United News of Bangladesh

Defending champions of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Fortune Barishal, beat Sylhet Strikers by seven wickets on Tuesday in Sylhet. It was Barishal’s third win in the event in four matches. They are now in second place in the points table right behind Rangpur Riders who won five out of five matches they have played. Sylhet batted first and tumbled for a modest 125 in 18.2 overs. Jahandad Khan was the best bowler for Barishal taking three wickets in his three overs. He bagged the crucial wickets of George Munsey, 28 off 13, and Aaron Jones, who suffered a duck. Rishad Hossain also impressed with 3 wickets for 15 runs, while Faheem Ashraf contributed by taking two wickets for 23 runs. Sylhet failed to build partnerships when they needed it most. They were 76 for two, but from there, they collapsed to 125 all out. George Munsey and Zakir Hasan provided brief resistance, with Munsey smashing 28 off 13 and Zakir adding 25 off 26. BPL: Usman Khan’s ton power Chittagong Kings' big win over Durbar Rajshahi While chasing, Barishal lost Tamim Iqbal for a golden duck. Najmul Hossain Shanto also fell for only four runs. But Kyle Mayers and Towhid Hridoy steered the chase with a dominating 116-run partnership. Mayers remained unbeaten on 59 off 31, hitting five fours and four sixes, while Hridoy contributed 48 off 27 with eight boundaries and two sixes. Barishal reached the target in just 10.3 overs, with 7 wickets to spare.

Alex Hales hit a century in the first match of the Sylhet phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as the Rangpur Riders beat the Sylhet Strikers by eight wickets on Monday. Sylhet batted first after losing the toss and posted 205 for four. Rony Talukdar and Zakir Hasan scored fifties for them, while a quickfire innings from Jaker Ali and Aaron Jones gave them a strong total to defend. Sylhet post big total against Rangpur in home ground Sylhet managed 74 runs in the last five overs, with Jones and Jaker hitting four sixes in the final over, bowled by Akif Javed. Mohammad Saifuddin was the most effective bowler for the Riders, picking up two wickets for 31 runs in his four overs. In reply, the Riders lost their opener, Azizul Hakim, for a duck. But Alex Hales and Saif Hassan were the mainstays for them to chase a big total. Alex hit a ton—113 off 56 with 10 fours and seven sixes, while Saif scored 80 off 49 balls with three fours and seven sixes.Their batting approach kept the asking rate under control throughout the chase. Saif fell in the 18th over, but the Riders were already within touching distance of the target. BPL: Mehidy shines as Khulna Tigers beat Dhaka Capital by 20 runs Riders completed the chase in 19 overs, finishing on 210 for two. Alex Hales was named Player of the Match for his match-winning century. It was the Riders’ fourth win in as many matches, while it was the second defeat in two matches.

Sylhet Strikers' local players shone in front of their home crowd as the Sylhet phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) began on Monday. Riding on home boys — Zakir Hasan’s (50) and Jaker Ali’s (20 off 5) batting, and half-century from Rony Talukdier and a quickfire 38 from Aaron Jones, Sylhet posted 205 for four. BPL: Mehidy shines as Khulna Tigers beat Dhaka Capital by 20 runs Former champions Rangpur Riders won the toss and chose to field. Sylhet’s openers gave them a strong start, adding 47 runs in five overs before George Munsey fell for 18. Rony Talukdar kept the momentum, smashing 54 off 32 balls with seven fours and three sixes. Zakir Hasan, batting at number three, contributed 50 off 38 deliveries, including four sixes. BPL: Usman Khan’s ton power Chittagong Kings' big win over Durbar Rajshahi In the final five overs, Sylhet added 74 runs, with Aaron Jones and Jaker Ali finishing strong. They struck four sixes in the last over, bowled by Akif Javed. For the Riders, Mohammad Saifuddin was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets.

Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza has decided to take a break from the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season after facing five consecutive defeats with his team, Sylhet Strikers. Sylhet Strikers, under Mashrafe's leadership, endured a challenging start in the BPL, failing to secure a single victory in the first five matches. Mashrafe, known for his formidable leadership skills, managed to take only one wicket in this season. BPL 2024: Mahmudullah and Imran inspire Barishal’s big win over SylhetIn an attempt to validate his place in the team, Mashrafe made a strategic move by promoting himself in the batting order. However, this tactical decision failed to yield any noteworthy contributions with the bat, adding to the scrutiny surrounding his participation in the Bangladesh Premier League. In an official statement regarding Mashrafe's temporary departure from the BPL, the Sylhet team clarified that he is opting for this break to fulfill his responsibilities as a whip in the parliament. The team expressed the possibility of Mashrafe rejoining the BPL later in the season, provided he can balance his political commitments. BPL 2024: Riders Secure Third Victory Despite Late Surge by Victorians During Mashrafe's absence as captain, Mohammad Mithun is slated to assume the leadership role for Sylhet, as confirmed by the team management. Mashrafe's involvement in the BPL had faced criticism due to his prolonged absence from competitive cricket due to his political engagements. He actively participated in the national election in early January 2024, securing a parliamentary seat for the ruling Awami League party. Notably, the election was boycotted by the main political opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and their allies. BPL 2024: Khulna Tigers thump Dhaka in convincing 10-wicket win Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful, currently serving as an analyst for T Sports, a sports-dedicated private TV station, voiced concerns about Mashrafe's fitness. He suggested that the participation of players like Mashrafe is tarnishing the image of BPL globally and hindering opportunities for younger cricketers. In response to the criticism about his participation, Mashrafe conceded that his involvement is not “ideal”. However, despite conceding it, Mashrafe played three matches for his BPL team before taking the break.

Chattogram Challengers secured a convincing eight-wicket win over Sylhet Strikers in the 13th match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday. Chasing a target of 138, Chattogram comfortably reached 138/2 in 17.4 overs, with 14 balls to spare. BCB to Discuss Bangladesh’s World Cup Disappointment with Shakib Tanzid Hasan's half-century, scoring 50 off 40 balls, set the tone for the successful run chase. Tom Bruce remained unbeaten with a well-crafted 51 off 44 balls, steering his team to victory. Earlier, Sylhet Strikers posted a total of 137/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Harry Tector scored 45 off 42 balls, while Zakir Hasan contributed a brisk 31 off 26 deliveries. West Indies Pull Off an Epic Test Win in Australia After 27 Years Bilal Khan starred with the ball for Chattogram, claiming three wickets for 24 runs in his four overs. It was the third consecutive win for the Challengers, and with this, they topped the points table. However, if Khulna Tigers win the next match of the day against Durdanto Dhaka, they will dethrone the Challengers from the top place. BPL 2024: Babar's osifty as Rangpur Cruise to Victory vs Dhaka While the Challengers are en route to confirm a place in the final four, four defeats in four matches made the task tough for Sylhet Strikers.

2022-23 Bangladesh Premier League Final sees Comilla Victorians, the current holders, take on Sylhet Strikers, who finished top of the group stage, on Thursday evening in Mirpur. Cumilla Victorians beat the Sylhet Strikers in Qualifier 1 before the Strikers defeated Rangpur Riders in Qualifier 2 on Tuesday. Let’s check where to watch live BPL 2023 Final Since Match 11 of the tournament, Comilla Victorians have not lost a game. They beat the Strikers easily in their last meeting and will be very confident of defending their trophy in this match. Sylhet Strikers have had an inconsistent end to the season but had enough quality to win a close game against Rangpur Riders on Tuesday. They will need to be at their best if they are to win this final. Read More: Sylhet Strikers' Shanto fined for breach of code of conduct How to watch BPL Final 2023 Comilla Victorians vs Sylhet Strikers BPL Final Live Streaming TV Channels This match will be shown live on GTV, Sony Liv, GeoSuper and Willow TV and Nagarik TV.BPL Live 2023 from different countries Bangladesh: Fans in Bangladesh can watch BPL 2023 final match will be live streamed on the Daraz OTT platform. Pakistan: Those wishing to catch a glimpse of the action in Pakistan can do so on Geo and PTV.US: ESPN+ will broadcast the games in the United States. Also read; Comilla Victorians and Sylhet Strikers Set for High-Stakes Showdown in BPL Final BPL Final Live from UK: Viaplay will provide live streaming of the BPL in the United Kingdom.BPL Final 2023 Live from India In India, viewers can live stream the action on Fancode. Fans wishing to watch the game on TV can do so on Eurosport. For other locations, the matches will be available on 27thsports.com BPL Final 2023 Live on Youtube and Facebook Various Facebook page and YouTube channels will also Live Stream BPL Final Match 2023 BPL Final 2023 Pitch Report There is pace, bounce and good carry in this pitch and expecting fast bowlers to be dangerous to face. Equally, stroke-making batters have had success here in Mirpur and a par score will be around 175. Read More: Sylhet Strikers' Shanto fined for breach of code of conduct Comilla Victorians Playing 11 and Team News Litton Das, Imrul Kayes (c), Sunil Narine, Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Mosaddek Hossain, Jaker Ali (wk), Andre Russell, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanvir Islam, Mukidul Islam Sylhet Strikers Playing 11 and Team News Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Zakir Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Ryan Burl, Rubel Hossain Thisara Perera, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, George Linde, Luke Wood. Read More: BPL Final Live Streaming 2023: How and Where to watch Cumilla Victorians Vs Sylhet Strikers Final Match, Predicted XI

Comilla Victorians, the most successful team in the league's history, is all set to take on the Sylhet Strikers, who have made it to the final for the first time. The final will be played on Thursday at Mirpur, Dhaka. While Comilla has been the most successful team in the league, the Strikers are led by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the captain who has won the BPL title more times than anyone else, making the final a unique rivalry. Sylhet finished at the top of the points table in the league phase and had a great run throughout. However, they lost the first qualifier to Comilla and had to beat Rangpur Riders in the second qualifier to make it to the final. Towhid Hriody and Najmul Hossain Shanto, both local batters, have been the key architects of Sylhet Strikers’ most successful run in the BPL. Towhid has scored five fifties this season, while Shanto has knocked two. Despite suffering a brief hand injury, Towhid has maintained his zeal throughout. Remarkably, both batters have scored over 400 runs so far, with only one other player achieving this feat. “Our priority is team performance over individual performance,” said Sylhet’s left-handed opener Shanto ahead of the final. “It’s great to see that Towhid is also doing well, and the healthy competition between us is a positive thing. Our common goal is to excel in our game and win the match tomorrow.” The Strikers’ main bowlers are Mohammad Amir, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Mashrafe, and Imad Wasim. On the other hand, Comilla has relied heavily on Mohammad Rizwan and Khushdil Shah, who have averages of 50 and 47, respectively. Tanvir Islam led Comilla's bowling attack, taking 16 wickets, just one short of the highest-wicket taker. According to Comilla captain Imrul Kayes, who has already won two BPL titles, the final is going to be a high-octane match. He believes the team that can manage their nerves well will have a better chance of lifting the title. “The match is going to be a battle of the minds,” Imrul said. “In high-pressure games, the team that can keep their nerves under control is the one that tends to perform better. It's important to manage oneself in these situations. Even if a team scores two hundred runs, there's no guarantee they will win.” The match is scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm, and a concert featuring renowned Bangladeshi bands will take place at the venue before the game.    

The ninth season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) started quietly on January 6 as there was no opening ceremony for the spectators. Also, the tournament was criticized from the beginning due to several reasons. However, as the matches were played, the tournament became exciting. And the final game Sylhet Strikers vs Comilla Victorians is ready to take place on February 16. Both teams will enter the final with 18 points with nine wins and three losses. So, it can be said that the match will be highly competitive. So, who will win the 2023 BPL? Let’s explore. BPL 2023 Final Venue, Schedule The BPL 2023 final will take place on February 16 at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Mirpur. The game will begin at 6:30 PM. However, the closing ceremony featuring Nagarbaul (James), Warfaze, and Maqsood O’ Dhaka will start at 3 PM. Sylhet Strikers vs Comilla Victorians 2023 BPL Final Preview The reigning champions, Comilla Victorians, lost their first three matches in the BPL this year. After that, there is no loss. After winning ten matches in a row, they were the first to reach the finals. They are being quickly separated from the rest of the teams in the playoff round, considering sync in the squad. Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Khushdil Shah returned after playing a major role in the league phase of the tournament. However, their absence was not felt at all in Comilla in the playoffs. Before the playoffs, they added franchise T20 world-renowned names. Read More: BPL 2023: Strikers march into final in first for Sylhet franchise With the addition of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Moeen Ali, Comilla looks quite different from the rest of the teams. In the first qualifier game against Sylhet Strikers on Sunday, the most successful team of the BPL Comilla emerged victorious, stopping their opponents at 125 runs. Apart from foreign cricketers, the country’s best opener Litton Das, cutter master Mustafizur Rahman is also the big hope of the team in the final. On the other hand, Sylhet Strikers have never played in the final in BPL before. However, Sylhet reached the final for the first time under the leadership of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the most successful captain in BPL history. As a captain, Mashrafe reached the BPL final for a record fifth time. And with the Mashrafe’s leadership, they were seen as different from the beginning of the season. Sylhet Strikers entered the BPL final for the first time by defeating Rangpur Riders by 19 runs in the fiercely contested second eliminator. Sylhet Strikers vs Comilla Victorians Head to Head at BPL So far Comilla Victorians and Sylhet Strikers have met 13 times in BPL. The 2023 final will be their 14th meeting. Out of the 13 meetings, they played each other 3 times this year. Victorians have won 10 matches so far, while Sylhet Strikers were able to win 3 matches. This year, Sylhet won one game out of the three. Among all their matchups, their first group stage match in 2020, BPL was highly competitive. The match was tied, and Comilla won the game in the super-over. Read More: BPL 2023: Tickets for Final Available on Wednesday BPL 2023 Final: Probable Playing XI Sylhet Strikers: Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Zakir Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Ryan Burl, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Imad Wasim, Gulbadin Naib, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Amir, Rubel Hossain. Comilla Victorians:  Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Litton Das, Imrul Kayes (c), Mosaddek Hossain, Jaker Ali, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Mukidul Islam, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman. Key Players to Watch in Sylhet Strikers The team contains some of the best players in the tournament. However, a few of them have been consistent throughout the tournament. Let’s get to know about them. Najmul Hossain Shanto Shanto has been very promising this season. He has some match-winning performances, such as 60 runs against Chattogram Challengers and 89 runs (not out) against Fortune Barishal. Apart from these outstanding performances, Shanto has played a significant role in the team as a batter. Even he had the highest score with 38 runs against the Victorians in the first qualifier match. So, he might lead the team to victory in the final game. Read More: 4 BPL players and coaches fined for breaching code of conduct. Towhid Hridoy He has been a hard hitter in 2023 BPL. He won four players of the match this season. Hridoy delivered some incredible batting skills. Among his hard-hitting performances, 85 runs from 57 balls against Rangpur Riders and 84 runs from 46 balls against Dhaka Dominators are notable. So, it can be said that he has the ability to change the momentum of a game. And it is clear that Sylhet will surely rely on him in the final. Rubel Hossain Rubel was a key performer in the first qualifier match against Comilla Victorians as he took 3 wickets. So, he is expected to repeat his performance in the final. Rubel’s best performance came against the Khulna Tigers. In that match, he took four wickets. Key Players to Watch in Comilla Victorians Comilla picked some star players in the auction. And most of those star players were perfectly used. However, the following players might make a difference in the final. Litton Das The opener Litton Das is a key batter for Comilla this season. He has some top scores for the team, such as 70 runs from 42 balls against Sylhet Strikers and 47 runs against Rangpur Raiders. Since he was outstanding against Sylhet, Litton will surely try to repeat his batting style and help Victorians to collect a big score. Read More: 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Prospect of Bangladesh Squad Mohammad Rizwan Rizwan has a great chance to help Victorians in the final in both wicket keeping and batting. He has scored some match-winning runs in the group stage. For example, 61 runs from 47 balls against the Chattogram Challengers and 54 runs against the Khulna Tigers. Mukidul Islam Mukidul Islam is the master of keeping Comilla’s goal within reach. He gave his best performance against Fortune Barishal. This young man took 5 wickets for just 23 runs with the best bowling record among Bangladeshi pacers in BPL history. This is the first 5 wickets of his T20 career. He seems to be very promising, and it is sure that Mukidul will give his best in the final against the Sylhet Strikers. Who will Win BPL 2023? Considering the facts and this year’s performance, Comilla Victorians has a great chance to win the BPL 2023. Comilla, who have won three BPL title, have a wealth of experience in playing big games. Foreign players in Comilla Victorians also regularly play intense matches in other franchises. It looks like it will be easier to keep the nerves in the finals this time as well. Playoffs and finals are always pressured games and require a lot of nerve to play. Read More: Bangladesh vs England ODI Series 2023 Preview: Schedule, Fixtures, Team Almost all the Victorians players have a lot of experience in finals. So, the team will benefit from the experienced players, and Comilla will certainly have an advantage like the previous year. They almost lost the whole match in BPL 2022 final, but they managed to hold their nerve at the very end, and they won the title. And they are looking to win this year too. On the other hand, Mashrafe will lead the Sylhet Strikers. This will be his 5th BPL final, and Mashrafe won all four finals. The former captain of the national team reached the final of the BPL after six years. Last time he won the title with Rangpur Raiders, and the Raiders achieved their first title by defeating Dhaka Dynamites in 2017. Since Mashrafe made it a rule to win titles if he reaches the BPL final, we cannot deny Sylhet’s chance this year. Veteran cricketer Mashrafe's tactics will surely increase the chances for Sylhet. Read More: BAN vs ENG Series 2023: England Squad Analysis Sylhet Strikers vs Comilla Victorians 2023 BPL Final’s Ticket Price Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) released the ticket price list for the BPL final. The minimum ticket price for Thursday’s final match at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium is Tk 300. The game can be watched sitting in the Eastern Stand for 300 takas. Tickets for North and South Stands cost Tk 400, and Club House costs Tk 800. Ticket prices for the VIP stand have been set at Tk 1500, and tickets for the Grandstand can be purchased for a maximum of 2000 taka. These tickets can be collected from the counters next to Gate No. 1 of Mirpur Stadium and Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur, both the day before and on the day of the match, between 9:30 AM and 7:30 PM. BPL 2023 Closing Ceremony Although the whole tournament was dull, BCB is trying to give a boost to the final by arranging a closing ceremony. Popular bands Nagarbaul (James) and Warfaze will grace the stage before the final. And it is expected that Maqsood O’ Dhaka will also join. Read More: 'Chandika not as strict as we think': Khaled Mahmud Final Words It will be an intense moment for the Sylhet Strikers as they have reached the final for the first time. On the other hand, Comilla Victorians will be looking to bag their fourth title and second in a row. Hence, there is no doubt that the BPL 2023 final will be highly competitive as both teams have some top-class players who can change the game anytime. So, who do you think will win the 2023 BPL trophy in the final match Sylhet Strikers vs Comilla Victorians?

Sylhet Strikers provided their fans with the ultimate Bashonti present by advancing to the final of this year's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with a 19-run victory over Rangpur Riders on Tuesday in Mirpur. The Strikers, led by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, will now face the Comilla Victorians in the final on February 16th. It will be the first time a Sylhet franchise will compete in the BPL final. Rangpur needed 28 runs in the last over to chase down the target of 183. Rubel Hossain conceded two fours off the first two balls, but he made a comeback off the last three balls and ensured a win for the Strikers. Before failing to score 28 runs in the last over, the Riders were going well. In the fourth-wicket partnership, Nurul Hasan Shohan and Rony kept the scorecard afloat. They scored 82 off 52 balls. The partnership was broken after a drama unfolded when Mushfiqur Rahim returned to the field. The wicketkeeper-batsman was absent from the field at the start of the second innings. In his absence, Akbar Ali, a substitute fielder, kept wicket for the Strikers. However, when Mushfiqur returned to the field before the 17th over, the playing conditions required him to resume his role as the designated wicketkeeper of the Strikers. For unknown reasons, Mushfiqur was unable to take on this responsibility. In this scenario, the Strikers had two options: either to give the gloves to Mushfiqur and replace Akbar or to choose someone from the playing XI to take on the role. The Strikers decided to entrust Zakir Hasan with the gloves. This drama caused a pause in the match that lasted several minutes. In the meantime, Nurul and Rony lost momentum. Off the first ball of the 17th over, Sakib dismissed Nurul. In the same over, Rony was trapped run-out by Zakir. And the Riders never got the momentum back. Dasun Shanaka and Mahedi Hasan, two batters who had the onus on them to get going for the Riders, failed, and eventually, the Riders tumbled for 163 for eight in 20 overs. Luke Wood scalped three wickets for the Strikers, while Rubel and Sakib took two wickets each. Read more: BPL 2023: Rangpur book last playoff spot beating Dhaka Earlier, the Riders won the toss and sent the Strikers to bat first. The in-form Towhid Hridoy and Najmul Hossain Shanto ensured a blistering first-wicket stand, scoring 65 off nine overs. After Hridoy was sent back by Hasan Mahmud, Mashrafe surprised many by putting himself to bat at number three. He also displayed some old batting glimpses, scoring 28 off just 16 balls at an average of 175. Thisara Perera and George Linde also contributed well, scoring 21 each. Hasan Mahmud and Dasun Shanaka took two wickets each. But their efforts were not enough to restrict the Strikers to a lower total.  

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has announced a lower ticket price for the 2nd qualifier, which will be played on February 14 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Sylhet Strikers will take on the Rangpur Riders in the 2nd qualifier, and it will determine which team will challenge the Comilla Victorians in the grand finale on February 16. The tickets for this match are now discounted, as compared to the first qualifier. Fans can buy their tickets at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium and the ticket booth adjacent to Gate 1 of Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Read More: BPL 2023: Dhaka end with another defeat The tickets are priced from Tk 100 to Tk 1,000, depending on the stand the fans choose. The grandstand is the most expensive option, and it offers the best view of the game. The eastern stand is the cheapest option but still provides a decent view. The VIP stand, the clubhouse, and the north/south stand are also available at different ticket prices. The ticket counters will remain open from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm. Each fan can buy up to four tickets. On their way to the 2nd qualifier, the Sylhet Strikers lost the first qualifier to the Comilla Victorians, while the Rangpur Riders won the eliminator against the Fortune Barishal. The second qualifier match will start at 2:00 pm on February 14. Read more: BPL 2023: Khulna sign off on high note