Cricket
Analyzing Bangladesh Preliminary Squad in the Upcoming BAN vs ZIM T20I Series 2024
The 5-match T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will kick off on 3rd May at Chattogram. This will be the last series before Bangladesh’s tour to the USA for a T20I series. Tigers lost their last T20I series against Sri Lanka this March after remaining unbeaten for four series at home. Therefore, they would look toward this series to gather the lost momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Preparatory Bangladesh Squad for Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20I series 2024
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Soumya Sarkar.
Zimbabwe have already announced their squad and presumably will reach Bangladesh on 28th April. Bangladesh is expected to announce their final squad on the same day.
Read more: Shakib Gets Dhaka League Green Light, While Mustafizur Pulled from IPL for National Duty
Analysis of Bangladesh squad against Zimbabwe
Mustafizur Rahman is expected to join the squad after 1st May when his commitment with the IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings ends as per the NOC given by BCB. Meanwhile, Shakib Al Hasan is expected to return with this series after the World Cup 2023.
The squad has kept plenty of options in all positions. It indicates that Bangladesh will focus on testing and experimenting with as many players as possible to make a strong team for the World T20.
The opening pair of Litton Das and Soumya Sarkar, which had been misfiring for some time, have to be at their absolute best to keep a place in the team. Or else, youngsters like Tanzid Tamim and Parvez Emon are ready to pounce on the opportunity to replace them.
Tanzid Tamim played a brilliant knock of 84 (81) in his last international innings against Sri Lanka this March. He is waiting for his international debut in this format and feels confident after a good BPL campaign.
Parvez Emon has played only a single T20I for Bangladesh. This time after a tremendous BPL campaign, where he is the highest scorer as of now with three centuries from 13 innings, he has been given a chance because of his fiery nature in the top of the innings.
Read more: What lies ahead for Bangladesh spinners under Mushtaq Ahmed's guidance
Another important part to focus on the Bangladesh squad is the middle and lower-middle order which will see stiff competition for a place. In the last T20I series against Sri Lanka, the Bangladesh squad included Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, and Rishad Hossain playing brilliantly.
This time with the addition of Mohammad Saifuddin, who also is a great addition to the pace bowling department, and the likes of Tawhid Hridoy and Mahedi Hasan already being there provide Bangladesh great balance and flexibility in the middle and lower-middle order.
Bangladesh get a good core of all-rounders if we look at them individually. Off-spinning all-rounder Mahedi Hasan, leg-spinning all-rounder Rishad Hossain, and a seaming all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin already provide a great variety. Besides, the addition of Shakib Al Hasan will provide greater dynamics to the team. Also, Soumya Sarkar can be effective as an all-rounder as well.
The bowling department didn’t see much chop and change with the regular faces of seamers and spinners in Taskin, Shoriful, Sakib, Hasan, and Tanvir. The addition of Mustafiz is also pretty regular in the squad.
However, with so many seaming options, it can be expected that Bangladesh is unlikely to go with a traditional spin-friendly wicket and will try their expertise in a more sporting or batting-friendly one.
Read more: Bangladesh vs India Women T20 Series 2024: Fixtures, Squad, H2H Records, Key Players
Key Players to watch in the Bangladesh Squad
Litton Das
Litton Das has been a key factor for Bangladesh doing well in the T20Is last year. He has scored 323 runs in the 9 innings with an average of 40.37 and a strike rate of 137.44. It’s not only the score, his performance proved fruitful for the team. In several matches, he brought Bangladesh quick-firing explosive starts and utilized the power play well.
However, he has been misfiring since the turn of the calendar and has not been able to find his ground. It is important for the Bangladesh team for him to turn up with the bat at the start of the innings. This Zimbabwe series seems to be a perfect opportunity for that and all eyes would be on him to observe if he’s successful in that or not.
Jaker Ali Anik
Jaker Ali Anik has played only two innings with the Bangladesh team and has won the hearts of the fans with that. His debut innings of 68(34) has been one of the best at debut for Bangladesh. The fans have liked his big and pinch-hitting capabilities and see him as a ray of hope in the no. 6/7 position where Bangladesh have been struggling all these years. Thus, ahead of the World T20, the fans would want to see some blistering innings from him against Zimbabwe.
Rishad Hossain
Another player who has won the hearts of fans with his big-hitting capabilities is Rishad Hossain. He only faced 70 balls in T20I and ODI combined and hit 12 sixes. Furthermore, his leg-spin profile has also been something Bangladesh fans have wished for a long time. He has taken six wickets till now in T20Is. Everyone from fans to team management would expect him to excel in both roles.
Mohammad Saifuddin
Mohammad Saifuddin has been out for a long time due to injury and has now earned a call to the national team again after some good performances in the BPL and DPL 2024. He has always been known for his hard-hitting capabilities with the bat. With bowl, he was one of the most trusted in both the opening and the death overs. Therefore, his proper comeback will be a huge boost for the team both morally and tactically. Hence, everyone will be wishing for his comeback in this series.
Read more: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20 Series 2024: Fixtures, Head-To-Head Records
Final Words
The series against Zimbabwe can be a great scope for Bangladesh to fix their limitations and do necessary experiments on the team. The BAN vs ZIM T20I series 2024 series will play a crucial role in selecting the squad for the T20 World Cup in June 2024. Therefore, the expectation remains for everyone to give their best in this series.
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.
Read more: BPL 2024: Chattogram Challengers, Khulna Tigers secure convincing wins