BCB
Ashwell Prince named Bangladesh’s full-time batting coach
Former South African batsman Ashwell Prince joined Bangladesh national team cochin staff as the full-time batting coach, both Prince and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the development.
The former batsman will work under the Tiger’s head coach Russell Domingo, who is also a South African.
Prince was included in the Bangladesh coaching staff first time during the Zimbabwe tour. But now, he has been named as the full-time coach and will play the role till T20 World Cup 2022 which will take place in Australia.
“We contracted with Prince for a period of 22 months,” Akram Khan told UNB Thursday.
Read: Tamim Iqbal signs as brand ambassador of IPDC
“He will work as the batting coach of Bangladesh national team till the T20 World Cup 2022. We are happy with what he has done so far for us.”
It will be Prince’s first stint as the specialist coach of an international team. To take the new role, Prince resigned from the post of the head coach of South Africa's Western Province.
During his playing days, Price played 66 Tests, 52 ODIs and one T20I for South Africa. After finishing his playing career, Prince started his coaching role working with the Cobras which are a franchisee dissolved into Western Province.
Mushfiqur misses out for BCB pandering to Australia
Right after arriving in Bangladesh, the Australian cricket team went into a three-day quarantine in a hotel in the capital from Thursday. This is dictated by Bangladesh government's Covid-19 protocol, and the Bangladesh cricket team, which arrived back from Zimbabwe the same day, is also now going through the mandatory quarantine of three days.
That should be straightforward enough, but what is proving a far bigger ask is maintaining the strict bio-secure bubble, or biobubble, according to Australia's requirements, and Mushfiqur's exclusion from it.
The experienced wicketkeeper-batsman sought to enter the bubble on July 22, two days after it came into effect.
As per the agreement between the two cricket boards, both the squads have to maintain a ten-day bio-secured bubble ahead of the series. Since both Bangladesh and Australia were touring Zimbabwe and West Indies respectively, it was not possible for them to maintain a ten-day quarantine period in Dhaka ahead of the five-match T20I series-opening game on August 3.
So both the boards came to an agreement to include their respective bio-bubbles in Zimbabwe and the West Indies as part of the pre-series ten-day quarantine in Dhaka which is mandatory.
“It’s really unfortunate for Mushfiqur. He had to come back from Zimbabwe as both of his parents were sick, and while staying with them, he missed the quarantine deadline. He was so eager to take part in this series. In that sense, it’s very unfortunate and unfair for him,” Faruque Ahmed, former Bangladesh captain and former chief of the national selector panel, told UNB.
Read: BAN vs. AUS 2021: How Bangladesh Team Shapes Up Without Tamim, Mushfiqur?
“We know that before a series, all the involving boards came to an agreement. I’m sure it took place ahead of this series as well. Since we have been living in a pandemic for more than one and a half years, Australia came up with some conditions to ensure their safety, and BCB agreed to that as Australia are visiting Bangladesh after a long time,” he added.
Mushfiqur had earlier decided to skip the T20Is against Zimbabwe to be fit and available for the Australia series. However, he had to come back from Zimbabwe early for his parents’ sickness.
Bangladesh team members also believe that it was unfair that Mushfiqur was not allowed to enter the bio-secure bubble. Some of them pointed to the absurdity of not allowing Mushfiqur to enter the bubble following appropriate testing, when the entire team had gone through four airports - Harare, Johannesburg, Delhi and Dhaka - on their return trip from Zimbabwe, and that didn't violate the bubble apparently.
“We came in a commercial flight passing through three airports so I don't know if it makes much sense to keep Mushfiqur out of the series. He went back home from the middle of a tour for a family problem. So to not allow him to enter the quarantine after just two or three days, is not right,” a Bangladesh team member was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Read: Mushfiqur to miss T20 series against Australia over isolation norms
Bangladesh are going to miss the services of Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das as well. Mustafizur Rahman is also doubtful for the first couple of matches as the pacer has been suffering from an ankle injury sustained during a tour match in Zimbabwe. There are worries over Shakib Al Hasan’s fitness as well.
Indeed to fulfil Australia’s demand, Bangladesh had to manage quarantine for match officials, ground staff, and technicians who operate DRS. Bangladesh also managed a direct path for the Australian team to get to their team hotel from the airport tarmac, bypassing immigration.
The five-match series will be packed into a week, with the first match on Monday, August 3. Then again on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and the final fixture on Sunday, August 9. All the matches will be hosted at the single venue— Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Australia and Bangladesh to square off in 5 T20Is early August
The Australian cricket team is scheduled to tour Bangladesh in August. Ahead of the T20I World Cup that will be played in the UAE this year, they will play a five-match series against the hosts in early August. The tentative dates set for the series are August 2-8.
Akram Khan, the chair of cricket operations of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), on Wednesday said the BCB is trying to fulfil every demand of Cricket Australia to ensure a safe tour.
“We have been working to ensure all that Cricket Australia demanded,” Akram told the media. “If everything goes well, we hope they will continue with the tour. We have already completed 90-95 percent preparation to host them.”
Also read: Bangladesh to host Australia for five T20Is in August
The series was originally scheduled for three T20Is, but the BCB requested Australia to play five matches instead of three, and Australia agreed to that.
As part of the safety requirements, Cricket Australia asked BCB to manage free emigration for the Australian team members. They have also asked to arrange a hotel free from other guests, and a single venue for all the matches.
Akram Khan said the board is doing its best to fulfil all these demands.
Also read: BAN vs ZIM 2021: Significant Test and T20I Records Between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
He also played down allegations flying around that the Bangladesh A team is suffering from lack of activity or neglect. He said: “It’s a misconception that we are not doing anything with the Bangladesh A team. All the cricketing activities were on hold due to the Covid-19 situation. We had arranged a series in October 2021. We couldn’t continue it due to the outbreak of Covid-19.”
Akram also said that Bangladesh A team will tour Sri Lanka in November this year, and it might be for a series of longer version cricket. However, he didn’t disclose more about this series.
Khaled Mahmud doubtful about his position at BCB
Former Bangladesh captain and influential director of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has said he is doubtful about his position as the vice-chair of the cricket operations committee of the board.
While talking to the media on Monday, Mahmud said he has no idea about the appointment of Rangana Herath and Ashwell Prince as Bangladesh’s spin-bowling and batting consultants respectively. But as the vice chair of the cricket operation committee, he is supposed to be a part of their appointment procedures.
“I’m not sure if I’m still the vice- chair of the cricket operations department,” Mahmud told the media on Monday. “I don’t get invited to join meetings. I didn’t receive an email from the committee for two years. But I get some emails now. I was involved more with the department before.”
READ: BAN vs ZIM: Five Most Memorable Matches Between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
Herath will play the role of Bangladesh’s spin-bowling consultant till the T20 World Cup 2021 while Ashwell will helps the batsmen in Bangladesh’s Zimbabwe tour for a Test, three ODIs, and Three T20Is.
“I’m the vice chairman of cricket operation, but I came to know from you that two consultants were appointed. Nobody from the department shared it with me. I was in bio-bubble (for Dhaka League), but I have my phone,” Mahmud added.
Mahmud thinks it would have been better if a local coach was added to the national team coaching team. He said: “I think we add a local staff as the assistant to the bowling coach Ottis Gibson. It will help him to learn and help the age-level cricketers grow.”
Mahmud played the role of the team leader during Bangladesh’s recent Sri Lanka tour for two Tests. But he is not a part of the Bangladesh team which will travel to Zimbabwe this week.
Along with being a board director, Mahmud is the vice chair of the cricket operations committee, chairman of the game development department. He also coaches Abahani Limited in Dhaka League. The former Bangladesh captain also coaches Dhaka-based franchise in Bangladesh Premier League T20— Dhaka Dynamites.
READ: Toppers of the DPL T20 2021
Bangladesh national team will fly for Zimbabwe on early Tuesday. The Tigers will face the hosts in a one-off Test, three ODIs, and as many as T20Is.
Mahmudullah added to Test squad for Zimbabwe tour
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made a change into the Test squad which will tour Zimbabwe later this month by including allrounder Mahmudullah Riyad to the squad.
BCB has previously announced a 17-member squad, and now it increased to 18- member.
READ: From U-19 star to national team prospect: The incredible journey of Shamim
Mahmudullah played his last Test during Bangladesh’s Pakistan tour last year. He was later omitted from the longer format of the game.
The right-handed allrounder played a total of 49 Tests to date and amassed 2764 runs with four centuries and 16 half-centuries. He also scalped 43 wickets with one five-wicket haul.
The Zimbabwe series will kick off with the one-off Test on July 7 while three ODIs will take place on July 16, 18 and 20 while the T20Is will be played on July 23, 25 and 27 respectively.
Test and ODIs will be started at 1:30 pm (Bangladesh time) while T20Is will be commenced at 4:30 pm (Bangladesh time).
READ: T20 WC shifted to UAE from India
All the matches of this series will be hosted at the Harare Sports Club.
Shakib inclusion to boost team’s confidence: Minhajul
Bangladesh chief selector Minhajul Abedin says Shakib Al Hasan’s inclusion in the Zimbabwe tour for a Test, three ODIs and three T20Is will boost the confidence of the team. The allrounder missed the previous Test tour of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka, and he was also out of action during Bangladesh’s New Zealand tour earlier this year.
Bangladesh national team will travel to Zimbabwe on June 29, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday announced three different squads for this tour. Left-handed allrounder Shakib made it to all these squads.
“It’s a plus point for us that we got our best player back into the setup,” Minhajul told the media in a press conference after announcing the team on Wednesday. “I believe the team will be boosted morally with this inclusion. I hope he will deliver well which eventually will help the team’s performance.”
Also read: Shakib banned for three matches, fined Tk 5 lakh
Bangladesh included newbie Shamim Hossain Patwary in the T20I squad. Shamim was one of Bangladesh’s main weapon during their U-19 World Cup-winning campaign in South Africa in 2020.
“We have been observing him since he came into the High-performance Unit. He did well when Ireland Wolves toured Bangladesh this year. He also did well in the matches he got a chance at afterwards. We hope his skill will help the national team do well,” Minhajul added.
Shamim played 19 List-A, 27 T20s and only First-class matches to the date. He is known as one of the best fielders who are currently playing in Bangladesh. The left-handed batsman is also capable of scoring runs quickly, and he can also be handy as a right-arm off-spin.
Left-handed top-order batsman Soumya Sarkar has been omitted from the ODI squad. Minhajul said to pave way for a left-arm spinner, they considered resting Soumya from ODIs for now.
Also read: DPL Super League begins Saturday without Shakib, Tamim
“The team management wanted to have a left-arm spinner in the squad. So have decided to include Taijul Islam instead of Soumya, and we also added Nurul Hasan Sohan,” Minhajul told the media.
Sohan is added to all three squads of the game for the Zimbabwe series. He has been doing tremendously well in the ongoing edition of the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Twenty20 League for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.
“His current form is enough to call him back to the national team,” Minhajul said about Sohan. “He did well in the practice sessions in Sri Lanka when he was in the primary squad. We believe he has the ability to do well for the national team.”
Sabbir, Sheikh Jamal manager fined over DPL incident
Legends of Rupganj batsman Sabbir Rahman and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi manager Sultan Mahmud have been fined Tk50,000 each over an incident during a match of the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division T20 Cricket League Wednesday at BKSP.
"An incident involving two players and a club official – on June 16 at BKSP – has been reported to the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM)," the Bangladesh Cricket Board said BCB said in a media release Thursday.
The cricket board, however, did not mention what the incident was.
Also read: Sabbir denies allegation of racism against him by Elias
"The technical committee of the CCDM held a virtual hearing Wednesday evening where Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi's Elias Sunny, Legends of Rupganj's Sabbir Rahman, Sheikh Jamal manager Sultan Mahmud and the match officials were present," it said.
"After an extensive hearing, the technical committee decided to hand Sabbir and Sultan a fine of Tk50,000 each. It also warned Sunny," the BCB said.
On Wednesday, Sabbir allegedly racially abused Sunny and threw stones at him during Sheikh Jamal's match against Old DOHS.
After receiving a complaint from the spinner, Sheikh Jamal submitted an official complaint against Sabbir to the CCDM.
Sabbir denies allegation of racism against him by Elias
Bangladeshi cricketer Sabbir Rahman has been accused of racism by another cricketer Elias Sunny, an allegation he has denied.
Both Sabbir and Elias had previously played for Bangladesh.
Elias is playing for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the ongoing Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League, while Sabbir is representing Legends of Rupganj in the competition.
Also read: Sabbir urges fans to stay home
Elias alleged that Sabbir sledged him with “inappropriate” words during a match between these two teams last Sunday.
“He sledged me using some inappropriate words. I asked him if he knows the meaning of those words. Sabbir sledged me again, and we have some heated exchanges then. But it was done, and I have no problem with that,” Elias told the media after his club submitted an official complaint against Sabbir to the BCB.
“The problem is Sabbir misbehaved with me again today (Wednesday) during our game against Old DOHS. Sabbir came to the field this afternoon as his team was scheduled to play another game at the venue beside ours. While passing by our venue, he called me using the word *** (a racist word). So I reported it to the umpires and my club,” Elias added.
Also read: Bangabandhu T20 Cup: Sabbir eyes return to national team reckoning
The secretary of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Fayezur Rahman, submitted an official complaint to the BCB against Sabbir. BCB is yet to respond to the letter.
While asked, Sabbir denied the allegation, but at the same time, he said Elias also misbehaved with him, and he will also inform his club now.
BCB stages a trainwreck around Shakib’s latest episode
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has handed a three-match ban and a fine of Tk 5 lakh to Shakib Al Hasan due to his outburst during the game between Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting Club on Friday. While announcing his punishment on Saturday evening, BCB staged an unprecedented drama with the journalists cover sports in Bangladesh.
At 6:15 pm, the media department of BCB sent a message through WhatsApp saying a press conference of Kazi Inam Ahmed, the chairman of the cricket committee of Dhaka metropolis, to take place at 7:30 pm at Meena Bazar, Dhanmondi.
Another message popped up at 6:52 pm from the same sender saying the press conference has been cancelled, and it also said: “Any inconvenience is regretted.”
Also read: Shakib banned for three matches, fined Tk 5 lakh
After a few minutes, a press conference took place at the garage of the residence of the BCB president Nazmul Hasan in Gulshan, which is at least 8.5 km away from the venue of the press conference that didn’t take place in Dhanmondi.
During the 37 minutes between the two messages from BCB’s media department, many journalists left for Dhanmondi from different parts of Dhaka, and they only ended up knowing that the press conference is already taking place in Gulshan in spite of no announcement of that press conference from BCB.
Earlier, Shakib kicked the stumps when an lbw appeal from him turned down by the umpire during the seventh round game of the Dhaka league on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Also read: Shakib apologises after thrashing and kicking stumps
Shakib was not done doing that. He came to the scene again and uprooted a set of stumps that he then threw down again. This time he was upset at the umpires for asking the players to come off the field due to rain.
While returning to the dressing room after the rain came in to interrupt the game, Shakib had a heated exchange with Khaled Mahmud who is a member of the coaching staff of Abahani.
For all these, Shakib issued a public apology on his social media page. He wrote: “Dear fans and followers, I am extremely sorry for losing my temper and ruining the match for everyone and especially those who are watching from home. An experienced player like me should not have reacted that way but sometimes against all odds it happens, unfortunately. I apologise to the teams, management, tournament officials and organizing committee for this human error. Hopefully, I won't be repeating this again in the future.”
Shakib banned for three matches, fined Tk 5 lakh
Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has been banned for the next three matches of the ongoing Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Twenty20 Cricket League, due to his extraordinary outburst on the field during his team Mohammedan SC's hot match against rivals Abahani on Friday.
He was also handed a fine of Tk 5 lakh.
Kazi Inam Ahmed, the chairman of the cricket committee of Dhaka metropolis, confirmed Shakib’s punishment on Saturday evening while talking to the media at the residence of BCB president Nazmul Hasan in Gulshan.
Inam also said that the allrounder has accepted his punishment.
In a matter of minutes, in two separate incidents, Shakib expressed his disappointment with two different umpiring decisions - an lbw appeal against his good friend from the national team and Abahani's key batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, and then the decision to go off as it started raining - by taking out his rage on the stumps.
Also read: DPL: Shakib loses cool; kicks stumps, throws them away
The utter disregard and lack of respect for the umpires, his teammates, opponents and fans watching, and above all the game itself was palpable - it will not have been missed by anyone.
Taken together, it was as close to violence as you can get on a cricket field, without actually causing injury or bodily harm to anyone.
BCB knew immediately that it would have to act, and needed to be seen to act. The verdict and punishment handed down today was at least prompt, if not quite
adequate to cover the scope of the Bangladeshi star's violation of cricketing sensibilities.
Not to mention the breach of the Code of Conduct of cricketer.
Also read: Shakib apologises after thrashing and kicking stumps
“Many things happen in a game. We saw some incidents today in the game between Mohammedan and Abahani. It was unfortunate. It was a heated incident. We always want the players to keep their excitement under control. It’s a T20 event, and we apply all the international cricketing law in this event. We will take action against this incident once we get the report of the match referee and umpires,” Inam had said in his initial reaction last night.
Shakib too issued a public apology through his social media pages last night.
“Dear fans and followers, I am extremely sorry for losing my temper and ruining the match for everyone and especially those who are watching from home. An experienced player like me should not have reacted that way but sometimes against all odds it happens, unfortunately,” Shakib wrote on his social media page.
“I apologise to the teams, management, tournament officials and organizing committee for this human error. Hopefully, I won't be repeating this again in the future. Thanks and love you all,” he added.