United News of Bangladesh

India’s tour of Bangladesh remains uncertain with less than two weeks to go before the proposed start of the six-match white-ball series. BCB President Tamim Iqbal on Thursday said the two boards were still discussing the schedule, raising the possibility of another change to the dates. “Both boards remain in discussion about the India series. The dates may be shifted here or there,” he said. Bangladesh are due to host India for three ODIs and three T20Is from September 1 to 13, with the first ODI scheduled for September 3. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to publicly confirm the tour. The BCB’s decision to schedule the Game Development Trophy in Mirpur from August 28 to September 9, overlapping the proposed India series, has further added to the uncertainty. Tamim said the tournament will not stand in the way of the India matches. It could be moved to the Bashundhara ground if the tour is confirmed. The India series was originally scheduled for August 2025 but was postponed by the BCCI amid strained relations between the two countries. The BCB announced the revised schedule in January, but the BCCI has not made a similar announcement. India’s schedule adds another complication. They are currently playing a two-Test series in Sri Lanka before hosting Afghanistan for three matches on September 13, 15 and 17. Relations between the BCB and BCCI have improved since Tamim took over as president. Earlier this month, he visited the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru in what was seen as an effort to repair ties between the boards.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will not be held in the 2026-27 season as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) works to overhaul the tournament after years of financial losses, rule violations and problems with franchises, BCB President Tamim Iqbal said on Thursday. “I do not think so. BPL is not happening this year,” he told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur when asked about the upcoming season. Tamim said the BCB had lost about Tk 40 crore over the past two years while dealing with problems involving franchises. He said the board should be making money from franchise cricket, not losing it. “Until we fix this, doing a tournament at a loss is not important,” he said. The decision, the BCB chief said, was meant to give the board time to fix the competition rather than rush into another season with the same problems, noting that the process could take six to 12 months, if necessary. Tamim, who is also chairman of the ICC’s franchise cricket committee, said Bangladesh needs to run its own franchise tournament properly. “If my own country’s franchise cricket is not running properly, stopping it and rebuilding it will be a big message for my committee,” he said. The BCB president said he can quickly put together five teams but will not do so simply to hold the tournament. “What is important to me is fair cricket and maintaining the dignity of the BCB,” he said, adding that he was prepared to face criticism over the decision. The absence of the BPL will hurt players financially, Tamim acknowledged. He said he will have been disappointed in their position but argued that the tournament needs to be put on a sound footing. The BCB plans to complete the franchise selection and other institutional processes by April-May, with the aim of bringing back the BPL under a long-term model next year.

Mushfiqur Rahim was hit on the finger by a delivery during Bangladesh’s training session in Mackay on Thursday, raising a concern ahead of the second Test against Australia. Mushfiqur was batting in the nets at Great Barrier Reef Arena when the ball struck his finger. He sat down on the pitch and received treatment before returning to the nets and continuing his batting practice. The extent of the injury was not immediately known. Mushfiqur’s availability will be important for Bangladesh, given his experience and role in the middle order. The team has one more training session before the Test, which should give the medical staff more time to assess the injury. There was also a question mark over opener Tanzid Hasan, who joined the team for warm-ups and fielding but did not bat. Team sources said he was experiencing neck stiffness and was given a day off from batting as a precaution. Pacer Shoriful Islam bowled for an extended period during the session, while coach Phil Simmons spent time speaking to him between spells.

Rain interrupted the opening day of the first Test between England and Pakistan at Headingley on Wednesday, with the visitors reduced to 23-2 after England's bowlers made the most of the overcast conditions. England won the toss and elected to bowl first. Ollie Robinson made an immediate impact, taking a wicket with the first ball of the match and later dismissing Pakistan captain Shan Masood to leave the visitors in early trouble. Robinson removed opener Azan Awais for a duck with a delivery that moved sharply back into the left-hander and struck his pads. Awais reviewed the decision but the call was upheld. Robinson struck again in his fifth over, trapping Masood lbw for five with another well-directed delivery. Pakistan were 6-2 before Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq began to steady the innings. Shafique was unbeaten on 12 from 19 balls, while Imam had made five from 18 when rain stopped play after 9.4 overs. Robinson finished his opening spell with impressive figures of 5-1-12-2, while England's other bowlers also kept the Pakistan batters under pressure. Heavy rain forced the players from the field and led to an early lunch. Conditions later improved, with ground staff beginning to remove some of the covers, but another spell of rain was forecast. The scheduled restart was set for 1:10pm BST, weather permitting. The match marks a new chapter for England, with Joe Root returning as Test captain. Pakistan are playing without Babar Azam, who is sidelined with a finger injury, while Salman Ali Agha is leading the side. England have also released five squad members who were not selected for the Test to return to their counties for this week's County Championship matches. They are Shoaib Bashir, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Matthew Fisher and Ollie Pope. Source: BBC

Najmul Hossain Shanto believes Bangladesh’s historic Test victory over Australia in Darwin was the result of a change in mindset particularly among the pacers.  Bangladesh beat Australia by nine wickets on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, just days after being bowled out for 54 by a Cricket Australia XI in their warm-up match. “Very happy, proud of myself and the way the boys played. We did a lot of hard work,” Shanto said after the win. He pointed to the changing attitude toward fast bowling in Bangladesh’s Test cricket. “That is the biggest change for Bangladesh in Test format,” he said. “Earlier, five years ago, pacers didn’t want to play Tests. But we have been playing lots of Test cricket and they are giving importance to Test format. They want to play, want to perform, want to be world-class.” Bangladesh’s fast bowlers set up the victory. Hasan Mahmud took six wickets in Australia’s first innings of 198 and added three more in the second innings. Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain also played their part. Hasan, named player of the match for his nine wickets, said Bangladesh focused on its plans rather than the result. “Before the match, in the practice session, we were doing our best every second and believed in ourselves without thinking of the outcome,” he said. “We got some team plans with the coaches, watching videos, and that’s what we did at the ground.” Australia captain Pat Cummins said the damage was done on the opening day. “Probably that day one,” Cummins said when asked where the match was lost. “I thought our prep was spot on, no excuses. They played well. We had to find a way to bat longer and then we couldn’t penetrate with the ball.” He credited Bangladesh for the way they played. “They outplayed us in all facets, they were patient and disciplined,” Cummins said. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored 65 in Bangladesh’s first innings and took five wickets in Australia’s second, said belief was crucial. “We had the belief,” he said. “Australia are a world-class team and have lots of good players. We knew if we beat them, it would be very good for our country.” Bangladesh’s 426 was built around Tanzid Hasan’s maiden Test century, Shanto’s 84 and useful contributions from Mominul Haque and Mehidy. The lower order then added valuable runs to give Bangladesh a 228-run lead. Australia were bowled out for 284 in their second innings, leaving Bangladesh a target of 57. Mominul and Shadman Islam completed the chase in 14.2 overs. Shanto said Bangladesh would need the same discipline in the second Test in Mackay. “We have to play five days of good cricket,” he said. “If we play session by session, if the lower order keeps chipping in, those are the things.”  

Bangladesh beat Australia by nine wickets in Darwin on Sunday to secure one of the biggest Test wins in their history. Chasing 57, Bangladesh reached 53 for 1 in 14.2 overs, with Mominul Haque unbeaten on 26 and Shadman Islam on 25. The victory came 23 years after Bangladesh last played a Test in Australia. It also capped a remarkable turnaround after they were bowled out for 54 by a Cricket Australia XI in their tour match last week.  

Bangladesh are 57 runs away from a historic Test victory after bowling Australia out for 284 in their second innings in Darwin. Australia added 123 runs to their overnight total on Sunday but lost their last six wickets for 123 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took five wickets, while Hasan Mahmud took three to finish with nine in the match. Australia resumed on 161 for 4, with Cameron Green and Alex Carey at the crease. Green made 87 before Hasan Mahmud bowled him for the ninth wicket at 278. Miraz had earlier dismissed Carey for 49, Beau Webster for 15 and Pat Cummins for 14, after removing Steven Smith for 44 on Saturday. He then trapped Nathan Lyon lbw for 15 to end the innings at 284. Bangladesh had bowled Australia out for 198 in the first innings before making 426, taking a 228-run lead. Tanzid Hasan made his maiden Test century, while Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 84 and Miraz made 65. Hasan Mahmud took six wickets in Australia’s first innings and three in the second. Taskin Ahmed took the other wicket. Bangladesh now need 57 runs in their fourth innings to secure what would be their first Test win over Australia.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz put Bangladesh in a strong position on the fourth morning in Darwin, taking three wickets as Australia reached 243 for 7 at lunch, a lead of 15. Australia added 82 runs in 31 overs in the morning session but lost Alex Carey, Beau Webster and captain Pat Cummins. Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 85, while Mitchell Starc was 14 not out. The pair have added 36 for the eighth wicket. Miraz has taken four wickets in Australia’s second innings, including all three wickets to fall on Sunday morning. He found sharp turn and bounce from the Darwin surface to trouble Australia’s batters. Green, who resumed on 43, has been Australia’s main source of resistance. He has faced 151 balls and hit six fours. Australia began the day on 161 for 4, still 67 runs behind Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 426. Bangladesh had earned that advantage after bowling Australia out for 198 on the opening day. Tanzid Hasan then made his maiden Test century, while Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 84 and Mehidy made 65. Australia lost four wickets on the third day but Green and Carey held firm to take them to stumps at 161 for 4. Miraz said at lunch that he had focused on bowling in the right areas rather than constantly searching for wickets. “I wanted to keep things simple,” Miraz told former Australia fast bowler and commentator Brendon Julian. “There are a lot of footmarks outside off stump, so I tried to bowl there. I didn’t look for a wicket every over. On a pitch like this, discipline is important.” Asked whether Bangladesh had planned to beat Australia before the Test, Miraz said the team had prepared well and saw the match as a major opportunity. “We thought this was a great opportunity for us,” he said. “If we can beat them, it will be good for our country and for the players.”

Bangladesh remain in front in the first Test in Darwin, but Australia finally found some stability with the bat on the third day. Australia closed on 161 for 4, still 67 runs behind Bangladesh’s 426, with Cameron Green unbeaten on 43 and Alex Carey on 19. The pair shared an unbroken 39-run stand to see Australia safely through the final session. Bangladesh added 75 runs to their overnight total on Saturday before being bowled out for 426. Mehidy Hasan Miraz made 65, while Taskin Ahmed remained unbeaten on 14. Josh Hazlewood took 6 for 89, completing a six-wicket haul that limited Bangladesh’s lead to 228. Bangladesh’s first innings was led by Tanzid Hasan’s maiden Test century. The opener made 101, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 84 and Mominul Haque 49. Mushfiqur Rahim added 36 as Bangladesh built a commanding first-innings advantage. Australia then suffered another poor start. Hasan Mahmud removed Travis Head for 17 and Jake Weatherald for a duck, leaving the hosts 37 for 2. Taijul Islam dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for 31 before Mehidy removed Steven Smith for 44 at 122 for 4. Green and Carey then dug in. Green has faced 86 balls and struck two fours, while Carey has made 19 from 50 balls. Hasan Mahmud finished the day with 2 for 33, while Taijul and Mehidy took one wicket apiece. Australia’s recovery was a marked improvement after they were bowled out for 198 on the opening day. But Bangladesh still have the advantage, with Australia needing another 67 runs just to draw level.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was unbeaten on 65 as Bangladesh reached 417 for 8 at lunch on the third day of the first Test against Australia on Saturday, stretching their lead to 219 runs. Miraz and Taskin Ahmed added 45 without being separated in the morning session, putting on their fifth partnership of more than 40 runs in the innings. Miraz has faced 152 balls, hitting five fours and a six. Taskin is 12 not out from 22 balls. Australia managed only two wickets in the 23-over session, both taken by Josh Hazlewood. Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam were dismissed as Bangladesh lost their seventh and eighth wickets. Australia also missed two chances off Pat Cummins. Steven Smith and Travis Head both put down catches. Miraz finished the session in style, hitting Cameron Green for six over the boundary. His partnership with Taskin has taken Bangladesh closer to a lead of 250. Bangladesh resumed the day on 351 for 6 after Tanzid Hasan’s 101, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 84 and Mominul Haque’s 49 helped them build a strong position. They had started the innings 102 runs behind Australia, who were bowled out for 198 on the first day. Australia now face the prospect of having to chase a large deficit in their second innings, with Bangladesh still two wickets away from completing their first innings.