United News of Bangladesh

Former Indian cricketer and analyst Abhinav Mukund has voiced his concern over Bangladesh's performance in the Asia Cup, suggesting the team has abandoned its aggressive, high-scoring style of play that defined their game in recent years. Highlighting the struggles of openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Parvez Hossain Emon, Mukund said Bangladesh are not showing the fearless style that once made them dangerous. “They [Bangladesh] hit a lot of sixes and played a different brand of cricket over the last couple of years. But that hasn’t been seen enough in this Asia Cup,” he said in a recent discussion with ESPNcricinfo. Mukund emphasized that a return to an attacking mindset is crucial, especially as Bangladesh faces a challenging Afghan bowling lineup. “I’d love to see them be brave, especially against Afghanistan, build a strong total, and put pressure on Afghanistan," he stated. The analyst noted that while both Tanzid and Emon have shown promise, they are struggling to adapt to international conditions. “They play a particular brand of cricket, but in international cricket, you need to adapt everywhere. I’ve seen them trying to be aggressive, but it just hasn’t come off,” Mukund said. Looking ahead, Mukund warned that Afghanistan's bowlers, particularly Fazalhaq Farooqi and Ghazanfar, will pose a significant challenge to the Bangladeshi batsmen. Bangladesh is playing its last group match against Afghanistan, where they have to win to go through to the next stage. Litton Das won the toss and decided to bat first. It remains to be seen whether Bangladesh could play their brand of cricket. Their Asia Cup run is hanging by a thread after a bruising loss to Sri Lanka on Saturday night. Bangladesh performed poorly in this tournament, especially after the powerplay. Quick wickets have left the middle order exposed. Mushtaq admitted those collapses weigh on the team.

Bangladesh will walk into Abu Jayed Stadium on Tuesday knowing the math is brutally simple. Beat Afghanistan or pack the bags. Even then, their fate will hang on other results. Spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed did not sugarcoat what worries him most. “Their spinners in the middle overs — that’s the biggest threat,” he told reporters on Monday. “Rashid, Nabi, Noor, the young lad Ghazanfar… they’re very good in these conditions. If we don’t handle that phase, we’ll be in trouble.” Bangladesh’s batting has been fragile in this tournament, especially after the powerplay. Quick wickets have left the middle order exposed. Mushtaq admitted those collapses weigh on the team. “It’s natural to doubt when you lose four or five early. But we can’t carry that into the next game. Our duty as coaches is to keep the boys believing, not to let them crawl into a shell,” he said. He also had a word for leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who has looked raw. Tensions off the field: No handshakes between India, Pakistan players “Young spinners often try too much. I told him today — land your first three balls in good areas, settle down, then think of variations. Good balls make good overs,” he also said. “Good overs build confidence. That’s the process.” Afghanistan, for their part, sound fresh and ready. Coach Jonathan Trott said the break after their opening win over Hong Kong came at the right time. “We’d played six games in 12 days before the tournament. A pause was needed,” Trott said. “Bangladesh have match-winners, but we’re looking forward to it. If we play well tomorrow, the schedule will feel like it’s worked in our favour.” The recent record gives Bangladesh a glimmer — they’ve won two of the last three against Afghanistan. But Tuesday is not about history. It is about survival.

Bangladesh fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib says his team will take confidence from their recent success against Sri Lanka as they prepare for Saturday’s Asia Cup clash in Abu Dhabi. Bangladesh opened their campaign with a routine seven-wicket win over Hong Kong, and victory against Sri Lanka would put them in strong position to qualify for the Super Four from Group B. The two sides have met frequently in recent months, with Bangladesh winning three of their last five meetings, including a 2-1 series triumph in Colombo in July. “It’s very straightforward. Our approach will be to go for the win,” Tanzim told reporters on Friday. “We have played a lot of games against Sri Lanka. We know their players well and we plan accordingly. They have some very good cricketers, but we will try to stop them by playing our best cricket.” England makes history with first Test nation to score 300 in T20Is The rivalry between the two teams has produced heated moments in the past, but Tanzim insisted he was not focused on that aspect. “Rivalries will always be there. But in a tournament, winning is the main thing. Be it Sri Lanka, Afghanistan or Pakistan, we enter the field to win,” he said. “Beating Sri Lanka in the last series definitely gives us confidence.” Tanzim, who impressed at the last T20 World Cup with 11 wickets, said he is sticking to the basics that brought him success then. “In the World Cup my focus was only on line and length, against any opponent. I’ve set that as my target again,” he added. Bangladesh are expected to field the same XI that beat Hong Kong, with Tanzim once again leading the new-ball attack alongside Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.

Bangladesh begin their Asia Cup campaign tonight in Abu Dhabi with what looks, at least on paper, like the softest assignment in Group B. Their opponents, Hong Kong, were dismantled by Afghanistan in the tournament’s first game and arrive carrying the scars of a 94-run defeat. Liton Das and his side come in with confidence after three straight T20I series wins. They have embraced a more aggressive batting approach, clearing the ropes with regularity. Openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon have turned six-hitting into a friendly rivalry, striking 23 and 22 respectively this year. Liton himself has been in prime touch, leading Bangladesh in T20I runs in 2025. Still, Hong Kong cannot be taken lightly. The memory of 2014, when they stunned Bangladesh in Chattogram during the T20 World Cup, lingers. Two of that side — Babar Hayat and Nizakat Khan — remain in the squad. Hayat top-scored again in the loss to Afghanistan, hitting 39 while others fell around him. Bangladesh are expected to line up with three quicks and two spinners. Taskin Ahmed leads the seam attack, with Mustafizur Rahman and young Tanzim Hasan Sakib for support. Offspinner Mahedi Hasan has been effective in the powerplay, while legspinner Rishad Hossain offers a wicket-taking option in the middle overs. Liton has urged his team to play “smart cricket,” not just swing for the stands. Power-hitting coach Julian Wood was drafted in before the tournament, but the captain stressed that reading conditions and situations will matter as much as brute force. “Every game we have to give our hundred percent, no matter the opponent,” he said on the eve of the match. For Hong Kong, the challenge is to hold their batting together long enough to post a score. Against Afghanistan they slipped to 27 for 4 in the powerplay and never recovered. Their spinners, especially Yasim Murtaza, managed to slow things briefly, but catching errors cost them dearly. Bangladesh know that beyond the win, net run rate could be crucial with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka also in the group. Afghanistan’s huge margin in the opening game has set an early marker. A straightforward victory may not be enough — Liton’s side will want to finish the job quickly and emphatically. The match starts at 8:30 p.m. Bangladesh time.    

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has stirred debate in the cricketing world by questioning the very competitiveness of the Asia Cup. Arguing that India face little challenge within the continent, he proposed bringing in African teams and even rebranding the tournament as an “Afro-Asia Cup” to rekindle excitement among fans. Speaking on his YouTube channel ahead of India’s Asia Cup 2025 opener against the UAE, Ashwin did not mince words about what he sees as the event’s diminishing charm. According to him, there is hardly a team in Asia capable of beating India. He said. “How are these teams going to even compete?” India’s dominance is undeniable: they have lifted the trophy eight times, including three of the last four editions. Ashwin himself admitted that for the sake of competition, he would prefer to see another champion emerge. “In a way, I really hope someone else wins the tournament. Because only then will there be a contest in Asia,” he remarked. Even Afghanistan’s emphatic victory over Hong Kong in Tuesday’s curtain-raiser failed to impress him. While acknowledging Afghanistan’s bowlers as potential threats, he dismissed their batting depth: “Even against the so-called threat of the Afghanistan bowlers, if India bat well and score 170+, who will Afghanistan chase this down with? It’s nearly impossible.” Bangladesh fared even worse in his assessment. Once a team known for spirited performances, they no longer merited serious mention in Ashwin’s eyes. “We’ve not even spoken about Bangladesh,” he said, “Because there is nothing to talk about with them.” Bangladesh squad leave for Asia Cup, batter Jaker dismisses criticism The statistics back his argument. India enter the tournament riding the momentum of 17 wins in their last 20 T20Is since clinching the 2024 T20 World Cup. Armed with a deep batting lineup and spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, Ashwin believes the team is virtually untouchable. “None of these teams pick Kuldeep or Varun. And we’ve not even spoken about India’s powerful batting line-up, which has match-winners galore.” For Ashwin, the solution lies in broadening the tournament’s horizons. “They can almost include a South Africa and make it an Afro-Asia Cup to make the tournament competitive.” he suggested. He even floated the idea of fielding an India A side to create at least some semblance of a contest. Wrapping up his assessment of India’s rivals, Ashwin noted that the only realistic path to victory against India is to limit them to a modest total and then hope to chase it down. Otherwise, even the inherently thrilling format of T20 could turn into a one-sided affair in this Asia Cup.

Fast bowler Nahid Rana set the pace in Bangladesh’s latest fitness trial on Sunday, comfortably winning the 1600-meter run at the National Stadium, while a few established names fell well short of the mark. The new strength and conditioning coach, Nathan Keily, has ditched the familiar Yo-Yo and beep tests in favour of two straightforward measures — a timed mile and a 40-meter sprint. It was a change that seemed to suit Rana, who crossed the line in 5 minutes 31 seconds, the fastest of the 22 players on show. “Rana was just outstanding,” a member of the team management said after the session. “Some others did well, but a couple of cricketers couldn’t meet our expectations.” Mehidy Hasan Miraz finished second in the first batch at 6:01, followed by Mushfiqur Rahim — now retired from ODIs and T20s — in 6:10. In the second group, Tanzim Hasan Sakib posted 5:53, ahead of Shahadat Hossain Dipu (6:00) and Parvez Hossain Emon (6:13). Nahid Rana shines as Rangpur Riders continue winning streak But the day was less encouraging for Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam and Shamim Patowary, all of whom needed close to eight minutes to finish. Six players from the 25-man preliminary squad were absent, including T20 captain Liton Kumar Das and Towhid Hridoy. Four others are away with the ‘A’ team in Australia. The squad will continue fitness work before shifting to Sylhet on August 20 for skill training ahead of the Netherlands T20Is and the Asia Cup in the UAE.//

Bangladesh’s top order failed to impress as they managed only 133 runs against Pakistan while batting first after losing the toss on Tuesday in Dhaka.  Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals and never quite recovered from an early collapse. Mohammad Naim fell in the second over for 3, attempting a lap shot off Faheem Ashraf only to edge it to the keeper. The pressure grew further when Litton Das, Bangladesh’s captain, tried to go over midwicket but was caught by Hasan Nawaz off Salman Mirza for 8. In the very next over, Towhid Hridoy was run out for a duck following a sharp direct hit by Pakistan skipper Agha Salman.  Parvez Hossain Emon tried to break the shackles with a six but soon gave away his wicket for 13, skying a simple catch to mid-on off Ahmed Daniyal. Security concerns lead BCB to ban outside food at upcoming matches By the end of the powerplay, Bangladesh were struggling at 28 for 4. Jaker Ali and Mahedi Hasan offered some resistance, forging together a 53-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Mahedi struck two boundaries and two sixes in a brisk 33 off 25 before falling to Mohammad Nawaz in the 14th over. His dismissal triggered another collapse. Jaker Ali, who top-scored with 55 off 48 balls including five sixes, was the last to fall in the final delivery of the innings. Salman Mirza impressed with the ball, finishing with figures of 2 for 17 from four overs, while Abbas Afridi and Ahmed Daniyal also picked up two wickets each. //

Bangladesh have won the toss and opted to bowl first in the opening match of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan in Mirpur on Sunday.  Bangladesh just came home after a long Sri Lanka tour, where they lost the Test and ODI series, but won the T20I series.  The hosts made one change to their last playing XI that faced Sri Lanka, bringing Taskin Ahmed in to replace Shoriful Islam.  Pakistan has been one of the most consistent teams in the T20I. In the last meeting, they beat Bangladesh at home. Now, they are at the home of the Tigers. Series-winning team retained as Bangladesh announce T20I squad for Pakistan Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (capt), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed Bangladesh XI: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman//

Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to renew their T20 rivalry with a three-match series starting Sunday in Mirpur. After the last meeting, both sides have seen changes. Bangladesh now has their new captain in Litton Das, while Agha Salman is the captain of Pakistan.  For Bangladesh, this is more than just another bilateral contest. It marks the return of high-profile cricket on home soil against a top Asian rival. Litton accepted the fact the series will be tough for them, but also sounded optimistic.  He pointed to the benefits of franchise cricket, where both sets of players have shared dressing rooms, particularly in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL). "They know our strengths and weaknesses, and we know theirs," said Litton. “It makes for a level playing field.” Series-winning team retained as Bangladesh announce T20I squad for Pakistan Pakistan’s preparations have drawn heavily from BPL experience. Nine players in their current squad have played in the league, and head coach Sean McDermott, a former Bangladesh fielding coach, brings local insight. “We’ve spoken to those who’ve played here and built plans around their inputs,” said Pakistan captain Agha Salman. The pitch in Mirpur, notorious for its unpredictability and spin-friendly nature, has been a talking point. Litton acknowledged that the surface had made life difficult for batters in previous years, especially during the 2021 series against Australia and New Zealand. “Many of us struggled back then, but it’s different now. It’s still challenging, but runs are possible,” he said. Pakistan, meanwhile, will field a revamped T20 lineup, continuing their post-Babar-Rizwan experiment. Agha Salman confirmed the team’s intent to play aggressive cricket but said they would adapt if conditions demanded restraint. “If the pitch supports it, we’ll go hard. If not, we’ll reassess. The goal is to score 10-15 more than par,” he said. All three matches will be played at the same venue, with weather expected to stay dry after several days of rain earlier in the week.//

Dhaka, Jul 8 (UNB) — Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first in the third ODI of the three-match series against Bangladesh on Tuesday in Pallekele. The three-match series stands level at 1-1, setting up a decisive clash in Pallekele. Bangladesh, buoyed by their 16-run win in the second ODI in Colombo, will look to build on the momentum and secure their first ODI series win in Sri Lanka since 2017. Taskin, who missed the second match due to fitness concerns, backed into the pace attack, replacing Hasan Mahmud. Sri Lanka announce squad for T20I series vs Bangladesh Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman Sri Lanka XI: Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (captain), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando.