Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday. "I have decided to retire from international cricket. All praises only for the Almighty Allah," Riyad posted on his verified Facebook account on Wednesday evening. "I would like to thank all of my teammates, coaches & specially my fans who have always supported me," he said. Over the years, Riyad's consistent performances and clutch play had not only won matches for Bangladesh but had also cemented his status as a beloved figure among supporters. His gratitude extends beyond the field, embracing every individual who contributed to his success. Mahmudullah opts out as BCB’s new contract announced In a message filled with emotion, Riyad offered special thanks to those closest to him. He acknowledged his parents, in-laws—with a particular mention of his father-in-law—and most notably his brother, Emdad Ullah, who has been his coach and mentor since childhood. "My brother Emdad Ullah has been there for me constantly, guiding me like a true mentor," Riyad said highlighting the crucial role of family support in his illustrious career. Additionally, he expressed his deep appreciation for his wife and children, describing them as his unwavering support system through thick and thin. Riyad concluded his announcement with a simple, yet profound farewell: "PEACE........... Alhamdulillah. Best wishes to my team & Bangladesh cricket."

Despite repeated failures, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has defended senior players Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riayd.  Bangladesh's hopes in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 were dashed after consecutive losses to India and New Zealand, leading to their elimination alongside Pakistan.   In the must-win clash against New Zealand, Mahmudullah, returning from a calf injury, scored just four runs, while Mushfiqur managed only two, failing to provide stability in the middle order. Their dismissals came at a crucial stage, derailing Bangladesh’s hopes of setting a more challenging total.   However, Najmul dismissed suggestions that the senior players were given automatic selections.  “There is no automatic choice in this team,” he said. “Riyad (Mahmudullah) bhai was important because of his recent form. Mushfiq bhai, despite his struggles, remains a vital player because of his keeping and experience,” Shanto said.  Champions Trophy 2025: Bangladesh to bat first vs New Zealand Bangladesh’s batting woes have been a recurring issue, with 179 dot balls in the innings against New Zealand. Najmul acknowledged that frequent wickets in the middle overs made strike rotation difficult.  “We made some poor shot selections. If we had planned better, we wouldn’t have lost so many wickets,” he admitted. Bangladesh captain said they need to change their mindset to adapt to the global trouanments, instead of the personnel.  In their last match of this Champions Trophy, Bangladesh will take on the hosts Pakistan on February 27 in Rawalpindi.

Three Bangladeshi players have been picked in the player draft for the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), set to take place from April 8 to May 19. Fast bowler Nahid Rana, batter Liton Das, and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain have secured contracts with different PSL franchises. PSL: Shakib Al Hasan to join Peshawar Zalmi Peshawar Zalmi roped in Nahid Rana in the Gold category, making him the first Bangladeshi cricketer to be drafted this year. Right-arm pacer Nahid will share the dressing room with stars like Babar Azam and Saim Ayub under the coaching of two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain Darren Sammy. Afridi ruled out of PSL due to back injury Karachi Kings picked Liton Das, also in the Gold category. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter, who recently smashed a record-breaking century in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), has previously played in the IPL, LPL, and CPL. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain joined Lahore Qalandars in the Silver category. Rishad gained attention for his performances in the T20 World Cup last year and will now make his first appearance in an overseas franchise tournament if he gets an NOC. Shakib prefers DPL over PSL While several other Bangladeshi players, including Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, were listed in the Platinum category, none were picked up in the PSL draft.

Bangladesh's former captain, Tamim Iqbal’s participation in the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy is still uncertain. After a meeting with the chief selector of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Tamim said he is expecting a decision in the next two to three days. Tamim Hossain of BKSP wins gold medal in Taiwan National School Athletics Tamim met with Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the chief selector, on Wednesday in Sylhet. While meeting him, Tamim said he would make the call after discussing it with his family and well-wishers. With the deadline for submitting the 15-member Champions Trophy squad to the ICC approaching on January 12th, the selectors are keen to include Tamim after national team captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, expressed his desire to have Tamim in the team. In the discussion with Tamim, other selection committee members also accompanied the chief selector. Tamim slams BCB over lack of investment in cricket infrastructure “Discussions don't always come up with immediate results,” Gazi Ashraf said during a media briefing in Sylhet. “Players may need to consult with friends, family, and well-wishers before making a comeback. We won't give a direct answer. We'll have to wait for the final decision.” Tamim played for the national team more than a year ago. It’ll be a surprising move for the fans if the left-handed batter decides to make a return to the national team now. Tamim heads to India amid speculation about commentary job

Bangladesh’s lead in the ongoing Kingston Test against the West Indies passed the 200-run mark with five wickets in hand.  At the stumps of day three, Bangladesh were batting at 193 for five, with Jaker Ali and Taijul Islam remaining unbeaten for 29 and 9, respectively.  Shahadat Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz batted with a strike-rate over 100 in the second innings. Shahadat posted 28, and Mehidy scored 42.  The intention was clear— to increase the pressure on the West Indies in the last innings of the match.  Kingston Test: Nahid Rana bags maiden 5-for as Bangladesh secure 18-run lead Nahid Rana bagged his maiden five-for to wrap up the hosts for 146.  The right-arm pacer ended up taking five for 61 runs. Hasan Mahmud took two wickets.  Bangladesh struggled in their first innings, managing only 164 runs before being dismissed. U-19 Asia Cup: Holders Bangladesh almost assure semifinal berth beating Nepal by 5 wickets West Indies pace bowlers Jayden Seales, with four wickets, and Shamar Joseph, with three, were the chief destroyers of the Bangladesh batting lineup.   Opener Shadman Islam top-scored for Bangladesh with a defiant 64, while captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with a valuable 36.

Bangladesh right-arm pacer Nahid Rana bagged his maiden five-for in the Test and helped the tourists to wrap up West Indies for 146-10 in reply to Bangladesh’s first innings total of 164, ensuring an 18-run lead. Rana struck early, removing Mikyle Louis with a delivery clocked at 147.1 kph that drew an edge to the keeper. At 25 for 1, the West Indies faced consistent pressure. Kraigg Brathwaite fell to a rising delivery, fending it off the bat's shoulder to gully, leaving the hosts at 85 for 2. BCB announces women’s squad for T20I series against Ireland Rana induced an edge from Kavem Hodge with a back-of-a-length ball. Keeper Litton Das adjusted mid-dive to take a one-handed catch, reducing the West Indies to 94 for 3. Rana later dismissed Alzarri Joseph with a full toss that was chipped to mid-off, and sealed his five-wicket haul by trapping Kemar Roach lbw. Roach reviewed, but ball tracking confirmed the decision. Rana’s efforts ended the West Indies innings at 146. Another right-arm pacer Hasan Mahmud took two wickets for the tourists.  Kingston Test: Shadman shines with a fifty after rain cut the day In the first innings of the match, Bangladesh were bowled out for 164, with Jayden Seales taking four wickets. Shamar Joseph took three.  Shadman Islam was the highest-run-getter for Bangladesh with 64. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh’s captain, contributed with 36. 

Despite a fightback from Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam, with a 103-run stand, Bangladesh ended up on 159, giving up a 416-run lead to South Africa, who have decided to enforce a follow-on.  Mominul scored 82 before falling prey to Senuran Muthusamy. Taijul posted 30. Keshav Maharaj dismissed him.  By lunch, Bangladesh were batting at 137 for eight wickets, with Mominul remaining not out for 74 and Taijul Islam for 18.  They forged out a 103-run stand in the ninth wicket, offering a fightback to South Africa, who had been in command in this Test since day one.  The wicket suddenly started to look flat to make the batter play easily. But at the start of the day, there were cracks on the wicket, as the legendary South African pacer Shaun Pollock said to the broadcaster in the morning.  Bangladesh vs South Africa test: Mominul fights back after Rabada takes five-for Rabada had already taken two wickets on Wednesday. He took three more in the first season of day three. Rabada first trapped Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto with an angling delivery that was going away lately. Shanto prodded it to the wicketkeeper. Mushfiqur Rahim fell to a soft dismissal in the next over while driving to the mid-wicket. He just flicked it straight to the fielder at the mid-off.  In his next over, Rabada took two wickets in three balls. Mehidy Hasan Miraz edged to the wicketkeeper off an outside-off delivery, and then Rabada trapped Mahidul Islam lbw for a duck.  Bangladesh lost the first Test in Dhaka and are now on the verge of another defeat unless they create any unlikely history in the second innings.  Bangladesh played 24 Tests in Chattogram, with two wins, seven draws, and defeats in all others. 

Bangladesh cricket team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is unwilling to continue in his role, an international cricket media reported on Saturday.  The news came as the Bangladesh team is gearing up for the second Test against South Africa in Chattogram, starts on October 29.  Cricbuzz, a cricket website, reported that he is not willing to continue in his role and has informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of this. Shanto said that he is now waiting for a response from the board.  Shanto, a left-handed batter, was appointed as Bangladesh’s captain in all formats in February 2024. Chattogram Test: Khaled recalled, Bavuma remains unavailable Shanto informed the board that he wants to step down as captain after the upcoming second Test against South Africa.  It’s unclear what he showed the board behind his move. Recently, he was scrutinized for his dismal performance with the bat, and his captaincy also failed to show any innovative approaches that can characterized as good captaincy.  The board has yet to say anything about Shanto’s decision to quit captaincy. It’s not clear who will take over the captaincy if he eventually resigns from the post.  Shanto led Bangladesh in nine Tests, nine ODIs, and 24 T20Is. Under his captaincy, Bangladesh’s most famous success came when they beat Pakistan 2-0 in a two-match Test series

Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan, adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, on Thursday regretted the inability to accord the country's biggest cricket legend Shakib Al Hasan his farewell from cricket on home soil. However, he acknowledged the ongoing public discontent regarding Shakib's association with the ousted Awami League government, describing it as a natural response. Shakib’s final Test appearance called off over security fears "There is public resentment due to Shakib Al Hasan's association with the Awami fascist government," he stated, emphasising the importance of addressing these concerns. Despite Shakib's efforts to clarify his political position through a Facebook post aimed at soothing public frustration, recent protests demonstrated that "it has become evident... that it was not enough." The sports adviser remarked that "those who are protesting also have the constitutional right to do so, underlining the legitimacy of their grievances." Shakib included in squad for South Africa Test In light of the upcoming series between South Africa and Bangladesh, Asif advised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to discourage Shakib playing in the country for the time being, aiming to prevent any undesirable situations. He explained that this decision was made "as an urgent measure to protect both the players' safety and the country's image in international sports." Asif concluded with a call for respecting the law, stating, "If there are any complaints, solutions can be sought through the legal process."

The newly appointed head coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team, Phil Simmons, has arrived in Dhaka for his first assignment with the Tigers—a two-Test home series against South Africa. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said that they have signed Simmons for six months—until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place in Pakistan in February.  Simmons was named as Bangladesh’s new coach after the BCB issued a suspension notice to the previous coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, for his alleged involvement in an assault of a national team player, as the BCB president Faruque Ahmed said.  BCB appoints Phil Simmons as Head Coach of Bangladesh National Cricket team After the South Africa series at home, Bangladesh will play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in the UAE. Then, they will travel to the West Indies for a full series consisting of Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.  Meanwhile, the South Africa cricket team also arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday morning. The first Test of the two-match series will begin on October 21 in Dhaka, while the second Test will be played in Chattogram from October 29th.