United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh's batting line is struggling against the Zimbabwe bowling attack in the first Test of the two-match series in Sylhet on Sunday.  Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first in Sylhet, where the surface is traditionally helpful for the pace bowlers.  Bangladesh bat first in Sylhet Test vs Zimbabwe Bangladesh lost their openers in just 32 runs. Both of them fell prey to Victor Nyauchi.  In the third wicket, Mominul Haque and Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto formed a 68-run partnership, but they failed to carry on.  They fell to Blessing Muzarabani. Mominul posted 56, and Najmul made 40.  Wellington Masakadza bagged three wickets, including the veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, who just posted 4 runs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz also failed to impress with the bat, dismissed for only 1.  Bangladesh lost seven wickets for 146 in 49 overs.  The second Test of the series will be played in Chattogram from April 28.         

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first against Zimbabwe in the Sylhet Test on Sunday. Before this Test, Bangladesh faced Zimbabwe in 18 matches and won eight of those. Four of Bangladesh's eight wins against Zimbabwe came in their last five clashes. The hosts fiddled a five-bowler attack with two spinners and three pace bowlers. In the first Test of the year, both teams aimed to have a good start. Bangladesh to take on Zimbabwe in Sylhet Test Sunday  Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said they are looking forward to having a consistent batting at the top-order, while Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine said they are aiming to Bangladesh playing XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain) Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali (wicketkeeper), Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana Zimbabwe playing XI: Ben Curran, Brian Bennett, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (captain), Wessly Madhevere, Nyasha Mayavo (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Victor Nyauchi. 

The youngest cricketer to debut in Indian Premier League history at age 14 also made a splash on Saturday. Opening batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi appeared as an impact substitute for Rajasthan Royals and boldly scored 34 runs off 20 balls, including a first-ball six over extra cover. He hit three sixes and two boundaries overall until he was out stumped. His stand of 85 with Yashasvi Jaiswal gave Rajasthan's chase a great start but their team lost to the Lucknow Super Giants by two runs. Suryavanshi replaced Rajasthan's injured skipper Sanju Samson and created a unique record — born in 2011, he became the first IPL cricketer born after the tournament's inception in 2008. Suryavanshi hails from Bihar and made headlines in the player auction; Rajasthan snapped him up for $1.1 million after an intense round of bidding. Punjab hands Bengaluru another home defeat in Indian Premier League The youngster has a triple hundred to his name in under-19 zonal cricket, but his five first-class matches have fetched meager returns. The previous youngest IPL debutant was 16-year-old Prayas Burman in 2019 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Mujeeb ur Rahman is the youngest international cricketer in the IPL, debuting at 17 in 2018 for Punjab Kings.

Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will renew their Test rivalry as they meet in the first match of a two-Test series starting Sunday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The second Test will follow in Chattogram from April 28. The two teams have faced each other 18 times in Tests, with Bangladesh winning eight — their highest number of Test victories against any single opponent. However, Sylhet holds mixed memories for the hosts, who have won only once in three Tests at this venue. Their last meeting here in 2018 saw Zimbabwe secure a commanding 151-run win. Both teams arrive with questions hanging over their consistency in the longest format. Zimbabwe have played just four Tests in the past two years, losing three. Bangladesh, in contrast, played 13 and won five, but their top-order batting has remained a concern. “We have to be more consistent at the top. I personally got out after scoring 30 or 40 on several occasions last year, which is not acceptable. We’re trying to improve,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said ahead of the match.  “We want to play with the intent to win and post the runs necessary to take 20 wickets. The body language has to reflect that,” he added, expressing the importance of a shift in mindset.  With pace-friendly conditions expected in Sylhet, both teams are likely to lean on their fast bowlers. “There’s grass on the wicket. It looks pace-friendly. We’ve trained here for a couple of days and are confident with our preparations,” Craig Ervine, the Zimbabwe skipper, said.  Ervine also said Zimbabwe are embracing a no-fear attitude and looking at the series as an opportunity for young players to gain vital experience in subcontinental conditions. “We haven’t played a lot in Bangladesh, but that’s part of the learning curve. The players are keen to soak up knowledge and adapt,” he added.  Bangladesh’s young pacer Nahid Rana, who can bowl consistently over 140 km/h, has caught attention ahead of the match. “We’ve told him to keep bowling at that pace,” the Bangladesh captain said.  Bangladesh team: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Jaker Ali, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mominul Haque, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Nahid Rana. Zimbabwe team: Craig Ervine (capt), Ben Curran, Nyasha Mayavo, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nick Welch, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Trevor Gwandu, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Vincent Masekesa.

Bangladesh qualified for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup'2025 by virtue of better net run rate despite losing to hosts Pakistan by seven wickets in their last qualifying round  match at the Lahore City Cricket Association ground on Saturday.  After the six-team qualifying round matches, hosts Pakistan smartly reached the eight -team final round of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup '2025 as the champions with all-win record securing full ten points from all the five matches with net run rate of 1.074. In the day's other match, West Indies earned the 3rd win in their 5th and last qualifying round match beating lowly Thailand by six wickets with 235 balls remaining  at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore Saturday evening. Sent into bat first, Thailand were all out for 166 runs in 46. 1 overs and later West Indies easily reach their target scoring 168 runs for the loss of four wickets in only 10.5 overs, but missed World Cup berth due to run rate. On completion of the qualification round matches on Saturday, both the Bangladesh and West Indies secured six points each from all the five matches, but Bangladesh qualified for the Women's World Cup '2025 as the 2nd best team with net run rate of 0.639 while West Indies eliminated from the meet with net run rate of 0.626. The eight nation ICC Women's World Cup'2025 with two qualified teams and other six direct qualified teams ---hosts India, holders Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka ---will be held in India from September 29 to October 26.. Earlier, Bangladesh’s direct qualification in the ICC Women’s World Cup'2025' was hampered losing to West Indies by eight wickets in the 3rd ODI about three months back in St. Kits and later New Zealand earned the direct qualification in the World Cup by virtue better run rate ahead of Bangladesh. In the day's first match,Bangladesh batted first after winning the toss and folded their innings at 178 runs for 9 in stipulated 50 overs  After the dismissal of  top three batters--reliable opener Fargana Hoque (0), opener Dilara Akter (13) and captain Nigar Sultana (1). ---for just 21 runs in 6.4 overs, one down Sharmin Akter pairing Nahida Akter contributed 44 runs in the 4the wicket stand. Number five Ritu Moni, who guided the Bangladesh  towards victory against Ireland, today (Saturday) also contributed the team highest 48 runs off 76 balls with five fours, number seven Fahima Khatun made an unbeaten 44 runs off 53 ball with four fours, Sharmin Akter scored 47-ball 24 runs including four fours and Nahida Akter made 19 runs for Bangladesh. Sadia Iqbal was the most successful among Pakistani bowlers taking three wickets for 28 runs while Fatima Sana and Daina Baig took two wickets each conceded equal 45 runs. Chasing a target of 179 runs, Pakistan easily reached their target scoring 181 runs for the loss of three wickets with 62 balls remaining in 39.4 overs featuring two half centuries by opener Muneeba Ali and number five Aliya Riaz. Muneeba Ali contributed the match highest 69 runs off 93 balls  hitting eight boundaries,  Aliya Riaz added 52 runs off 65 balls with six fours and one six while one down Sidra Amin made 52-ball 33 runs including four fours. Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter and Nahida Akter grabbed one Pakistani wicket each conceding 25, 27 and 36 runs respectively.

Punjab Kings kept Royal Challengers Bengaluru winless at home in a rain-shortened Indian Premier League game on Friday. Light drizzle reduced the Twenty20 game to 14 overs a side and Bengaluru was in danger of being bowled out for its lowest IPL total of 49 before Tim David's 26-ball unbeaten 50 lifted the home team to 95-9. Punjab stuttered briefly until Nehal Wadhera smacked three sixes and three boundaries and carried Punjab to 98-5 in 12.1 overs for a five-wicket win. With a fifth win in seven games, Punjab was second in the table on run rate. Bengaluru was fourth thanks to four away wins. But it has still to win at home. Earlier, Punjab fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett shared five wickets between them. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal bagged 2-11 following 4-28 against Kolkata Knight Riders. Arshdeep made the first inroads with his short balls when Phil Salt (4) and Virat Kohli (1) fell to pulls.   Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis sprinted to square leg and made a scintillating diving catch to get Salt, and Jansen grabbed a sharp catch of Kohli at mid-on. South African left-armer Jansen sliced through the middle order with 2-10 as Bengaluru slipped to 42-7 in the eighth over. Pakistan clinch Women's Cricket World Cup spot after four straight wins David smashed spinner Harpreet Brar (2-25) for three successive sixes in the last over and completed his half-century with two runs off the final ball after the leg-spinner overstepped and conceded a no-ball.  

Pakistan women’s cricket team has officially qualified for the Women’s Cricket World Cup, sealing their spot with a dominating 87-run win over Thailand in Lahore on Thursday. The victory marked Pakistan’s fourth consecutive victory in the tournament, following earlier triumphs over Ireland, Scotland, and the West Indies. The impressive run guarantees Pakistan one of the two remaining places in the eight-team World Cup, set to be held later this year. They now join hosts India, along with Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka in the main event. Ticket sales for Bangladesh-Zimbabwe first Test begins on Saturday The final qualification spot remains up for grabs, with Bangladesh, the West Indies, and Scotland still in contention. Bangladesh, who have won three out of four matches, will face Pakistan on Saturday in a key fixture, while the West Indies take on Thailand. Scotland plays its final match against Ireland on Friday. At the heart of Pakistan’s qualification campaign has been captain Fatima Sana, who has led by example with both bat and ball. She has taken 10 wickets across four matches—second only to West Indies' Hayley Matthews, who has 12. Against Thailand, Sana starred with a crucial half-century before returning to take 3-39 with the ball, capping off a standout all-round performance. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to finalize the dates and venues for the World Cup, it has confirmed that matches between India and Pakistan will be played at neutral venues as these countries’ political tensions.    

Cricket fans in Sylhet can begin purchasing tickets for the first Test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, scheduled to be held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS), starting on Saturday. Both the teams have already started their preparation camps in Sylhet. Ticket sales will officially open at the stadium counter from 9AM on Saturday, 19 April, while another sales point will open at Modhumoti Bank PLC’s Ambarkhana Branch from 10AM on Sunday, 20 April. Fans can grab the tickets at different price points starting at BDT 50 for the Green Hill Area, Eastern Gallery (Gate-3), and Shaheed Turab Stand (West Gallery). Four women athletes to join CA Yunus on state visit to Qatar Tickets for the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Stand are priced at BDT 100, while the Eastern Gallery (Gate-2) tickets cost BDT 150. The Club House seats are available for BDT 250, and the Grand Stand tickets are priced at BDT 500. While the first match of the series is in Sylhet, the second and final match of the series will be played in Chattogram.

The final round berth of Bangladesh in the ICC Women’s World Cup’2025 was delayed after conceding a three-wicket defeat against West Indies in their 4th qualifying round match of the ICC Women's World Cup at the Lahore City Cricket Association ground on Thursday. Bangladesh’s direct qualification in the ICC Women’s World Cup was also hampered losing to West Indies by eight wickets in the 3rd ODI about three months back in St Kits and later New Zealand earned the direct qualification to the World Cup by virtue better run rate ahead of Bangladesh. Despite the day’s maiden defeat, Bangladesh Women’s team dominated the points table securing six points from four matches with a comfortable net run rate of 1.033 while hosts Pakistan followed Bangladesh securing full six points from straight three matches with a net run rate of 0.857. After the day’s match, Scotland and West India are also in the Women’s World Cup race securing four points each from four matches with one match to spare having a net run rate of + 0.136 and –0.286 respectively. Earlier, Bangladesh made a flying start crushing Thailand by a record 178 runs, beat Ireland by two wickets in hard fought 2nd match and earned 34 runs victory over Scotland in the 3rd match. In the day’s match, Bangladesh batted first after winning the toss and scored a moderate 227 runs for 9 in stipulated 50 overs.   Why are IPL umpires suddenly measuring bats? After the departure of opener Sobhana Mostary (6) for 16 runs in 4.2 overs, another opener Fargana Hoque pairing with one down Sharmin Akter contributed 118 runs in the 2nd wicket stand to make a good foundation of Bangladesh innings, but the remaining batters, except Nahida Akter (25) and Rabeya Khan (23), failed to continue rhythm to fold the innings for 227 runs for 9 in quota 50 overs. Sharmin Akter hammered the team highest 67 runs off 79 deliveries hitting 10 boundaries while opener Fargana Hoque scored 78-ball 42 runs,featuring three fours.   Aallyah Alleyne made major damage in Bangladesh inning grabbing four wickets for 39 runs and was adjudged player of the match while Hayley Matthews and Afy Fletcher took two wickets each. In relay, West Indies Women’s reached their target scoring the match winners 228 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 46 overs with number six batter Chinelle Henry making the team highest 51 runs off 48 balls hitting five fours and two sixes. Marufa Akter claimed two wickets for 38 runs while Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter and Rabeya Khan and Jannatul Ferdous took one wicket each.      

Fans have seen something unusual in the Indian Premier League (IPL): umpires measuring bats during matches using a special tool called a gauge. This has led many to ask why. According to the reports of the media who cover IPL so closely, the reason is fairness. The IPL wants to make sure that the batters and the bowlers get a fair chance to prove their mettle. And there were always some concerns that some players might be using bats that are bigger than the official rules allow, giving them an unfair advantage. Cricket's official rules (specifically Law 5) limit how wide a bat can be (10.8cm), how thick its edges are (4cm), and its overall depth (6.7cm). The new checks make sure bats used in the IPL stick to these rules. Another common question hovers in the minds of the fans is: How do the checks work? Before this season, bat checks were less strict. They happened before match days, not all players were checked, and a player might use a different bat in the actual game. But now, the process is more thorough. On-field umpires carry a bat gauge – a template with a cutout matching the legal bat dimensions. Every batter's bat is checked as they come to the crease, including openers and any replacement bats brought out. The result of the checks is clear— if a bat is too big and doesn't pass through the gauge, it cannot be used in that match. Teams were told about this rule change before it started and were even given gauges so players could check their own equipment. So far, only a couple of bats have failed the test. If a bat is found to be oversized, the player simply can't use it in the game. Rupganj, Abahani, Gulshan register wins in first round of Super League in DPL Interestingly, unlike some other cricket leagues (like in England, where teams can lose points for illegal bats), the IPL currently doesn't have any further penalties like fines or point deductions. The main goal seems to be preventing the use of oversized bats during play to keep the contest fair. Some players were reportedly surprised by the strict checks, with one player finding none of his bats passed the test. This move came at a time when IPL was seeing more runs that might have left the bowlers feeling helpless.