United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh A’s Asia Cup hopefuls ended their Top End T20 campaign on a flat note, with the team losing to Adelaide Strikers Academy by seven wickets in Darwin on Saturday. The side, led by Nurul Hasan Sohan, went into the game needing not just a win but a big one to keep their semifinal chances alive on net run rate. Instead, they ended up well beaten. Despite posting 175 for 4 batting first, the bowlers had no answers as Adelaide raced to the target with 11 balls to spare. Young opener Jisan Alam continued his good run with a composed half-century. He made 50 off 38 balls, holding one end together while partners struggled for momentum. Mohammad Naim scratched his way to 15 from 17 balls before falling, and Saif Hassan managed the same score from 19 deliveries. It was only in the last five overs that Bangladesh looked threatening with the bat. Afif Hossain played the sort of knock he is known for, smashing an unbeaten 49 off 23 balls. Yasir Ali added a quick 25 off 15, the pair putting on 70 runs in the final stretch to lift the total to a competitive figure. But it never looked enough once Adelaide’s Mackenzie Harvey got going. The left-hander dominated from the start, punishing anything loose, and brought up his century in just 53 balls. He finished unbeaten on 102, while Jack Winter made 35 and Harry Mennati chipped in with a brisk 25 not out. Saif Hassan took two wickets, but the rest of the attack looked blunt. Bangladesh A had won two of their first five games, keeping themselves in the mix, but the back-to-back defeats — and the manner of Saturday’s collapse in the field — meant their campaign ended in the group stage.

Bangladesh on Saturday unveiled its 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, naming three new faces as the team looks to build on months of preparation and make a strong impression in their second appearance on the global stage. Wicketkeeper-batter Rubya Haider Jhelik, off-spinner Nishita Akter Nishi, and top-order batter Sumaiya Akter have been drafted into the squad, replacing Dilara Akter Dola, Jannatul Ferdous Sumona and Ishma Tanjim. Rubya, uncapped in ODIs but experienced in T20Is, secures her first World Cup selection after a consistent run of form. Women’s World Cup: Bangladesh ramping up preparations Nishita, at 17, is the youngest in the side, having debuted against Pakistan two years ago. Sumaiya, a former Under-19 captain, returns to the fold following a prolific domestic season and strong performances for the Emerging Team earlier this year. Chief selector Sazzad Ahmed Mansur said the trio had done enough to merit a place. “Rubya has earned her call through hard work. Nishita bowls with maturity well beyond her years, and Sumaiya gives us a top-order option who can both hold the innings and push on when required,” he said. The announcement comes as Bangladesh step up their final phase of preparation. Players in contention have been competing in the Challenge Cup in Savar before heading to Sylhet next month for a nine-day camp that will include day-night practice matches — a key step since all of Bangladesh’s group games at the World Cup will be played under lights. Gazi Ashraf justifies Bangladesh Asia Cup squad, terms Sohan and Saif tactical inclusions Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty and vice-captain Nahida Akter will once again lead the squad, supported by senior campaigners Fargana Hoque, Ritu Moni and Fahima Khatun. Bangladesh, who made their World Cup debut in New Zealand in 2022 and finished seventh, will open this year’s campaign against Pakistan in Colombo on October 2. They face England, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka and hosts India in the group stage, with warm-up matches against South Africa and Sri Lanka scheduled in Colombo before the main tournament begins. The Women’s World Cup runs from September 30 to November 2 across venues in India and Sri Lanka. Squad: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter (vc), Fargana Hoque, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter.

Bangladesh are cranking up their preparations for the Women’s World Cup, now just a few weeks away. Several players eyeing spots in the final squad are in action at the three-team Challenge Cup in Savar. Once that wraps up, the group shifts to Sylhet for a nine-day camp that includes three day-night practice games. Every World Cup fixture Bangladesh will play this year is under lights, so the warm-up is crucial. Chief selector Sazzad Ahmed Shipon spelled out the plan. “After Savar, the girls rest for six days. Then nine days in Sylhet — training and three matches under lights, plus scenario drills. After that, three more days under lights in Dhaka before flying to Colombo on the 23rd,” he said. Bangladesh will play South Africa and Sri Lanka in warm-ups before facing Pakistan on October 2. This is only their second World Cup appearance. On debut in New Zealand in 2022, Bangladesh scraped one win and finished seventh. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty, senior batter Fargana Hoque and the rest of the core group will be under pressure to go further this time. The tournament begins September 30 in India and Sri Lanka.  

Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain opened up on Saturday about the decisions behind Bangladesh’s Asia Cup squad, explaining some of the choices came after what he called “deep dive thinking” between selectors, coach and captain. On Nurul Hasan Sohan, who returns to the fold after an absence of 4 years, Gazi Ashraf said the call was strategic. “There was a lot of discussion around Sohan during the Sri Lanka series. But our formation then meant his opportunity in the first XI was very less,” he said. “We thought it would be better for him to play the Darwin Top End games with the A team. He got ten matches there, proper preparation before a bigger platform like the Asia Cup.”  With Jaker Ali out injured, Gazi Ashraf sees Sohan as the best fit in the middle order. Saif Hassan’s inclusion was another eyebrow-raiser. Gazi Ashraf said the management needed someone flexible. “We wanted a batter who could cover multiple spots — three, four, and even open if needed. Saif gives us that. If Hridoy gets injured, we think Saif can slot in. Liton can also move around, but the more cover we have, the better,” he explained. On the flip side, Mohammad Naim Sheikh missed out. Gazi Ashraf said the opener had “really worked hard” but had not been able to grab his chance. “We were hopeful he could nail down the spot. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Even in the Top End T20s he couldn’t answer the questions we had. He knows he has to improve further, and we’ll support him through coaching and board resources,” he said.  As for Jisan Alam of the U-19 squad, the selectors are holding him back a little. Gazi Ashraf used a metaphor.  “Baby willow, over time, turns into mature willow. We are keeping him in sight, but he needs more time. We don’t want to give someone easy access and then drop him quickly. Let him grow, let him be ready.” Mehidy Hasan Miraz remains a core figure in Tests and ODIs, Gazi Ashraf said, though T20 brings different demands. “Still, if we are in crisis, he will play. He has adaptability. Playing all three formats together is tough these days, but Miraz has the intelligence to manage it,” he added.  Bangladesh start their Asia Cup campaign on September 11 against Hong Kong in the UAE, after playing three T20s against the Netherlands in Sylhet. Gazi Ashraf summed it up bluntly: “Emotionally, I want Bangladesh to be champions. But logically, the path is tough. Nobody gives you anything in cricket.”

Lungi Ngidi claimed five wickets as South Africa sealed the ODI series with an 84-run win over Australia in the second match on Friday. Ngidi finished with figures of 5-42 to bowl out Australia for 193 in 37.4 overs, chasing 278. It was Australia’s fourth consecutive home ODI where they failed to reach 200. Earlier, Matthew Breetzke (88) and Tristan Stubbs (74) guided South Africa to 277 all out after stand-in skipper Aiden Markram opted to bat. Regular captain Temba Bavuma was rested but will return for the series finale on Sunday. South Africa opt to bat first in 2nd ODI against Australia Australia struggled again with the bat after their 98-run defeat in the opener. Ngidi removed Marnus Labuschagne early, while Nandre Burger and Markram’s sharp fielding reduced the hosts to 38-3. Josh Inglis top-scored with 87 and added 67 runs with Cameron Green (35), but once left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy dismissed Green, wickets fell quickly. Ngidi returned to finish the job, dismissing Inglis and running through the lower order. For South Africa, Breetzke hit his fourth straight half-century while Stubbs posted his maiden ODI fifty. Their 89-run stand lifted the team after early setbacks. Quick runs from Wiaan Mulder (26) and Keshav Maharaj (22*) pushed the total close to 280. South Africa now lead the three-match series 2-0, with the final game set for Sunday.      

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the Tigers' squad for the Asia Cup 2025, to be held next month in the UAE.  The announced squad will also be the team for the three-match T20I series against the Netherlands in Sylhet starting on August 30. Wicketkeeper-batsman Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan has received a call-up to the Bangladesh T20 side after almost three years. The 31-year-old had last appeared in this version in November 2022 during the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.  It's time for young guns to fire on all cylinders: Nurul Hasan Litton Das will lead the team in both events.  Left-handed batter Soumya Sarkar, all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, spinner Tanvir Islam, and Hasan Mahmud will be the standby players for the Asia Cup.  Squad: Litton Das (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Shaif Uddin, and standby (For Asia Cup Only): Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud.

Mohammad Amir has ticked off another milestone. The left-arm quick became only the second Pakistani bowler to take 400 wickets in T20 cricket, reaching the landmark in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Thursday. Playing for Trinbago Knight Riders in Antigua, Amir dismissed Fabian Allen of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to claim wicket number 400. It came in his 343rd T20 appearance. Wahab Riaz is the only Pakistani ahead of him with 413 wickets from 348 games. Amir’s career, now in its 16th year, has never been short of drama. Banned for five years in 2010 over spot-fixing, he clawed his way back to help Pakistan win the Champions Trophy in 2017. He quit international cricket in 2021, then changed his mind to play the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he took seven wickets in four matches. By December last year, he walked away from internationals again — though he has carried on in the leagues. Mohammad Amir retires from test cricket His numbers across formats remain strong. Amir took 119 wickets in Tests, 81 in ODIs and 71 in T20 internationals, making 271 in total for Pakistan. At 33, he is still running in with the new ball in franchise cricket around the world. Thursday’s dismissal — Fabian Allen caught off another brisk left-arm delivery — was not just another wicket.  

After much drama and uncertainty, Indian cricket team will finally play in the upcoming Asia Cup. The Indian government has cleared its cricket team to play in next month’s event, but ruled out any revival of bilateral ties with Pakistan, reaffirming a long-standing political position that separates multilateral tournaments from one-on-one engagements. The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs of India, in a statement on Thursday, said Indian athletes will continue to compete in international competitions that include Pakistan, but teams from either side will not travel to the other’s soil for bilateral events. “India’s approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy,” the ministry said. “With regard to multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interests of our own sportspersons.” The clarification comes after calls for India to boycott the Asia Cup, which will run from September 9 to 28 in the UAE. Those voices grew louder earlier this week when the BCCI named its 15-man squad, reviving memories of the Legends tournament in England this summer, when India’s veterans pulled out of fixtures against Pakistan. Netherlands announce squad for T20 series in Bangladesh By drawing a sharp distinction, New Delhi has not only ensured India’s presence in the Asia Cup — including the high-voltage clash with Pakistan — but also smoothed the path for future ICC and ACC events. The policy will allow Pakistan to continue taking part in global competitions hosted in India. The ministry also linked the decision to India’s ambitions as a sporting host, promising easier visa access for athletes, officials and international administrators. Multi-entry visas will be granted for office-bearers of governing bodies, in some cases for up to five years. “India has emerged as a credible venue for international events,” the statement said, noting the importance of making participation “smooth and transparent” for visiting teams.

South Africa’s stand-in skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bat in the second one-day international on Friday as the Proteas look to seal the series against Australia. Regular captain Temba Bavuma was rested as part of workload management and will return for the final match on Sunday, Cricket South Africa confirmed. Bavuma, who suffered a hamstring injury during June’s World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s, had recovered to lead the side in the opening ODI but was advised to sit out the second by the team’s medical staff. South Africa also dropped off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, reported for a suspect bowling action on his debut in Cairns. Toni de Zorzi came in to open in place of Bavuma, while allrounder Senuran Muthusamy replaced Subrayen. ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: England name a strong squad Australia, who lost the first ODI by 98 runs, made a single change with fast bowler Xavier Bartlett replacing Ben Dwarshius. Playing XIs:South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (capt), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi. Australia: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood. Source: Agency 

The Netherlands have announced a 15-player squad for their three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, with two of their most seasoned all-rounders missing out. Bas de Leede and Roelof van der Merwe, both regulars in recent years, are unavailable for the tour. In their place, selectors have turned to familiar faces and a few returning names as the Dutch continue preparations for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Women's Cricket World Cup: No place for Verma in India's squad Vikramjit Singh, Fred Klaassen and Tim Pringle — all part of last year’s World Cup squad in the USA and West Indies — are back in the fold, while leg-spinner Shariz Ahmad and left-arm seamer Ben Fletcher also earn recalls. Scott Edwards will lead the side, with opener Max O’Dowd expected to anchor the batting. The squad otherwise keeps much of the core that sealed qualification for the World Cup by topping the Europe Regional Final in July. The series begins on August 30 in Sylhet and will serve as a key test for the Netherlands ahead of the global tournament. The other two matches will be played on September 1st, and 3rd.  Squad: Scott Edwards (c), Shariz Ahmad, Noah Croes, Daniel Doram, Aryan Dutt, Ben Fletcher, Fred Klaassen, Kyle Klein, Ryan Klein, Teja Nidamanuru, Max O’Dowd, Tim Pringle, Vikramjit Singh, Paul van Meekeren, Saqib Zulfiqar.