United News of Bangladesh

A confident West Indies will look to continue their winning streak and stay on top of Group C when they take on a struggling Nepal in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The Caribbean side has won both of its matches and leads the group with the best net run rate. Another win will strengthen their chances of finishing as group toppers, especially with a match against Italy coming up next. However, they are expected to stay cautious despite Nepal’s poor run so far. Nepal, though yet to win in the tournament, have shown moments of resilience and could pose a surprise challenge. They also carry confidence from their 2-1 T20I series win over West Indies last September. But the team will be eager to bounce back after a heavy defeat to Italy in their previous match. West Indies entered the tournament quietly after series losses to New Zealand, Afghanistan and South Africa. However, their strong performances here — including wins over Scotland and England suggest they have regained form at the right time. Different players have stepped up in each match, pleasing head coach Daren Sammy. Aggressive batting from Shimron Hetmyer and the steady presence of Roston Chase have strengthened the middle order, while Sherfane Rutherford made a key impact against England. However, their pace bowlers may face a challenge on Wankhede pitches, which have favoured spinners in recent matches. Zimbabwe stun Australia by 23 runs in T20 World Cup Nepal, meanwhile, must recover from their 10-wicket loss to Italy and improve both batting and bowling plans. Their spin attack, led by Sandeep Lamichhane, will need better execution after questionable decisions in the last game. Although Nepal’s chances of reaching the Super Eight look slim after two losses, the team still has pride and momentum to fight for as they seek their first T20 World Cup win since 2014. With inputs from NDTV

Zimbabwe caused a seismic shock at the T20 World Cup on Friday, defeating heavyweights Australia by 23 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium. This is only the second win of Zimbabwe over Australia in the T20 World Cup history. Defending a total of 169 for 2, the Zimbabwean bowling attack, led by pacer Blessing Muzarabani, dismantled the 2021 champions. Muzarabani delivered a career-best spell of 4 for 17, claiming a wicket with his first ball and reaching the milestone of 100 T20I wickets. He was ably supported by Brad Evans, who took 3 for 23. Australia’s chase began disastrously, collapsing to 29 for 4 inside the first five overs. A 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Glenn Maxwell (31 off 32) and Matt Renshaw briefly revived Australian hopes. However, once Maxwell was bowled by Ryan Burl in the 15th over, the momentum shifted back to Zimbabwe. Despite a fighting half-century from Renshaw (65 off 44), Australia were bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs. Earlier, Zimbabwe’s innings was anchored by opener Brian Bennett, who remained unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls. Significant contributions came from Tadiwanashe Marumani (35 off 21), Ryan Burl (35 off 30), and a quickfire cameo from captain Sikandar Raza (25 not-out off 13). The victory moves Zimbabwe to second place in Group B with 4 points, significantly boosting their chances of reaching the Super Eight. Australia, sitting third with 2 points, now faces a must-win scenario in their upcoming clash against group leaders Sri Lanka.

Italy celebrated a landmark moment in its cricket history by registering its first-ever win at a T20 World Cup, thrashing Nepal by 10 wickets on Thursday, while India and Sri Lanka maintained their perfect starts to the tournament. At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, brothers Anthony and Justin Mosca powered Italy to victory with an unbeaten 124-run opening stand after Nepal were bowled out for 123. Anthony smashed 62 off 32 balls and Justin added 60 off 44 as Italy chased down the target in just 12.4 overs. It was Italy’s first win at a global cricket event and only the second 10-wicket victory by an associate nation in T20 World Cup history. Messi suffers hamstring strain, doubtful for Inter Miami’s MLS opener Earlier, Crishan Kalugamage claimed 3-18 and Ben Manenti took 2-9 as Nepal collapsed, losing seven wickets for 30 runs. In New Delhi, defending champion and co-host India defeated Namibia by 93 runs. Ishan Kishan struck 61 off 24 balls, while Hardik Pandya shone with 52 off 28 deliveries and 2-21 with the ball. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy triggered Namibia’s collapse with 3-7. Meanwhile, in Pallekele, Sri Lanka crushed Oman by 105 runs. Captain Dasun Shanaka blasted a 19-ball half-century as Sri Lanka posted 225-5, the highest total of the tournament so far. Oman managed 120-9 in reply. India top Group A, while Sri Lanka have two wins from two matches.

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has suffered a strained left hamstring, casting doubt over his availability for the club’s Major League Soccer season opener against Los Angeles FC on Feb. 21. The club confirmed the injury on Wednesday. Messi, the league’s back-to-back Most Valuable Player, scored in a preseason match in Ecuador last weekend but was substituted about 12 minutes into the second half, reportedly due to discomfort in his hamstring. “His gradual return to training will depend on his clinical and functional progress in the coming days,” Inter Miami said in a statement. The injury also affects Inter Miami’s preseason schedule. What was originally planned as the team’s preseason finale will now take place about a week after their MLS opener. The reigning MLS Cup champions are set to face Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle in Bayamon, Puerto Rico on Feb. 26. An open practice session is also scheduled as part of that trip. Messi’s fitness will be closely monitored in the coming days as Inter Miami prepares to begin its title defense.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially announced the launch of the inaugural Women’s Bangladesh Premier League (WBPL) T20, marking a historic milestone for women’s cricket in the country. The franchise-based tournament is scheduled to take place from April 3 to April 15, 2026. In a statement released on Wednesday, the BCB’s Women’s Wing confirmed that the debut edition will feature three franchise teams. The competition aims to blend experienced national cricketers with emerging local talent, who will be selected through a player draft system to ensure balanced squads. To elevate the competitive standard and provide global exposure, franchises will also be permitted to sign overseas professional players. “The WBPL will mark Bangladesh’s first-ever franchise-based Twenty20 competition for women, representing a pioneering step forward in the professional development of women’s cricket in the country,” the BCB statement read. The tournament will be overseen by a WBPL Governing Council chaired by Rubaba Dowla, BCB Director and Chairperson of the Women’s Wing. Further details regarding the franchises, draft regulations, fixtures, venues, and broadcast partners are expected to be announced soon.  

Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has clarified that the decision for Bangladesh not to play the World Cup matches in India was taken solely by the government due to security concerns, dispelling confusion arising from his recent remarks. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Adviser addressed the criticism he faced after seemingly attributing the boycott decision to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the players during a press interaction the previous day. "I have clearly stated since the beginning of January that not playing the World Cup in India due to security risks was the government's decision. I certainly remain steadfast in this statement," Nazrul wrote. He explained that the confusion arose from his response to a journalist's question about whether he had any "regrets" regarding the decision.  Speaking at an event where the BCB handed over Tk 2 crore to Dhaka University, Nazrul said he was "emotional" about the board's generosity during such a sensitive time. "When asked about regrets... I felt that my or the government's regret was not the main issue. The main issue was the sacrifice of the cricket board and the players," he explained. Nazrul drew a distinction between making the decision and accepting it. While the government made the call, he argued that the players and the board deserve the credit for accepting it without protest, despite facing financial losses and potential sanctions. "I admit my failure in not being able to explain the matter clearly during an unprepared discussion," he concluded, reaffirming that the government's stance would not have been easy to maintain had the players not complied so willingly.

Bangladeshi leg-spinner Rishad Hossain has secured a lucrative deal in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 player draft, being signed by Rawalpindi Express for a staggering 3 crore Pakistani Rupees (PKR) on Wednesday. The 23-year-old all-rounder, who delivered an impressive performance for Lahore Qalandars in the previous season, sparked a bidding war between Karachi and Rawalpindi Express after his former franchise decided not to retain or bid for him. Rashed of Gono Odhikar Parishad joins BNP to contest polls The auction, which began at 12:30 PM Bangladesh time, featured 903 registered cricketers, including 53 from Bangladesh. While all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the first Bangladeshi name to be called, he failed to attract a buyer. Rishad was picked from the category of players with a base price of PKR 1.1 crore—a list that included 22 Bangladeshi cricketers. His price eventually escalated to PKR 3 crore during the bidding process. Three Bangladeshi veterans—Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Zakir Hasan—were listed in the highest base price category of PKR 2.2 crore.  

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi has said it was the International Cricket Council (ICC), not Pakistan, that “backed down” to resolve the deadlock surrounding the T20 World Cup match against India. The highly anticipated match is now set to proceed as scheduled on February 15 in Colombo, following a trilateral meeting in Lahore last Sunday involving the PCB, ICC, and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). In an interview with Indian media, Sethi claimed the ICC compromised to provide some leeway to Bangladesh. He described Pakistan's boycott threat as a “calculated decision” made after consulting top domestic and international lawyers. “They (PCB) knew that if they boycotted the India match, no ban would come. The maximum that could happen was they might lose a point, nothing more,” Sethi said, adding that the ICC realized Pakistan's strong legal standing. According to reports, the resolution has secured significant concessions for Bangladesh. The BCB will face no sanctions for withdrawing from the tournament, and their revenue share remains protected. Some media reported that Bangladesh has been promised hosting rights for a global event in the 2028-2031 cycle, likely the Men’s U-19 World Cup. Pakistan ended boycott because Bangladesh’s demands were met: PCB chief Current PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi echoed the sentiment of a diplomatic victory, stating that Pakistan agreed to play only after the ICC acknowledged the “injustice” done to Bangladesh. “Our only goal was to earn some respect for Bangladesh and remedy the injustice done to them,” Naqvi said. The standoff originated after Bangladesh refused to send their team to India citing security concerns following threats against pacer Mustafizur Rahman during the IPL, leading the ICC to replace them with Scotland.

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field, sending 2024 runner-up South Africa in to bat in Wednesday’s crucial Group D match at the Twenty20 World Cup. South Africa had won its opening game against Canada, while Afghanistan lost its first match to New Zealand and must win to keep its hopes alive of reaching the Super Eights. Only the top two teams from each group will advance, and New Zealand currently leads Group D with a 2-0 record. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said the pitch, familiar from his Indian Premier League experience, is favorable for bowling first and that his team prefers chasing a target. T20 World Cup: Pakistan beats US, NZ duo set record stand Afghanistan had been a surprise semifinalist at the 2024 World Cup before losing to South Africa in the tournament held across the Caribbean and the United States. South Africa made one change to its lineup, bringing in left-arm spinner George Linde in place of all-rounder Corbin Bosch. Afghanistan also made an adjustment, calling up left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad to replace medium-pacer Ziaur Rahman. Later Wednesday, Australia is scheduled to play its first tournament match against Ireland in Group B, while England faces West Indies in Group C. The tournament’s most anticipated group-stage clash will take place on Sunday, when unbeaten Pakistan faces India in Group A after reversing its earlier decision to boycott the match.  

Pakistan secured revenge for its upset loss to the United States two years ago with a 32-run win at the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, while New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen set a new record for the highest partnership in the tournament’s history. In Colombo, Pakistan registered its second straight victory in Group A by defeating the U.S., which had stunned it in Texas in 2024. The win comes ahead of Pakistan’s much-anticipated clash with India on Sunday, a match set to proceed after Pakistan withdrew its earlier boycott decision. After being sent in to bat, Pakistan posted 190-9, powered by 73 from opener Sahibzada Farhan and 46 from Babar Azam. Despite fast bowler Shadley van Schalwyk claiming four wickets for the second time in the tournament, Pakistan built a strong total. Babar overcame a slow start, scoring 15 off 18 balls before accelerating to finish at a strike rate of 143.75. Pakistan ended boycott because Bangladesh’s demands were met: PCB chief The U.S. struggled against Pakistan’s spin attack under lights at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Mystery spinner Usman Tariq took 3-27, while Shadab Khan claimed 2-26. Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed also picked up wickets as Pakistan used five spinners effectively. Shubham Ranjane scored 51 off 30 balls and Shayan Jahangir made 49 off 34, but the U.S. failed to build momentum. Tariq’s unusual bowling action troubled batters as he dismissed Harmeet Singh and Mohsin Ali off consecutive deliveries. The U.S. finished short, handing Pakistan a comfortable win. Meanwhile in Chennai, New Zealand cruised to a 10-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates after Seifert and Allen shared an unbeaten 175-run opening stand, the highest partnership for any wicket in men’s T20 World Cup history. Seifert struck 89 not out off 42 balls, following up his earlier half-century against Afghanistan. Allen remained unbeaten on 84 from 50 deliveries. New Zealand chased down UAE’s 173-6 in just 15.2 overs, reaching 175-0 for its second successive win in Group D. Earlier, UAE captain Muhammad Waseem made 66 not out off 45 balls and Alishan Sharafu added 55 as the team posted a competitive total. However, New Zealand’s aggressive start, including 78 runs in the power play, put the game beyond UAE’s reach. Seifert hit 12 fours and three sixes, including the winning shot, while Allen contributed five fours and five sixes. The previous tournament record of 170 runs was set by England’s Alex Hales and Jos Buttler against India in 2022. In New Delhi, Bas de Leede delivered an all-round performance to guide the Netherlands to a seven-wicket win over Namibia in Group A. De Leede took 2-20 as Namibia scored 156-8. He then scored an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls, hitting four sixes and five boundaries, to help the Dutch reach 159-3 in 18 overs and secure their first victory of the tournament.