United News of Bangladesh

Aiden Markram’s Test career has seen highs and lows, including two times when he was dropped from South Africa’s lineup. The initial expectations were sky-high after he scored three centuries and two scores in the 90s within his first six months in Test cricket. But when his form dipped, critics quickly dismissed him as a fleeting talent. However, a fresh opportunity came in 2023 under new coach Shukri Conrad, and Markram made a strong return with a century against the West Indies and another against India in Cape Town. Yet, another slump followed — 16 innings without a hundred — including a duck against Mitchell Starc on the first day of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. But on Friday, faced with a challenging target of 282, Markram rose to the occasion. On a sluggish pitch, he anchored the innings with an unbeaten 102, forging a vital unbroken 143-run partnership with skipper Temba Bavuma, who battled through a hamstring injury to score 65. Their stand has brought South Africa within 69 runs of a historic win. Australia leads South Africa by 218 runs after wickets tumble again on Day 2 of WTC final Markram was emotional after reaching his eighth Test century near the close of play but kept his celebration low-key, knowing the job was not finished yet. “He's definitely a big-match player,” said batting coach Ashwell Prince. “Technically, the adjustments were minor — he had been pushing his hands away from his body a bit too much. Once he reviewed some footage, he corrected it quickly. That hundred against India at Newlands last year — on a tough pitch — showed what he’s capable of.” Even after his duck in the first innings, Markram retained belief in his form, drawing confidence from five fifties in 13 IPL innings earlier this year. While it's a different format, the performances helped his mindset going into the final. Wickets galore on Day 1 of the WTC final between South Africa and Australia Markram is now in contention for player of the final, not just for his batting. He also chipped in with the ball, taking key wickets, including Steve Smith in the first innings and Josh Hazlewood in the second — ending Australia’s resistance. Minutes later, he returned to open the chase and now stands on the brink of sealing South Africa’s triumph over the reigning champions.

A low-scoring World Test Championship final was heading to a thrilling conclusion after Australia took a 74-run first-innings lead before being reduced to 144-8 by South Africa by the close of Day 2 at Lord’s on Thursday. It was a landmark day for Australia captain Pat Cummins, who took 6-28 to get to 300 wickets in his test career and dismiss the Proteas for 138 following a whirlwind hour after lunch when the Baggy Greens claimed South Africa's last five batters for 12 runs in 5.5 overs. A test dominated by pace bowling continued in that vein in Australia’s second innings, with Kagiso Rabada — who took 5-51 to help restrict the Australians to 212 all out on Day 1 — again removing Usman Khawaja (6) and Cameron Green (0) in one over before Lungi Ngidi took three wickets, including dangerman Steve Smith (13), in an inspired spell. Tottering at 73-7, Australia managed to rebuild in the final hour through a crucial eighth-wicket partnership of 61 between wicketkeeper Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16 not out). Rabada (3-44) trapped Carey lbw in another twist in the next-to-last over at the home of cricket as 14 wickets tumbled for the second straight day. Australia led by 218 going into the third and potentially final day of the third edition of test cricket’s big new showpiece in its bid to retain the mace. South Africa is seeking its first ICC trophy in any format this century. “Obviously, we're really in a good position now,” Ngidi said. "Two balls could wrap it up for us. “If we are chasing anything under 230, it won't be easy with the bowling lineup they have but we'd like to give ourselves the best chance of that.” Cummins the star for Australia The Australians might also think they're in a good spot — and that was in large part down to their captain. After South Africa resumed on 43-4, Cummins took five of the final six wickets — the other was a run-out — to claim the best bowling figures by a captain at Lord’s. He became the eighth Aussie to get to 300 wickets. Tigers to fly for Sri Lanka on Friday with eye on World Test Championship place “It’s way more than I could’ve asked for," the understated skipper said. “For any fast bowler, 300 is a big number — it means you’ve battled a few injuries and niggles and got through it. I’m pretty happy.” Cummins' exploits meant South Africa slumped from 126-5 to 138 all out in barely 40 minutes after lunch. Only four batters got into double figures and only two above 20 — captain Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45). “I don’t think he ever misses,” Bedingham said of Cummins. “There is always energy in every ball he bowls. He bowled 18 overs and his energy from over one to 18 was the same. He has a good bouncer and all the skills you need. He is world class." Carey's redemption In Australia's second innings, there was redemption for Carey in a couple of ways. This was his first test appearance at Lord's since that memorable Ashes match two years ago when Carey and the Australians were roundly and loudly abused by the crowd — and in the Long Room by Marylebone Cricket Club members — after his controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow, who had wandered out of his crease without checking if the ball was dead. And on Wednesday, Carey missed a reverse sweep against Keshav Maharaj, loosening Australia's control and starting a late-innings collapse of 5-20. He made partial amends with a significant knock of 43 just as his team was creaking and giving up the advantage to the Proteas in a match that swung to and fro. He crashed five fours in a 50-ball cameo that knocked South Africa out of its stride, even if just for an hour. Wickets galore on Day 1 of the WTC final between South Africa and Australia Starc was still in the middle at stumps — alongside Nathan Lyon (1) — but only because Marco Jansen dropped a regulation catch at gully off Wiaan Mulder in the last over. Bedingham said it was “an amazing day of cricket." “When they started batting in the third innings, we would have taken them at what is effectively 220-8,” he said. “We are confident and there is massive belief in this team.”

Bangladesh cricket team will fly for Sri Lanka on Friday (June 13) to play a two-match Test series of the World Test Championship against hosts Sri Lanka, targeting the 4th to 6th place in the World Championship. The two-match Test series beginning at the Galle International Stadium on June 17 while the 2nd match will begin at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo from June 25. On completion of a two-day practice match on Thursday, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in a media briefing said, “We will try our best to be in the top 4th and 6th place inn the championship although we finished 7th in the last  cycle.” Apart from Test Championship, touring Bangladesh will play a full pledged series against the hosts Sri Lanka featuring a three-match ODI and three-match T20 series. Miraz named Bangladesh ODI captain for one year Bangladesh will play first two matches of the three-match ODI series on July 2, 5 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo while the 3rd match will be held on July 8 at the Pallekele International Stadium. The first T20 match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be held on July 10 at the Pallakelle International Stadium, the 2nd match billed for July 13 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium  and while the 3rd T20 matches will be played R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 16. Bangladesh Test Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Sadman Islam, Enamul Haque Bijoy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mahidul Islam Akand, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayem Hasan.  Hasan Murad, Ebadot Hossain,, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana and Khaled Mahmud.   

Allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been named captain of Bangladesh’s ODI team for the next 12 months, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed in a statement on Thursday. The 27-year-old replaces Najmul Hossain Shanto and will begin his full-time captaincy with the upcoming three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka next month. Miraz has previously led the side in four ODIs when Shanto was unavailable. “The Board felt that Miraz’s consistent performances with bat and ball, his ability to fight and inspire, and his presence on and off the field make him an ideal candidate,” said Nazmul Abedeen, Chairman of BCB’s Cricket Operations Committee. “We are in a transitional phase in ODI cricket, and we believe he has the temperament and maturity to guide the team forward,” he added. Shanto, who was at the helm in recent months, remains part of the leadership group. “We thank him for the character he has shown as captain. His contribution with the bat remains vital,” the BCB added in the statement. Miraz brings a solid record to the job, having scored 1,617 runs and taken 110 wickets in 105 ODIs. BFF considering complaint to AFC on refereeing in Singapore match He is currently ranked No. 4 in the ICC ODI allrounder rankings—the highest ever for a Bangladeshi player—and joins an elite group that includes Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan in completing the 1,000-run, 100-wicket double in the format. “It’s a huge honour,” said Miraz. “Leading the country is a dream for any cricketer. I want us to play fearless cricket, perform with confidence, and give our best for Bangladesh.”

Australia overcame a miserable morning to rock South Africa back on its heels by the end of day one of the World Test Championship at Lord's on Wednesday. Ball dominated bat all day as 14 wickets fell on a slow pitch for 255 runs. South Africa's Kagiso Rabada took 5-51 and new-ball partner Marco Jansen 3-49 to brilliantly rout the defending champion for 212, the last five wickets for just 20 runs. But even in the baking sunshine, the Australia pacers were even more potent. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins strangled the Proteas batters to 43-4 in 22 overs by stumps. The trickle of runs made Beau Webster's 72 and Steve Smith's 66 even more remarkable. They were the only batters all day to score more than 23. “Starcy had the ball on a string,” Webster told the BBC. “It's tricky for a batsman. Our bowling attack's been so strong. We know if we don't quite get it down with the bat, our bowlers will get it down. Outstanding effort from the boys.” Australia's 212 total looked to be below par until its fast bowlers made it seem imperious. Starc got Aiden Markram to chop on for a duck in the first over of South Africa's reply. Starc got the other opener, Ryan Rickelton, to edge to slips on 16. Starc should have also had Wiaan Mulder on 1 but wicketkeeper Alex Carey dropped a sitter. Mulder dug in for 44 balls to make 6 when he opened up to drive at Cummins and was bowled through the gate at 25-3. In the same over, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma defended and edged Cummins but the ball dropped just short of Usman Khawaja in the slips. Bavuma would reach stumps on 3 off 37 balls but without Tristan Stubbs, who was castled on 2 by Hazlewood. David Bedingham finished the day with consecutive boundaries, only his team's fourth and fifth of a bleak innings. Australia is defending the WTC mace it won for the first time in 2023, while South Africa is chasing its first ICC trophy in this century. Proteas wisely bowl first When he won the toss, Bavuma didn't hesitate to put the ball in the hands of his two biggest threats, Rabada and Jansen. Australia, South Africa lock in XIs for WTC final at Lord’s They pounced on the bowler-friendly conditions: So overcast and gloomy that the stadium lights were turned on after the 10 a.m. toss. Many of the Proteas hadn't played at Lord's but they'd done their homework; Rabada bowled up the slope looking for edges and Jansen bowled down the slope looking to nip ones in. They were disciplined and rewarded with four wickets in the first session. Rabada's wobble seam struck out Khawaja on a 20-ball duck for the sixth time in 11 tests, and Cameron Green on 4 in the same over. Green was batting at No. 3 in a test for the first time and edged Rabada to second slip, where Markram took a great ankle-high catch. All this time, Marnus Labuschagne, Khawaja's fifth opening partner in 17 months and opening for the first time in a test, scratched around the crease looking for rhythm amid a long, lean spell. The veteran looked as set as is possible to be after an hour and a half in hostile conditions, scoring 17 from 56 balls, until he feathered Jansen behind and slow-walked back to the pavilion at 46-3. Smith was joined by the aggressive Travis Head. In the 2023 final, they joined at 76-3 and partnered for 285 runs. Not this time. Lunch was two minutes away when Head fell for a Jansen tickle down leg that keeper Kyle Verreynne took spectacularly with a diving one-handed catch. Australia was 67-4 at lunch, during which the sun started peeking through. Lord’s lore says the sunshine makes batting easier. Smith made hay. His ninth boundary brought up his 50 and Australia's 100. Webster rode his luck. He struggled to handle Rabada and Jansen but once they left he accelerated. Together, old stager Smith and the novice Webster — he debuted in January — cruised to 79 together and South Africa was flagging in rising temperatures. Bavuma undermined South Africa's cause with poor review decisions: They didn't review a plumb lbw for Rabada, reviewed a lbw shout which hit the middle of the bat, and wasted a second review. When Mulder wanted to change ends, Bavuma accommodated by giving the ball to part-time spinner Markram. He tossed one up and Smith, who'd passed his Lord's average of 58, gave a thick edge behind to the 2.06-meter (6-foot-8) Jansen, who juggled the catch. England sweeps T20 series against West Indies Webster, with his second test fifty, and Carey got Australia to tea at a healthy 190-5. But after the break Carey gave away his wicket to Keshav Maharaj and the tail collapsed in 26 more minutes, mopped up by Rabada, who was suspended only six weeks ago, and Jansen. “He was unbelievable,” Jansen said of Rabada. “I could see in the game blood in his eyes.” Rabada's second five-for at Lord's earned him a standing ovation. But by the day's end, it was the Australian fans applauding.

The stage is set for the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, with both Australia and South Africa announcing their playing elevens ahead of the much-anticipated clash. Pat Cummins will lead a near full-strength Australian side aiming to defend their 2023 title. In contrast, South Africa are chasing their maiden WTC crown, having reached the final after a run of seven straight wins in the second half of the cycle. The Proteas have backed Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram to open, while Wiaan Mulder slots in at No. 3. Temba Bavuma captains the side, with Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham adding firepower in the middle. England sweeps T20 series against West Indies The experienced Kagiso Rabada leads the bowling attack, joined by Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. Australia have recalled Josh Hazlewood, who missed large parts of the summer due to injury. He joins Cummins, Starc, and Lyon in a seasoned attack. Marnus Labuschagne has moved to the top alongside Usman Khawaja, with Cameron Green returning as a specialist batter at No. 3 after recovering from a back injury. Beau Webster retains his spot as the all-rounder following strong recent form. This is South Africa’s first WTC Final appearance, while Australia are hoping to become the first back-to-back champions since the tournament’s inception in 2019. Cricket's Hall of Fame inducts Dhoni, Mir, Smith, Amla, Hayden, Vettori and Taylor Playing XIs: Australia: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

England completed a 3-0 sweep of the Twenty20 international series against the West Indies after smashing 248-3 en route to a 37-run win in Southampton on Tuesday. Put into bat for what proved a high-scoring third and final match of the series, England racked up its second-highest total in the format as Ben Duckett made a 46-ball 84 and put on 120 for the opening wicket with Jamie Smith, whose 26-ball 60 included five sixes. England delivered its highest-ever score after 10 overs of a T20 — 135-1 — and never let up, with captain Harry Brook (35) and Jacob Bethell (36) sharing an unbroken stand of 70 in 5.1 over to help set an imposing target of 249. The Windies never really got close on a good batting track though still made a commendable 211-8 after slipping to 70-4 after 7.1 overs. Rovman Powell was the top scorer for the tourists with an unbeaten 79 off 45 balls, and captain Shai Hope had a 27-ball 45. Cricket's Hall of Fame inducts Dhoni, Mir, Smith, Amla, Hayden, Vettori and Taylor England also won the ODI series between the teams by a 3-0 margin, marking an ideal start to the white-ball captaincy for Brook. England's focus switches to test cricket now, with a highly anticipated five-match series against India starting June 20

Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) General Secretary Syed Ashraful Haque has expressed his desire of contesting the upcoming BCB elections in October. He also expressed keen to lead the board and bring structural reforms to the country’s cricket administration. In an interview with a local media, the former BCB official said he was seriously considering a return to cricket governance after years away from the national setup. “I’ve spent a long time working in cricket, both at home and abroad. Now, at this stage of life, I want to give something back,” he said. Ashraf, who served as CEO of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for over a decade, said he wants to bring decentralisation to BCB operations if elected. “For 25 years we’ve talked about forming regional cricket associations, but it still hasn’t happened. Cricket cannot remain centralised in Dhaka and a few cities,” he said. “We must take cricket to rural areas, set up independent local bodies that can operate without constant central interference.” A former cricketer himself, Ashraf was the first Bangladeshi batter to score a double century in domestic competition in the early 1980s. He later became a prominent figure in cricket governance, especially during his long tenure at the ACC. HC issues rule over BCB director appointment, orders ‘status quo’ on board operations “Yes, I will contest for president. Given my age and experience, this is the right time. But even as a director, one can contribute significantly—if they are allowed to,” he said when asked whether he would seek the presidency if elected to the board. He also stressed the need for financial transparency at the BCB. “At the ACC, we published financial reports every two weeks on the website. BCB should do the same. The public deserves accountability.” Ashraf also took aim at the overreach of the BCB president’s role, calling for constitutional reforms to curb excessive control. “A board president should not be a one-man show,” he said. “This centralised model is holding our cricket back.” Declining to comment directly on the recent removal of Faruque Ahmed and appointment of Aminul Islam Bulbul as interim BCB president, Ashraf made it clear he wants no part in the board’s political games. “I’m not here for internal politics,” he said. “I’m here to help improve cricket.” Former captain Aminul Islam Bulbul installed as new BCB president BCB’s next general election will take place later this year, which will be the first election since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government that triggered widespread overhaul in administration of many organisations in the country.

Two-time world champion Mahendra Singh Dhoni led the 2025 class of seven cricketers into the ICC Hall of Fame on Monday. He was joined by Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla, South Africa's most successful captain and second highest test scorer, Matthew Hayden of Australia, Daniel Vettori of New Zealand, Sarah Taylor of England, and Sana Mir, the first woman from Pakistan to be inducted. “From dreaming as a little girl that one day there would even be a women's team in our country to now standing here, inducted among the very legends I idolized long before I ever held a bat or a ball, this is a moment I couldn't have dared to imagine,” Mir said. Nobody has captained India in more matches than Dhoni. Under his leadership, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and topped the test rankings for 18 months in between. He was named to the ODI and T20 world teams of the decade at the end of 2019. Smith became South Africa's youngest captain at 22. He led in a world record 109 tests and won 53, including the Proteas' first series win in Australia in 2008-09 in which he played with a broken hand. Amla spent 13 hours scoring South Africa's first triple century, 311 against England at the Oval in 2012. He also rose to No. 1 in the ODI rankings. Euro T20 League with Bollywood Backing Delayed Until 2026 Hayden was an opening batter for Australia for 16 years. He briefly took Brian Lara's test record with 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth, and hit three centuries while winning the 2007 ODI World Cup. Vettori became the youngest man to debut for New Zealand in tests at 18 in 1997, and the left-arm spinner became only the third man in history to take 300 test wickets and hit 4,000 runs. Taylor set the standard for women wicketkeepers with a record 232 dismissals across the formats. She was a key contributor in England's ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup double in 2009 and another ODI World Cup triumph in 2017. Mir led Pakistan for seven of her 15 years in the team, winning two Asian Games. She started as a pace bowler but a stress fracture forced her to switch to off-spin. She retired as Pakistan's leading wicket-taker in ODIs and second highest in T20s.

The launch of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which was scheduled for this summer, has been pushed back to 2026. The delay is largely due to three prospective franchise owners shifting their focus to finalizing stake acquisitions in The Hundred, England’s city-based cricket competition. The ETPL, partly owned by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, was set to feature teams from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, with matches planned between July 15 and August 3 across cities including Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam. Cricket Ireland is leading the project in coordination with its Scottish and Dutch counterparts. Although negotiations for at least half of the six city-based teams are nearing completion, the involved investors have prioritized their interests in The Hundred after the ECB extended its sales deadline in April. This shift has caused a ripple effect, ultimately leading to the ETPL's postponement. A formal announcement is expected within two days. Bachchan, who co-owns the league through Indian firm Rules Sport Tech, had actively promoted the tournament in Ireland earlier this year. Despite the setback, organizers remain optimistic, insisting the ETPL will avoid the fate of the Euro T20 Slam—an earlier attempt at a similar league that was indefinitely postponed after multiple delays since 2019. Cricket boards from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands have declined to comment on the situation.