test squad from Gillespie. Champions Trophy: New Zealand secure final spot with 50-run win over South Africa Aaqib's contract initially ran until the Champions Trophy but he is set to continue in the role while the Pakistan Cricket Board searches for a full-time replacement.

Mahidul Islam Ankan and Towhid Hridoy forged a 119-run stand in the third wicket partnership and guided Mohammedan Sporting Club to a seven-wicket win over Rupganj Tigers Cricket Club on Thursday in Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. It was Mohammedan’s second win in the league, while Rupganj Tigers suffered their second defeat in two matches in the league so far. BCB thanks Mushfiqur Rahim for remarkable ODI career In this match, Rupganj Tigers batted first and posted 222 for nine, with Tanbir Hyder hitting the highest of 37 runs. For Mohammedan, Ebadot Hossain, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took two wickets each. In reply, Mohammedan chased down the target in 37.5 overs and won the match. Ankan and Hridoy remained unbeaten for 81 and 74, respectively. To play this innings, Hridoy faced only 47 balls. He smashed 11 fours and one six. In the other match of the day, Abahani Limited beat Gulshan Cricket Club by 162 runs. Parvez Hossain Emon hit a century for Abahani in this match in BKSP. Rakibul Hasan took four wickets for them. In the other match, Partex Sporting Club beat Prime Bank Cricket Club by three wickets in BKSP. Sabbir Rahman scored 53, Alauddin Babu hit 78 off just 32 balls to guide them to chase down a target of 300 runs.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed their gratitude to Mushfiqur Rahim for his exceptional service to Bangladesh cricket following his announcement to retire from ODIs, bringing an end to a career that spanned nearly two decades. In a media release issued on Thursday, the BCB acknowledged Mushfiqur’s immense contributions to Bangladesh’s ODI success. The board highlighted his dedication, professionalism, and passion, all of which played a key role in Bangladesh’s development in the format. “Mushfiqur Rahim’s work ethic, resilience, and dogged determination serve as examples that will inspire generations to come. His name will always shine brightly when we speak of Bangladesh's finest ODI moments,” BCB President Faruque Ahmed said in the BCB media release.  Mushfiqur, who made his ODI debut in 2006, went on to become one of Bangladesh’s most dependable performers with the bat, while also excelling as a wicketkeeper. He retires as Bangladesh’s most-capped ODI player, having appeared in 274 matches. Tamim Iqbal to be accorded formal farewell by BCB during BPL final In those games, Mushfiqur accumulated 7,795 runs, making him Bangladesh’s second-highest run-scorer in ODIs. He also holds the record for the most dismissals by a Bangladeshi wicketkeeper in ODIs, with 243 catches and 56 stumpings. “It is an unbelievable accomplishment to have played this format at the highest level for 19 years, which speaks volumes about his consistency and character,” Faruque added.  Mushfiqur’s influence extended beyond his performances with the bat and gloves. He captained Bangladesh in 37 ODIs and remains one of the few cricketers from the country to have played in five ICC ODI World Cups.  While bidding farewell to the ODI format, Mushfiqur will continue to play Test cricket.

Bangladesh’s veteran cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim has announced his retirement from ODIs. To honour his career and express his gratitude, Mushfiqur’s longtime friend and teammate Tamim Iqbal took to social media — but not with just a simple post. Instead, Tamim shared a heartfelt video to mark the occasion. “When someone retires, people usually post something on social media to share their feelings. But this time, it’s someone I have shared a journey with for 20 to 25 years. A mere post wouldn’t be enough,” Tamim said in the video after Mushfiqur’s retirement announcement. Should seasoned cricketers Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur retire? “I have seen how you grew step by step into one of the best batters Bangladesh has ever produced,” Tamim continued. “Since we have played together for so long, I know firsthand how hard Mushfiqur works. I think he works as hard as humanly possible — even now. Many people don’t know this, but I do.” Mushfiqur had previously retired from T20Is in 2022, meaning Test cricket is now the only format he will continue playing. Tamim wished his friend well in Tests, hoping Mushfiqur can become the first Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100 Test matches. “I can imagine how hard it was for him to make this decision,” Tamim added. “I hope he continues playing Tests and reaches the 100-Test milestone.” The wicketkeeper-batter represented Bangladesh in 274 ODIs — the most by any Bangladeshi player in this format. Over his ODI career, Mushfiqur scored 7,795 runs, including 9 centuries and 49 half-centuries, while also taking 243 catches and completing 56 stumpings behind the wicket. Mushfiqur’s recent performances in ODIs had been underwhelming, which likely played a role in his decision to retire. His lean patch also drew heavy criticism from fans and analysts. “The last few weeks have been very challenging for me, and I have come to realize that this is my destiny,” Mushfiqur wrote on social media. “I would like to deeply thank my family, friends, and my fans, for whom I have played cricket for the last 19 years.”

Steve Smith has retired from one-day international cricket in the wake of Australia’s Champions Trophy semifinal loss to India. Cricket Australia issued a statement Wednesday to confirm the former skipper’s retirement from the 50-over version of the game. Smith will continue to play test cricket for Australia and remains available for selection in the Twenty20 format. The decision means the 35-year-old batter won’t be available for Australia’s World Cup defense in 2027 despite standing in for Pat Cummins as captain for the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan. In his last ODI innings, Smith top-scored for Australia with 76 runs from 96 deliveries but his team lost by four wickets to India at Dubai on Tuesday night and narrowly missed out on reaching the tournament final. Smith was part of victorious ODI World Cup campaigns in 2015 and 2023, and said those were career highlights in the format. “It has been a great ride and I have loved every minute of it,” Smith said in a statement. “Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 World Cup, so it feels like the right time to make way.” Champions Trophy: New Zealand secure final spot with 50-run win over South Africa In the test format, where matches are played across five days, Smith has scored 10,271 runs in 116 tests, including 36 centuries and 41 half-centuries, and averages 56.74 per innings. His next assignment will be in Australia's attempt to defend the World Test Championship in June's final against South Africa at Lord's and in the subsequent test tour to the Caribbean. Australia hosts the Ashes against England starting in November. “Test cricket remains a priority and I am really looking forward to the World Test Championship Final, the West Indies (tour) and then England at home," Smith said. "I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.” After making his international debut against the West Indies in 2010 as a leg-spinning allrounder, Smith played 170 ODIs and tallied 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28, including 12 centuries. Smith was Australia's ODI player of the year in 2015 and 2021 and was part of the International Cricket Council's ODI team of the year in 2015. Australia's selection committee chairman George Bailey said Smith remained "fully committed to test cricket and is an integral member of and leader within that team.” “Steve has said on many occasions he is approaching the remainder of his playing career on a series-by-series basis, a position which hasn’t changed and one Cricket Australia supports," Bailey said. “To leave the format as a two-time World Cup winner cements his legacy as one of the great Australian ODI players.”

New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs to advance to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where they will face India. This victory marked a significant opportunity for New Zealand to contend for a major ICC trophy, while for South Africa, it was yet another heartbreaking exit in a knockout-stage match of a major event. Riding on the centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, the Black Caps set a big target of 363, which proved too tough for South Africa despite a late-century from David Miller.  Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand lost opener Will Young for 21, but Ravindra and Williamson built a solid platform with a 164-run stand for the second wicket. Ravindra, continuing his superb form, scored 108 off 101 balls, while Williamson struck 102 off 94 deliveries, both mixing caution with aggression.  Bangladesh stalwart Mushfiqur Rahim retires from ODIs Contributions from Daryl Mitchell (49 off 37) and Glenn Phillips (49 not out off 27) ensured New Zealand crossed the 360-run mark. South Africa’s bowlers found it tough to contain New Zealand’s batting depth. Lungi Ngidi took 3 for 72, while Kagiso Rabada bagged two wickets.  Chasing 363, South Africa needed a strong start but lost Ryan Rickelton early. Captain Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen steadied the innings with a 105-run stand. Bavuma made 56 off 71, while van der Dussen added 69 off 66, but neither could carry on to lead the chase.  The turning point came when Mitchell Santner, who finished with 3 for 43, removed both Bavuma and van der Dussen in quick succession. South Africa’s middle order then collapsed under pressure, leaving too much for Miller to do alone. Miller fought alone, smashing an unbeaten 100 off 67 balls, keeping South Africa’s hopes alive until the final overs. Virat Kohli explains how he guided India to Champions Trophy final  However, wickets kept falling around him, and the required run rate soared out of reach. Matt Henry, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips chipped in with key wickets to keep South Africa in check. “The platform we were able to set with Rachin and Kane was great. The finishers did their job, and the key for the bowlers was to keep chipping away with wickets,” After the match, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said.