United News of Bangladesh

Former cricketing heavyweights Shahid Afridi and Jason Gillespie have launched a scathing attack on the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing the governing body of ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘double standards’ after it officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The backlash follows the ICC's confirmation on Saturday that Scotland would take Bangladesh's spot in Group C, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India citing security concerns. The ICC justified the move by stating there was an ‘absence of any credible or verifiable security threat’. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi expressed deep disappointment on social media platform X, pointing out the glaring inconsistency in how the ICC handles security claims from different nations. T20 World Cup: ICC rejects Bangladesh’s safe-venue request, includes Scotland He drew a sharp parallel to India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, a decision the ICC accommodated. “It accepted India’s security concerns for not touring Pakistan in 2025, yet appears unwilling to apply the same understanding to Bangladesh,” Afridi wrote. “Consistency and fairness are the foundation of global cricket governance... The ICC should build bridges, not burn them.”  Australian legend and former Pakistan red-ball coach Jason Gillespie echoed these sentiments, openly questioning why a neutral venue solution—often used for India—was not offered to Bangladesh.  Farooki questions ICC’s neutrality, cites mob lynching as proof of ‘severe risk’ in India “Has there been an explanation from the ICC why Bangladesh could not play their games outside of India?” Gillespie asked on X. “From memory, India refused to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan and they were allowed to play those games outside of Pakistan. Can someone make this make sense?!?!” Scotland, beneficiaries of the standoff, will now join England, the West Indies, Italy, and Nepal in Group C.    

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has denied the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) plea to relocate Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches from India to an alternative venue, a senior BCB official told UNB. It has opened the door for Scotland to play in the World Cup, according to the reports. The decision follows the Bangladesh government's refusal to send the national team to India, citing “genuine and severe” security risks that the global body failed to address. Despite BCB’s last-ditch appeal to the ICC’s Independent Dispute Resolution Committee, the global body proceeded with the replacement, adhering to its ultimatum regarding the tournament schedule. Scotland, as the highest-ranked qualifier, will now take Bangladesh’s spot in the group stage. The withdrawal is rooted in what Dhaka describes as a hostile climate in India. The Bangladesh government pointed to the forced removal of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL by the BCCI earlier this month due to security threats as undeniable proof that player safety could not be guaranteed. Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul had vehemently argued that reports of mob lynchings of suspected Bangladeshis in West Bengal and threats from political groups like Shiv Sena made the tour impossible. Travel to India for T20 World Cup or be replaced: ICC warns Bangladesh “We cannot bow our heads and push our players into a genuine risk,” the Sports Adviser had said recently, emphasizing that national dignity and life took precedence over sport. While critics, including former official Syed Ashraful Haque, argued the decision should have been left to the players, the government maintained that state security is a sovereign responsibility. For Bangladesh, this boycott invites potential heavy sanctions and financial losses, but it stands as a message that the safety of its citizens remains non-negotiable.

Scotland is keen on hiring construction workers from Bangladesh, a visiting parliamentary delegation from the country told Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (November 20, 2023). This was conveyed when a six member Cross-Party Parliamentary Group (CPG) led by first- ever Bangladeshi origin MP of the Scotland Parliament Foysol Choudhury met the prime minister at her official residence Ganabhaban. The other members of the delegation were Miles Briggs, Evelyn Tweed, Juned Hussain Chowdhury, Farhan Masud Khan and Md Lutfur Rahman. Germany, France, Denmark, Netherlands, UK, Canada file joint declaration of intervention in case against Myanmar at International Court of Justice PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the call on. Foysol Choudhury, however, said the workers' lack of skill in English  language is seen as a barrier in hiring them. He said Scotland also wants to invest in Bangladesh's agro sector. Russian House in Dhaka hosts Geographical Dictation 2023 PM Hasina told the delegation  that through  various institutions her government is providing training in language, vocational work and computer language to enhance efficiency of the outgoing manpower of the country. The Scottish MPs highly appreciated the unprecedented development of Bangladesh in the last 15 years, said the press secretary. They mentioned that Bangladeshi diaspora is involved in mainstream politics of Scotland and currently there are some 200 elected councillors there. Release promised climate funds for developing nations: Momen Bangladesh Ambassador at Lagre M Ziauddin and Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present during the meeting.

What a start to the T20 World Cup! After Namibia defeated Sri Lanka yesterday (October 16, 2022), Scotland today (October 17, 2022) stole the show – beating West Indies by 42 runs – in Hobart. Scotland batted first in the match after losing the toss, and riding on George Munsey’s 66 off 53 balls, they posted a big total of 160 for five. West Indies, the former T20 champions, have failed to chase it down. The West Indies, while chasing a target of 161, tumbled for 118 all wickets in 18.3 overs. They got a good start with Kyle Mayers and Evin Lewis playing a few big shots, but the Scotland bowlers did not allow them to continue on the good run. Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Bangladesh may play Sri Lanka, West Indies in Super 12s Mark Watt bagged three wickets for the Scottish conceding only 12 runs in four overs. Brad Wheal and Michael Leask scalped two wickets each to seal the game. Jason Holder was the only West Indian batter to offer some resistance scoring 38 off 33 balls, but that was never enough to chase a tall target of 161 runs. The way West Indies played in this match, it’s quite safe to say that it was not really “an upset”. The former champions never were in a position to challenge the total of Scotland. They rather kept losing the wickets when they needed to come up with partnerships. Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Namibia stuns in opening match by beating Sri Lanka In the last World Cup, Scotland were close to beating New Zealand, but they failed to do so. But this time, they finally beat a Test-playing nation.

Ukraine wants to postpone its World Cup qualifying playoff against Scotland, FIFA said Thursday, amid a shutdown in domestic soccer during the invasion by Russia. “FIFA can confirm it has received a request from the Ukrainian Association of Football today to postpone their matches scheduled for March,” world soccer's governing body said. Ukraine is set to play Scotland in Glasgow on March 24, with the winner then taking on either Wales or Austria five days later for a place at this year's World Cup in Qatar. Also read: Russians, Belarusians out of Paralympics amid boycott risk A large part of Ukraine's team is typically made up of players playing for domestic clubs such as Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk. They have been disrupted by the national league stopping last week and many players who are not from Ukraine left the country to seek safety. FIFA said it was in talks with Scottish officials and European soccer body UEFA “to find an appropriate solution. FIFA expresses its deepest solidarity to everybody affected by what is happening in Ukraine.” One option would be to postpone the games in the four-team playoff bracket until the next national-team match dates in June. The global World Cup qualifying program has already seen several delays because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The draw for the tournament is scheduled for April 1 in Doha, but at least two of the 32 entries will not be known by that date. The final two places are set to be decided in June when four teams – from Asia, North or Central America, South America and Oceania – go to Qatar for the intercontinental playoffs. Ukraine has qualified for the World Cup only once since becoming an independent soccer nation 30 years ago, reaching the quarterfinals in 2006. Ukraine also reached the quarterfinals at the European Championship last year. Also read: Chelsea FC: Roman Abramovich ready to sell the club due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine Russia was also set to take part in the World Cup playoffs and is challenging a FIFA decision to suspend the country from international soccer.

Bangladesh women's cricket team maintained their all-win run in the five- team qualifying round of the Commonwealth Games Women's T20 Cricket beating Scotland by nine wickets in their 3rd match at Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. This was the 3rd consecutive win for Bangladesh women in CWG qualifiers after beating hosts Malaysia by eight wickets in the first match and Kenya by 80 runs in the 2nd match, featuring new records in both batting and bowling. Read:CWG Cricket Qualifiers: Bangladesh to play Scotland Sunday After the league basis matches, both the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka jointly dominated the meet securing full six points from straight three matches while Scotland out of the race with four points from all four matches. The Tigresses will now needed just an outright victory against another unbeaten team Sri Lanka on Monday (Jan 24) to qualify for the  22nd Commonwealth Games ,scheduled to be held in England’s Birmingham in July-August this year. The champions of the five-team qualifiers will join seven other nations - England, India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Barbados (West Indies) -- in the eight-team final round of the CWG women's cricket. In the day's match, Scotland Women's batted first after winning the toss and were bundled out cheaply for 77 runs in 17.3 overs. Only two Scottish batters --opener Sarah Bryce (29) and middle order Katie McGill (22)  were able to score double digit runs. Four Bangladesh bowlers--Salma Khatun, Sanjida Akter,Suraiya Azmin and Nahida Akter--claimed two wickets each conceding 9, 11, 12 and 20 runs respectively. Chasing a small target of 78 runs, Bangladesh Women's team easily reached their targetl scoring the match-winner 78 runs for the loss one wicket in 15.2 overs. After the dismissal of opener Sharmin Sultana for a duck in the very first ball, another opener Murshida Khatun pairing with one down  Fargana Haque guided the team towards victory scoring an unbeaten 78 runs in the 2nd wicket stand. Read:BPL 2022: Victorians seal low-scoring thriller vs Sunrisers Murshida contributed unbeaten 50 runs off 55 balls featuring six fours and one six to be adjudged player of the match while Fargana scored unbeaten 20 runs off 36 balls with a boundary . Captain K Bryce took lone Bangladesh wicket giving away 12 runs.

Bangladesh Women's Cricket team will play Scotland in their 3rd qualifying round match of the five-team Commonwealth Games (CWG) Women's T20 Cricket on Sunday in Malaysia capital Kuala Lumpur. The match will kick off at 7:30 pm Bangladesh time at Kinrara Oval ground. Bangladesh will play South Asian Island nation Sri Lanka in their 4th and last qualifying match on Monday (Jan 24) at the same time and venue. The Tigresses will have to play their remaining matches in must win situation to qualify for the CWG cricket. Only the champion team of the five-team qualifiers will earn the rights to play eight-team final round of the 22nd Commonwealth Games women’s cricket scheduled for July and August this year in the England’s city of Birmingham.  Seven teams which already qualified for the final round of the CWG Women’s Cricket are: Group A – Australia, India, Pakistan and Barbados (West Indies).   Group B- England, New Zealand, South Africa and CWG qualified team Read: CWG Qualifiers: Women's cricket team earn 2nd successive win Meanwhile, Sri Lanka dominated the qualifying event securing full six points from straight three matches with better run rate while Bangladesh and Scotland followed them with four points each playing two and three matches respectively. Bangladesh started their campaign in the qualifier defeating hosts Malaysia by eight wickets in the opening match last Tuesday and consolidated position outplaying Kenya by 80 runs, setting new records in batting partnership and bowling. Salma Khatun and Ritu Moni made record partnership scoring 75 runs in the seventh wicket while left arm spinner Nahida Akhter made a best bowling figure among the Bangladeshi wome’s cricketer in the T20 cricket with a five-wicket haul for 12 runs. The previous best record was 5 for 16 made by Panna Ghosh in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament against Ireland in 2018.      

Offspinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman and legspinner Rashid Khan bowled Scotland for 60 as Afghanistan started the T20 World Cup with a massive 130-run victory Monday. Mujeeb claimed three wickets in an over to finish with 5-20 while Rashid (4-9) ran through the tail quickly to dismiss Scotland in just 10.2 overs and raise Afghanistan's biggest win in a T20. Afghanistan had earlier posted a daunting total of 190-5 after skipper Mohammad Nabi won the toss and elected to bat. READ: Mujeeb rattles Scotland with three-wicket over All of Afghanistan's top-order batsmen were among the runs and hit big sixes with Najibullah Zadran leading the way by scoring 59 off 34 balls. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (46) smashed four sixes while opening batsman Hazratullah Zazai (44) hit three sixes and three fours to set the tone for a big total. READ: Youth ODI Series: Hosts Sri Lanka whitewash Bangladesh 5-0 

Chasing 191, Scotland raced to 27 in three overs but Afghan right-arm off-break bowler Mujeeb pegged them back in the UAE's Sharjah in Super 12 game at the T20 World Cup Monday. Kyle Coetzer was the first to go, bowled through the gate with a googly. On the next ball, he trapped Calum MacLeod lbw with yet another googly.  Richie Berrington survived the hat-trick ball but he lasted only two more balls as Mujeeb's googly snared him as well.  READ: Youth ODI Series: Hosts Sri Lanka whitewash Bangladesh 5-0  Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat in their opening Super 12 game against in-form Scotland. They finished with 190 for 4. Najibullah was the top scorer with 59 off 34 balls and was out on the last ball of the innings. Nabi smashed 11* off four balls towards the end as Afghanistan ransacked 63 from the last five overs. Scotland was on a high after upsetting Bangladesh in the qualifiers before beating Papua New Guinea and co-host Oman to advance. Experienced Mohammad Nabi is leading Afghanistan, which has played just three T20s since March last year but he said victory against West Indies in a warm-up game was "really good." Nabi was named captain after Rashid Khan stepped down minutes after Afghanistan's squad was announced, saying the selectors were not consulting him. READ: Afghanistan wins toss, elects to bat against Scotland Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer said he was happy to bowl first. Pakistan, which crushed arch-rival India by 10 wickets on Sunday, New Zealand and Namibia are the other teams in the group.

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat in its opening Super 12 game against in-form Scotland at the T20 World Cup on Monday. Scotland is on a high after upsetting Bangladesh in the qualifiers before beating Papua New Guinea and co-host Oman to advance. Experienced Mohammad Nabi will lead Afghanistan, which has played just three T20s since March last year but he said victory against West Indies in a warm-up game was “really good”. Nabi was named captain after Rashid Khan stepped down minutes after Afghanistan’s squad was announced, saying the selectors were not consulting him. Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer said he was happy to bowl first. Pakistan, which crushed arch-rival India by 10 wickets on Sunday, New Zealand and Namibia are the other teams in the group.