United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the squad for the three-match T20 International series against Pakistan from 20 - 24 July. Bangladesh made no change to the squad that beat Sri Lanka in a recent T20I series played in Sri Lanka.  Litton Das will continue to lead the T20I squad. Mohammad Saifuddin and Naim Sheikh, who returned after months to the T20I squad, retained their places.  All the matches will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur.  The first match of the series will be played on July 20th, with the remaining two matches scheduled for July 22nd and 24th.  Squad: Litton Das (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain, Naim Sheikh, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain,  Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin.  

Bangladesh sealed the T20I series 2-1 against Sri Lanka, beating the hosts in the final match by eight wickets on Wednesday. Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored 73 not-out with six sixes and one four, while Litton Das scored 32, and Towhid Hridoy posted 27 not-out to help Bangladesh chase down the target of 133 with eight wickets in hand. With the ball, Mahedi Hasan bagged four wickets. He was playing replacing Mehidy Hasan Miraz. After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka struggled to build momentum on a slow surface. Despite a steady start from opener Pathum Nissanka, who top-scored with 46 off 39 balls, the hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Bangladesh bagged two wickets early— in the first two overs of the match. Nissanka lacked support from the other end as Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, and captain Charith Asalanka all fell cheaply. Mahedi was the standout performer for Bangladesh, returning remarkable figures of 4 for 11 in his four overs, including a maiden. He removed four of Sri Lanka’s top five batters, breaking the backbone of the innings. Kamindu Mendis (21 off 15) and Dasun Shanaka (35* off 25) tried to rebuild in the middle overs, but the lack of partnerships hurt the home side. Mustafizur Rahman bowled tightly at the death and claimed one wicket for just 17 runs, while Shamim Hossain chipped in with a key scalp. Sri Lanka managed only 38 runs in the final five overs, finishing with a modest 132 for 7—well below par on a surface where 160-plus has been a competitive total in the series. Shoriful Islam leaked 50 runs in four overs. In the last over, he conceded 22 runs. Bangladesh lost the Test and ODI series before the T20Is. Despite the defeats in Test and ODIs, Bangladesh managed to end the Sri Lanka tour with a positive note.  

Bangladesh restricted Sri Lanka to 132 for seven in the third T20I of the three-match series on Wednesday.  Mahedi Hasan bagged four wickets. He was playing replacing Mehidy Hasan Miraz.  After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka struggled to build momentum on a slow surface. Despite a steady start from opener Pathum Nissanka, who top-scored with 46 off 39 balls, the hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Bangladesh bagged two wickets early— in the first two overs of the match.  Nissanka lacked support from the other end as Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, and captain Charith Asalanka all fell cheaply. Sri Lanka bat first in final T20I, lose two quick wickets Mahedi was the standout performer for Bangladesh, returning remarkable figures of 4 for 11 in his four overs, including a maiden. He removed four of Sri Lanka’s top five batters, breaking the backbone of the innings. Kamindu Mendis (21 off 15) and Dasun Shanaka (35* off 25) tried to rebuild in the middle overs, but the lack of partnerships hurt the home side. Mustafizur Rahman bowled tightly at the death and claimed one wicket for just 17 runs, while Shamim Hossain chipped in with a key scalp. Sri Lanka managed only 38 runs in the final five overs, finishing with a modest 132 for 7—well below par on a surface where 160-plus has been a competitive total in the series. Shoriful Islam leaked 50 runs in four overs. In the last over, he conceded 22 runs.    

Sri Lanka have won the toss and opted to bat first in the final of the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh on Wednesday.  However, they failed to lay a good foundation as they lost two wickets quickly.  In the first over, Shoriful Islam sent back Kusal Mendis for six. Kusal tried to play to the square leg boundary, but was caught at the deep square leg by Towhid Hridoy.  In the next over, Mahedi Hasan trapped Kusal Perera for a duck. Perera tried to push the ball away from his body, but only managed a thick edge to the slip fielder Tanzid Hasan.  Bangladesh lost the first match of the series, but bounced back in the second, making the third T20I a final. Litton, bowlers keep Tigers' hopes of salvaging pride from SL tour alive Before the T20I series, Bangladesh lost the Test and ODI series to the hosts.  Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Litton Das (capt, wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka (capt), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara//    

A recent audit has revealed over PKR 6 billion (around $21 million) in financial irregularities and governance lapses within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), covering a two-year period. The Auditor General of Pakistan’s report for the 2023-24 fiscal year, as cited by The News, identified the non-recovery of outstanding sponsorship dues worth PKR 5.3 billion ($18.6 million) as the most significant discrepancy. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as a federal minister, is the third individual to lead the board in the past four years, succeeding Ramiz Raja and Zaka Ashraf. The audit questioned the PCB’s expenditure of PKR 63.39 million ($220,000) on meals for police and law enforcement personnel deployed for the security of foreign teams during international matches. Auditors argued that ensuring security falls under government responsibility, rejecting the PCB’s justification that extra measures were necessary for foreign team safety. Dawson replaces injured Bashir for fourth India Test Other concerns raised include the irregular hiring of three junior regional coaches who did not meet eligibility criteria, and the appointment of a media director outside standard procedures. Additionally, unauthorized compensation provided to Naqvi for utilities, fuel, and accommodation was flagged, as he already receives government benefits. The PCB has yet to respond. Source: Agency 

To complete a 3-0 series sweep in Jamaica, Australia beat the West Indies by 176 runs. In this Test, Australia delivered a ruthless performance, wrapping up the West Indies for just 27 runs. Mitchel Starc and Scott Boland displayed brutal pace bowling that left statisticians scrambling to orchestrate the collapse of the West Indies, who just scored 27— now the second-lowest completed total in men’s Test history.  Starc ripped through the top order, taking five wickets in just 15 balls, which is now the new record for the fastest five-wicket haul in Test cricket. His final figures of 6 for 9 are the best ever recorded by a player in their 100th Test, surpassing Muttiah Muralitharan’s 6 for 54. West Indies quicks leave Australia struggling at 99-6 in third Test Meanwhile, Boland made his own history, registering the first-ever hat-trick in a pink-ball Test. He bagged the wickets of Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph, and Jomel Warrican in successive deliveries. His match figures helped push his astonishing career average to 16.53—now the best for any bowler since 1915, with a minimum of 2,000 deliveries The West Indies’ top six managed just six runs in total, the fewest in an innings where all six batted. The innings also featured a record seven ducks.

England bowler Shoaib Bashir has been ruled out of the remaining part of the series against India due to an injury. To replace him, the ECB called Liam Dawson.    Bashir suffered a fracture in his left hand while fielding during the third Test at Lord’s. Despite the injury, he bowled in the match and bagged the final wicket to seal the match for the hosts.    But scans after the match confirmed a fracture, and the injury ruled him out of the series.   In response, England selectors have turned to the experienced Dawson, 35, who last played a Test match in 2017. He made his debut against India in 2016 and has taken seven wickets from three Tests. Sri Lanka cruise to seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in T20I opener His call-up comes on the back of strong domestic form — he has claimed 21 wickets in nine County Championship matches for Hampshire this season.   “Liam Dawson deserves his call-up. He has been in outstanding form in the County Championship and consistently puts in strong performances,” said national selector Luke Wright.   England currently lead the five-match series 2-1 and will aim to seal the series when they face India in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, starting July 23.//  

Mohammad Salahuddin, the senior assistant coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team, said he holds no entitlement over his role and would have no issue stepping aside if required. He came up with this comment responding to growing criticism over the national team’s recent poor run in the Sri Lanka tour, where the Tigers lost both the Test and ODI series.  The Bangladesh team is not my ancestral property. If I don’t perform well, I should be criticised. That’s something I have to accept,” Salahuddin said during a press conference in Colombo on Monday.  Salahuddin was added to the national team coaching staff last November. Later, he was also appointed as the batting coach after departure of the former coach David Hemp.  But Bangladesh’s persistent struggle against West Indies, UAE, Pakistan, and now Sri Lanka placed the spotlight on the coaching staff, and particularly, Salahuddin’s performance also came under scrutiny.  Litton, bowlers keep Tigers' hopes of salvaging pride from SL tour alive While there are whispers about bringing in a new batting coach, Salahuddin made it clear he would welcome any change that benefits the team. “If someone new comes in, and it helps the team, that’s good. I have no ego about my role. Even if I’m asked to coach the Under-13 side, I won’t mind,” Salahuddin said.  He also pushed back against allegations that he exerts undue influence on team selections. “I’ve been coaching for 27-28 years. If there are accusations, they should be written down and proven. If I’ve made mistakes, I’m willing to correct them,” he added. “I didn’t come here begging for this job. If I’m removed, I’ll move on. I’m mentally strong,” he further added, being a bit emotional.//

Mitchell Starc produced a sensational spell of fast bowling, taking six wickets for just nine runs, as Australia bowled out the West Indies for a mere 27 runs — the second-lowest total in Test cricket history — to seal a 176-run victory in the third and final Test on Monday. Australia wrapped up the win in just 14.3 overs of the West Indies’ second innings during the first day-night Test at Sabina Park, completing a 3-0 sweep in the Frank Worrell Trophy series. Starc, who was playing his 100th Test, reached the milestone of 400 Test wickets in spectacular fashion. He claimed three wickets in the opening over — a triple-wicket maiden — and took five wickets in his first 15 deliveries, the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history. He narrowly missed a hat-trick but was later supported by Scott Boland, who achieved a hat-trick of his own — the 10th by an Australian in Tests — removing Justin Greaves, Shamar Joseph and Jomel Warrican. Boland finished with figures of 3 for 2. The West Indies fell just one run short of equaling New Zealand's record for the lowest Test score of 26, saved only by a misfield from 19-year-old Australian debutant Sam Konstas. Only four West Indies batters managed to score, with the top six contributing just six runs combined. Earlier in the day, Alzarri Joseph had taken 5 for 27 to bowl out Australia for 121 in their second innings, setting a target of 204 for the hosts. Australia had resumed on 99-6 but lost their remaining wickets within eight overs. Fired-up England leaves India reeling at 58-4 and Lord's test on a knife-edge Despite the promising position, the West Indies batting crumbled under relentless Australian pace. Starc dismissed opener John Campbell with the first ball of the innings, and wickets tumbled rapidly from there. West Indies captain Roston Chase acknowledged the bowlers' efforts but admitted the batting unit completely collapsed. “It’s a heartbreaking end. The bowlers gave it their all, but our batters didn’t step up,” he said. Source: Agency 

Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph delivered a fiery spell under the lights on Sunday, leaving Australia reeling at 99 for six in their second innings — holding an overall lead of 181 runs — in the third Test at Sabina Park. Day 2 of the match was dominated by fast bowlers, with 15 wickets falling in total across both innings. Cameron Green remained unbeaten on 42 at stumps, alongside skipper Pat Cummins on 5, after the pair weathered a challenging 40-minute partnership worth 30 runs. Australia, leading the series 2-0 after victories in Barbados and Grenada, took an 82-run first-innings lead by dismissing West Indies for 143 before the dinner break. However, the decision to bat again under the lights in the day-night Test came at a price, as wickets tumbled quickly once more. After West Indies resumed on 16-1 in the morning, the hosts collapsed to 143 all out, losing their final seven wickets for just 70 runs. Australia had posted 225 in their first innings. John Campbell top-scored for West Indies with 36, while Shai Hope managed 23 — the only two batters to cross 20 — as the Australian pace unit maintained relentless pressure. Scott Boland, picked ahead of veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, took 3-34. His haul included the wickets of Campbell and Hope, a run-out of Justin Greaves, and the final dismissal. Cummins and Josh Hazlewood claimed two wickets each, while Mitchell Starc — featuring in his 100th Test — returned 1-32 from 13 overs. Fired-up England leaves India reeling at 58-4 and Lord's test on a knife-edge Australia’s second innings began poorly under the lights. Shamar Joseph (2-26) dismissed 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas for a duck in the second over — the third time he’s fallen to Joseph in the series. Konstas has managed just 50 runs across six innings. Usman Khawaja (14) struck a boundary to push the lead past 100 but was bowled shortly after by Joseph, who angled one back in from around the wicket. Steve Smith edged Alzarri Joseph’s third delivery between slip fielders for four, but the pacer soon bowled him with a sharp delivery clocked at 147 kph (91 mph), reducing Australia to 28-3. Cameron Green tried to hold firm with support from Travis Head (16), Beau Webster (13), and Alex Carey (0), but the visitors stumbled to 69-6. Carey was struck on the helmet by the first ball he faced, then edged to first slip two deliveries later while trying to charge Alzarri Joseph. Cummins survived a caught-behind shout — replays showed he would have been out had West Indies reviewed — and narrowly avoided a run-out when Green sent him back at the non-striker’s end. Litton, bowlers keep Tigers' hopes of salvaging pride from SL tour alive Despite the setbacks, Cummins and Green saw off the final overs to take the match into a crucial third day. Source: Agency