United News of Bangladesh

Sai Sudharsan hit 108 not out off 61 balls as Gujarat Titans thrashed Delhi Capitals by 10 wickets on Sunday and sealed its spot in the Indian Premier League playoffs. Sudharsan shared a double-century unbeaten opening stand with skipper Shubman Gill – the third equal highest by runs in the IPL – as the Titans reached 205-0 in 19 overs. Gill scored 93 not out off 53 deliveries. Their stand canceled out Lokesh Rahul’s 65-ball 112 not out — his fifth IPL century – in Delhi’s 199-3 in 20 overs. It was Delhi's fifth loss in seven games. Gujarat climbed to the top of the IPL points table with 18 points from 12 games. Its victory over fifth-placed Delhi also meant that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (second, 17 points) and Punjab Kings (third, 17 points) also advanced to the playoffs. Delhi has 13 points and is a point behind fourth-placed Mumbai Indians, who occupy the fourth and final playoff spot, with two regular season matches remaining. Lucknow Super Giants is currently seventh with 10 points from only 11 games. Punjab beat Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs earlier Sunday to secure its playoff spot. Rahul’s century in vain Rahul scored his fifth IPL century overall as Delhi rode on a blistering knock to present a challenging score. He hit 14 fours and four sixes, and put on a vital 90 off 52 balls with Abhishek Porel (30). Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs also had cameos – but there wasn’t a second major contribution alongside Rahul, who reached 100 off 60 balls. In reply, Gujarat relied on its in-form openers to confirm a spot in the knockouts. The duo dominated Delhi’s bowling, hitting 11 sixes and 15 fours altogether. Gill scored 50 off 33 balls, including four sixes, and then added another three. Sudharsan hit 12 fours and four sixes. Three of those sixes came after he scored 50 off 30 balls and helped him gallop to a second IPL century. Punjab wins Nehal Wadhera scored 70 off 37 balls to lead Punjab Kings to a 10-run win over Rajasthan Royals. Wadhera smashed five sixes and five fours in his second half-century of the season in Punjab’s 219-5 in 20 overs. Shashank Singh’s 59 not out off 30 balls also helped the Kings cross the 200-mark. Left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar then took 3-22 in four overs as Rajasthan’s chase lost momentum despite half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaisal and Dhruv Jurel. The Royals were restricted to 209-7 for a 10th loss this season. Wadhera took charge of the innings after Punjab was down to 34-3 in 3.1 overs, rebuilding it with a 67-run partnership off 44 balls with skipper Shreyas Iyer, who scored 30 off 25 balls. Wadhera reached 50 off 25 balls, and then added 58 off 33 with Shashank Singh which set up the base for a 200-plus score. Singh hit five fours and three sixes, while also finding an able partner in Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored 21 not out off nine balls. The duo added 60 runs off the last four overs. In reply, Rajasthan made a quick-fire start. Jaiswal took 22 runs off the first over, and added 76 off 29 balls with his teenage opening partner Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The latter scored 40 off 15 balls, with four sixes, before he was caught off Brar in the fifth over. Jaiswal carried on despite the breakthrough, scoring 50 off 25 balls, before he holed out too – again off Brar in the ninth over. Rajasthan started losing steam afterward with Sanju Samson (20) and Riyan Parag (13) unable to keep up the momentum. Jurel scored 53 off 31 balls – his second half-century of the season – to keep the chase going, but Marco Jansen and Omarzai combined for four wickets to help Punjab gain valuable points. Fans get to see some cricket The IPL’s much-anticipated restart had been delayed for another day on Saturday after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru-Kolkata Knight Riders game was washed out. The IPL was suspended for a week to Friday due to the military showdown between India and Pakistan. The Pakistan Super League resumed on Saturday. The IPL final, originally scheduled for May 25, was moved to June 3.

Bangladesh put up a total of 205 for 5 in their 20 overs against the United Arab Emirates in the second T20I on Monday night, setting the hosts a stiff target of 206. Openers Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das laid a solid foundation after UAE won the toss and chose to bowl first. Tanzid was the aggressor, smashing 59 off just 33 balls with eight fours and three sixes, while Litton contributed a steady 40 from 32 deliveries. After the openers departed, Najmul Hossain Shanto (27 off 19) and Towhid Hridoy (45 off 24) kept the momentum going. Hridoy was impressive, striking three fours and two sixes at a blistering strike rate of 187.50. Jaker Ali provided a late surge with 18 off 6 balls before falling to Muhammad Jawadullah, who was UAE’s most successful bowler, finishing with 3 for 45. Saghir Khan chipped in with 2 wickets for 36 runs. Despite a few late wickets, Bangladesh crossed the 200-run mark comfortably, thanks to contributions throughout the top and middle order. UAE now need 206 runs to level the three-match series, having lost the opening game by 27 runs. This series is now a three-match contest, as both boards agreed to add another match on top of the ongoing two. The third and final match will be played on Wednesday.

United Arab Emirates have won the toss and elected to field first in the second T20I against Bangladesh at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday. Bangladesh, who lead the three-match series 1-0 following their 27-run win in the opening match, will look to seal the series today. The visitors made a few changes to their playing XI, resting Parvez Hossain Emon — the centurion from the first match — and giving opportunities to other squad members. UAE, meanwhile, aim to bounce back from their defeat and level the series. Bangladesh eye series sweep against UAE in 2nd T20I Bangladesh XI: Litton Das (capt), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali (wk), Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Tanvir Islam, Nahid Rana UAE XI: Muhammad Waseem (capt), Aryansh Sharma (wk), Alishan Sharafu, Rahul Chopra, Asif Khan, Dhruv Parashar, Muhammad Zohaib, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah, Matiullah Khan, Saghir Khan. 

The United Arab Emirates will now host Bangladesh in an additional T20I match on Wednesday, May 21, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the Emirates Cricket Board confirmed on Monday. The third T20I has been added following discussions between the Emirates Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). It will begin at 7:00pm local time, just like the second match of the series scheduled for today (Monday), also at Sharjah. Originally, the two teams were set to play a two-match series, but the addition of a third match offers both sides more game time ahead of their future international commitments. Bangladesh won the opening match of the series by 27 runs on Friday, thanks to a stunning century by Parvez Hossain Emon. Broadcast of the series will be available globally, including T-Sports in Bangladesh, Fancode in India, Cricbuzz across MENA, Geo Super in Pakistan, Willow TV in the US and Canada, and Sportseye/YouTube.  

Dhaka, May 19 (UNB) — After sealing a 27-run win in the opening T20I, Bangladesh will take on hosts United Arab Emirates in the second and final match of the series Monday, aiming for a clean sweep.   In the first encounter on Friday, Parvez Hossain Emon starred with a blistering 53-ball century — only the second T20I hundred by a Bangladeshi — as Bangladesh posted a commanding total of 191 for 7.   The left-hander’s nine sixes also set a new national record for most in a T20I innings by a Bangladeshi.   Despite a fightback from UAE’s captain Muhammad Waseem and middle-order batter Asif Khan, the visitors’ bowling unit held their nerve.   Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud and Mahedi Hasan all chipped in with crucial wickets to restrict UAE to 164.   With the series on the line Monday, Bangladesh will look to give opportunities to other players while maintaining momentum ahead of the Pakistan tour, which is expected to be confirmed soon.   Mustafizur Rahman is no longer available for this match, having departed for India to join Delhi Capitals for the IPL.   The match is scheduled to start at 9:00pm Bangladesh time.    

Bangladesh allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is set to feature in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the first time after receiving a NOC from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday. Miraz will represent Lahore Qalandars in the ongoing PSL and has been cleared to play from May 22 to 25, confirmed Shahriar Nafees, the BCB’s manager of cricket operations. “He applied for the NOC this morning and received it in the afternoon,” Nafees told reporters. This will be Miraz’s first appearance in an overseas franchise league. The 27-year-old, who was recently named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April, was not part of the current Bangladesh squad playing the two-match T20I series against the UAE in Sharjah. Lahore Qalandars, who secured a place in the playoffs with a 26-run win over Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday, have already seen fellow Bangladeshi star Shakib Al Hasan join their squad. Gujarat, Bengaluru and Punjab advance to IPL playoffs Miraz is expected to boost their spin options in the crucial final stages of the tournament. Before the PSL was temporarily suspended earlier this month due to India-Pakistan tensions, Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana had featured for Lahore and Peshawar respectively but returned home amid safety concerns. Across 153 T20 matches, Miraz has taken 107 wickets at an economy rate of 7.55 and scored 2,099 runs with seven fifties.      

Sai Sudharsan delivered a stunning performance on Sunday, scoring an unbeaten 108 off just 61 balls as the Gujarat Titans cruised to a dominant 10-wicket win over the Delhi Capitals, securing their place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs. Opening the innings, Sudharsan and captain Shubman Gill put together an unbroken 205-run partnership — the third-highest opening stand in IPL history — as Gujarat comfortably chased down the target in 19 overs. Gill contributed a commanding 93 not out from 53 balls. Their effort overshadowed Lokesh Rahul’s impressive 112* from 65 balls — his fifth IPL century — which helped Delhi post 199-3 in their 20 overs. The loss marked Delhi’s fifth defeat in seven matches. With this win, Gujarat Titans moved to the top of the IPL standings with 18 points from 12 games. The result also ensured playoff berths for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (second with 17 points) and Punjab Kings (third with 17 points), as Gujarat's victory over fifth-placed Delhi widened the gap. Delhi has 13 points and is a point behind fourth-placed Mumbai Indians, who occupy the fourth and final playoff spot, with two regular season matches remaining. Lucknow Super Giants is currently seventh with 10 points from only 11 games. Punjab beat Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs earlier Sunday to secure its playoff spot. Rahul’s century in vain Rahul scored his fifth IPL century overall as Delhi rode on a blistering knock to present a challenging score. Mustafiz to leave for IPL after playing first T20I vs UAE He hit 14 fours and four sixes, and put on a vital 90 off 52 balls with Abhishek Porel (30). Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs also had cameos – but there wasn’t a second major contribution alongside Rahul, who reached 100 off 60 balls. In reply, Gujarat relied on its in-form openers to confirm a spot in the knockouts. The duo dominated Delhi’s bowling, hitting 11 sixes and 15 fours altogether. Gill scored 50 off 33 balls, including four sixes, and then added another three. Sudharsan hit 12 fours and four sixes. Three of those sixes came after he scored 50 off 30 balls and helped him gallop to a second IPL century.   Punjab wins Nehal Wadhera scored 70 off 37 balls to lead Punjab Kings to a 10-run win over Rajasthan Royals. Wadhera smashed five sixes and five fours in his second half-century of the season in Punjab’s 219-5 in 20 overs. Shashank Singh’s 59 not out off 30 balls also helped the Kings cross the 200-mark. Left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar then took 3-22 in four overs as Rajasthan’s chase lost momentum despite half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaisal and Dhruv Jurel. The Royals were restricted to 209-7 for a 10th loss this season. Wadhera took charge of the innings after Punjab was down to 34-3 in 3.1 overs, rebuilding it with a 67-run partnership off 44 balls with skipper Shreyas Iyer, who scored 30 off 25 balls. Wadhera reached 50 off 25 balls, and then added 58 off 33 with Shashank Singh which set up the base for a 200-plus score. Singh hit five fours and three sixes, while also finding an able partner in Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored 21 not out off nine balls. The duo added 60 runs off the last four overs. In reply, Rajasthan made a quick-fire start. Jaiswal took 22 runs off the first over, and added 76 off 29 balls with his teenage opening partner Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The latter scored 40 off 15 balls, with four sixes, before he was caught off Brar in the fifth over. Jaiswal carried on despite the breakthrough, scoring 50 off 25 balls, before he holed out too – again off Brar in the ninth over. Rajasthan started losing steam afterward with Sanju Samson (20) and Riyan Parag (13) unable to keep up the momentum.    

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman is set to join Delhi Capitals for the remainder of IPL 2025 after playing the opening T20I against the UAE in Sharjah on Friday. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had earlier granted Mustafizur’s appeal for participating in the IPL between May 18 and 24. With his national duty in the first match fulfilled, the left-arm pacer will now miss the second and final T20I of the series on May 19 as he travels to India to join the IPL franchise. Mustafizur was brought in by Delhi Capitals as a replacement for Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, who left the tournament after it was temporarily suspended due to rising conflict between India-Pakistan. The IPL resumes this weekend, and Delhi’s first match is against Gujarat Titans on Sunday (May 18). Bangladesh clears Pakistan tour It is Mustafizur’s third stint with Delhi, having previously represented them in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, taking nine wickets in total. With Australian pacer Mitchell Starc confirming he will not return for the remainder of this IPL season, Mustafizur will be Delhi’s only overseas left-arm pace option. IPL uncertain for Fizz due to NOC issues, overlapped matches Delhi have three crucial group-stage matches remaining. Currently placed fifth on the points table with 13 points from 11 games, they are strong contenders for a playoff spot. Winning all three of their remaining matches would secure them a place in the knockout stage without needing other results to go their way. After playing matches in IPL, Mustafaizur is expected to join the Bangladesh team for Pakistan tour of five T20I matches. However, the final decision regarding whether this tour will proceed rests with the Bangladesh government due to security concerns in Pakistan.

Parvez Hossain Emon hit a stunning ton in the first T20I against UAE and guided Bangladesh to a 27-run win in Sharjah. The left-hander smashed 100 off just 53 balls, becoming only the second Bangladeshi to score a T20I century after Tamim Iqbal’s unbeaten 103 against Oman in 2016. Emon’s knock — laced with five fours and a record nine sixes — set up Bangladesh’s imposing total of 191 for 7 after UAE had elected to bowl first. “It's obviously special for me (century),” Emon said after the match. “It's my maiden international cricket century. So it will be special for me.” He broke the national record for most sixes in a T20I innings, previously held by Rishad Hossain, who had struck seven against Sri Lanka last year. His innings gained momentum in the middle overs, especially when he smashed three massive sixes in one over off Sanchit Sharma. Emon reached his half-century in 28 balls and continued to dominate, striking boundaries across the ground. He brought up his century in the 19th over with a single before being dismissed by Muhammad Jawadullah the very next ball. Bangladesh’s captain Litton Das also applauded his young teammate Emon for his outstanding performance. “The way Emon played was really amazing to watch,” Litton said after the match. Jawadullah was UAE’s best performer with the ball, finishing with figures of 4 for 21. The left-arm seamer dismissed captain Litton Das, vice-captain Mahedi Hasan, Shamim Hossain, and finally Emon in a disciplined spell that included a tidy final over. Chasing 192, UAE made a promising start led by their captain Muhammad Waseem, who scored a quick-fire 54 off 39 deliveries. He received support from Rahul Chopra and Asif Khan, with the latter nearly turning the match with a 21-ball 42 that included three sixes off Mahedi Hasan in a single over. But regular wickets pushed UAE back. After Waseem’s dismissal at 103 for 3, UAE lost momentum. Despite Asif’s late hitting — including a straight six off Hasan Mahmud — the hosts kept losing partners. Asif fell in the 18th over, becoming the eighth wicket to fall, effectively ending UAE’s chase. Hasan Mahmud took 3 for 33, while Mustafizur Rahman (2 for 17) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2 for 22) also made important contributions with the ball. UAE were eventually restricted to 164 for 10 in 20 overs. Bangladesh now lead the two-match series 1–0. The second T20I will be played at the same venue on May 19.

The Indian Premier League's much-anticipated restart was delayed for another day after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru-Kolkata Knight Riders game was washed out on Saturday. Both teams received a point each but it wasn't enough for defending champion Kolkata, which was eliminated from top-four contention with only one game remaining. Bengaluru climbed atop the table and needs only one more point to secure a place in the knockouts. The IPL was suspended for a week to Friday due to the military showdown between India and Pakistan. The Pakistan Super League also resumed on Saturday. The IPL final, originally scheduled for May 25, was moved to June 3. Saturday's game also marked an emotional return to the playing arena for India great Virat Kohli, who announced his test retirement last Monday. Fans arrived in great numbers wearing a white jersey to honor the ace batter, who played 123 tests for India and finished just short of 10,000 test runs. Kohli has 505 runs in this IPL, for fourth highest. However, he never stood a chance of batting at home thanks to incessant rain in Bengaluru since Friday evening. Starc among foreign players who won't return when IPL resumes, Buttler to miss playoffs The Royal Challengers have two remaining round-robin games against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 23 and Lucknow Super Giants on May 27. Kolkata's last game is against already-eliminated Hyderabad on May 25. Sunday's doubleheader features Rajasthan Royals hosting Punjab Kings in Jaipur, and Delhi Capitals taking on Gujarat Titans in New Delhi. Rajasthan is out of knockouts contention, while the other three sides are still alive.