United News of Bangladesh

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field, sending 2024 runner-up South Africa in to bat in Wednesday’s crucial Group D match at the Twenty20 World Cup. South Africa had won its opening game against Canada, while Afghanistan lost its first match to New Zealand and must win to keep its hopes alive of reaching the Super Eights. Only the top two teams from each group will advance, and New Zealand currently leads Group D with a 2-0 record. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said the pitch, familiar from his Indian Premier League experience, is favorable for bowling first and that his team prefers chasing a target. T20 World Cup: Pakistan beats US, NZ duo set record stand Afghanistan had been a surprise semifinalist at the 2024 World Cup before losing to South Africa in the tournament held across the Caribbean and the United States. South Africa made one change to its lineup, bringing in left-arm spinner George Linde in place of all-rounder Corbin Bosch. Afghanistan also made an adjustment, calling up left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad to replace medium-pacer Ziaur Rahman. Later Wednesday, Australia is scheduled to play its first tournament match against Ireland in Group B, while England faces West Indies in Group C. The tournament’s most anticipated group-stage clash will take place on Sunday, when unbeaten Pakistan faces India in Group A after reversing its earlier decision to boycott the match.  

Pakistan secured revenge for its upset loss to the United States two years ago with a 32-run win at the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, while New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set a new record for the highest partnership in the tournament’s history. In Colombo, Pakistan registered its second straight victory in Group A by defeating the U.S., which had stunned it in Texas in 2024. The win comes ahead of Pakistan’s much-anticipated clash with India on Sunday, a match set to proceed after Pakistan withdrew its earlier boycott decision. After being sent in to bat, Pakistan posted 190-9, powered by 73 from opener Sahibzada Farhan and 46 from Babar Azam. Despite fast bowler Shadley van Schalwyk claiming four wickets for the second time in the tournament, Pakistan built a strong total. Babar overcame a slow start, scoring 15 off 18 balls before accelerating to finish at a strike rate of 143.75. Pakistan ended boycott because Bangladesh’s demands were met: PCB chief The U.S. struggled against Pakistan’s spin attack under lights at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Mystery spinner Usman Tariq took 3-27, while Shadab Khan claimed 2-26. Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed also picked up wickets as Pakistan used five spinners effectively. Shubham Ranjane scored 51 off 30 balls and Shayan Jahangir made 49 off 34, but the U.S. failed to build momentum. Tariq’s unusual bowling action troubled batters as he dismissed Harmeet Singh and Mohsin Ali off consecutive deliveries. The U.S. finished short, handing Pakistan a comfortable win. Meanwhile in Chennai, New Zealand cruised to a 10-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates after Seifert and Allen shared an unbeaten 175-run opening stand, the highest partnership for any wicket in men’s T20 World Cup history. Seifert struck 89 not out off 42 balls, following up his earlier half-century against Afghanistan. Allen remained unbeaten on 84 from 50 deliveries. New Zealand chased down UAE’s 173-6 in just 15.2 overs, reaching 175-0 for its second successive win in Group D. Earlier, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem made 66 not out off 45 balls and Alishan Sharafu added 55 as the team posted a competitive total. However, New Zealand’s aggressive start, including 78 runs in the power play, put the game beyond UAE’s reach. Seifert hit 12 fours and three sixes, including the winning shot, while Allen contributed five fours and five sixes. The previous tournament record of 170 runs was set by England’s Alex Hales and Jos Buttler against India in 2022. In New Delhi, Bas de Leede delivered an all-round performance to guide the Netherlands to a seven-wicket win over Namibia in Group A. De Leede took 2-20 as Namibia scored 156-8. He then scored an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls, hitting four sixes and five boundaries, to help the Dutch reach 159-3 in 18 overs and secure their first victory of the tournament.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has revealed that the national team agreed to play the upcoming T20 World Cup match against India only after the International Cricket Council (ICC) acknowledged the "injustice" done to Bangladesh. The uncertainty surrounding the high-voltage clash, scheduled for February 15, ended last night after the Pakistan government gave its green light for the team to participate. The decision followed a trilateral meeting in Lahore involving the PCB, an ICC delegation, and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam. Speaking to journalists in Peshawar on Tuesday, Naqvi asserted that Pakistan’s stance was entirely principled and focused on supporting their neighbors. "We kept no condition other than the context of Bangladesh (in our discussions)," Naqvi said. "Our only goal was to earn some respect for Bangladesh and remedy the injustice done to them". The crisis originated when the Bangladesh government refused to send its team to India due to security concerns, following the exclusion of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL amid threats from communal extremists. After the ICC rejected Bangladesh's request to shift matches to Sri Lanka and replaced them with Scotland, Naqvi had publicly criticized the global body for "double standards". Naqvi claimed that the resolution was a victory for Bangladesh's rights. "You saw that everything Bangladesh wanted has been accepted, and that is the main point," he stated. "When their demands were met and it was admitted that injustice had been done to them, only then did we decide to play again". He further clarified that Pakistan had no self-serving agenda in the boycott threat. "We had no personal motive in this... our work was solely regarding Bangladesh," Naqvi added.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will face no punitive measures for its decision to boycott the ongoing T20 World Cup. In a surprising gesture of reconciliation, the global governing body also revealed that Bangladesh will be awarded the hosting rights for a global tournament prior to the 2031 ODI World Cup. The decision was publicized in an ICC press release issued today following a meeting held in a “cordial atmosphere” between the ICC, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the BCB in Lahore. The ICC confirmed that under the current circumstances, no financial, sporting, or administrative penalties would be imposed on the BCB for skipping the World Cup. Additionally, the BCB retains its existing right to approach the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) if necessary. As part of the understanding reached between the boards, Bangladesh—who is already scheduled to co-host the 2031 ODI World Cup with India—will host another ICC event before that date, subject to standard hosting selection processes and operational conditions. The resolution comes shortly after BCB President Aminul Islam issued a statement requesting Pakistan to proceed with their match against India. The meeting in Lahore also covered the broader future of cricket in South Asia. Describing Bangladesh's non-participation as an “unfortunate absence,” the ICC reiterated its commitment to the nation, citing its importance as a vibrant market with over 200 million fans. ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta stated, “Bangladesh's absence from the T20 World Cup is regrettable. However, this does not alter the ICC's long-standing commitment to Bangladesh as a major cricketing nation”. He added that the ICC would continue to work closely with the BCB to ensure sustainable development for players and fans. Bangladesh had originally withdrawn from the tournament after the ICC rejected their request to move matches from India to Sri Lanka following security concerns sparked by the exclusion of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL.

A major breakthrough in the ongoing T20 World Cup crisis appears imminent following a marathon five-hour meeting between the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in Lahore on Sunday. Sources indicate that a resolution could be announced within the next 24 hours, potentially saving the high-profile India-Pakistan clash scheduled for February 15 in Sri Lanka. The emergency talks, facilitated by the PCB, primarily focused on addressing grievances lodged by the Bangladesh Cricket Board regarding “past injustices”. Insiders revealed that a formula has been devised to address these concerns, with the ICC responding positively to the proposals. ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, who led the delegation, has departed to seek final approval for the proposed recommendations. Meanwhile, BCB officials have returned to Dhaka to brief their government on the developments. The two parties are expected to reconnect on Monday afternoon to finalise the agreement. ICC delegation lands in Lahore for crisis talks over India-Pakistan World Cup match Parallel to these developments, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is set to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within the next 24 to 48 hours. Naqvi will seek formal instructions regarding the national team's participation in the match against India, a decision that ultimately rests with the Prime Minister. This diplomatic push comes after Prime Minister Sharif had publicly backed the boycott earlier in the week, stating that “politics should be kept out of sports” and termed the decision not to play India as “appropriate".

New Zealand kicked off their T20 World Cup campaign with a record-breaking victory, chasing down a target of 183 to defeat Afghanistan by 5 wickets in Chennai on Sunday. This is now New Zealand's highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history, surpassing their previous best of 170. Batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan posted a competitive 182 for 6 in their 20 overs. All-rounder Gulbadin Naib starred with a career-best 63, while Sediqullah Atal contributed 29 and Rahmanullah Gurbaz added 27. Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis, taking 2 wickets in a single over during the powerplay to check Afghanistan’s momentum. Read More: T20 World Cup Opener: Pakistan opt to bowl first vs Netherlands In reply, New Zealand faced an early scare as spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the second over, removing Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra to leave them at 14 for 2. However, a counter-attacking partnership between Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips steadied the ship. Seifert played a match-winning knock of 65, while Phillips smashed a quickfire 42 off 25 balls. Their aggressive approach ensured New Zealand never fell behind the required rate, with the team reaching 52 for 2 by the end of the powerplay. Later contributions from Mark Chapman (28 off 17) and Daryl Mitchell (25 off 14) helped the Black Caps seal the win with 13 balls to spare.

A high-level delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) is scheduled to arrive in Lahore on Sunday evening for urgent crisis talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), following the government's directive to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India. The president of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Aminul Islam, is also joining the meeting. He has also reportedly landed in Lahore on Sunday.  Led by ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, the delegation is expected to land at 4:30 PM to discuss the standoff that threatens to overshadow the ongoing 20-team tournament. Prove you are fair: Pakistan legend Afridi tells ICC supporting Pakistan’s boycott The emergency meeting will also be attended by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Chairman Aminul Islam, who is making a brief visit to meet his PCB counterpart, Mohsin Naqvi, before returning to Bangladesh later in the evening. The diplomatic push comes just days after Indian media reported that the global governing body was exploring back-channel options to break the deadlock. Khawaja, who represents the Singapore Cricket Association, has reportedly been tasked with the delicate responsibility of acting as a mediator to persuade Pakistan to reconsider its boycott of the high-profile fixture. Tensions escalated earlier this week when Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly backed the decision to bar the national team from facing arch-rivals India. Addressing the federal cabinet, Sharif termed the move "appropriate" and the result of "careful deliberation," asserting that "politics should be eradicated from sports". “We have taken a clear stand regarding the T20 World Cup that we will not play the match against India,” the Pakistan PM stated. With the T20 World Cup already underway—having started on February 7—the ICC is racing against time to save the tournament's most commercially lucrative fixture. ICC demands proof from Pakistan, warns of financial and legal consequences

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally requested an explanation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding its decision to skip the high-profile T20 World Cup match against India. While the global body wishes to avoid a direct confrontation, it has hinted at seeking financial compensation and potentially imposing strict sanctions for breach of contract. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the PCB submitted an email citing a mandatory directive from the Pakistan government as the primary reason for boycotting the February 15 clash in Colombo. The Pakistan government had announced the decision on social media on February 1. The ICC has stated that to successfully apply the “force majeure” clause under the Members' Participation Agreement, the PCB must prove the situation was entirely beyond its control and detail the steps taken to mitigate the damage. Read More: Sobhana Mostary jumps 16 spots in ICC rankings after World Cup qualifier heroics The governing body warned that the boycott could have severe sporting, commercial, and administrative repercussions, potentially leading to claims for "material damages" or even the suspension of membership for serious breach of obligations. However, the PCB believes its legal standing is strong, citing a precedent set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The PCB had previously lost a case before the ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee regarding unplayed series between 2015 and 2023, where the verdict favored the BCCI based on the lack of government clearance. The PCB is now using that verdict as a shield for its current stance.

His bags were practically packed for Germany. His itinerary included a dream stop in Spain to watch Real Madrid play on February 15. He had even told the national team trainer not to disturb him. Yet, in a twist of fate that scripts are made of, Mohammed Siraj found himself not in a European stadium stand, but steaming in at the Wankhede, spearheading India’s World Cup attack just 24 hours later. The Indian pacer, who had originally planned to spend his time off with friends in Hyderabad and Europe, became the accidental hero in India's victory over the USA yesterday. The dramatic turnaround began when pacer Harshit Rana was ruled out of the tournament due to injury just a day before the World Cup commenced. Siraj, who hadn't played a T20 International since July 2024, received a call that he initially thought was a prank. “Suddenly Surya Bhai (Captain Suryakumar Yadav) called me. He said, ‘Get ready, pack your bags and come.” I said, 'Surya Bhai, don't joke, this isn't possible,’” Siraj recalled after the match. The gravity of the situation only sank in when national selector Pragyan Ojha called immediately after to confirm the summons. Pakistan survives collapse to beat Netherlands by 3 wickets in World Cup opener With Jasprit Bumrah sidelined due to fever, the pressure on the sudden replacement was immense. However, Siraj rose to the occasion, defending India's total of 161 by claiming 3 wickets for 29 runs in his 4 overs. Reflecting on the cancellation of his plans to watch Real Madrid on the 15th and the start of Ramadan, Siraj attributed the events to destiny. “What God has written, no one can change. I came, I played the match, it was all pre-written,” he said.

Durbar XI secured their spot in the final of the Odommo Bangladesh T20 tournament after defeating Duronto XI by 7 wickets at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday. Led by Najmul Hossain Shanto and comprised of Bangladesh 'A' team players, Durbar will now face the Litton Das-led Dhumketu XI in the title decider on Monday. Duronto XI, a team consisting of High Performance and Under-19 World Cup players captained by Akbar Ali, needed a big win to stay alive in the tournament but failed to put up a challenging total after losing the toss. Batting first, Duronto suffered a top-order collapse, reduced to 8 for 3 within the first two overs. Resistance from Ariful Islam, who scored 41 off 32 balls, and Meherob Hossain, who added 36 off 23 balls, helped the side reach 145 before being bowled out in 19.5 overs. Pacer Khaled Ahmed was the wrecker-in-chief for Durbar, claiming 4 wickets for 23 runs to earn the Player of the Match award. Fatigue sets in as Bangladesh cricketers struggle through packed calendar In reply, Durbar made light work of the chase, reaching the target with 15 balls to spare. Opener Habibur Rahman provided a blistering start, smashing 39 off just 17 balls with 5 sixes and a four. Mahmudul Hasan Joy anchored the innings with a steady 58 off 51 balls, while Nurul Hasan Sohan remained unbeaten on 28 off 24 balls to seal the victory. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) held this tournament after the board decided to not to play in the ongoing T20 World Cup due to security concerns in India. Bangladesh had requested the ICC to relocate their matches to the co-host Sri Lankan venues, but the ICC denied.