United News of Bangladesh

Ahead of the Chattogram Test against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh called left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam, indicating that the hosts are considering a spin-heavy attack to save the series. With pacer Nahid Rana unavailable due to his participation in the Pakistan Super League, selectors have opted not to replace him with another seamer. Instead, Tanvir’s inclusion proves the think tank’s assessment of Chattogram’s spin-friendly surface and the relative ineffectiveness of the fast bowlers in the first Test. “That leaves room for an additional spinner,” Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain told reporters, noting that the move is also a precaution in case of injury or concussion. Tanvir, who has largely featured in white-ball cricket, is seen as a more effective option than left-arm spinner Hasan Murad for this particular Test. “Tanvir offers more in terms of loop and flight,” Ashraf explained.

Amidst the tensions between Pakistan and India following the deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, Pakistani pacer Mohammad Amir has expressed his desire to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) if given the opportunity next year. Approximately a dozen Pakistani players participated in the inaugural IPL season in 2008. However, following the Mumbai attacks later that year, Pakistani cricketers were subsequently barred from the lucrative league. No players from Pakistan have featured in the IPL since then. While Amir cannot currently play in the IPL as a Pakistani citizen due to the existing restrictions, a potential pathway might open via British citizenship. After earning Test recall, Anamul aims to cement national team place  His wife is a British citizen, and Amir reportedly expects to receive his British passport soon. This could make him eligible to register for the IPL auction as a local English player, potentially opening the door for him to participate in the world's most popular T20 league. In an interview with local media in Pakistan, the left-arm pacer confirmed his hope of playing in the IPL if the chance arises. With the IPL and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) schedules sometimes overlapping, Amir was asked which league he would choose if eligible for both. He stated his preference would be the IPL.

After hitting four centuries in the ongoing season of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, Anamul Haque Bijoy earned a recall to the Bangladesh Test team after three years. The right-handed batter is now aiming to cement his place. Bangladesh lost the first Test of the Zimbabwe series in Sylhet. Now, the hosts are looking forward to making a comeback and saving series in the second Test Chattogram, starting on April 28. Anamul was included in the 15-member team of the second team.  Anamul currently leads the Dhaka League’s run charts with 874 runs in 14 matches, including four centuries. Boult and Sharma shine for Mumbai in massive 7-wicket victory over Hyderabad His recent performances were particularly headline-grabbing; he became the first Bangladeshi batsman to score 50 centuries in recognized cricket, and incredibly, followed it up with his 51st ton in the very next match. These back-to-back centuries likely sealed his selection.    But his prolific scoring isn't just limited to the white-ball format. Selectors also noted his strong performance in the last National Cricket League (NCL), Bangladesh's first-class tournament. There, he amassed 700 runs in 7 matches at an impressive average of 67.37, finishing as the second-highest run-getter. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf praised Anamul's consistency, good temperament, and ball selection ability as key reasons for his inclusion, seeing him as a potential "mid-term solution" for the opening slot. Premier Division Cricket: Title race heats up as Abahani, Mohammedan win again

Mumbai Indians surged into the top three of the Indian Premier League standings on Wednesday with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rohit Sharma, stepping up as an impact player, smashed his second consecutive half-century, scoring 70 runs to lead Mumbai to 146-3 in just 15.4 overs. The five-time champions, who had a slow start to the season, have now climbed to third place in the points table. Remaining 15 minutes of Federation Cup final to be played on Tuesday Heinrich Klaasen’s 71 off 44 balls had earlier saved Hyderabad from complete destruction to score 143-8 with new ball bowlers Trent Boult (4-26) and Deepak Chahar (2-12) doing the most damage. It’s a remarkable turnaround for Mumbai, which won only one of its first five games before bouncing back with four straight wins. Hyderabad is at No. 9, just ahead of last-place Chennai Super Kings. Sharma sets sixes record Sharma had a quiet start to the season with a top-score of 26 in his first six games. But the seasoned T20 batter got back into his groove when he smacked unbeaten 76 against Chennai at home three days ago. Sharma continued where he left off and despite the slowness of the wicket he smacked three sixes and eight fours in his fluent half-century. Sharma also became the highest six hitter for Mumbai with 259 sixes and surpassed Kieron Pollard’s Mumbai record of 258. Ryan Rickelton (11) yet again couldn’t capitalize on a good start and offered a one-handed return catch to Jaydev Unadkat, who had replaced struggling Mohammed Shami in Hyderabad’s playing XI. Sharma then shared two half-century stands with Will Jacks (22) and Yadav before chipping a regulation catch at mid-wicket when Mumbai was just 14 runs away from victory. Yadav summed up a dismal night for Hyderabad when the ball burst through the hands of Nitesh Kumar Reddy at deep mid-wicket for a four as the fielder seemed to have lost the ball in the floodlights and it crossed the ropes. “Glad the boys are taking the momentum in the right way,” Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya said. “I’ve felt, once everyone starts clicking in this team there will be domination. ... Overall, a wonderful win.” Boult subdues Hyderabad Hyderabad’s top-order had showed early sparks in the tournament when it not only racked up 286 against Rajasthan Royals in its opening game but also chased down 246 against Punjab Kings at home last week. Other than those two bright moments, Hyderabad batters had mostly struggled this season. Head fell for a four-ball duck when he top-edged Boult’s length delivery outside the off stump and Abhishek Sharma was caught at cover point when he got deceived by left-armer’s slow knuckle ball. In between those two wickets, Chahar had removed Ishan Kishan in a bizarre fashion. On-field umpire first declared Chahar’s leg-side delivery a wide but changed his decision and lifted his finger when he saw Kishan walking back. However, Ultra edge later showed on television that the ball had missed the bat as Kishan got strangled for the second time this season. Klaasen revived the innings by combining in a 99-run stand with Abhinav Manohar (43) off 63 balls before Jasprit Bumrah completed 300 wickets in T20 cricket when Klaasen missed out the low full toss and was caught at deep mid-wicket in the penultimate over. Boult, who had removed openers Travis Head for nought and Abhishek Sharma for eight in his opening spell, bagged two more wickets in the last over when Manohar got hit wicket and then clean bowled captain Pat Cummins with a perfect yorker. “Never got going,” Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins said. “After a couple of wickets, you have to find a way to steady the ship, (but) couldn’t do that.”  

The battle for the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League title turned into an exciting stage after defending champions Dhaka Abahani Limited and their nearest rivals Dhaka Mohammedan SC won their 2nd super league matches at different venues in the capital and adjoining areas on Wednesday. With the day’s feat, Dhaka Abahani Limited maintained their supremacy in the six-team super league securing highest 24 points from 14 matches beating Gazi Group Cricketers 10 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Muzarabani overshadows Mehidy as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 3 wickets   Dhaka Mohammedan SC followed the leaders neck and neck with 22 points from 14 encounters defeating Gulshan Cricket Club by five wickets at BKSP ground -3 in Savar. In the day’s other match, Legends of Rupganj advanced to the 4th slot in the six-team fray with 17 points from 14 outings toppling Gulshan CC crushing Agrani Bank Cricket Club by a huge 103 runs at BKSP ground-4 in Savar also on Wednesday. BCB security official Ikram dies during Sylhet Test duty Sent into bat first in Mirpur, Dhaka Abahani Ltd were all out for a moderate 249 in 48.2 overs featuring 107 runs in 19.1 overs in the opening stand by Shahriar Komol and Parvez Hossain Emon. Opener Shahriar Komol contributing the team highest 96 runs off just 100 balls hitting eight fours and three sixes and was adjudged player of the match while another opener Parvez Hossain Emon scored 52-ball 45 runs including seven boundaries. Besides, SM Meherov (45), Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbu (19), Mrittunhoy Chowdhury (15), captain Mosaddek Hossain (10) were the other notable contributors for Abahani. Wasi Siddiquee grabbed four wickets for 38 runs while Sheikh Parvaz Jibon took three wickets for 40 runs. Chasing a target of 250 runs, Gazi Group Cricketers were all out for 239 runs in 49. 3 overs despite back to back century by former national opener Anamul Haque Bijoy’s, who hits 108 runs off 133 deliveries with nine hits to the fence.   Mrittunjioy Chowdhury captured three wickets for 51 runs while captain Mosaddek Hossain and Ripon Mondal grabbed two wickets each conceding 35 and 40 runs respectively. Sent into bat first at BKSP ground -3 in Savar, Gulshan Cricket Club were all out for 224 runs in 47.4 overs with Shakil Hossain making the team highest 57 runs off 71 balls including two fours and three sixes. Mohammad Saifuddin claimed three wickets for 42 runs while Nabil Samad, Nasum Ahmed and Abu Hider Rony took two wickets each. In reply, Mohammedan SC reached their target scoring the match winners 225 runs for the loss of five wickets in 46.4 overs featuring 93 runs in the 3rd wicket stand by captain Towhid Hridoy and veteran Mahmudullah Riyad.  Veteran national cricketer Mahmudullah Riyad hammered the match highest 71 runs off 103 balls featuring three fours and a six and was adjudged the player of the match while captain Towhid Hridoy added 85-ball 62 runs with four boundaries. At BKSP ground-4 in Savar, Legends of Rupganj  outplayed Agrani Bank CC by a massive 103 runs. Sent into bat first, Legends of Rupganj piled up a huge total of 333 runs for loss of three wickets in quota 50 overs with national coloured opener Soumya Sarkar hammering a polished 153 runs off 112 balls hitting 17 fours and six sixes. In reply, the bankers team were all out for 230 runs in 43. 1 overs with middle order Marshall Ayub making 74 runs off 96 balls hitting three boundaries. Saif Hasan took three wickets foir 20 runs.  

Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 10-wicket haul in the match went in vain as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by three wickets on Wednesday in the Sylhet Test, riding on the bowling and batting brilliance of Blessing Muzarabani and Brian Bennett.  Set a target of 174 runs, Zimbabwe reached the mark during the third session of day four. Opener Brian Bennett anchored the chase superbly, scoring his second half-century of the match. He shared a crucial 95-run opening stand with Ben Curran, providing a solid platform for the visitors. However, the chase wasn't straightforward. Bangladesh spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who completed his second five-wicket haul of the match, triggered a collapse by dismissing Curran and claiming four more wickets rapidly. Taijul Islam added two more, creating big pressure and sending tremors through the Zimbabwe camp. Sylhet Test: Muzarabani takes six, Zimbabwe need 174 to win Despite the wobble, Wessly Madhevere (19*), supported by Wellington Masakadza (12) and Richard Ngarava (4*), showed admirable composure to guide their team home. Zimbabwe owed much of their position to Blessing Muzarabani. The fast bowler was exceptional throughout, finishing with match figures of 9/122. His second-innings haul of 6/72 was instrumental in bowling Bangladesh out for 255, despite fifties from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (60) and Jaker Ali (58). Failures from other key batters and an inability by Bangladesh's pacers to exploit the helpful Sylhet conditions meant the hosts couldn't set a more daunting target. With Zimbabwe taking the lead in the series, both teams will now travel to Chattogram to play the second Test, starting from April 28. 

Ikram Chowdhury Ikram, a member of BCB security committee and the security coordinator at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, passed away Wednesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest while on duty during the ongoing Test match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. He was 50. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) sources said he had been overseeing field inspection operations with the Bomb Disposal Unit when he fell ill. Sylhet Test: Muzarabani takes six, Zimbabwe need 174 to win Following immediate medical advice from BCB physicians, he was rushed to Al Haramain Hospital where he suffered a second heart attack. He was taken to the CCU of the hospital where doctors later pronounced him dead. A respected figure in Sylhet's sporting community, Ikram had worked with the BCB’s security committee since 2014. He regularly led security coordination during matches at the Sylhet stadium. Bangladesh extend lead past 100 before weather curtails 3rd day in Sylhet His passing has cast a pall over the Sylhet Test and local cricket circles. In a condolence message, the BCB expressed deep sorrow and extended sympathies to his family.  

Zimbabwe need 174 runs to claim victory in the first Test against Bangladesh, after bowling the hosts out for 255 in their second innings in Sylhet on Wednesday. Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani was the standout performer, dismantling the Bangladesh batting lineup. Muzarabani secured his second-best career figures, taking an impressive 6 wickets for 72 runs. His crucial spell prevented Bangladesh from building a more imposing lead. He dismissed Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (60) early in the day before he could add to his overnight score, and later removed top-scorer Jaker Ali (58). Muzarabani finished with excellent match figures of 9/122. Bangladesh added only 61 runs to their overnight score of 194 for 4 before being all out for 255. Having established an 82-run first-innings lead by scoring 273 against Bangladesh's 191, Zimbabwe's batsmen now face the task of chasing 174 on a pitch that has offered assistance to bowlers. After Sylhet, both teams will travel to Chattogram to play the second and final Test of the series.

Lokesh Rahul anchored Delhi Capitals to an emphatic eight-wicket win over his former franchise Lucknow Super Giants and reached the 5,000-run mark in Indian Premier League on Tuesday. Rahul made an unbeaten 57 off 42 balls with three fours and three sixes as Delhi romped to 161-2 in 17.5 overs and joined Gujarat Titans atop the points table with 12 points from six wins. Opener Abishek Porel made 51 off 36 balls in Delhi’s aggressive run-chase as off-spinner Aiden Markram claimed both wickets for 30 runs. Earlier, Lucknow couldn’t capitalize on Markram (52) and Mitchell Marsh’s (45) 87-run opening stand off 60 balls and was restricted to 159-6 with fast bowler Mukesh Kumar returning with impressive figures of 4-33. With five wins and four defeats Lucknow is at No. 5 on the table. Rahul controls the chase Rahul was unavailable when Delhi recorded a thrilling one-wicket win over Lucknow earlier this season, but he controlled the chase well with captain Axar Patel in his first game since parting ways with his former franchise. Table-topping Gujarat routs defending champion Kolkata in IPL Rahul became the quickest batter to complete 5,000 runs in the IPL as he reached the landmark in 130 innings. David Warner held the previous record of completing the milestone in 135 innings. After losing Karun Nair to Markram in the fourth over of the run-chase, Rahul revived the chase with Porel. They countercharged against leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi as Porel raised his first half-century of the season off 33 balls. With 55 needed off the 49 balls, Patel smashed four sixes in his unbeaten 34 off 20 balls and Rahul completed his half-century off 40 balls to guide Delhi home. Kumar derails Lucknow Markram and Mitchell had provided Lucknow a solid platform in the first half of the innings despite Patel (0-29) bowling four steady overs of his left-arm spin on the trot with the new ball. "In the powerplay we didn’t take a wicket but we kept it under control,” Patel said. “I had an injury issue earlier that hampered my bowling, (but) now I’m better and I took on the responsibility of bowling in the powerplay.” Markram was more aggressive than Mitchell, hitting three sixes and two boundaries, before Dushmanta Chameera of Sri Lanka, playing his first game of the season, had him caught in the deep in the 10th over. Kumar clean bowled Marsh with a superb yorker and also removed Abdul Samad, who struggled to keep the momentum going and fell for 2. Lucknow’s in-form batter Nicholas Pooran was undone by Mitchell Starc’s slow short ball and was bowled for nine. Kumar then returned for the final over and clean bowled Ayush Badoni (36), and captain Rishabh Pant’s below-par season continued when he was out for duck as he dragged the ball back onto his stumps while going for a reverse lap shot against the fast bowler. 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest ever IPL cricketer Pant surprisingly demoted himself until the fifth wicket fell with two balls left in the innings. The left-hander missed the first ball he faced from Kumar before he got dismissed in a bizarre fashion. “We were 20 runs short,” Pant said. “Whoever is bowling first gets a lot of help from the wicket … it always happens in Lucknow, wicket becomes better in the second innings.”

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto held firm with an unbeaten half-century as Bangladesh crossed the 100-run lead mark against Zimbabwe before poor light brought an early close to the third day of the opening Test. Bangladesh ended the rain-affected day on 194 for 4, with Najmul on 60 and Jaker Ali unbeaten on 21. Only 44 overs were bowled after the morning session was lost to persistent showers, further limiting play in an already tightly contested Test. Resuming from their overnight position, Bangladesh consolidated through a 60-run second-wicket stand between Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque. Sylhet Test: Mominul, Shanto lead Bangladesh after washout session, secure lead Joy, who made 33, was dismissed by the ever-reliable Blessing Muzarabani, who continued his strong outing with three more wickets in the second innings after taking as many in the first. Mominul narrowly missed a half-century, falling for 47 after adding 65 runs for the third wicket with his captain. Najmul then steadied the innings and helped Bangladesh push past Zimbabwe’s first-innings advantage of 82 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim’s struggles with the bat persisted, as he again fell for 4. He also made the same score in the first innings.  Earlier, Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s five-wicket haul had helped Bangladesh claw back into the contest after Zimbabwe posted 273, gaining a slender lead over the home side’s 191 in the first innings.