United News of Bangladesh

Bangladeshi left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has earned a spot in Wisden's Men's T20 Team of the Year for 2025. His stellar performances across international and franchise cricket over the past year helped them earned it. The cricket-focused website's editorial team compiled the XI based on performances in all recognized T20 matches throughout the calendar year, a period packed with international fixtures and franchise leagues leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Read more: Snubbed by IPL, Mustafizur Rahman snapped up by PSL Wisden highlighted Mustafizur's exceptional discipline, noting that among bowlers who delivered at least 150 overs in 2025, no other bowler came close to his bowling average of 18.03. The publication praised him as the most economical pacer of the year, consistently restricting runs while taking regular wickets. In 2025, Mustafizur claimed 59 wickets in 43 innings with an impressive economy rate of 6.78 and a strike rate of 15.9. He bowled a total of 156.5 overs during the period, with his best figures being 3 for 11. In terms of strike rate, only Caribbean all-rounder Jason Holder (15.4) performed better than Mustafizur among comparable bowlers. The Team of the Year is balanced with two specialist spinners, two pacers, and two pace-bowling all-rounders. Joining Mustafizur in the pace attack is New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy, while Jason Holder and England’s Sam Curran occupy the all-rounder slots. The spin department features the mystery duo of Sunil Narine and India’s Varun Chakravarthy. The batting lineup is headlined by India’s Abhishek Sharma, who struck three centuries and maintained a staggering strike rate of 202.01, becoming the first cricketer to score over 1,000 runs in a calendar year at a rate of two runs per ball. Read more: “Days of slavery are over”: Bangladesh’s sports adviser reacts strongly to Mustafizur’s IPL exit He is partnered by England’s Phil Salt, who scored 1,575 runs at a strike rate of 153.35. The middle order includes hard-hitters Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira, and Tim David.

Cricket news site ESPNcricinfo has learned that in a virtual call on Tuesday (January 06, 2026), the International Cricket Council (ICC) told the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that it was rejecting the latter's request to play Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches outside India due to security concerns.  The ICC is understood to have told the BCB that Bangladesh will need to travel to India to play the T20 World Cup or risk forfeiting points. The BCB, though, has claimed no such ultimatum has been relayed to them by the governing body. Read more: Snubbed by IPL, Mustafizur Rahman snapped up by PSL There has also been no official communication issued by either the BCCI or BCB on the outcome of Tuesday's call, which was arranged by ICC after BCB wrote in on Sunday asking to "consider" moving Bangladesh's matches outside India. The development comes nearly a month before the 20-team tournament starts in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 and concludes on March 8. Bangladesh, placed in Group C, are scheduled to play their first three matches in Kolkata: on February 7 (vs West Indies), February 9 (vs Italy) and February 14 (vs England) with their final group game, against Nepal, in Mumbai on February 17. The BCB's decision to write to ICC was triggered by the BCCI "instructing" Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who the franchise had bought in the IPL auction in December for INR 9.2 crore. The BCCI's decision was notified to media by its secretary Devajit Saikia. However, Sakia did not provide the reason behind KKR being asked to release Mustafizur, who was the only Bangladesh player bought at the 2026 auction. Read more: Bangladesh refuses to travel to India for World Cup next month

Just days after being unceremoniously dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to political pressure, Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman has found a new battleground. The left-arm sensation has officially signed up for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The development was confirmed via the PSL's official social media handles on Tuesday; sharing a photo of the pacer, the league issued a playful warning: “Batsmen beware… Mustafizur Rahman joins HBL PSL 11.” Read more: BCCI asks KKR to release Mustafizur from IPL 2026 squad Mustafizur’s entry into the PSL comes as a direct repost to his exclusion from the IPL. He was set to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who had purchased him for a record BDT 9.20 crore (INR 9.20 crore) after a bidding war with Chennai and Delhi. However, KKR released him last Saturday following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), citing threats from “extremist groups” and political objections. While the IPL's loss appears to be the PSL's gain, Mustafizur’s specific team in Pakistan is yet to be determined. He will enter the upcoming player draft, where he is expected to be a top pick. This year's PSL, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, will be the tournament's largest edition to date, expanding to eight teams. Read more: “Days of slavery are over”: Bangladesh’s sports adviser reacts strongly to Mustafizur’s IPL exit This year will be Mustafizur’s return to the league after a seven-year hiatus; he previously played for the Lahore Qalandars in 2018, taking 4 wickets in 5 matches.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League. This move was another indication of the deteriorating relationship between the two neighbours since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, which is criticised by the analysts as authoritarian, in 2024, and which had been a close ally of India. The Indian board has also granted the franchise permission to sign a replacement player. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the directive while speaking to an Indian news agency in Guwahati. Read more: Afghanistan announce T20 squad for World Cup “Due to recent events, the BCCI has instructed the KKR franchise to release the Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from their team,” Saikia said. “The BCCI has further stated that if they wish to replace the player, the BCCI will grant that permission as well,” he added.  The decision comes amidst growing controversy in Bangladesh following reports of violence against religious minorities in India. In recent weeks, a number of attacks have taken place against Muslim minorities in India.  The same kind of incidence of religious intolerance took place in Bangladesh as well. In one incident, a garment worker was killed by a mob that accused him of insulting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Bangladesh government arrested around a dozen people who were involved in the incident.  Indian media outlets report that Mustafizur's contract with KKR faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks. Prominent Indian figures had called for his removal, with religious leader Devkinandan Thakur urging KKR management to drop the cricketer. Along with that, hard-liner BJP leader Sangeet Som publicly criticised franchise owner Shah Rukh Khan for the acquisition. Mustafizur was the sole Bangladeshi player secured during last month's auction, despite seven players from the nation being on the list. KKR signed him for INR 9.20 crore, a record transfer fee for a Bangladeshi cricketer in the tournament's history. Read more: Khawaja calls out racial stereotypes in powerful farewell address While earlier reports indicated the BCCI was awaiting government guidance regarding the participation of Bangladeshi players, this latest directive confirms the board's final stance on the matter.

Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman sustained a head injury after being struck by a ball during practice. The incident occurred while Mustafizur, representing Comilla Victorians in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), was participating in a practice session at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Sunday (February 18, 2024). While returning to his run-up area during a net session, Mustafizur was hit directly on the left side of his head. He was immediately taken to a hospital in Chattogram. Read: BPL 2024: Chattogram, Barishal inch closer to playoffs  Following a CT scan, the medical team from the Comilla Victorians confirmed that Mustafizur did not sustain an internal head injury. However, he will remain under observation as a precautionary measure. “After (the) CT scan we are satisfied that he had only external injury. There was no intracranial bleeding,” stated S M Zahidul Islam Sazal, the physio of the Victorians.  Read: BPL 2024: West Indies stars Narine, Russell join Comilla Victorians  Sazal further mentioned that Mustafizur received stitches for the open wound. Mustafizur's performance in the BPL has been consistent. In nine matches, he has secured 11 wickets for the reigning BPL champions.

Ahead of the first match of the three-match ODI series between England and Bangladesh, England allrounder Moeen Ali spoke about the threat posed by Bangladesh's left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman. While Mustafizur took one wicket only in two ODIs against England in England, his record of 141 wickets in 82 ODIs with five five-wicket hauls at home shows his skills on home surfaces. Moeen acknowledged Mustafizur's abilities, saying, "We know he is a very good bowler and he is a threat. We also know Bangladesh actually has a very good bowling attack, especially in these conditions." When asked about England's plan to face Mustafizur, Moeen said that they will prepare for all of Bangladesh's bowlers, not just him.  Also Read: Tamim-Shakib Clash: How ready Bangladesh are to face England Moeen also commented on the expected spin on the wicket in Mirpur, stating that England expects good spin bowling but also acknowleded the strength of Bangladesh's seamers. Despite England's recent struggles in ODIs, Moeen expressed confidence in their ability to implement their attacking approach in Mirpur and said that they have a strong group of players.  England has faced Bangladesh in 21 ODIs to date, with Bangladesh winning only four of them. As the current champions of both white-ball World Cups, England will be looking to continue their winning streak in this series, and in contrast, Bangladesh are eying to continue on home dominance.   

Bangladesh posted 137 for 8 wickets against New Zealand in their second match of the ongoing Tri-Series in Christchurch today. Bangladesh made two changes in this match — Mustafizur Rahman and Sabbir Rahman have been overlooked to pave the way for Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan. Bangladesh lost the toss and were sent to bat first. Shanto, who was playing his first match in this event replacing Sabbir Rahman, scored 33 off 29 balls while Nurul Hasan Sohan posted 25 off just 12 balls with two sixes.  Bangladesh lost wickets in regular intervals. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who has been establishing himself as an opener, scored 5 in this match.  Read: Tri-series 3rd T20: Kiwis send Tigers to bat first Afif Hossain posted 24 while Shakib scored 16. The Bangladesh captain, Shakib, made a comeback after the UAE series but his inclusion didn't change the fragile batting approach of Bangladesh. Mosaddek Hossain (2) and Yasir Ali (7) failed to do well this time.  For the hosts, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Micheal Bracewell and Ish Sodhi bagged two wickets. Before this match, both Bangladesh and New Zealand lost their respective first matches to Pakistan.   

Md Mustafizur Rahman, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations and other offices in Geneva said united efforts are needed to prevent death in drowning across the globe.  He made the remarks while addressing a programme marking World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25. Bangladesh's permanent mission in Geneva and World Health Organization jointly arranged the programme. Read: Resolution adopted seeking equitable access to Covid vaccine Mentioning that 30 children under five years and 40 teenagers under 18 years drown every day on average in Bangladesh Mustafizur Rahman said if effective measures are not taken in this regard, the success of reducing child death will be ruined. Globally, drowning is a significant cause of mortality and is the second leading cause of injury-related death among children and also the third leading cause of accidental death.

The lone warm up match of Bangladesh ahead of the series against the West Indies has ended in a draw. Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Ebadto Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman shone well in this match. Bangladesh batted first in the tour match in Antigua and declared their first innings at 310 for seven. Tamim scored 162, and Najmul hit a fifty for the visitors. In reply, the Cricket West Indies President XI scored 359 for eight in their first innings before declaring. For Bangladesh, right-arm pacer Ebadot and left-arm pacer Mustafizur bagged three wickets each. Also read: Bangladesh vs West Indies Test Series 2022: Major Highlights of the Warm-Up Match It was Mustafizur's first red-ball game after a long break. The pacer last played a competitive cricket match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last season, which is a white-ball event. In the long tour of West Indies, Bangladesh will take on the hosts in a two-match Test, three-match ODI and three-match T20I series. The first Test of the series will begin on June 16 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua and the second Test will be played at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia from June 24. While the first two T20Is will be played at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica on July 2 and 3 respectively, the third T20I and all three ODIs will be played at Providence Stadium, Guyana on July 10, 13 and 16 respectively. Also read: WI v BAN: Ebadot shines with ball in tour match Shakib Al Hasan, the left-handed all-rounder, is set to lead the Tigers in the Test series. He returned to lead the Tigers after Mominul Haque stepped down as the captain. In ODIs, Bangladesh will be led by Tamim, and in T20Is, Mahmudllah Riyad will be the skipper.

Will Jacks of England and Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman have ended the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2022 with the most runs and wickets respectively.  Jacks’ BPL ended in the qualifier while Mustafizur ended up being one of the members of the champions Comilla Victorians. In the final against Barishal, Mustafizur played an important role for the Victorians conceding only six runs in the 19th over.  Read: Comilla Victorians lift BPL title in a thrilling final Jacks scored 414 runs in 11 innings with four fifties with the highest of 92 not out while Mustafizur bagged 19 wickets in 11 matches with the best bowling figure of five wickets conceding 27 runs.  A total of four centuries have been notched up in this BPL, and those were hit by Lindle Simmons, Tamim Iqbal, Andre Fletcher, and Faf du Plessis. The highest innings was 116 by Simmons. And the best bowling was Mustafizur 5 for 27.  There was only one innings in BPL exceeding the 200-run mark. Chattogram Challengers posted 202 against Sylhet Sunrisers in Chattogram.  The biggest win was by 65 runs— Comilla beat Khulna by this margin in Dhaka on February 11.  Read: BPL 2022: Narine, Moeen propel Comilla to 151 in final Top five batters:  Will Jacks, Chattogram Challengers (414 runs), Andre Fletcher, Khulna Tigers (410), Tamim Iqbal, Minister Group Dhaka (407), Colin Ingram, Sylhet Sunrisers (333), and Faf du Plessis, Comilla Victorians (295).  Top five bowlers: Mustafizur Rahman, Comilla Victorians (19 wickets), Dwayne Bravo, Fortune Barishal (18), Shakib Al Hasan, Fortune Barishal (16), Tanvir Islam, Comilla Victorians (16), Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Chattogram Challengers (15).