Cricket
What lies ahead for Bangladesh spinners under Mushtaq Ahmed's guidance
Spin bowlers of Bangladesh cricket team are ready to step into the legendary Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed era after 2 years of learning from another great coach Rangana Herath. Former Pakistani cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed has been appointed as the spin bowling coach of Bangladesh National Cricket Team by BCB till the ICC T20 World Cup tournamnet this year. As of now, Mushtaq Ahmed will have three assignments primarily during his tenure. First will be the upcoming series against Zimbabwe and the USA. The next will be the T20 World Cup 2024.
Bowling Profile of Pakistani Cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed
Table: An Overview of Mushtaq Ahmed's International Cricket Career As a Bowler
Format
Matches
Innings
Wickets
Best Bowling Figures (innings)
Best Bowling Figures (Match)
Average
Economy
Strike Rate
5-Wicket Haul
10-Wicket Haul
Tests
52
89
185
56-7
106-10
32.97
2.92
67.7
10
3
ODI
144
142
161
36-5
36-5
33.29
4.26
46.8
1
0
.
Mushtaq Ahmed made his debut in the international arena in the ODI series against Sri Lanka on May 23, 1989. He picked up 2 wickets for 33 runs in that game. Later in 19th January 1990, he made his test debut in Adelaide against Australia.
His final ODI game was at Lahore against South Africa on October 3, 2003. He put curtains on his test career on October 28, 2003. His last wicket was Herschelle Gibbs.
Mushtaq Ahmed was a crucial part of Pakistan’s only World Cup triumph in 1992. He was the joint 2nd highest wicket-taker, along with Sir Ian Botham, and only behind Wasim Akram, grabbing 16 wickets in the tournament. He dismissed English opener and skipper Graham Gooch and picked up three wickets in the final.
He also featured for three different county teams. After retiring from international cricket, he delivered his most successful spell in county cricket against Sussex. Moreover, he became the highest wicket-taker in county cricket for five seasons in a row. He also picked 100 wickets in the 2003 season with Sussex. Overall, his first-class career is decorated with 1407 wickets from 309 matches.
Read more: Mushtaq Ahmed arrives in Dhaka to take up assignment with Tigers
Mushtaq Ahmed's Journey As a Bowling Coach
Table: An Overview of Pakistani Cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed's Career as a Coach
Team
Tenure
Role
England National Cricket Team
2008-2014
Spin-Bowling Coach
Pakistan National Cricket Team
2014-2016
Bowling Consultant
West Indies National Cricket team
2018-2019
Spin-Bowling Coach
Pakistan National Cricket Team
2020-2022
Spin-Bowling Coach
.
Mushtaq Ahmed had his longest coaching spell with the England national cricket team right after his retirement as a player. His notable success in this time might be the incorporation of Graeme Swann who is the 2nd highest wicket-taker as a spinner for England in test cricket.
During his tenure as a bowling consultant for Pakistan, players like Imad Wasim and Yasir Shah made their debut in Pakistan Cricket. Yasir Shah is currently the 5th highest-wicket taker and the 2nd highest-wicket-taker as a spinner for Pakistan in test cricket.
His tenure at Windies was prior to the 2019 World Cup. Keemo Paul debuted during his time. However, over-reliance on pacers in that campaign didn’t leave much room for spinners to shine.
Read more: BCB appoints former Pakistan great Mushtaq Ahmed as spin-bowling coach
Recent Performances of Bangladesh Team in Spin Bowling
Mushtaq Ahmed is currently appointed for a brief period of time. Therefore, long-term expectations are out of the cards. However, he can still offer plenty to this team.
Being one of the legendary leg-spinners of the game, the leg-spinners in our team, especially Rishad Hossain, can benefit from his vast experience and knowledge if Rishad can utilize Mushtaq’s guidance properly. Also, other spinners like Mahedi, Mehedi, and Shakib can benefit from him.
More so, Mushtaq can help Shakib hone his traditional and Arm balls particularly. Another interesting factor would be the condition. The T20 World Cup is going to take place in the USA. During his tenure as Windies spin bowling coach, they stayed in the USA for a few matches. So, utilising that experience, Mushtaq Ahmed can help the Bangladeshi spinners to adapt better in that condition.
Read more: BCB Unveils Preliminary Squad for Zimbabwe T20Is, Shakib and Mustafizur Absent
What to Expect from Mushtaq Ahmed as the Spin-bowling Coach of Bangladesh
Traditionally, Bangladesh relied on its spinners for success. However, in the recent years, Bangladesh Cricket took the limelight away from spinners. Even though spinners played a big role in winning the test match against New Zealand in early December 2023 at Sylhet, the recent series against New Zealand raises some genuine concerns in this department.
Spinners took only 52 of the last 100 wickets in tests for Bangladesh. In the Test format Bangladesh often plays with more spinners rather than pacers. In ODI, spinners took only 7 of the last 47 wickets. And, only 7 of the last 31 wickets in T20Is were picked by the Bangladeshi spinners.
If we look back at the World Cup 2023, Bangladesh spinners took only 25 of the 54 wickets while bowling for 189 overs. Their average was 45.36, Strike rate was 43.6 with an economy of 2.77. Bangladesh expects more from their spinners.
Read more: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20 Series 2024: Fixtures, Head-To-Head Records
Final Verdict
Mushtaq Ahmed has a vast ground of knowledge both as a cricketer and as a player. He has the right profile and experience to guide Bangladesh spinners forward. It is now up to the spinners to turn his guidelines into fruition. Only the future will decide how successful Mushtaq Ahmed is as the spin-bowling coach of the Bangladesh team.
Bangladesh vs India Women T20 Series 2024: Fixtures, Squad, H2H Records, Key Players
Bangladesh women have a busy schedule as teams ahead of hosting the World T20 in September this year. After hosting Australia for the first time ever, the Tigresses are set to host India as well. The 5-match Women's T20I series between Bangladesh and India is scheduled to embark on the 28th of April at Sylhet. This series promises to be a belter after a thrilling outing of these two sides last July. Let’s take a look at all the details of this series
Fixtures of BAN vs IND Wone's T20I Series 2024
Table: Schedules of the 2024 Bangladesh vs India Women T20 Series
Match
Date
Time (Bangladesh Time)
Venue
1st T20
Sunday, 28th April, 2024
6:30 PM
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
2nd T20
Tuesday, 30th April, 2024
6:30 PM
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
3rd T20
Thursday, 2nd May, 2024
2:00 PM
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
4th T20
Monday, 6th May, 2024
2:00 PM
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
5th T20
Thursday, 9th May, 2024
6:30 PM
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
Read more: Who Performed Best in the Ongoing Dhaka League So Far?
Bangladesh vs India Women’s H2H T20I Records
Table: Head to Head records between Bangladesh and India Women's Team in T20I format
Matches Played
Bangladesh Won
India Won
Tie
No Result
16
3
13
0
0
India largely dominated this fixture over the years. Two of the three wins by Bangladesh women came at the 2018 Asia Cup in which they were the champions making it the only silverware of Bangladesh women's team. The other win came from the last time these two met in July, 2023. Bangladesh won the last game of the series while India clinched the 3-match series that time.
Bangladesh Squad in the 2024 BAN vs IND Wome's T20I Series
Table: List of Players in the Bangladesh Team
Player
Role
Nigar Sultana ©
Wicketkeeper Batter
Dilara Akter
Wicketkeeper Batter
Fahima Khatun
Bowler
Fariha Trisna
Bowler
Habiba Islam
Bowler
Marufa Akter
Bowler
Sobhana Mostary
Middle order Batter
Murshida Khatun
Opening Batter
Nahida Akter
Bowler
Rabeya Khan
Allrounder
Ritu Moni
Allrounder
Rubaya Haider
Wicketkeeper Batter
Shorifa Khatun
Bowler
Shorna Akter
Allrounder
Sultana Khatun
Bowler
14-year-old Habiba Islam got her first call for the national team and might become the 2nd youngest women player to play for Bangladesh after Rabeya Khan. Bangladesh made two changes in their squad. Sumaiya Akter and Farzana Akter miss out this time. They are replaced by Rubya Haider and Habiba Islam.
Read more: Nasum's hunger for wickets spurs Mohammedan's Super League Campaign
Indian Squad in the 2024 BAN vs IND Wome's T20I Series
Table: List of Players in the India Team
Player
Role
Harmanpreet Kaur ©
Batting Allrounder
Yastika Bhatia
Wicketkeeper Batter
Richa Ghosh
Wicketkeeper Batter
Dayalan Hemalatha
Top order Batter
Saika Ishaque
Bowler
Amanjot Kaur
Batting Allrounder
Smriti Mandhana
Opening Batter
Shreyanka Patil
Allrounder
Renuka Singh
Bowler
Titas Sadhu
Bowler
Sajeevan Sanjana
Allrounder
Shafali Verma
Opening Batter
Deepti Sharma
Allrounder
Asha Sobhana
Allrounder
Pooja Vstrakar
Bowler
Radha Yadav
Bowler
Sajeevan Sajana has earned her maiden call-up for India after a good WPL campaign. Asha Sobhana also earned her maiden call-up to the India women's team in this series after a brilliant WPL campaign, where she became the 2nd highest wicket-taker of the tournament, for RCB in WPL 2024. Jemimah Rodrigues is a notable miss for them.
Read more: BCB appoints former Pakistan great Mushtaq Ahmed as spin-bowling coach
Players to Watch in Bangladesh Squad in the Women's T20I Series Against India
Nahida Akter
Nahida Akter is one of the most in-form players for Bangladesh right now. She became the first from the Bangladesh women’s team to become ICC Player of the month in November 2023. Additionally, she claimed 15 wickets in her last 9 matches with a strike rate of 13.46. She slowly has made herself the biggest wicket-taking bowler for Bangladesh.
Nahida Akter is currently the highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in T20Is. Standing at 91, she’s only 9 wickets away from becoming the first Bangladeshi female player and the 13th female player ever to acquire 100 wickets in Women’s T20I. Bangladesh would hope for her to achieve that milestone in this upcoming series against India. Nonetheless, she might be the most influential factor to guide Bangladesh towards victory.
Nigar Sultana
The skipper will have a big role to play in this series. She is one of the most consistent and standout performers of the team. She averages 30+ in her last 10 games for the Bangladesh team with a strike rate of almost 90. She can also play a big role for the team as a wicket-keeper. Bangladesh will largely depend on her batting, keeping, and captaincy to get a positive result from the series.
Read more: Keep the expectation bar low': Shanto cautions ahead of World Cup
Fahima Khatun
Fahima Khatun is another vastly experienced campaigner on the team. She is known for being the first-ever female cricketer for Bangladesh to bag a hat-trick. She is only a couple of wickets away from reaching the milestone of becoming only the 5th bowler to take 50 wickets for Bangladesh in T20Is.
This series against India might be her opportunity to achieve them. She also plays a crucial role with the bat in the lower middle order. Her economical spells in the death overs have come in handy for Bangladesh over time. Therefore, she is expected to marshall all her experience in driving Bangladesh towards victory.
Key Players in India Squad in the BAN vs IND Wome's T20I Series 2024
Smriti Mandhana
The dashing opener and the current no.4 in the world ranking pose the biggest threat from India. Her quick-fire starts have been the base for many wins and it is not supposed to be any different this time. She scored 251 runs in the last 10 games with a strike rate of 102. She also guided Royal Challengers Bangalore to their 1st ever WPL title being the 4th highest run-scorer of the tournament.
With over 3000 runs, she is currently the 6th highest run-scorer in WT20I and she can jump to the 3rd position. A player of her caliber might feel 5 matches are enough for her to get to this record. India would also want her to be on song from the very first delivery of the series.
Read more: Who's leading Bangladesh's Premier Cricket League?
Shafali Verma
Smriti Mandhana’s opening partner Shafali Varma can also decide games by herself. She scored 253 runs in her last 10 outings for India with a strike rate of a massive 122. She also played a knock of 64(44) in India’s latest win over Australia in January. She had a fantastic WPL 2024 campaign being the 3rd highest run scorer with 309 runs. India’s batting tone largely depends on her and she often leads India to glory. The tour of Bangladesh is not supposed to be any different either.
Deepti Sharma
The current no.3 bowler of the world can be crucial for India on this tour. She captured 11 wickets in her last 10 games. She is also the only Indian bowler to achieve 100 wickets in WT20I to date. Her off-spin should test Bangladesh to the limits in Sylhet. For the last few campaigns, she has been the main strike bowler and the wicket-taker of the team. Even though India currently has a talented core of bowlers, the experience of Deepti can always be fruitful for them.
Final Words
According to statistics, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team dominated over Bangladesh. The latest series against Australia doesn’t help Bangladesh’s confidence much. Therefore, India is going to the series as the favorite. However, Bangladesh is always a difficult opponent at home which makes this 2024 BAN vs IND Women's T20I series a highly anticipated one.
Read more: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20 Series 2024: Fixtures, Head-To-Head Records
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20 Series 2024: Fixtures, Head-To-Head Records
The Tigers will take on Zimbabwe as a last assignment before visiting the USA. Zimbabwe will tour Bangladesh for a 5-match T20I series to bolster their preparation for World T20 as well. This is the first time these two teams will be facing each other since the thriller in World T20 2022 at Brisbane. Both teams are likely to come up with their best possible squads for this series. Here is all you need to know for the Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Men's T20I Series 2024.
Full Fixtures of BAN vs ZIM T20I Series in 2024
The series is scheduled to kick off on Friday, May 3 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. It will end with the 5th T20I of the series on Saturday, May 11 at Dhaka's Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Table: Full fixture of the T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
Match
Date
Venue
1st T20
Friday, May 3, 2024
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
2nd T20
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
3rd T20
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
4th T20
Friday, May 10, 2024
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
5th T20
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
Read more: BCB appoints former Pakistan great Mushtaq Ahmed as spin-bowling coach
BAN vs ZIM Head-to-Head T20I Records So Far
Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe have faced each other 20 times in T20I. Bangladesh has won 13 games against Zimbabwe which is the most for them against a single opponent. Similarly, Zimbabwe has won 7 games against Bangladesh which is their highest (along with Ireland) against a single opponent.
There have been 7 bilateral T20 series played between these two sides. 3 have been won by Bangladesh, 1 by Zimbabwe and the rest were a draw. However, Zimbabwe were the last bilateral series winners among them. Therefore, it is the perfect opportunity for both sides to brush up before the World T20. Let’s dive into some more detailed H2H records among these two familiar sides.
Table: Head-to-Head Records between Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe
Records
Bangladesh
Zimbabwe
Match Wins
13
7
Highest Total
200/3
205/3
Lowest Total
135/9
119/7
Largest Victories by Runs
48 Runs
31 Runs
Largest Victories by Wickets
9 Wickets
3 Wickets
Read more: Tamim's international career in limbo as BCB offers no clarity
Table: Notable Individual Head-to-Head Records between Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe:
Records
Bangladesh
Zimbabwe
Most Matches
Mahmudllah Riyad (16)
Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams (16)
Most Runs
Litton Das (308)
Hamilton MasaKadza (377)
Highest Score
Najmul Hossain Shanto(71)
Hamilton Masakadza (93)
Most 50
Litton Das (3)
Wesley Madhevere (3)
Most Sixes
Soumya Sarkar (15)
Malcolm Waller (18)
Most Wickets
Mustafizur Rahman (24)
Graeme Cramer (11)
Best Bowling
Mosaddek Hossain (4-0-20-5)
Neville Madziva (4-0-34-4)
Most Catches
Soumya Sarkar (8)
Sikandar Raza (9)
Most Dismissals
Mushfiqur Rahim (7)
Regis Chakabva (5)
Highest Partnership
Shakib Al Hasan-Shamsur Rahman (118)
Vusi Sibanda, Hamilton Masakadza (101)
Most Matches as a Captain
Mashrafe Mortaza (6)
Elton Chigumbura (4)
Bottom Line
Both of the teams are coming to the series after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Sri Lanka. Bangladesh lost to them at their home while Zimbabwe lost to Sri Lanka. Therefore, both of them will go to the field having a similar situation. The last 1 year of Bangladesh at T20 cricket on home ground, where they beat England, Ireland, and Afghanistan, makes them a slight favorite for this series. On the other hand, Zimbabwe lost their last 3 series in a row. Nevertheless, both teams can ulitilise the BAN vs ZIM T20I Series 2024 to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup tournament.
Read more: 'Mustafizur has nothing to learn from IPL,' says BCB Cricket Ops chair
Shakib Al Hasan: Saviour or Disruptor?
Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's most accomplished cricketer, finds himself at the center of a swirling debate regarding his commitment to the national team. His return to the team for the second Test starting tomorrow against Sri Lanka, after missing earlier matches in the series, has reignited questions about his priorities and the impact his sporadic appearances have on the team.
The left-handed all-rounder last appeared in a First-Class match a year ago, during a Test against Ireland in Dhaka. Now, after a year-long hiatus from the longest format of cricket, he is set to play another Test without any intervening First-Class appearances. He has not played any international matches in 2024, despite Bangladesh having played seven matches. While the reasons for his absence remain unclear, his abrupt end to the 2023 World Cup was due to a finger injury, which also caused him to miss the home Test series against New Zealand and the subsequent away T20I and ODI series against the same opponent following Bangladesh's disastrous World Cup outing.
Shakib Al Hasan diagnosed with retinal condition in left eye
Shakib's undeniable talent and past contributions are unquestioned. He is a genuine all-rounder, capable of winning matches with both bat and ball. However, in recent years, his appearances for the national team have been inconsistent, with breaks taken for personal reasons, injuries, and even political activities (while the Bangladesh team was busy playing against New Zealand in New Zealand late last year, Shakib was actively campaigning for the national election in his constituency, Magura district). This inconsistency has led to a sense of unease and frustration among fans and experts alike.
During the recent Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Shakib faced an eye issue that required medical attention. This issue reportedly affected him during the World Cup, contributing to his lean batting display, as he hinted in an interview with a cricket website. Despite this, he continued playing in the BPL, leading to rumors that he would take a break after the tournament. However, even before the BPL concluded, he contradicted earlier statements from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) by claiming that he had no issues with his eyes.
Shakib Al Hasan named ICC Men's Player of the Month for March 2023
Ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, Shakib declared himself available, and the BCB promptly included him in the squad. This sudden turnaround has raised eyebrows and fueled the perception that Shakib dictates his own terms when it comes to playing for the national team. With his standout performances over the years, he made himself a difficult figure to criticize, though, the performance doesn't.
His absence from the earlier matches of the Sri Lanka series was attributed to personal activities, including brand endorsements. While these pursuits are understandable, their prioritization over national duty has left some questioning his commitment.
The times Shakib Al Hasan found himself in controversies
Shakib's leadership during the 2023 World Cup, which he himself acknowledged as one of Bangladesh's worst performances in the tournament, also comes under scrutiny. The team lost seven out of nine matches, including a shocking defeat to the Netherlands. This poor showing has led some to question his captaincy and ability to lead the team effectively.
Now, with his return for the second Test, Shakib's intentions and potential contribution are under the microscope. Is he returning to be the savior of a struggling team who lost the first Test by a margin of over 300 runs, or will his sporadic appearances further disrupt the rhythm and morale that the team is trying to build?
There are arguments to be made on both sides. On the one hand, Shakib's talent and experience are undeniable assets to the team. His presence can boost the morale of the players and provide much-needed stability in the batting and bowling departments. On the other hand, his inconsistent availability can disrupt team dynamics and make it difficult for the team management to build a cohesive unit.
Ultimately, the question of whether Shakib, in recent years, is a savior or disruptor for the Bangladesh national team remains open. His performance in the upcoming Test and his future commitment to the team will be crucial in determining the answer.
What you need to keep in mind during Bangladesh-Australia Women’s cricket series
The Australian women's cricket team has arrived in Dhaka, ready to take on the Bangladesh women's team in a historic series starting on March 21.
This marks Australia's first full tour of Bangladesh. Their previous visit was in 2014 for the ICC T20I World Cup, and they have never played an ODI in Bangladesh.
While the first ODI is on March 21, the other two are on March 24 and 27, respectively. After the ODI series, the teams will take on each other in a three-match T20I series, too, on March 31, April 2, and 4. All the matches will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
The first match of the three-match ODI series will be Australia's first ODI in Bangladesh. In their only previous ODI encounter two years ago, Australia won by 65 runs.
Women's cricketer Nahida Akter receives ICC player of the month award
Bangladesh's inclusion in the ICC Women's Championship has created the opportunity for this series against Australia. Bangladesh recently won an ODI against South Africa, boosting their confidence for the upcoming challenge.
Their recent home success, including a win against Pakistan and a tied series with India, further strengthens Bangladesh's confidence.
Bangladesh's conditions may offer a unique challenge to the Australian players, many of whom are playing in Bangladesh for the first time. Only Captain Alyssa Healy and veteran Ellyse Perry have previous experience in Bangladesh, and that was a decade ago.
Young blood injected as BCB announces squad for first Test against Sri Lanka
However, some Australian players have recently participated in the Women's Premier League (WPL) in India, where they experienced conditions similar to those in Bangladesh.
Australia squad for Bangladesh tour 2024: Alyssa Healy (captain), Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (vice captain), Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck
Bangladesh squad against Australia series 2024: Nigar Sultana (captain), Nahida Akter (vice captain), Fargana Hoque, Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Disha Biswas, Sumaiya Akter, Nishita Akter Nishi, Farzana Akter, Rabeya Khan
Bangladesh-Sri Lanka T20I series can be watched from anywhere in the world
Just a few days after the conclusion of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 10th season, Bangladesh cricketers are back on the field as they are set to face Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series starting on Monday (March 04, 2024). Fans around the globe can tune in to watch this series promising exciting cricket.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced that spectators in Bangladesh can enjoy live coverage of the series on two TV channels — GTV and T-Sports — and can also stream the action on the go via the Rabbithole and T-Sports apps.
Sri Lankan fans can catch the series live on Siyatha TV, with streaming options available through Dialog TV. In India, viewers can follow the action on the FanCode OTT platform.
Bangladesh-Sri Lanka T20I series kicks off Monday
For fans in 27 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, the series will be broadcast on STARZPLAY, eLife, and Cricbuzz, with Cricbuzz also available in 10 countries in Southeast Asia.
Astro will broadcast the series in Malaysia, while Willow will cover it in 23 countries in North America.
For fans in other parts of the world, the series will be available on the Rabbithole and T-Sports YouTube channels, ensuring global access to the matches.
The first match of the T20I series is scheduled for Monday, March 4, with the remaining two matches taking place on March 6 and 9 in Sylhet. All matches will commence at 6 pm (Bangladesh time). Following the T20I series, both teams will head to Chattogram, Bangladesh’s main port city, for a three-match ODI series.
Barishal stuns Comilla to claim maiden BPL title
Bangladesh’s Head Coach Hathurusingha expresses disappointed with BPL
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has received its fair share of criticism over the years, but the head coach of the Bangladesh national team has gone further, saying he turns off TV when he sees BPL.
In a recent interview with ESPNCricinfo, Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha expressed his disappointment with the culture T20 events. “There has to be some regulation,” he said. “A player is playing one tournament and then playing another tournament. It's like a circus.”
Hathurusingha clearly outlined his frustration with Bangladesh “not having a proper T20 tournament.” He goes so far as to say, “This sounds very odd, but when I'm watching the BPL, I sometimes turn off the TV. Some players are not even of the class. I have a big issue with the current system.”
The coach emphasized the need for a T20 event where Bangladeshi bowlers can practice bowling in the death overs, and where Bangladeshi batters can gain experience batting at the top of the order.
Read more: BPL Spectacle: What Makes Tawhid Shine with a Century?
“A franchise does what it wants,” Hathurusingha added. “Some of my best players are not playing (the BPL). So then how do you expect the Bangladesh team to be up with the other teams? I am fighting a steep battle.”
The BPL 2024 has entered the playoffs, with the eliminator and the first qualifier taking place in Dhaka on February 27. Right after BPL, Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in a full series — three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests.
Hathurusingha believes the series against Sri Lanka will see the real rivalry in the field, but he also mentioned that Bangladesh will be underdog against Sri Lanka in T20Is.
“We are developing as a T20 team. We are underdogs, to be honest. It is a good challenge for us. I am still confident we will give them a good fight. We will understand where we are at, ahead of the World Cup, after this series,” Hathurusingha added in the interview.
Read more: BPL Mid-Season Standout Stars: Naim, Shoriful Lead as Tournament Shifts to Chattogram
BPL Spectacle: What Makes Tawhid Shine with a Century?
When Tawhid Hridoy stepped onto the crease, the Comilla Victorians had already lost three wickets for just 23 runs, making their chase of a daunting target of 176 seems like an uphill battle.
Yet, Tawhid Hridoy refused to yield. In a display of artistry and control, he steered the team to a remarkable five-wicket victory, notching up his maiden century in the format — the first of the ongoing season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
His innings culminated in a brilliant 108 off just 57 balls, embellished with eight fours and seven sixes—powerful brushstrokes against an ominous backdrop.
His century was the only sixth century in BPL by the Bangladeshi batters. Overall, it was the 30th century in this prestigious T20 league in the country.
Read: BPL 2024: Strikers cruise home comfortably against Tigers
Following the match, the right-handed batter shared his thoughts with the media. He attributed his success to the opportunity to bat higher up the order, expressing gratitude to his captain and the team management for the chance provided.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to bat at the top order,” he remarked. “I would like to thank my captain and team management.”
Tawhid had garnered acclaim as one of the finest batters during his U-19 cricketing days and has since become an indispensable asset to the national white-ball team. Yet, amidst the accolades, he retains a sense of perspective.
Reflecting on his century in the BPL, Tawhid humbly remarked that while each century holds significance for him, his three centuries against Sri Lanka at the U-19 level stand out as particularly memorable.
“Every century is special,” he affirmed, “but those three against Sri Lanka at the U-19 level hold a special place in my heart.”
Read: BPL 2024: Sylhet triumph over Dhaka in battle of minnows
BPL 2024: Babar, Omarzai Propel Riders to Victory in Low-Scoring Affair vs Strikers
Pakistan's star batter, Babar Azam, and Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai orchestrated a stunning seventh-wicket partnership, contributing 87 runs to guide Rangpur Riders to their first win of the new season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Tuesday (January 23, 2024).
In pursuit of a below-par target of 121 runs, the Riders found themselves in a precarious position, losing six wickets for just 39 runs. The prospect of defeat loomed large at that juncture.
Dushan Hemantha, a Sri Lankan spinner, took three wickets conceding 20 runs in four overs. All of his three wickets were notched up in a single over.
Read more: ICC U-19 World Cup: Bangladesh taste first victory beating Ireland by six wickets
While a defeat seemed a matter of time for the Riders, Babar, making his first appearance in this BPL season, and Omarzai had different intentions. They forged an unbeaten partnership of 87 runs, steering the Riders to a remarkable comeback victory.
Both Babar and Omarzai remained not out, scoring 56 and 47, respectively. The Riders reached the target with four wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare.
In the first innings, Sylhet Strikers batted first and were held to 120 for eight wickets. Benny Howell and Ben Cutting top-scored with 37 each, but the remaining batters struggled against the Riders' formidable bowling attack.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the Strikers' captain, opted to promote himself to number three, seemingly considering his limited bowling capacity due to fitness concerns. However, the plan backfired as he departed after contributing only six runs.
Mahedi Hasan and Ripon Mondal claimed two wickets each for the Riders.
Shakib Al Hasan, a key player for the Riders, was absent from the match as he is currently seeking medical attention in Singapore for an eye issue that has persisted since the World Cup 2023. His return date for this year's BPL remains uncertain.
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ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup: Bangladesh suffer a huge 84- run defeat against holders India
Former champions Bangladesh suffered a huge 84 runs defeat against holders India in their first appearance in the 16-team ICC U-19 Men's Cricket World Cup'24 held at Bloemfontein in South Africa on Saturday night.
Hosts South Africa made a good start beating West Indies by 31 runs in the opening match at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Friday while Ireland beat Unites States by seven wickets at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein in the other opening day's fixture.
BPL 2024: Nahid, Faheeim shine as Khulna Tigers Beat Chattogram Challengers
In the day's match, left-arm spinner cum captain Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, who also led the Bangladesh team to win the first-ever U-19 Asia Cup crown very recently, today won the toss and sent India to bat first.
Going to bat first, India piled up a comfortable 251 for the loss of seven wickets in stipulated 50 overs with opener Adarsh Singh scoring 76 and two down batter cum captain Uday Saharan making 64 runs.
ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup'24 begins Friday in South Africa
Later, Adarsh Singh was adjudged man of the match.
Maruf Mridha was the successful among Bangladesh bowlers claiming five wickets for 43 runs in eight overs with a maiden.
Replying to Indian mammoth total, Bangladesh team were all out for 167 runs in 45.5 overs with Shihab James and Ariful Islam are the main contributors scoring 54 anf 41 runs respectively.
Saumy Pandey took four Bangladesh conceding 24 runs in 9.5 overs with a maiden.
Shakib Heads to Singapore for Eye Treatment, Further BPL Participation in Jeopardy
In the day's other match, England beat Scotland by seven wickets on Saturday.
Bangladesh team, the champions of 2020, which was placed in Group A with India, United States and Ireland, will play Ireland on January 22 at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein and United States on January 26 at the same venue in the remaining group matches.