United News of Bangladesh

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that a final decision regarding the national team's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup will be made by early next week. The confirmation came from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday, following a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Naqvi, who also serves as the country's Interior Minister, described his discussion with the Prime Minister as “productive.” According to the PCB chief, PM Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the board to resolve the ongoing standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) while keeping “all options on the table”—a directive that suggests a full boycott remains a distinct possibility. Pakistan weighs boycotting India match in solidarity with Bangladesh Taking to a social media, Naqvi said, “Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday.” The uncertainty over the 2009 champions' participation stems from the deepening crisis surrounding the tournament, scheduled to begin in February. Tensions escalated last week when the ICC officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India citing security concerns. Global players’ body backs Bangladesh, but ignores core safety concerns Bangladesh raised The BCB’s refusal was triggered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directing IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman on security grounds—a move Dhaka viewed as an admission of a hostile environment. With reports circulating that Pakistan may boycott the event or refuse to play India in solidarity with Bangladesh, the upcoming decision by the PCB will be critical for the future of the tournament.

As the BCB and the ICC continue talks on whether Bangladesh will play their matches at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India amid security concerns, it is worth recalling other occasions when teams opted out of playing ICC events in host nations. The Bangladesh Cricket Board and the ICC are weighing options regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India, citing safety issues. Below are five past instances in which teams refused to play ICC tournaments in host countries. 1996 ODI World Cup: Australia, West Indies stay away from Sri Lanka Ahead of the 1996 ODI World Cup, co-host Sri Lanka was facing a civil war, and a bomb blast in Colombo in January—just weeks before the tournament—intensified security fears. Read more: BCB to continue ‘constructive engagement’ with ICC for T20 World Cup solution In a show of support, a combined India-Pakistan XI played a friendly against Sri Lanka in Colombo before the event. Australia and West Indies, however, declined to travel to Colombo for their group matches against Sri Lanka and forfeited points as a result. Sri Lanka progressed comfortably to the quarter-finals, as did Australia and West Indies, and later defeated Australia in the final in Lahore. 2003 ODI World Cup: England avoid Zimbabwe; New Zealand skip Kenya The first Africa-hosted ODI World Cup in 2003—co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya—saw two teams refuse to play in host nations. England did not travel to Harare to play Zimbabwe, citing opposition by the UK government under Tony Blair to Robert Mugabe’s regime. New Zealand declined to play Kenya in Nairobi due to security concerns following a bombing in Mombasa months earlier. Both teams asked for their matches to be relocated, but the ICC rejected the requests and awarded walkovers to Zimbabwe and Kenya. England exited in the first round, while New Zealand advanced to the Super Sixes. Kenya, benefiting from the forfeiture, went on to reach the semi-finals. 2009 T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe withdraw Relations between Zimbabwe and the UK remained strained, raising doubts over whether Zimbabwean players would receive visas to travel to England for the 2009 T20 World Cup. In July 2008, the ICC and Zimbabwe reached what they termed a “win-win” agreement. Zimbabwe withdrew from the tournament “in the larger interest of the game,” saying they did not want to be unwelcome participants, but received their full participation fee. Scotland, an Associate nation, replaced them after qualifying. 2016 Under-19 World Cup: Australia pull out Australia had already withdrawn from a bilateral series in Bangladesh in October 2015 due to security concerns. By the time of the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, their position was unchanged, citing a continued “threat to Australian interests in Bangladesh.” The ICC said it respected Australia’s decision, though it was disappointed. Ireland took Australia’s place in the tournament. 2025 Champions Trophy: India decline to tour Pakistan The 2025 Champions Trophy was set to be Pakistan’s first ICC event in 29 years after being confirmed as hosts in November 2021. Uncertainty persisted over India’s participation, given the strained relations between the two countries and India’s last tour of Pakistan dating back to 2008. Read More: BCB rejects ICC’s plea to reconsider India tour to play T20 World Cup Although Pakistan travelled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, India eventually announced it would not visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing a lack of government clearance. After prolonged discussions, a compromise for the 2024–2027 ICC cycle was agreed: matches between India and Pakistan in tournaments hosted by either country would be held at neutral venues. Consequently, India played their 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Dubai and went on to win the tournament. With input from ESPNcricinfo

Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul reaffirmed on Wednesday that Bangladesh will not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, reiterating the nation’s demand to have their matches relocated to co-host Sri Lanka. Speaking to the media following a meeting with directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Asif Nazrul said while the nation is eager to participate it cannot be at the expense of national dignity or player safety. “We have discussed the situation.The Bangladesh team played hard and fought to qualify for the T20 World Cup, and as a cricket-crazy nation, we certainly want to play in the World Cup,” he said. However, he drew a firm line regarding the venue. Action on Sports Ministry graft, time permitting: Asif Nazrul “We do not want to take part in the World Cup at the cost of the honour of the country, or at the cost of the security of the team, players, and the journalists of Bangladesh,” he said.  This development follows a week of escalating tensions. On Monday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting officially banned the telecast of the IPL in Bangladesh, labeling Mustafizur’s removal as ‘illogical’. Asif Nazrul earlier endorsed that blackout, asserting that ‘the days of slavery are over’ in response to what Dhaka views as the BCCI's ‘radical communal policy.’ He also revealed that the Bangladesh had received communication from the sport's governing body but felt the gravity of the situation was misunderstood. “We got a letter from the ICC,” he said. “I think they did not fully realise the security issue that is in place in India. It’s not just a security issue; it is an issue of national honour as well.” The Adviser pointed to the recent controversy involving pacer Mustafizur Rahman as undeniable proof of the hostile environment. Mustafizur was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier this week—a move Nazrul cited as evidence that ‘there is no situation to play in India for Bangladesh.’ “There is a bigger picture regarding the communal issue that I don’t want to discuss here,” he added. “We will not compromise with our national honour or the security of our cricketers. We of course want to play the World Cup, but only in the other host nation, Sri Lanka. We are standing firmly by this stance.” He concluded by stating that Bangladesh would continue to press the ICC to understand the reality on the ground. “Our main position is that we will not compromise our national honour and security,” he added.  

Bangladesh has officially decided not to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, escalating the sporting standoff between the two countries to an unprecedented level. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul disclosed the major development on Sunday, calling the move as a necessary response to what he termed the ‘radical communal policy’ of the Indian cricket authorities. The decision came as a dramatic shift from the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) initial plan to merely request a venue change. It signals a definitive boycott of matches on Indian soil following the controversial exclusion of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. Decision on IPL broadcast ban after legal assessment: Adviser Rizwana “Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board took this decision today,” Asif Nazrul wrote on his social media. “I welcome this decision adopted in the context of the Indian board's radical communal policy,” he added. The crisis was triggered on Saturday when the BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman. The move was celebrated by certain Indian political leaders as a “victory for Hindus,” a rhetoric that has drawn sharp condemnation from Dhaka. In parallel, the government is moving to sever cricketing ties on the broadcast front.  Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan earlier said the administration is actively reviewing legal frameworks to ban the telecast of the 2026 IPL within Bangladesh. “There is no way to sit silent; a reaction must be shown,” Rizwana Hasan stated at the Secretariat, echoing Nazrul’s earlier sentiment that “the days of slavery are over.”

Lionel Messi admits that he and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo are “constantly talking” about a future return to Barcelona. The Argentine maestro went viral on social media after posting a picture of himself strolling on the pitch of the new Camp Nou on Monday. It was a nighttime visit, completely unannounced. The greatest player in Barcelona’s history was back at his former home, where he had been “very happy”. Read more: 3 new faces in Argentina squad, Messi uncertain for upcoming friendlies Posting the photos and a short video, Messi wrote in the caption: “Last night I returned to a place I miss with all my soul. A place where I was incredibly happy, where you all made me feel like the happiest person in the world a thousand times over. I hope I can return someday, and not just to say goodbye as a player, like I never got to…” Messi made an emotional exit from Camp Nou in 2021 when, amid financial struggles for the LaLiga giants, no new contract could be signed. He moved to Paris with his family, before eventually heading to Miami. There has been talk over the last four years about a possible return in a playing capacity, but Messi has now committed to a contract in South Florida that will keep him in MLS through the 2028 campaign. While a playing comeback for the Blaugrana has become unrealistic, the 38-year-old superstar still intends to return to his spiritual home. With his secret tour of Barcelona’s iconic revamped stadium, speculation has surged once again. A day later, in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Diario SPORT, Messi discussed his unexpected departure, his hope of returning to Barcelona, and also spoke about the upcoming World Cup.

FIFA has officially named Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup, marking a significant milestone for the Gulf nation as it continues its ambitious investment in global sports under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.  Saudi Arabia's bid was unopposed, with the decision confirmed during an online FIFA meeting led by President Gianni Infantino. The move received unanimous support, with over 200 member federations applauding virtually.  “The vote of the congress is loud and clear,” said Infantino, adding that he trusts Saudi Arabia to deliver a tournament that meets global expectations and serves as a “catalyst for positive social change and unity.”  The announcement also finalized plans for the 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay hosting three matches to celebrate the tournament’s centenary.  Saudi Arabia’s hosting plan involves a major overhaul of infrastructure, including the construction and renovation of 15 stadiums, transportation networks, and accommodations, all part of the Vision 2030 modernization strategy. One proposed stadium in the futuristic city of Neom will be elevated 350 meters above ground, while another near Riyadh will be perched on a 200-meter cliff.  UN human rights chief pledges to advise FIFA and Saudi Arabia on 2034 World Cup concerns. Crown Prince Mohammed expressed his ambition to host an “exceptional and unprecedented” tournament, highlighting the country's capabilities to unite global football fans. However, the decision has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, with Amnesty International calling it a “moment of great danger” for workers, many of whom are migrants from South Asia.  “FIFA’s reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections will put countless lives at risk,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Head of Labor Rights and Sport.  Critics also argue that FIFA has not adequately addressed concerns stemming from Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, which faced scrutiny at the United Nations earlier this year. Many fear the kingdom’s vast spending on sports is an attempt to divert attention from such issues, a strategy often referred to as “sportswashing.”  Saudi Arabia’s deepening influence in global football includes sponsorships, investments in European clubs, and lucrative player contracts. This includes deals with FIFA, such as the state oil giant Aramco’s sponsorship and backing for the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.    Source: With inputs from agencies

ICC has published the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup groups and fixtures. Ten teams will battle it out over 2.5 weeks and 23 games to be crowned as the next world champions of T20I cricket form. Let’s take a look at the fixtures, teams, and venues of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20I World Cup tournament. Host and Venues of Women’s T20 World Cup Tournament Bangladesh will host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the second time. They are the second nation to host two Women’s T20 World Cups.  The matches would be played in two different venues.  Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur, DhakaSylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet12 of the 23 games will be played at Dhaka while the others will take place at Sylhet. Read more: Shakib, Soumya, Mustafizur return as BCB announces squad for final Zimbabwe T20Is Format of 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup  Ten teams will be participating in this year’s tournaments. These teams will be divided into two groups. Each team will play with every one of the groups in a round-robin system. The top two teams of each group will qualify for the semi-finals. Groups of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Subhead: List of Countries in ICC Women’s World Cup 2024 Group Teams A Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka B Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, Scotland Read more: Zimbabwe Come Close, But Bangladesh Clinch the Series Full Fixture of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Subhead: Match Schedules and Fixtures in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2024 Match No Date Team 1 Team 2 Time (BST) Venue 1 10/3/2024 England South Africa 3:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur 2 10/3/2024 Bangladesh Scotland 7:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur 3 10/4/2024 Australia Sri Lanka 3:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium 4 10/4/2024 India New Zealand 7:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium 5 10/5/2014 South Africa  West Indies 3:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur 6 10/5/2024 Bangladesh England 7:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur 7 10/6/2024 New Zealand Sri Lanka 3:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium 8 10/6/2024 India Pakistan 7:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium 9 10/7/2024 West Indies Scotland 7:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur 10 10/8/2024 Australia Pakistan 7:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium 11 10/9/2024 Bangladesh West Indies 3:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur 12 10/9/2024 India Sri Lanka 7:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium 13 10/10/2024 South Africa  Scotland 7:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur 14 10/11/2024 Australia New Zealand 3:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium 15 10/11/2024 Pakistan Sri Lanka 7:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium 16 10/12/2024 England West Indies 3:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur 17 10/12/2024 Bangladesh South Africa 7:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur 18 10/13/2024 New Zealand Pakistan  3:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium 19 10/13/2024 Australia India 7:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium 20 10/14/2024 England Scotland 7:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur Semi-Final 1 10/17/2024 TBA TBA 7:00 PM Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Semi-Final 2 10/18/2024 TBA TBA 7:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur Finale 10/20/2024 TBA TBA 7:00 PM Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur             Read more: Towhid's 50 propels Bangladesh to 165 in 3rd T20I against Zimbabwe Conclusion The 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup tournament will kick off on the 3rd of October with England taking on runner-up South Africa at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Host Bangladesh will play in the 2nd game of the tournament against Scotland. Defending champion Australia will start their 3rd consecutive title defense against Sri Lanka at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The semi-finals will start on the 17th of October. The Grand Finale is scheduled to be played on the 20th of October at Dhaka. Read more: BCB President dissatisfied with national team’s batting despite Bangladesh's series lead over Zimbabwe

Akram Khan, a member of the committee formed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to analyze the Bangladesh team's performance in the 2023 World Cup, said they will now engage in discussions with Shakib Al Hasan. Bangladesh endured a dismal World Cup in India, losing seven out of nine matches. Shakib captained the team in this tournament, labeling it as Bangladesh's worst World Cup performance. After more than two weeks since the Bangladesh team returned home from India, the BCB established a committee to review the World Cup performance and identify the reasons behind the team's below-par performance. West Indies Pull Off an Epic Test Win in Australia After 27 Years “We have completed 90% of our work around a month ago,” Akram Khan told the media on Sunday. “We had a tour in New Zealand, and now BPL is underway. We are yet to sit with 2-3 individuals, including Shakib. We will go there (Sylhet) tomorrow.” The BCB announced the three-member ‘Special Committee’ on November 29 last year, with Enayet Hossain Siraj appointed as the convener and Akram and Mahbubul Anam as members. BPL 2024: Babar's osifty as Rangpur Cruise to Victory vs Dhaka The committee was formed amid a report by a private TV station claiming that a national team player was physically abused by the head coach during the World Cup. Although the committee was not initially tasked with investigating this claim, it is expected that they may address the issue. The report did not mention the name of any cricketer, but speculation surfaced that the cricketer in question was the national team spinner, Nasum Ahmed. Akram did not clarify if they are also tasked with the investigation of that allegation. “We are asked to analyze the performance,” Akram said. “We will inform the board about what was negative and what was positive. Then the board will decide how we will proceed.” BPL 2024: Avishka Shines as Chattogram Challengers Win Against Struggling Barishal Earlier, Akram said, when asked about the alleged abuse of a cricketer by the head coach, that they would talk to the involved individuals. On December 5, the committee sat with Nasum and talked to him about the World Cup. However, it’s not clear if Nasum was asked anything about that alleged abuse.

India and New Zealand are set to face off in the first semifinal of the ICC World Cup 2023 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15 at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time. Led by Rohit Sharma, India secured the top spot by winning eight consecutive games. On the other hand, New Zealand earned a spot in the top four with five wins in nine matches. Ahead of the big match, let's review the condition of each team. Preview of IND vs NZ ODI in the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup  India headed to the semifinal with great confidence as they won three consecutive matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands this month. In all three matches, they batted first and emerged victorious. In their previous encounter with New Zealand, India won the match while batting second. India In the midst of all the surprises and upsets that the 2023 ODI World Cup has delivered, one consistent factor stands out—India's unquestionable dominance throughout the tournament. India has three of the top eight run-scorers in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The former captain, Virat Kohli, leads the charts with 594 runs in nine innings, followed by current captain Rohit Sharma with 503 runs and batter Shreyas Iyer with 421 runs, both in nine innings each. This collective dominance is quite significant. Furthermore, India has three bowlers among the top eight wicket-takers in the tournament. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah leads with 17 wickets in nine innings, followed by fellow fast bowler Mohammed Shami with 16 wickets in five innings, and spinner Ravindra Jadeja with 16 wickets in nine innings. Mohammed Siraj is a bit further down the list with 12 wickets in nine innings. Having won the Cricket World Cup twice, with the last victory in 2011, India is currently unbeaten at home and has several star players in excellent form. However, Hardik Pandya's absence from the squad could prove to be a significant factor for India, given that he was not only one of their key players but also served as the team's vice-captain. With Suryakumar Yadav taking his place at number 5 in the batting lineup, India has been playing with just five bowlers ever since Pandya was sidelined. Shubman Gill's comeback after recovering from dengue has led to him consistently opening the batting alongside Sharma since the match against Pakistan on October 14. And getting Shubman regularly in the team is a plus point for India. Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis New Zealand New Zealand should be thankful for securing four wins relatively early in their World Cup campaign, as they later experienced four consecutive defeats. However, a late victory over Sri Lanka pushed them into the semifinal stage of the tournament against the clear favorites for the title. Opener Rachin Ravindra and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell stand out as the top run-scorers for the Black Caps at the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Ravindra has accumulated 565 runs in nine innings, whereas Mitchell has notched up 418 runs in eight innings, registering three centuries in this tournament. The return to fitness of captain Kane Williamson is also a significant boost for the team. New Zealand's standout wicket-takers in this tournament are spinner Mitchell Santner and fast bowler Trent Boult, who have collectively taken 29 wickets. Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has contributed with 10 wickets. The absence of fiery Matt Henry, who took 11 wickets before leaving the tournament due to injury, is a potential concern. Despite being finalists in 2019 and 2015, New Zealand has never won the Cricket World Cup. As they aim for a third successive final, their recent bilateral ODI series record against India is not impressive. However, in a major tournament, a single win can correct past shortcomings. Read more: FIFA World Cup 2026 2nd Round Qualifiers: BAN vs AUS Match Preview Probable Starting XI for India Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj. Probable Starting XI for New Zealand Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult. IND vs NZ Head-to-head Records So Far In the 117 ODI matches played between India and New Zealand, India has the lead with 59 victories. However, New Zealand is a notable challenge for India. In the ODI World Cups, the two teams have faced each other ten times. New Zealand has won five of those matches, while India has emerged victorious in four, with one match ending without a result. Stats Matches India Won New Zealand Won No Result Tied Overall  117 59 50 7 1 ODI World Cups 10 4 5 1 0 World Cup 2023 1 1 0 0 0 Indian Players to Watch Rohit Sharma Rohit Sharma has been the standout batsman for India in this tournament, consistently providing explosive starts that have often put the team in a favorable position. However, when considering his suitability for the upcoming game, it's important to note that his current form is the primary factor in his favor. However, Rohit doesn't have a good record against New Zealand, and he has a 37.40 average from 26 innings against New Zealand. Virat Kohli Virat Kohli has been in excellent form during the tournament, scoring 594 runs in nine innings and currently ranking as the highest run-scorer. His impressive track record against New Zealand, with an average of 56.59 across 30 innings, and his fondness for batting at the Wankhede Stadium, where he has an average of 59.50, make him a crucial and essential choice for the upcoming game. Mohammed Shami Mohammed Shami has been in sensational form since entering the tournament. With an impressive 16 wickets in just four matches, Shami is proving to be unstoppable. His outstanding performance makes it impossible to overlook him for the upcoming game. Read more: Bangladesh’s matches in the 2nd Round Qualifiers of FIFA World Cup 2026: Schedules, Fixtures, Team New Zealand Players to Watch Rachin Ravindra The most significant topic of conversation in this tournament has revolved around Rachin Ravindra and his impressive batting performance. With a total of 565 runs in nine innings, he currently holds the title of the third-highest run-scorer in the World Cup 2023. Considering his incredible  form, Ravindra is undoubtedly a key player in the next match against the Kiwis. Trent Boult The Kiwi speedster hasn't been in top form during the tournament, making him appear as a somewhat risky choice. However, if New Zealand ends up bowling second, Trent Boult could become a crucial player for them. He grabbed 13 wickets from 9 games. Final Words India is unbeaten in this ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023. Although New Zealand has a better record in the knockout stage, India has the home ground advantage. So, India is likely to win this IND vs NZ match.  Read more: Bangladesh's Overall Performance Analysis in the ICC World Cup 2023

England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bat in a must-win game for the defending champions against Sri Lanka on Thursday at the Cricket World Cup. England has one win — against Bangladesh — from its opening four games at the tournament following heavy losses to New Zealand and South Africa and an upset defeat to Afghanistan. Sri Lanka's five-wicket win over the Netherlands last weekend was its first victory in four games at the tournament. Read: World Cup 2023: Australia brighten their semifinal berth with a record 309-run victory over Netherlands England made three changes to its side from the massive defeat against South Africa. Pacer Reece Topley was already ruled out of the tournament with a hand injury, and was replaced by all-rounder Chris Woakes. Spin all-rounder Moeen Ali and big-hitting batsman Liam Livingstone have also been included, with Harry Brook and pacer Gus Atkinson left out. Read: ICC World Cup 2023: Shakib leaves team in India for personal practice sessions in Dhaka Sri Lanka brought in all-rounder Angelo Mathews as an injury replacement for pacer Matheesha Pathirana. Medium pacer Lahiru Kumara also comes into the side, with bowling all-rounders Dushan Hemantha and Chamika Karunratne left out. Buttler has managed only 87 runs in four games thus far, with a highest of 43. Sri Lanka is unbeaten against England in their past four World Cup meetings.   Lineups:   England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (captain), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.   Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (captain), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka