United News of Bangladesh

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the 15-member national cricket team for the ensuing three-match T20I series against Bangladesh on Tuesday. Salman Ali Agha has been retained as captain to lead the Pakistan T20I team in Bangladesh tour, said a PCB media release on Tuesday. The three-match T20Is series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played on July 20, 22 and 24 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. 15-member squad for Bangladesh series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza and Sufyan Moqim Tanvir Islam stands tall in his second ODI Team management: Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Muhammad Hanif Malik (batting Coach), Shane McDermott (fielding Coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Irtaza Komail (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)end  

India’s scheduled white-ball tour of Bangladesh in August 2025 has been officially deferred to September 2026, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Saturday The BCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the decision to postpone the three-match ODI and three-match T20I series mutually, citing international calendar constraints and scheduling convenience for both sides. “This decision has been reached following discussions between the two Boards, taking into account the international cricketing commitments and scheduling convenience of both teams,” the BCB said in a statement. Originally slated for August 2025, the series was already under doubt due to political considerations and fixture congestion. BCB announces T20I squad for Sri Lanka series BCB President Aminul Islam had earlier hinted that the series might not go ahead as planned, pending clearance from Indian authorities and availability within a packed calendar. With the postponement now formalized, Bangladesh will have to wait until September 2026 to host their high-profile neighbours in a bilateral white-ball series. The BCB said revised dates and fixtures for the tour will be announced later. Despite the delay, BCB remains upbeat. “The BCB looks forward to welcoming India in September 2026 for this eagerly anticipated series,” the board stated.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 248 in 45.5 overs in the second ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday, with Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy leading the way in a topsy-turvy batting effort. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh got off to a bright start despite losing opener Tanzid Hasan early. Parvez and Najmul Hossain Shanto rebuilt with a 63-run stand, but Najmul’s dismissal to a short ball from Charith Asalanka triggered a period of instability. Quick wickets daunt Bangladesh in 2nd ODI vs Sri Lanka Parvez impressed with his maiden ODI fifty, scoring 67 off 69 balls with six fours and three sixes before being bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga. Towhid kept the innings going with a patient 51 off 69 balls, but he too fell before capitalizing on the platform. The middle and lower order faltered, losing wickets in clusters. Bangladesh went from 204 for six to 218 for nine before a quick cameo from Tanzim Hasan Sakib (33 not out off 21) added late runs. Asitha Fernando was the best bowler for Sri Lanka, finishing with 4 for 35, while Hasaranga chipped in with 3 for 60. Chameera and Asalanka picked up one wicket each. Bangladesh lost the first ODI. Another defeat would send them out of the run for the title of the series.    

Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and opted to bat first in the second ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. Trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, the visitors are aiming for a strong comeback after their dramatic collapse in the opening match. For this match, Bangladesh added Shamim Hossan and Hasan Mahmud in the places of Litton Das and Taskin Ahmed. The hosts also made two changes to their playing XI— Dunith Wellalage and Dushmantha Chameera in for Milan Rathnayake and Eshan Malinga. BCB announces T20I squad for Sri Lanka series Bangladesh had made a promising start in the first ODI, reaching 100 for 1 before losing seven wickets for just five runs in a stunning batting meltdown. Sri Lanka lead the series 1-0 after their 77-run win in the opening match and will be eyeing a series-clinching victory on Saturday. Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman. Sri Lanka Playing XI: Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (captain), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando.  

Bangladesh cricket team’s head coach Phil Simmons will miss the second ODI against Sri Lanka on Saturday due to a scheduled medical visit to the United Kingdom. Bangladesh team’s manager Nafis Iqbal confirmed the development to the media. Simmons had originally planned the medical appointment back in February but postponed it due to Bangladesh's Champions Trophy commitments. He is expected to join the team on July 7th. BCB announces T20I squad for Sri Lanka series “This time, the appointment couldn’t be deferred,” Nafis said to the media. “He discussed it with the board before the tour.” In Simmons’ absence, Bangladesh will take the field under Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s leadership and with support from the rest of the coaching staff. Bangladesh trail the three-match series 0-1 after a 77-run defeat in the opener on Wednesday.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has stood by his decision to bat first in the second Test in Colombo but admitted that a poor batting display in the first innings set the tone for the innings-and-78-run defeat to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh collapsed in the second innings of the match as well. They were behind by more than 200 runs after the first innings of each team. Then they failed to surpass the first innings lead of Sri Lanka.  After drawing the opening Test in Galle—where Najmul struck centuries in both innings and Bangladesh dominated for long periods—expectations were high heading into Colombo. However, the visitors faltered with the bat, getting bowled out for 247 in their first innings before conceding 458 to Sri Lanka. The collapse continued in the second innings, with Bangladesh dismissed for just 133. Najmul steps down as Bangladesh Test captain after Colombo defeat “I still believe batting first was the right call. The pitch was a bit slow, but we didn’t bat well,” Najmul said after the match. “The way we lost our wickets, it wasn’t good. We were often looking for the easy way out.” He pointed specifically to the first innings as the turning point of the match. “We had opportunities in this Test too, but we couldn’t make them count. Especially the way we batted in the first innings—it wasn’t what we had hoped for. That’s what cost us the game,” he said. Najmul, who just retired from Test captaincy, acknowledged that most batters threw their wickets away under little pressure. “There were mistakes from the top to the lower order. We didn’t build partnerships or show patience. That hurt us,” he said. Dismal batting hands Bangladesh a heavy defeat in Colombo While praising the bowlers for picking up eight wickets on the third day to bowl Sri Lanka out, Najmul was clear that the game was already beyond reach. “We just didn’t do enough with the bat to stay in the contest,” he said.  

Mushfiqur Rahim crafted a magnificent 163 on Wednesday as Bangladesh posted a formidable 484 for nine on a rain-interrupted second day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka. Spending over eight hours at the crease and facing 350 balls, Mushfiqur delivered a composed and resilient innings, mixing solid defense with moments of flair. His effort put Bangladesh in control, despite a late batting collapse in the final session where the team lost five wickets for just 26 runs, offering Sri Lanka a glimmer of hope. Bangladesh, who have only beaten Sri Lanka once in their previous 26 Test meetings, are now well-placed for a second victory, having registered their fourth-highest total against the island nation. Mushfiqur played pivotal roles in two crucial partnerships that shifted the game’s momentum. First, he stitched together a record 264-run stand with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who looked fluent on his way to 148 before falling unexpectedly. Shanto was tempted into a mistimed shot by Asitha Fernando and was caught by Angelo Mathews at mid-off. Unfazed, Mushfiqur then shared a 149-run partnership with Litton Das, who added impetus with his aggressive strokeplay. But the duo’s dismissals within the space of nine deliveries halted Bangladesh’s push toward the 500-run mark. Galle Test: Day two called off early as Bangladesh close to 500 Sri Lanka responded by adopting a negative bowling line, focusing on the leg side to restrict scoring. Das fell trying to reverse sweep debutant spinner Tharindu Rathnayake, only to top-edge a catch to the keeper. With the ball starting to reverse swing, Sri Lanka gained ground late in the day. Milan Rathnayake led the charge with three wickets in a post-tea spell, helping trigger the collapse. “It’s a difficult pitch for bowlers, but I think we did quite well in that final hour with those quick wickets,” said Rathnayake. “We’ve got a strong batting lineup, and we’re aiming to get a lead.” Asitha Fernando, back from a county stint with Glamorgan, also picked up three wickets. Though recovering from a recent illness, he showed his class by combining pace with variety — delivering sharp bouncers and pinpoint yorkers. Tharindu Rathnayake, on debut, also impressed with three wickets, despite being used defensively for much of the day. Yet, the day undoubtedly belonged to Mushfiqur, who thrives in Galle conditions — amassing 482 runs in just four innings at the venue. Among visiting batters, only Pakistan’s Younis Khan (497) and Australia’s Usman Khawaja (490) have scored more at the ground. “Mushfiqur is a true inspiration for the team,” said Bangladesh catching coach Mohammad Salahuddin. “He might not have had big scores in recent games, but his commitment, work ethic, and leadership in the dressing room are everything you want from a senior player.”    

New Zealand A ended Day 3 of the second unofficial Test on a strong note, reaching 277 for 4 in reply to Bangladesh A’s first innings total of 357, trailing by just 80 runs with a full day left to play at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Nick Kelly led the visitors’ fightback with an unbeaten 83, striking five fours and six sixes in a composed 140-ball knock. He found steady support from Matthew Boyle, who was not out on 44 at stumps. The duo added 101 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket, navigating through weather interruptions and Bangladesh A’s varied spin attack. Earlier, New Zealand A’s top order made significant contributions, with Curtis Heaphy (71) and Joe Carter (62) steadying the innings. Pacer Khaled Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 78 runs. Soumya Sarkar ruled out of Pakistan tour; Mehidy Hasan Miraz called up Saif Hassan provided a vital breakthrough, dismissing Carter. Khaled Ahmed took three for 78 for the hosts. Rain and bad light disrupted proceedings throughout the day, but New Zealand A maintained their momentum. Bangladesh A will look for early wickets on the final day to force a result, while the visitors will aim to surpass the hosts’ total and push for a lead.

Bangladesh A made a solid start to the ongoing unofficial Test against New Zealand A, reaching 225 for 4 at stumps on Day 1 at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday. Opting to bat first, the home side was led by a fluent 82 from Mohammad Naim, who dominated the opening stand with Anamul Haque.  England prepares for India series with its first test against Zimbabwe in 22 years The pair put on 130 for the first wicket before Anamul fell for 48 off 97 balls, caught behind off Zakary Foulkes. Naim struck 10 boundaries and two sixes in his 94-ball knock before being dismissed just six runs later by Jayden Lennox. Saif Hassan then anchored the middle overs with a composed 51, which included four fours and three sixes, before falling late in the session to Foulkes. Zakir Hasan chipped in with 19 before becoming Matthew Boyle’s lone victim. By tea, Bangladesh A were 209 for 3, but rain interrupted play shortly after. The day ended prematurely with just 57.3 overs bowled.  Tanzid Hasan breaks into ICC top 100 after T20I fifty Amite Hasan remained unbeaten on 16, alongside Mahidul Islam Ankon on 1. Among the New Zealand A bowlers, Foulkes was the pick of the attack with 2 for 40, while Lennox and Boyle picked up one wicket each.

Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April 2025, following a dominant performance in the home Test series against Zimbabwe. The 27-year-old became only the third Bangladeshi to receive the award, after Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Mehidy earned the accolade with a standout display that included 15 wickets and a crucial century across two Tests. Mehidy was named Player of the Series after picking up three five-wicket hauls and scoring 104 in the second Test in Chattogram, where Bangladesh secured a resounding innings and 106-run victory to level the series 1-1. Mehidy Hasan Miraz reaches No. 2 in the ICC Test All-Rounder Ranking His efforts also propelled him to No. 2 among all-rounders in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings — the highest of his career. “It’s an incredible honor to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award,” Mehidy was quoted as in an ICC statement.  “This award will be a big source of inspiration for me to keep giving my best and contributing to Bangladesh’s success on the world stage,” he added.  Rawalpindi Test: Miraz player of the series, Litton player of the match