United News of Bangladesh

Pakistan secured a historic T20I series triumph against Australia, defeating the hosts by 90 runs in the second match on Saturday. This came as Pakistan’s first T20 series win against the Aussies in seven years, dating back to the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led victory in the UAE in October 2018. The match ended with a symbolic flourish as Australia’s final batter, Matthew Kuhnemann, edged a delivery from mystery spinner Usman Tariq to first slip. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, who had earlier set the tone with the bat, pouched the catch comfortably to wrap up the Australian innings for a paltry 108 in 15.4 overs. Read More: Pakistan weighs boycotting India match in solidarity with Bangladesh Chasing a formidable target of 199, Australia never found their footing. The visitors created history as their spin attack claimed all 10 wickets—a first for Pakistan in international T20s. Leg-spinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan were the chief destroyers, claiming three wickets each. Usman Tariq picked up two, while Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub took one apiece. Earlier, opting to bat first, Pakistan posted a commanding 198 for 5. Despite losing Sahibzada Farhan early, Captain Salman Ali Agha led a counter-attack, stitching a rapid 50-run stand off just 21 balls with Saim Ayub (23 off 11). Even after Ayub’s departure, Salman continued the onslaught, blasting 76 off 40 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes. After Salman fell in the 13th over, Usman Khan (53 off 36) and Shadab Khan (28 not out off 20) ensured Pakistan finished strong, setting a target that proved too steep for the hosts. Read More: Pakistan formally backs Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India Australia’s chase was derailed early when openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh fell off consecutive deliveries after a 22-run stand. Cameron Green (35) and Matthew Short (27) were the only batters to offer brief resistance before the spin web tightened. With this win, Pakistan has taken an unassailable lead in the series, having won the first match by 22 runs.

The High Court on Sunday ordered a judicial inquiry into the matter of Abul Kashem who has been languishing in the condemned cell for seven years despite his acquittal in a murder case in Chattogram's Lohagara upazila. The HC bench of Justice Jahangir Hossain and Justice Md Bashir Ullah passed the order. The registrar of the High Court was asked to investigate the matter and submit a report by August 25. Lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir appeared for the appeal in the court while Deputy Attorney General Sarwar Hossain Bappi for the state. Kashem was made an accused in the case over the killing of Jane Alam on March 30, 2002 in the upazila. Read: HC orders providing Tk 5 lakh to legal guardian of the baby born on road in Mymensingh On August 4, following a report published on a news portal over the matter, Shishir Monir requested an investigation into the case of Abul Kashem who was acquitted by the High Court seven years ago in the murder case. On July 24 in 2007, the Chattogram court sentenced 12 accused, including Abul Kashem, to death and eight to life imprisonment. Kashem was tried in absentia. On April 14 in 2015, Additional Chattogram District and Sessions Judge Court-1 sent Abul Kashem to jail when he appeared before the court in another case and had been in the prison's condemned cell since then.   On February 2013, the HC bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Shahidul Karim acquitted Abul Kashem from the case. The order of his acquittal reached the Chattogram court from the High Court in due course but not to the jail authorities even after 7 years.