United News of Bangladesh

The uncertainty about Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup in India amid security concerns continues as Pakistan may also join Bangladesh in protest. Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has thrown his full weight behind current chairman Mohsin Naqvi amid growing speculation that Pakistan may join Bangladesh in boycotting the upcoming T20 World Cup in India. Speaking on Friday, Sethi endorsed the potential hardline stance, asserting that it is time for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to realize its global mandate goes beyond a single nation. The tournament, scheduled to begin on February 7, faces a deepening crisis after the ICC rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to shift their matches out of India due to security concerns. The standoff began after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed an IPL franchise to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman, prompting Dhaka to cite a hostile environment. Despite a 24-hour ultimatum from the ICC to comply with the schedule, the BCB has stood firm and referred the matter to the ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee. Read More: Captain Mahedi leads Chattogram Royals to BPL final Reports emerged on Thursday suggesting that Pakistan, the 2009 champions, might withdraw from the tournament if Bangladesh pulls out. Sethi expressed confidence in Naqvi’s handling of the delicate situation. “Mohsin Naqvi understands the game and has a good understanding of all aspects. Whatever decision Mohsin Naqvi makes will be right,” Sethi said. Sethi welcomed the resistance from Dhaka, viewing it as a necessary check on India's dominance in world cricket. He argued that a united front is essential for the health of the game. “If other countries stand up after Pakistan, the ICC will realise that this is not the Indian Cricket Council, but the International Cricket Council,” Sethi said, signaling that a collective boycott could be the catalyst for a major shift in cricket's power dynamics.

The 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) concluded on Friday night with  Rajshahi Warriors lifting the trophy in their debut season, securing a massive financial gain along with the silverware. Following their dominant 63-run victory over the Chattogram Royals in the final, the champions were awarded a prize money of BDT 2.75 crore. The runners-up, Chattogram Royals, who overcame preseason ownership turmoil to reach the final, walked away with BDT 1.75 crore. On the individual front, pacer Shoriful Islam was the biggest winner of the night. The Chattogram Royals speedster enjoyed a historic campaign, breaking Taskin Ahmed’s record for the most wickets in a single season with 26 scalps in 12 matches. His stellar economy rate of 5.84 and consistent breakthroughs earned him the Player of the Tournament award—making him the first pacer in BPL history to win this accolade. Shoriful received BDT 10 lakh for being the tournament's best player and an additional BDT 5 lakh for finishing as the highest wicket-taker, bringing his total earnings to BDT 15 lakh. The hero of the final, Tanzid Hasan, was rewarded BDT 5 lakh for his match-winning performance. The Rajshahi opener slammed a century in the title decider, becoming only the third Bangladeshi to do so in a BPL final, joining the elite company of Chris Gayle and Tamim Iqbal. Meanwhile, Sylhet Titans’ Parvez Hossain Emon took home BDT 5 lakh as the tournament’s highest run-scorer. Despite his team missing the final, Parvez amassed 395 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 132.99. Among the other awardees, Rajshahi’s young pacer Ripon Mondol was named the Emerging Player of the Tournament. With 17 wickets in just 8 matches, including a hat-trick and a Super Over victory, Ripon was awarded BDT 3 lakh. Rangpur Riders’ Litton Das, who played solely as a fielder this season after giving up the gloves, was named the Best Fielder for his 10 catches in 11 matches, earning a prize of BDT 3 lakh.

The Rajshahi Warriors have been crowned champions of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), securing a dominant 63-run victory over Chattogram Royals in Friday's final. Powered by a historic century from Tanzid Hasan and a lethal bowling spell from Binura Fernando, Rajshahi defended their total of 174 with ease, bowling out Chattogram for just 111 in 17.5 overs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Chasing a daunting target of 175, the Royals’ batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of the final. Sri Lankan pacer Binura Fernando was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming astonishing figures of 4 for 9 to rip through the opposition. He was ably supported by spinner Hasan Murad, who snapped up 3 for 15 to dismantle the middle order. Mirza Baig offered the only significant resistance with a knock of 39, while Asif Ali was the only other batter to cross the 20-run mark. The lean batting display meant Chattogram never truly threatened the target, handing Rajshahi a comfortable path to the title. Earlier, the foundation for the victory was laid by opener Tanzid Hasan, whose decisive 100 off 62 balls marked only the third century in BPL final history. After being asked to bat by Chattogram captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzid anchored the innings with a blend of caution and aggression. He shared an 83-run opening stand with Sahibzada Farhan (30) and a 47-run partnership with Kane Williamson (24). Despite surviving a scare on 54, Tanzid punished the bowlers with 7 sixes and 6 fours, eventually perishing in the 19th over. His heroics, combined with the subsequent bowling masterclass, ensured the trophy went to Rajshahi in front of a packed house.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested the intervention of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Independent Dispute Resolution Committee, refusing to back down from its demand to shift their T20 World Cup matches out of India. Despite the ICC's recent ruling that the tournament schedule remains non-negotiable, the Bangladesh government and board remain steadfast in their decision to boycott the Indian leg of the tournament due to unresolved security concerns. Following a meeting with the World Cup squad at a Dhaka hotel on Thursday, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul declared that there is “no chance” of the government altering its stance. He confirmed that unless the ICC relocates the fixtures to co-host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh will not participate in the global event scheduled to begin on February 7. In a fresh email sent to the global body, the BCB reiterated its position and called for the dispute to be adjudicated by the ICC’s independent panel of lawyers, hoping for a neutral verdict on the safety risks involved. During the meeting with the Sports Adviser, the players were briefed on the geopolitical realities and security threats that necessitated this hardline approach. The squad reportedly expressed no dissent, stating that while their primary role is to play cricket, they respect the decision of the government and the board as their guardians and will support the boycott if necessary. The crisis was precipitated by the BCCI's decision on January 3 to remove pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL following threats from extremist groups, an incident the Bangladesh government cites as clear evidence that the environment in India is hostile. Farooki questions ICC’s neutrality, cites mob lynching as proof of ‘severe risk’ in India BCB President Aminul Islam maintained that the team is physically and mentally prepared to play but will only do so if the matches are moved to Sri Lanka. While the ICC has not officially responded to the request for independent arbitration and the BCCI remains silent, a BCB official confirmed that the board will continue to press its demand until the very end.  

A century from opener Tanzid Hasan has powered the Rajshahi Warriors to a big 174 for 4 in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) final, setting a daunting 175-run target for the Chattogram Royals. Tanzid’s 100 off 62 balls was the centerpiece of the innings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, marking only the third century in BPL final history. Asked to bat first by Chattogram captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rajshahi started cautiously but accelerated beautifully, thanks to an 83-run opening stand between Tanzid and Sahibzada Farhan (30). Tanzid, who survived a catch on 54 off Amer Jamal’s bowling, made the Royals pay dearly. He smashed 7 sixes and 6 fours, reaching his hundred with a single in the 19th over before perishing to a catch in the deep later that same over. His knock places him in elite company alongside Chris Gayle and Tamim Iqbal as the only players to score a ton in a BPL final. Kane Williamson played a handy cameo of 24 off 15 balls, adding 47 runs with Tanzid for the second wicket, while Rajshahi skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto chipped in with 11 off 7 balls at the death. BPL Qualifier: Rajshahi defend 165 to knock out Sylhet, will face Chattogram in final Chattogram’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, though Mukidul Islam and Shoriful Islam managed to pick up two wickets apiece. Amer Jamal had a forgettable outing, conceding 43 runs in his 4 overs, including 17 in a costly 17th over. The stadium was packed long before the toss, setting an electric atmosphere for the title decider.

Bangladesh’s Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has questioned the neutrality of the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing the governing body of double standards for refusing to shift Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches out of India despite “real and severe” security threats. In a social media post on Friday, Farooki sharply criticized the ICC’s decision to keep the fixtures in India, contrasting it with how the body accommodates security concerns for India and Pakistan. “If ICC truly wants to establish itself as a fair and neutral organization for all member nations, it must take Bangladesh's security concerns seriously and move the matches to Sri Lanka,” he wrote, adding that “the burden of proof for neutrality now lies with the ICC.” Farooki mentioned recent violence to underscore the danger facing Bangladeshis in India. He pointed to a report by an Indian newspaper regarding the lynching of Manjur Laskar, a West Bengal-born Muslim man, who was beaten to death on suspicion of being Bangladeshi just yesterday. “When you combine these incidents with the long-standing anti-Bangladesh hate campaign, which resulted in Mustafizur Rahman being removed from the IPL, it must be admitted that the security threat to Bangladeshi players in India is real and severe,” Farooki stated. He also referenced warnings from Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray regarding the Bangladesh-India match in Mumbai. Farooki noted that even the ICC's own internal and independent security assessments have indicated a 'moderate to high' risk level for the Bangladesh team, particularly if Mustafizur is in the squad and players are wearing national jerseys. This follows comments made yesterday by Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, who stated after a meeting with cricketers that the ICC had failed to do justice to Bangladesh's concerns. Nazrul also noted that the Indian government had made no effort to reassure Bangladesh regarding security. While the ICC has dismissed the exclusion of Mustafizur from the IPL as an 'isolated' incident, the Bangladesh government insists it is directly linked to the broader hostility that necessitates a venue change.

The Bangladesh government has officially confirmed that the national cricket team will not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing ‘genuine security risks' amidst a volatile regional political climate. The announcement made by the Sports Adviser, Asif Nazrul, on Thursday, effectively defies the ultimatum set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) just a day earlier. Speaking to the media, the Sports Adviser made it clear that the safety of the delegation is non-negotiable. “Bangladesh is not travelling to India to play the World Cup due to the security risk—this is a decision made by the Bangladesh government. No other entity has any rights to take this decision,” he said. Read more: Travel to India for T20 World Cup or be replaced: ICC warns Bangladesh This statement overrides the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) attempts to negotiate and directly challenges the ICC's insistence on the original schedule. Addressing the potential financial and sporting repercussions of a boycott, the Adviser argued that national dignity and human safety carry a higher value. He urged the public and media to consider the alternative cost of capitulation. “You should also consider what the damage would be if we played the World Cup,” he said. “Pushing our players, fans, and journalists into a genuine risk amidst this regional political situation, with our heads bowed down... is a damage that must be weighed.” Despite the ICC's vote on Wednesday to replace Bangladesh with Scotland if they refuse to travel, the government remains hopeful for a last-minute diplomatic solution involving a venue change. Read more: India wins T20 series against New Zealand by 48 runs The Adviser insisted that the demand to play in Sri Lanka is valid and rooted in history. “We still hope the ICC will do justice,” he said. “There are many precedents in the world where matches are played at a different venue due to security risks. We have not given up hope yet.”

Abhishek Sharma blasted 84 off 35 balls to power India to a commanding 48-run win over New Zealand in the first T20 of the five-match series on Wednesday. Riding on Sharma’s eight sixes and five fours, India posted 238-7, the third-highest T20 total against New Zealand. Captain Suryakumar Yadav added 32 off 22 balls, while Rinku Singh finished unbeaten on 44 off 20 deliveries to provide the late surge. After being sent in, India lost Sanju Samson (10) and Ishan Kishan (8) early, but Sharma counterattacked and raced to a 22-ball fifty. He shared a rapid 99-run stand off 47 balls with Yadav as India crossed 100 inside nine overs. Yadav fell in the 11th over, and Mitchell Santner (1-37) then helped slow India’s momentum. Ish Sodhi struck in the following over to remove Sharma, and India slipped to 185-6 in 15.4 overs. Hardik Pandya scored 25 off 16 balls, while Shivam Dube and Axar Patel made 9 and 5 respectively. Singh, however, held firm at the end and accelerated in the final overs to lift India to a daunting total. Kyle Jamieson (2-54) and Jacob Duffy (2-27) took two wickets each for New Zealand. BPL Qualifier: Rajshahi defend 165 to knock out Sylhet, will face Chattogram in final In reply, New Zealand’s chase stumbled early as Devon Conway fell for a two-ball duck and Rachin Ravindra made 1. Tim Robinson scored 21 before Varun Chakravarthy (2-37) dismissed him in the seventh over, leaving the visitors at 52-3. Glenn Phillips kept the chase alive with a 78 off 40 balls, adding 79 off 42 deliveries with Mark Chapman, who scored 39 off 24 balls. Phillips reached his fifty off 29 balls and benefited from a few fielding lapses before he was eventually caught off Axar Patel in the 14th over. Despite Daryl Mitchell’s 28 off 18 balls and Santner’s unbeaten 20 off 13, New Zealand finished on 190-7, falling well short of the target. Sylhet Titans elect to field against Rangpur in BPL eliminator The series serves as preparation for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, beginning Feb. 7. The second match will be played in Raipur on Friday.

Rajshahi Warriors stormed into the final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), defeating the Sylhet Titans by 12 runs in a gripping second Qualifier on Wednesday. A stellar all-round bowling performance, led by Sri Lankan pacer Binura Fernando, dismantled Sylhet’s chase and set up a title clash against the Chittagong Royals, scheduled for Friday. Chasing a target of 166, Sylhet finished on 153 for 8, falling short despite valiant efforts from opener Parvez Hossain Emon and Sam Billings. The chase began disastrously as Fernando struck early, removing Zakir Hasan and Ariful Islam in a fiery opening spell. He finished with match-winning figures of 4 for 19 from his four overs. Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan was equally instrumental in the field, taking a record-breaking five catches—the most by any fielder in a single BPL innings. Sylhet’s hopes were kept alive by a 69-run partnership between Parvez (48 off 34) and Billings (37 off 26). However, a crucial run-out of Parvez in the 11th over shifted the momentum. Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals, and despite the equation narrowing to 24 runs off the final over, Chris Woakes and Nasum Ahmed could not pull off a miracle. Earlier, Rajshahi posted a competitive 165 for 9 after being asked to bat first. New Zealand star Kane Williamson, making his BPL debut after arriving in Dhaka just this morning, anchored the innings with a composed 45 off 38 balls. He was supported by fellow Kiwi Jimmy Neesham, who finally found form with a 44 off 26 balls. The duo rescued Rajshahi from a precarious 80 for 5, adding 68 runs for the sixth wicket. Rajshahi’s innings had started briskly with Tanzid Hasan smashing three sixes in an over off Moeen Ali, but a middle-order collapse sparked by Sylhet captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who took two wickets in two balls, threatened to derail them. Ultimately, the Kiwi pair’s resilience ensured Rajshahi had enough on the board to defend.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a strict ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB): travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup or be replaced. In a decisive board meeting on Wednesday, the global body voted in favor of bringing in a replacement team if Bangladesh persists in its refusal to play in the host nation.  The BCB has been granted a final 24-hour window to consult with its government and confirm whether they will adhere to the tournament schedule. If Bangladesh ultimately declines to travel, Scotland is expected to take their place in Group C, despite failing to qualify directly during the European Qualifiers. The decision to replace Bangladesh was reached via a majority vote by the ICC Board, which included directors from all Full Member nations, such as ICC Chair Jay Shah, BCB President Aminul Islam, and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Bangladesh not to accept any illogical ICC conditions under Indian pressure: Sports Adviser The vote proceeded despite a late diplomatic intervention from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had written to the ICC formally supporting Bangladesh’s stance regarding security concerns in India. The standoff centers on Bangladesh's refusal to play its group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, citing political turmoil and safety risks. However, an independent risk assessment report reviewed during the meeting reportedly stated that while the general threat environment in India is “moderate-high,” there is “no information to indicate a direct threat against participating teams.” Pakistan formally backs Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India With the tournament set to begin on February 7, the ICC has refused to alter the schedule or move matches to a neutral venue like Sri Lanka. The cricketing world now waits for the BCB's final response tomorrow, which will determine whether the Tigers compete or forfeit their spot on the global stage.