United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will feature five teams in its next edition, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) finalising franchise ownership following a meeting of the BPL Governing Council. Toggi Sports, a concern of Bashundhara Group, secured ownership of Rangpur Riders, while Triangular Services received the Chattogram franchise. Nabil Group took charge of Rajshahi, Cricket With Sami got Sylhet, and Champion Sports (Remark-Harllan) acquired the Dhaka franchise. BCB Governing Council member secretary Ifthekar Rahman said the selection process considered financial transparency and long-term stability. Ashraful named Bangladesh’s batting coach for Ireland series, Razzak to serve as team director “After thorough assessment, we finalized five teams based on their financial and operational clarity,” he told reporters. The franchises will hold ownership rights for the next five years. However, any team that fails to provide a Tk 10 crore bank guarantee within the next five working days will not be allowed to participate in the players’ draft. The upcoming BPL season is expected to start in mid-December, with the players’ draft scheduled for November 17. Team names and branding will be finalized after further discussions between the board and the new franchise owners.    

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful, in many people's eyes still the best batsman the country has produced, is set to serveas the national team’s batting coach for the upcoming home series against Ireland, while former spinner and current BCB director Abdur Razzak will serve as team director. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made the appointments at its board meeting on Monday night, confirmed by media committee chairman Amzad Hossain following the session. The Ireland series, featuring two Tests and three T20 internationals, begins later this month. Ashraful, once the youngest centurion in Test history, will take on his first coaching assignment with the senior national team. He is currently head coach of Barishal Division in the ongoing National Cricket League and previously served as batting coach of Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League. Razzak, who has been overseeing women’s cricket as a BCB director, will step into a broader leadership role for this series. His appointment as team director marks a continuation of the board’s policy of involving former players more directly in team management. The BCB clarified that the rest of the coaching staff will remain unchanged. Until now, Bangladesh had no specialist batting coach, with assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin informally handling batting duties. Ireland are scheduled to play two Tests and three T20s during their Bangladesh tour. The first Test starts on November 11 in Sylhet, followed by the second in Mirpur on November 19. The T20Is will take place on November 27 and 29 in Chattogram, with the final match set for December 2 in Mirpur.

The Indian women’s cricket team will take home an unprecedented windfall after their historic World Cup victory, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) awarding them over INR 54 crore (USD 4.48 million) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) adding another INR 70 crore in prize money. India beat South Africa by 52 runs in Sunday night’s final at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium to claim their first-ever Women’s World Cup title. The win capped a transformative era for the team under captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who led a dominant campaign through the tournament’s new prize structure — the richest ever in women’s cricket. The ICC had earlier set the total prize pool at about INR 168 crore, making this edition the most lucrative women’s global cricket event to date. India’s payout from the ICC alone surpasses the amount received by Spain’s footballers for winning the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by roughly INR 2 crore. BCCI secretary Debajit Saikia confirmed the domestic reward, saying the board would distribute INR 51 crore among players, coaches, and support staff. “Under Jay Shah’s leadership, the board has made equal pay and stronger incentives a priority. This victory is the result of that long-term vision,” Saikia told reporters on Monday. He noted that ICC chair Jay Shah recently tripled the prize money for women’s tournaments — from USD 2.88 million to USD 14 million — in accordance to the sport’s rapid growth and the board’s push for parity. The combined prize, worth nearly INR 125 crore in a single night, will be remembered as a milestone moment for women’s cricket in India — both in sporting success and financial recognition.

Rubaba Dowla, corporate leader and sports organiser, has officially been named a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), weeks after her selection was first approved following the board elections last month. The National Sports Council (NSC) on Monday issued a letter confirming her as one of its two nominated directors on the 25-member BCB board, completing the lineup under newly elected president Aminul Islam. Rubaba’s appointment had been pending since early October due to procedural formalities related to her corporate role. Her nomination replaces that of businessman Isfak Ahsan, whose inclusion in October had drew criticism because of his political affiliation with the Awami League and his participation in the 2024 national election. The NSC’s latest communication stated that Ahsan had “resigned,” paving the way for Rubaba’s formal appointment. Currently serving as Country Director of Oracle for Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, Rubaba is one of the most prominent women executives in the country’s corporate sector. Beyond business, she has long been involved in sports administration — leading the Bangladesh Badminton Federation from 2009 to 2015 and serving on the board of Special Olympics Bangladesh. Her association with cricket dates back to her years at Grameenphone, when the company sponsored the national team between 2003 and 2011. She also played a key role in setting up the National Cricket Academy in Mirpur in 2007 in collaboration with the BCB. The newly formed BCB board is expected to hold its upcoming meeting with Rubaba joining as an official director for the first time.  

India Women’s Cricket skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s long wait finally ended on Sunday night when the country lifted its first-ever ICC Cricket World Cup, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in front of a raucous crowd in Navi Mumbai. For the 36-year-old captain, who had endured four previous World Cups without success, the moment was both surreal and overwhelming. “I’m numb, I’m not able to understand,” Harmanpreet said after the win, ICC reported. “There were ups and downs, but the team always had self-belief. We weren’t looking to the left or right, only at our end goal.” It was the culmination of a 16-year journey for Harmanpreet, who made her World Cup debut in 2009 as a teenager under Jhulan Goswami’s leadership. Since then, she has seen India reached semifinals and even lost to England in the 2017 final. This time, on home soil, there was no denying her. India clinches first Women’s Cricket World Cup with win over South Africa After the final, Harmanpreet was joined by former greats Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, and Anjum Chopra — teammates from her early years — in emotional celebrations that brought together generations of Indian women’s cricket. “Jhulan di was my biggest support,” she said. “She led by example when I was raw and new. Sharing this moment with her and Anjum di means everything.” Smriti Mandhana, who has shared several campaigns with Harmanpreet, also embraced her skipper after the win. “We’ve gone home heartbroken many times,” Harmanpreet reflected. “But this time, we said we wouldn’t leave it behind.”    

India won the Women’s Cricket World Cup for the first time after defeating South Africa by 52 runs on Sunday. Opener Shafali Verma starred with a career-best 87 off 78 balls, helping the co-hosts post 298-7 in their 50 overs at DY Patil Stadium after losing the toss and batting first. In response, South Africa were bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, with their chase effectively ended after captain Laura Wolvaardt’s 101-run innings off 98 balls. Deepti Sharma claimed the final wicket, finishing with impressive figures of 5-39 from 9.3 overs. This marked India’s third World Cup final appearance, following their previous outings in 2005 and 2017, while South Africa were making their first-ever final appearance. Both teams fielded unchanged line-ups from the semifinals, in which India beat defending champions Australia by five wickets, and South Africa defeated four-time champions England by 125 runs. Sharma and Verma put in notable all-round performances. Drafted in last week to replace injured Pratika Rawal, Verma also contributed with the ball, taking 2-36. Sharma scored 58 runs before her five-wicket haul, helping India post the second-highest total in a Women’s World Cup final, behind Australia’s 356-5 against England in 2022. Wolvaardt shone with a well-crafted century, building on her semifinal heroics against England, but it was not enough to secure the trophy for South Africa.

Afghanistan ended up a 3–0 series win against Zimbabwe after a nine-run win in the third and final T20I in Harare on Sunday. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit a 92 off 48 balls while Ibrahim Zadran added 60, setting up Afghanistan’s total of 210 for 3, before their bowlers held off the home chase led by Sikandar Raza. Gurbaz and Zadran batted well from the start, sharing a 159-run opening stand that flattened Zimbabwe’s attack. Gurbaz reached a fifty in 30 balls, while Zadran kept the scoreboard going on at the other end. Their partnership laid the foundation for a fighting total, with Sediqullah Atal adding late show — an unbeaten 35 off 15 — as Afghanistan crossed 200 for the third time in T20Is. Zimbabwe’s reply began shakily as they slipped to 19 for 2, but Raza and Brian Bennett reignited hopes with a brisk 85-run stand. Raza hit 51 off 29, while Bennett contributed 47. But their efforts went in vain as they fell quickly, and despite Ryan Burl’s 37 off 15, Afghanistan’s bowlers closed out the innings effectively. Fareed Ahmad and Abdollah Ahmadzai struck in the death overs to end Zimbabwe’s chase at 201.

India produced an all-round performance to chase down 187 with nine balls to spare, defeating Australia by five wickets in the third T20I at Hobart to level the series 1–1. After losing the toss again, India’s bowlers—led by Arshdeep Singh—restricted Australia to 186 for 6 despite a brutal 74 off 38 balls from Tim David. Arshdeep, returning to the XI, took three crucial wickets including those of Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis, and was named Player of the Match for his 3 for 35. Varun Chakravarthy also struck twice, while Jasprit Bumrah kept the runs in check with tight death bowling. Tim David’s counterattack rescued Australia from 14 for 2, smashing four sixes and six fours in an explosive innings that turned the momentum briefly in the hosts’ favour. Stoinis supported him with 64, the pair adding 108 runs for the fourth wicket. But once Arshdeep dismissed Stoinis and David fell to Tilak Varma at long-off, India regained control. India’s reply was built on steady contributions throughout the batting order. Openers gave a brisk start, but it was Washington Sundar—promoted up the order—who anchored the chase with 49 not out off 23 balls. He shared an unbroken 43-run stand with Jitesh Sharma, who marked his return to international cricket after 18 months with a confident 22 not-out off 13. Earlier, India’s decision to include three new players—Arshdeep, Washington, and Jitesh—proved decisive. Washington’s clean hitting and Arshdeep’s early breakthroughs turned the game in India’s favour on a lively surface.

Kane Williamson announced his retirement from T20Is, aiming to focus more on the longer formats of the game. He has played T20Is for 14 years.  New Zealand recently beat England in an ODI series. After the series, Williamson confirmed his decision.  “It feels like the right time — for myself and for the team,” Williamson said in a statement. “I’ve loved every bit of playing T20 cricket for New Zealand, but it’s time to give the next group the clarity and opportunity they deserve.” Babar’s half-century powers Pakistan to series-clinching win over South Africa Williamson, 35, retires as New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer in the format, with 2,575 runs in 93 matches at an average of 33.44. He led the side in 75 of those games, including two World Cup semi-finals and the 2021 final against Australia, where his 85 remains one of the most memorable innings by a Kiwi batter in the format. “Performance is one thing, but his leadership, humility, and calmness have shaped the team’s culture for years,” New Zealand coach Rob Walter said. “He’s the kind of player you build a team around — on and off the field.” Williamson, who handed over the T20 captaincy to Mitchell Santner earlier this year, said he’s confident about the next generation. “Mitch is doing a wonderful job. It’s their time now, and I’ll be cheering from the sidelines,” Williamson said.  

Babar Azam marked his return to T20 cricket with a composed half-century, steering Pakistan to a four-wicket victory over South Africa and securing the three-match series 2-1 at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. Chasing 140, Pakistan reached the target with an over to spare, thanks to Babar’s 68 off 46 balls. Earlier, South Africa managed 139-9 after being sent in to bat for the third straight time in the series. The Proteas had won the opener by 55 runs in Rawalpindi, but Pakistan bounced back strongly with two convincing wins in Lahore to take the series. Returning to the side after nearly a year, Babar had been dismissed for a duck in the first match but surpassed Rohit Sharma’s T20 run record in the second. On Saturday, he played a captain’s knock—steady at first against George Linde’s spin before accelerating once the dew made conditions tougher for bowlers. Partnering with skipper Salman Ali Agha (33), Babar built a crucial 76-run stand that anchored Pakistan’s chase. He brought up his fifty with three consecutive fours off Ottneil Baartman, delighting the home crowd of more than 32,000. Pakistan faced a brief wobble when they lost four wickets for 14 runs, including Babar and Agha, but the outcome was never in doubt. Lizaad Williams (2-26) and Andile Simelane (1-23) took late wickets, though Babar’s innings had already sealed the result. India awaits Asia Cup trophy, BCCI threatens ICC escalation “This innings was long due,” Babar said after the match. “I backed myself, the team believed in me. It’s about absorbing pressure and playing according to the situation.” Earlier, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-26), rattled South Africa early. Afridi, back after being rested, removed Quinton de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the first over. Debutant Usman Tariq (2-26) impressed, while Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf also struck key blows as the Proteas stumbled to 76-6 by the 12th over. Reeza Hendricks (34) and Dewald Brevis (21) were the only notable scorers before Bosch’s unbeaten 30 helped South Africa reach a modest total. Pakistan and South Africa will now face off in a three-match ODI series starting Tuesday in Faisalabad. Source: AP