United News of Bangladesh

South Africa won the toss and chose to field in the opening ODI against India on Sunday, extending India’s unusual streak to 19 consecutive lost tosses. With regular captain Shubman Gill sidelined by injury, Lokesh Rahul is leading India. Senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are also part of the playing XI. South Africa’s stand-in captain Aiden Markram said the likelihood of evening dew influenced his decision to field first. The visitors have rested skipper Temba Bavuma and spinner Keshav Maharaj after their 2–0 Test series win over India. They selected a pace-heavy attack with four seamers, with Prenelan Subrayen as the lone specialist spinner. Rahul said he would also have opted to bowl first, noting significant dew during India’s practice sessions. India has picked three spinners — Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav — supported by pacers Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. Line-ups India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, Lokesh Rahul (captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman

A group of nine local cricketers has been excluded from the Bangladesh Premier League’s (BPL) final auction list after a series of anti-corruption investigations flagged their involvement in suspected fixing activities in last season’s tournament. The exclusions follow an extensive probe led by the BCB’s three-member independent investigation committee, headed by former Appellate Division judge Mirza Hussain Haider. The committee examined alleged irregularities from the previous BPL and identified nine Bangladeshi and one foreign player as suspects. Their names were forwarded for further inquiry by Alex Marshall, the BCB’s anti-corruption consultant and former ICC anti-corruption chief. Read more: BCB finalizes 5 franchises for upcoming BPL season Based on Marshall’s findings, the BPL governing council removed nine locally contracted players from the final auction pool. Most had already appeared in the preliminary list but were omitted when the final roll was released on the eve of this year’s auction. The suspected group includes several players with previous national-team experience and multiple domestic regulars. Among them are personnel noted as “red-flagged” by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit. While not all were accused of direct fixing, their activities and access patterns raised concerns within the investigative review. Read more: Sameer Quader says ‘46 crore’ claim makes no sense, keeps BPL door open The governing council has instructed franchises not to involve any red-flagged personnel in team operations this season. Those named in suspicion will not be allowed in team areas, dressing rooms, or other restricted spaces. While the barred players may continue participating in other domestic competitions, they will not feature in this BPL. The 12th BPL auction is scheduled on Sunday (November 30) at a Dhaka hotel. Read more: BPL drops players linked to fixing allegations from final auction list

Bangladesh drew level in the T20I series with a composed four-wicket win over Ireland in Chattogram on Saturday night. Bangladesh chased 171 with two balls to spare after a disciplined closing stand from Mohammad Saifuddin and Mahedi Hasan finished the job. Ireland had posted 170 for six, a total built on short, steady contributions rather than one commanding innings. Paul Stirling set the tone with a brisk 29, Tim Tector added 38, and Lorcan Tucker’s 41 from 32 balls helped lift the visitors toward a competitive score. Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve through the middle overs, with Mahedi Hasan returning the night’s most important spell—three wickets for 29 in four overs—while Saifuddin and Tanzim Hasan chipped in with one each. The chase began strongly as Parvez Hossain Emon struck a fluent 43 from 28 balls, carrying Bangladesh to 50 inside the sixth over. Litton Das then anchored the innings with a measured 57 off 37, steering the hosts through a brief wobble when wickets fell in clusters around him. From 149 for five, however, Ireland dragged themselves back into the contest with tight overs from Mark Adair and Gareth Delany. The finish came down to the last over, with Bangladesh needing three off six balls. Saifuddin’s unbeaten 17 from seven deliveries proved decisive, and Mahedi ended the match in style by driving Josh Little through extra cover for four.//    

Ireland won the toss and opted to bat first in the second T20I against Bangladesh at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium on Saturday. Ireland made a single change from the opening match, bringing in Ben Calitz in place of Curtis Campher. Bangladesh came up with a reshuffle of their own. Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin and Nurul Hasan returned to the XI, replacing Shoriful Islam, Jaker Ali and Rishad Hossain. Ireland, leading the three-match series 1–0, will look to build on their strong batting display from the first game, while Bangladesh aim to bounce back after a difficult start in Chattogram. Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (capt, wk), Towhid Hridoy, Nurul Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin Ireland XI: Paul Stirling (capt), Tim Tector, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little    

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has removed a group of players from the final Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) auction list amid ongoing concerns over alleged fixing links. While the board has not formally named the cricketers, seven players who appeared in the preliminary draft are missing from the final list, effectively confirming their exclusion. Those omitted are Enamul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain, Alauddin Babu, Sanjamul Islam, Mizanur Rahman, Nihaduzzaman and Shafiul Islam — all of whom have played domestic cricket, and in some cases for the national team. The BCB has not stated publicly that the omissions are linked to corruption allegations, but officials have reiterated their position that anyone suspected of involvement in fixing will not be considered for BPL participation. The board has also instructed franchises to submit, by last night, the names of officials they intend to include in their BPL backroom staff. In its advisory, the BCB urged teams to avoid hiring individuals under suspicion. Anyone identified in that category will be denied tournament accreditation, effectively barring them from taking part in team operations. Last year, following the BPL season, the BCB formed an independent three-member committee to investigate corruption concerns. The committee’s 900-page report recommended sidelining several players and officials from the upcoming edition. The findings were later forwarded to Alex Marshall, the BCB’s anti-corruption consultant, for further scrutiny. This year’s BPL auction will take place tomorrow at a five-star hotel in Dhaka. The opening ceremony is scheduled for December 24 in Mirpur, with the first match slated for December 26 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Ireland seized the opening T20I with a big 39-run win over Bangladesh on Thursday night in Chattogram. Ireland successfully defended 181 with discipline and composure as the hosts faltered in a chase that never settled. Towhid Hridoy hit 83 not-out for Bangladesh, but other batters failed to cope up. Asked to bat first, Ireland delivered a polished performance built around Harry Tector’s assured 69* off 45 balls—a knock of clean timing and smart acceleration. Tim Tector’s brisk 32 and a late surge from Curtis Campher and George Dockrell lifted Ireland to 181 for four, a total that always felt above par on a surface offering just enough grip for smart bowling. Bangladesh’s response unraveled almost immediately. The top order collapsed to 5 for 4 inside the first six overs, with Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy dismantling the hosts’ batters. Matthew Humphreys then took control, producing a career-best 4 for 13. His spell broke the middle order and kept Bangladesh on the back foot throughout. Only Towhid Hridoy mounted meaningful resistance. The right-hander struck an inventive and assured 83* off 50 balls, carrying the innings alone while wickets tumbled around him. Jaker Ali chipped in with 20, but the asking rate grew steadily beyond reach. Bangladesh eventually closed on 142 for nine, well short of the target. Humphreys was named Player of the Match for his decisive spell.

Ireland posted a competitive 181 for four in the opening T20I in Chattogram on Wednesday night, leaving Bangladesh with a demanding chase after choosing to field first. Ireland’s innings was anchored by Harry Tector, who held the middle overs together with an unbeaten 69 off 45 balls. He struck one four and cleared the rope five times, accelerating late to lift the visitors past 180 on a surface that offered true pace and bounce. The visitors set the tone early despite losing captain Paul Stirling for 21, caught at mid-off in the fifth over off Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Tim Tector kept the tempo high with a brisk 32 from 19 balls before falling to Rishad Hossain, leaving Ireland well placed at 71 for two. Lorcan Tucker chipped in with 18, but it was Curtis Campher’s lively 24 off 17—featuring a six over midwicket—that helped Ireland steady after a brief slowdown. He eventually miscued Sakib to deep square leg in the 18th over. George Dockrell added late impetus with an unbeaten 12 off seven balls, ensuring Ireland finished strongly by taking 54 runs off the final five overs. Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled for consistency except Mustafizur Rahman, who conceded only 23 runs in his four overs. Sakib picked up two wickets but went for 41, while Shoriful Islam and Rishad Hossain claimed one each. Bangladesh won the toss in this match and opted to bowl first. This series came as a chance for Bangladesh to tune-up their T20I set-up ahead of the World Cup next year.

Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field first in the opening T20I against Ireland on Thursday in Chattogram. Bangladesh won the two-match Test series before this T20I series. This series is Bangladesh’s chance to fine-tune their T20I set-up ahead of the World Cup next year, which will take place in India. Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam Ireland XI: Paul Stirling (capt), Tim Tector, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little.      

Tigers are is set to return to Chattogram today (Thursday) for their final series before the T20 World Cup, with a three-match contest against Ireland doubling as a full-dress rehearsal for next February’s tournament in India. Yet the cricket itself comes after a day of tension as captain Litton Das’s unusual criticism over the selection process has drawn discussion ahead of the opener. Litton, however, urged his teammates to set the noise aside and focus on the squad of 15 at hand. Bangladesh were swept 3–0 by West Indies in this city earlier in the year, and the captain repeated a familiar message — he wants his players to face difficult passages of play, and to learn how to win from them. “I want our players to be pushed,” Litton said after training on Wednesday. “We didn’t win the last series, but this time we want to come through tough situations and finish matches.” Chattogram has been chosen deliberately for back-to-back series in the build-up to the World Cup. The surface here typically rewards batters, a trait expected in Indian venues as well. With early-winter dew likely to aid strokeplay further, Bangladesh hope to refine their plans in similar conditions. Litton voices frustration over team selection ahead of Ireland T20 series One area under scrutiny is the middle order, which struggled in recent outings. Shamim Hossain’s omission and Mahidul Islam’s inclusion sparked debate, but Litton said he remains confident. “They’re all proven players. I believe they’ll bounce back,” Litton said.  Expressing optimism, Curtis Campher said the visitors want to sharpen both their batting aggression and wicket-taking options before the World Cup. Asked about the pitch, he offered a light-hearted reply.  “It’ll still be 22 yards — same for both sides. Hopefully a lot of runs,” he said.  

The last time South Africa won a Test series on Indian soil, Hansie Cronje and Sachin Tendulkar were captaining their sides. Nearly a quarter century later, the Proteas have finally repeated the feat, completing a dominant 408-run win on Wednesday to sweep the two-match series 2-0. South Africa, the reigning World Test Championship winners, took the opening Test in Kolkata by 30 runs before wrapping up the series in Guwahati. Off-spinner Simon Harmer produced a career-best 6-37 as India collapsed to 140 all out in the final innings. Cronje’s team had triumphed 2-0 in 2000 with victories in Mumbai and Bengaluru, but since then South Africa had managed only two wins in 13 Tests in India—until this year’s breakthroughs. “It’s a huge achievement, something we constantly strive for,” captain Temba Bavuma said. “Winning 2-0 in India is rare. Many of us have felt the pain of being on the losing end here, which makes this so much more satisfying.” India had been set an improbable 549 to win after South Africa posted scores of 489 and 260-5 declared. The hosts’ first-innings 201 left them far behind, trailing by 288. India crumble on final day Three wickets fell in the morning session before India slumped to 90-5 at tea. The remaining wickets tumbled in barely an hour, sealing India’s heaviest Test defeat by runs. The previous worst margin—342 runs—was against Australia in Nagpur in 2004. India have now lost five of their last seven home Tests, their worst home stretch in 66 years. “It’s disappointing. We need to improve, but credit to South Africa—they were the better team,” India captain Rishabh Pant said. “You can’t take home conditions for granted.” The loss also marked India’s second home series defeat in successive seasons, following a 3-0 sweep by New Zealand in October 2024, intensifying concerns about India’s red-ball transition. Pakistan, India placed in same group for T20 World Cup Harmer ended the series with 17 wickets, earning player-of-the-series honors. It was his first five-wicket haul in India after previously recording four four-wicket hauls. Aiden Markram set a new record with nine catches in a single Test. Ravindra Jadeja top-scored for India with 54, while the side missed captain Shubman Gill, who was sidelined due to a neck injury sustained in Kolkata. Bavuma has now guided South Africa to 11 wins in 12 Tests as captain, including the 2025 World Test Championship final. Marco Jansen took player-of-the-match for his 93 runs and 6-48. Echoes of 2000 In South Africa’s 2000 series win, they edged the Mumbai Test by four wickets before crushing India by an innings in Bengaluru. Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald combined for 16 wickets, Nicky Boje took seven, and Gary Kirsten scored 149 runs. India’s stars included Anil Kumble with 12 wickets and Mohammed Azharuddin with a century in what became his final Test. That defeat ended India’s unbeaten home run since 1987 and was Tendulkar’s final series as captain. Cronje, later banned for match-fixing, died in a 2002 plane crash. Source: AP