United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh star bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been added to the players' draft of the Abu Dhabi T10 league that will commence in the UAE on November 23.  The left-arm pacer was roped in by Bangla Tigers in the first edition of the event, but he was not allowed to take part in this event by the BCB.  The pacer has been going through a bad patch for a while now. In his last five T20Is, Mustafizur managed to grab only five wickets.  Before Mustafizur, Bangladesh Test and T20 captain Shakib Al Hasan and ODI captain Tamim Iqbal have also been added to the players' draft. Shakib has already signed a contract with Bangla Tigers. Bangladesh batter Aftab Ahmed will coach this team, and cricket analyst and coach Nazmul Abedin Faheem will also work with this team as a consultant. Read: IPL 2022: Delhi’s Mustafizur Rahman eyes to end his wicket drought A total of eight teams will participate in the sixth edition of Abu Dhabi T10.  The Abu Dhabi T10 has been generating huge support for the last few years. The most attractive aspect of this league is it takes only 90 minutes to complete a match. 

All the major cricketing nations are now busy preparing for the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2022, which will take place in less than a month. India, the top-ranked side in the world, will host Australia, the defending World Cup winners, for a three-match Twenty20 international series beginning on September 20 (Monday). Let’s take a look at IND vs AUS's six key stats in T20 format. India vs Australia T20I: Six records which must need to know Whenever India and Australia meet each other in a bilateral series, that sparks interest among cricket fans in general. Especially over the last two decades, the rivalry between the two sides has reached a new height. Cricket’s shortest format, Twenty20, is not an exception. Both teams have met each other on 23 occasions in the Twenty20 format. The Indian side is leading the head-to-head duel with 13 victories, while Australia have nine victories. Here are six interesting stats of the IND vs AUS contest in the Twenty20 format. Read Bangladesh continue to shine in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 Most bilateral T20I series victories: India India and Australia have played a total of nine T20I series to date. The Indian side has led the head-to-head battle with four wins, while Australia have won only two. The remaining three series ended in a draw. Virat Kohli: The top scorer Virat Kohli is currently leading the most runs scorers chart with 718 runs in 19 innings. He has also hit seven half-centuries between the two sides and has a stellar 146.23 strike rate. Jasprit Bumrah: The highest wicket-taker India’s pace bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has picked up the most wickets with 15 in 11 innings. He has maintained a 16.2 strike rate with an economy rate of 7.45. Read Pacers Rubel, Shafiul say goodbye to first-class cricket Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell: The two Centurions Australia’s Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell are the only two players who have hundreds in T20Is between India and Australia. Watson scored his hundred (124*) in Sydney in 2016, while Maxwell notched his century (113*) in Bengaluru in 2019. MS Dhoni: Most Dismissals Former Indian captain MS Dhoni has the most dismissals in T20Is between the two sides. He has a total of 15 dismissals in 17 innings. Glenn Maxwell: Most sixes Australia's Glenn Maxwell has hit the most sixes of the two teams. Maxwell has hammered 28 sixes in 15 innings. Read The times Shakib Al Hasan found himself in controversies Bottom Line   India is a challenging opponent at home. Therefore, the home team will start as the favourite to defeat the Australian team in the series. The Indian players have also outperformed their Australian counterparts in head-to-head statistics, which may give them more confidence going into the IND vs AUS T20I series. However, the Australian team can draw motivation from their most recent T20I series triumph in India in 2019.

Bangladesh have secured a place in the semifinals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 with two consecutive victories over Ireland and Scotland in the group phase. Their final group stage match against the United States will be crucial for finishing first in group A. Let’s have a look at the Bangladesh women’s team’s journey in the qualifier so far. Bangladesh’s Performance in the Group Phase of the 2022 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier The Bangladesh women’s team is playing in Group A where Scotland, Ireland, and the United States are their opponents. The tigress was the pre-tournament favourite to advance from this group, and they have performed as predicted. Bangladesh vs Ireland Bangladesh started off their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 campaign with a satisfying 14-run win over Ireland on Sunday (September 18). Batting first, Bangladesh posted 143/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Read Women’s T20 WC Qualifiers: Bangladesh beat Ireland In reply, the Irish side was bowled out for 129 and lost the contest to their counterpart. Skipper Nigar Sultana (67) played a responsible knock for Bangladesh and won the Player of the Match award. Salma Khatun was the most successful bowler for the tigress, with 3 wickets. Bangladesh vs Scotland The Bangladesh women’s team was even more impressive in their second fixture against Scotland. The bowlers did the real damage to the Scottish side by bowling them out for only 77 runs in 19.3 overs. Off-spinner Shohely Akhter was the most successful bowler for Bangladesh with 4 wickets. Bangladesh chased down the target in 13 overs for the loss of four wickets. Bangladesh vs USA Bangladesh will play their third fixture against the United States on Wednesday (September 21). The United States team is considerably less strong than the other opponents in the group. So, Bangladesh's side is expected to clinch the battle in its quest to finish at the top of the points table for Group A. Read Women’s T20 WC Qualifiers: Bangladesh script 2nd successive win Bottom Line   The Bangladesh women's team has displayed good consistency in the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022. The Tigress is therefore expected to finish atop Group A and play the second-place team from Group B in the semifinals. The Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier's semifinal and championship games will take place on September 23 and September 25, respectively.

After defeating Ireland in the first match of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers, Bangladesh have triumphed over Scotland as well -- their second successive win. In the last group match, Bangladesh will take on the United States of America. On Monday, Bangladesh bowled first after losing the toss and wrapped up Scotland only for 77 runs all out in 19.3 overs. Also read: Women’s T20 WC Qualifiers: Bangladesh beat Ireland Lorna Jack was the highest run-getter for Scotland scoring 22, while wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Bryce was only the other batter for them to reach a double-digit score (14).   Shohely Akhter, who was playing only her second match after a break of eight years from international cricket, bagged four wickets conceding seven runs in four overs— her career-best bowling performance. Nahida Akter took two wickets.= Bangladesh sealed the match in just 13 overs. Nigar Sultana, the Bangladesh captain, scored the highest -- 34 -- for her team, while Murshida Khatun and Rumana Ahmed scored 15 and 11 runs, respectively. Rachel Slater bagged two wickets for Scotland. With two wins in two matches, Bangladesh are close to the semifinals. If they can qualify for the finals of this event, they will get a ticket to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 which will take place in February 2023 in South Africa.

Bangladesh women beat Ireland by 14 runs in their first match of the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier on September 19 night in Abu Dhabi.  Bangladesh batted first after winning the toss and posted 143 for four in 20 overs. In reply, Ireland tumbled for 129 in 19.4 overs and lost the match by 14 runs.  Read:Jahanara ruled out of ICC Women's T20 World Cup qualifiers Nigar Sultana, the Bangladesh captain, led from the front scoring 67 off 53 balls. She hit 10 fours and one six. Opening batter Shamima Sultana also did well scoring 48 off 40 balls.  For Ireland, Eimear Richardson, Leah Paul, Arlene Kelly and Laura Delany bagged one wicket each.  In reply to Bangladesh’s challenging total,  Eimear Richardson was the only Irish batter to offer some resistance. She scored 40 off just 26 deliveries with four fours and one six.  Amy Hunter and captain Laura Delany scored 33 and 28 respectively. But their efforts were not enough for them to avoid defeat.  Read:The times Shakib Al Hasan found himself in controversies Veteran Bangladeshi allrounder Salma Khatun bagged three wickets conceding 19 runs in four overs while Sanjida Akter Meghla and Nahida Akter took two wickets each.  Bangladesh will take on Scotland and the United States of America in their next two matches on September 19 and 21. Both the matches will be played at the international cricket stadium in Abu Dhabi. 

Bangladesh pace bowlers Rubel Hossain and Shafiul Islam have opted to retire from first-class cricket, according to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Rubel and Shafiul are not interested in playing the longer version of the game anymore, and they want to focus on white ball cricket now, Minhajul Abedin, the chief selector of the BCB, said Sunday. Read: Bangladesh A v Afghanistan A series postponed The National Cricket League, the biggest first-class cricket event in Bangladesh, will begin in the second week of October. Rubel and Shafiul will not be part of this event. Rubel played 60 first-class matches, including 27 Tests for Bangladesh. He bagged 97 wickets in longer version cricket with four five-fors. Shafiul played 62 first-class matches, including 11 Tests and picked up 164 wickets.  

The series between Bangladesh A and Afghanistan A scheduled for October has been postponed indefinitely, confirmed BCB. Along with the young players, a few national team players were picked for the A team to play in this series. But the Afghanistan Cricket Board said they decided to reschedule this series later. “This their internal issue,” Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the BCB chief executive officer, told the media on Sunday. “Afghanistan Cricket Board hosts series out of their home. So they may have some logistic problems. We are not sure. They said they want to host this series later.” Russell Domingo, the head coach of the Bangladesh team, was assigned to tour UAE for this series with Bangladesh A team. BCB CEO said they are trying to host a longer version series for the Bangladesh A team during the same period which was slated for the series against Afghanistan. But he did not reveal details about it.

Arguably the most successful Bangladeshi cricketer, Shakib Al Hasan’s tendency to be controversy's favorite child has once again emerged as his company, Monarch Holdings Ltd., has been charged with share price manipulation. Here are some of the major controversies that have haunted the ace all-rounder. Major controversies involving Shakib Al Hasan Involvement of Shakib’s company in share manipulation (2022) Shakib Al Hasan has recently been involved in an off-field scandal because of the manipulation of stock prices by his company, Monarch Holdings Ltd. The firm was involved in pricing manipulation, according to a DSE probe. Managing director of the business, Kazi Sadia Hasan, was also shown to have engaged in individual stock manipulation. However, the BSEC investigative report did not specifically identify Shakib Al Hasan as a manipulator. Sponsorship deal with Betwinner News (2022)   BCB had considered appointing Shakib Al Hasan as the new captain of the Bangladesh T20 side for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup 2022 after the Zimbabwe series. But Shakib’s involvement with a betting site, Betwinner News, stirred controversy over whether he is eligible to even play for the national side. Also read: Shakib’s company involved in share manipulation, DSE investigation finds Just weeks before Asia Cup cricket, Shakib Al Hasan’s deal with betting company Betwinner News once again made headlines. The star all-rounder eventually rescinded his contract with the company, effectively ending all speculation about his participation in the Asia Cup.  Entering country’s gold market without necessary approval (2022)   Shakib Al Hasan sparked another off-field controversy in May 2022 when he entered the country’s gold market. Shakib Al Hasan’s Reliable Commodity Exchange Company and Buraq Commodities Exchange Company received a letter from Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), requesting an explanation over their entry into the gold market without required permission.  Multiple sources claim that Bangladesh Bank did provide Buraq Commodities Exchange Company permission to legitimately import and trade gold bars and associated products. However, they failed to obtain BSEC approval in this respect. Also read: Shakib cancels contract with Betwinner News after BCB warning Skipping Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka for IPL participation (2021) Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were due to play a two-match test series as part of the ICC Test Championship in the months of April and May of 2021. Shakib Al Hasan was hesitant to visit Sri Lanka, preferring to concentrate on competing in the lucrative Indian Premier League. He finally decided to skip national service and play in the IPL 2021. One-year suspension by ICC (2019) Perhaps the biggest controversy involving Shakib Al Hasan was when International Cricket Council (ICC) banned him from all cricket for two years – with one year of that suspended – for concealing multiple corrupt approaches by an Indian bookmaker. Shakib was found guilty and, subsequently, he accepted the ban by cricket’s highest governing body in October 2019. Asking Bangladesh players to walk out of the field during a Nidahas Trophy match against Sri Lanka (2018)   The final group stage match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was a do-or-die quest for the Nidahas Trophy final. Both sides were all in for the contest, and it got even hotter in the final over. Bangladesh players protested the umpire’s decision to not call wide of two over-shoulder-height balls. Shakib asked Mahmudullah Riyad and Rubel Hossain to leave the field. The situation eventually got under control and Bangladesh went on to win the match by 2 wickets with 1 ball remaining. Shakib received harsh criticism for his actions from the Sri Lankan media. Read Shakib cancels contract with Betwinner News after BCB warning Indecent gesture towards fans during a World Cup match (2011) Bangladesh were thought to be one of the favourites to reach the quarter-finals of Group B in the 2011 ICC World Cup. The West Indian side were their main rivals for the fourth-place finish in the point standings. However, their performance against the Caribbean side was dismantled, bowled out for only 58 runs after batting first at Sher-e-Bangla stadium. The West Indies chased down the target in 12.2 overs for the loss of one wicket. Seeing this horrible performance by the Bangladesh team, the spectators from the stands booed the players. Shakib didn’t take it well and responded by showing his middle finger towards the galleries. Way forward Shakib has been responsible for many memorable victories for Bangladesh. However, a smart cricketer on the pitch, Shakib, has often made headlines for the wrong reasons, which has damaged his reputation globally. Like always, the talented all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will probably succeed in getting through the latest controversy. But this does not bode well for his cricketing legacy. Read Shakib serves legal notice to Banglalink, Jamuna Bank ; demands Tk 5.8 crore fine

Bangladesh have suffered a big blow ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup qualifiers as their right-arm pacer Jahanara Alam has been ruled out of the event due to a hand injury. The experienced bowler needed two stitches in her right hand for the injury she sustained Thursday during a practice session in Abu Dhabi. She was replaced by Fariha Islam Trisna. Read: It's time for young guns to fire on all cylinders: Nurul Hasan Meanwhile, batter Fargana Hoque Pinky tested positive for Covid-19 and is being treated as per the medical protocol of the event. Shohaly Akhther was named as her replacement. The replacement players will join the team in Abu Dhabi Saturday. Bangladesh's campaign in the tournament will start with the match against Ireland on 18 September.  

Bangladesh T20 team vice-captain Nurul Hasan Sohan has said the time has come for the young guns of the team to fire on all cylinders. In the upcoming World Cup, Bangladesh will miss the services of Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad. While Tamim and Mushfiqur called time on T20s, Mahmudullah was overlooked by the selectors. In this situation, the young players will have to take the responsibility on their shoulders, Nurul said. "The senior players have performed really well for Bangladesh cricket. They have brought us here, now the onus is on us to take the team forward," he said after a training session Thursday. "Many players of the T20 World Cup squad have been playing international cricket for more than five years. So, they will have to deliver no," he added. Read: Twenty20 World Cup 2022: 5 issues Bangladesh team should address "We are more mature as cricketers now. We always want to do well for Bangladesh. If we can play as a team, can stick to our plan, I think the result will come our way," he added. Nurul was Bangladesh's captain during the Zimbabwe tour. But an injury ruled him out of the team. The wicketkeeper-batter also missed the Asia Cup due to that injury. Now he is ready to make a comeback with the two-match series against the UAE this month. The Bangladesh team will leave for the UAE on September 22. The T20 series against the UAE will be played on September 25 and 27 at the Dubai International Stadium. After the series, the Bangladesh team will return home for a break of two-three days. Following that, the Tigers will fly to New Zealand for the tri-series against New Zealand and Pakistan.