Cricket
New Zealand wins first test in India since 1988
New Zealand weathered a nery chase and a superb spell by Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah to win its first test on Indian soil since 1988.
New Zealand made 110-2 on a rain-affected final day on Sunday to beat India by eight wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Will Young and Rachin Ravindra shared a 75-run partnership for the third wicket to complete a famous victory after rain had again intervened early in the morning session.
Bangladesh's new coach urges Tigers to focus on cricket amid chaos
Young finished unbeaten on 48 runs off 76 balls, scoring six fours and a six, while Ravindra was 39 not out off 46 deliveries, hitting six fours.
Bumrah finished with 2-29 after a stunning spell that removed both Black Caps openers and also beat the outside edge of the batters time and again, but couldn’t find the luck India desperately needed to make inroads into the Kiwis batting order.
After the first day was washed out, India was then bowled out for its lowest test score at home in its first innings – 46 runs on day two. It rebounded with 462 runs in the second innings, but New Zealand’s first innings’ effort of 402 runs — with 134 from Ravindra — had the tourists in the ascendancy throughout.
Earlier Sunday, play started an hour late due to a morning shower in Bengaluru.
Sarfaraz Khan scores maiden century for India as the home side fights back against New Zealand
Bumrah trapped captain Tom Latham lbw for a duck on the second ball of the morning. Latham reviewed, but the TV umpire decision went against him.
It was a tough opening spell for the batters, with Devon Conway never looking comfortable against Bumrah. He was out lbw for 17 runs in the 13th over as New Zealand was reduced to 35-2.
But Young and Ravindra calmed the nerves of the tourists’ dressing room with their attacking intent and fine stroke play.
Once Bumrah’s spell was over, they settled down and attacked the Indian spinners. Kuldeep Yadav went for 8.7 runs per over in his short spell and Ravindra Jadeja didn’t fare much better.
The pair put on 50 off 51 balls to lift New Zealand to the target 10 minutes prior to lunch in the extended morning session when Young played a cut shot for four off Jadeja.
The second match in the three-test series will be played in Pune starting Thursday and the final match is in Mumbai from Nov. 1.
1 day ago
Sarfaraz Khan scores maiden century for India against New Zealand
Sarfaraz Khan scored his maiden century as India continued its comeback on the fourth day of the first cricket test against New Zealand.
Khan was unbeaten on 125 runs off 154 balls as India reached 344-3 in its second innings before rain intervened. Rishabh Pant was also batting on 53 runs, with the hosts still trailing by 12 runs.
Lunch was called early by 10 minutes as the duo added 113 runs off 132 balls for the unbeaten fourth wicket to continue India’s turnaround after it had been bowled out for just 46 runs in its first innings.
New Zealand scored 402 runs in its first innings, thanks to Rachin Ravindra’s 134 runs, taking a lead of 356 runs. India had lost Virat Kohli for 70 runs on the last ball of day three and began from its overnight score of 231-3.
Coming into the second test as a replacement for injured Shubman Gill, Khan achieved his maiden hundred in only the fourth test. By lunch on day four, he had hit 16 fours and three sixes before rain stopped his charge.
Meanwhile, Pant scored his 18th test half-century off 55 deliveries. Together, the duo put on 100 off just 120 balls as India looked to turn the game around.
But Bengaluru's weather intervened — the fourth day began under a dark sky with the constant threat of rain, and it arrived shortly before the scheduled lunch break. Rain washed out all play on the first day on Wednesday.
India leads the World Test Championship standings, and a 3-0 win in this series against New Zealand would all but assure its spot for the final at Lord’s next June. India recently beat Bangladesh 2-0.
New Zealand has already been on a long subcontinental tour. It began with a washed-out test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, India, followed by a 2-0 series loss in Sri Lanka.
The second match in the three-test series will be played in Pune starting next Thursday and the final one in Mumbai from Nov. 1.
2 days ago
More than a finisher: Mahmudullah's impact on Bangladesh cricket
Mahmudullah Riyad may not have been the most naturally gifted cricketer of his generation, but he was certainly among those with the best work ethic.
The right-handed allrounder, who turns 39 in February, announced his retirement from T20Is on Tuesday. He confirmed that the final match of the ongoing Bangladesh-India series would be his last in the format. He, however, will continue to be available for selection in ODIs.
Mahmudullah earned the title of “finisher” in limited-overs cricket for his ability to score quick runs and hit big boundaries in the lower order towards the end of the team's innings. His departure leaves a gap that will not be easy for Bangladesh to fill.
At his retirement announcement, Mahmudullah said it was the right time to step down. Cricket analysts seem to agree. Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, veteran cricket coach and a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), told UNB that fans should respect Mahmudullah’s decision.
“We have to thank Mahmudullah for his contributions to Bangladesh cricket,” Nazmul Abedeen said. “He did a lot for where Bangladesh cricket stands today. He has performed well, considering the era he played in.”
Mohammad Isam, a cricket analyst and Bangladesh correspondent for ESPNcricinfo, echoed the same sentiments.
“Mahmudullah's retirement is timely, given his age and dwindling form,” Isam said. “He made his T20I comeback earlier this year after missing 27 matches in 2022. He was almost forgotten in this format after the 2021 World Cup.”
Mahmudullah waves goodbye to T20Is
Mahmudullah, who has batted in nearly every position, truly earned global respect during the 2015 World Cup with two centuries. No Bangladeshi batter had achieved a World Cup century before him. Despite his versatility, Mahmudullah rarely had a fixed batting position, frequently shifting to suit the team’s needs.
Reflecting on his career, Nazmul Abedeen said that Mahmudullah was often the best option at his position. “He never gave others a chance to claim his spot,” Nazmul noted, alluding to Mahmudullah's dedication.
Despite primarily batting in the lower order, Mahmudullah is Bangladesh’s second-highest run-scorer in T20Is, with 2,395 runs and eight fifties—just 156 runs shy of Shakib Al Hasan.
After his remarkable ODI World Cup run in 2015, Mahmudullah adopted a more aggressive approach, honing his big-hitting skills. His T20I career saw a significant transformation after 2016, as he averaged 26 in 85 matches after that, compared to his career average of 19 in 54 games before that.
“Mahmudullah became a transformed cricketer,” Isam added. “His T20 career was stagnating until 2016 when Chandika Hathurusingha assigned him a new role. He raised his game with an emphasis on aerial shots and a positive outlook.”
The right-hander also captained Bangladesh in 43 T20Is—more than any other Bangladeshi player—winning 16 of those matches. He was one of Bangladesh’s best T20I captains.
Approaching 40, Mahmudullah has stayed fit enough for international cricket while many of his peers have retired. Ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup, he was expected to miss out, yet he proved his fitness to secure a spot.
Ups and downs have defined Mahmudullah’s career, but he consistently found ways to fight back and make comebacks against all odds.
“It will be hard to replace Mahmudullah’s experience, but his role has become outdated in T20s,” Isam noted. “Bangladesh will need to rethink their T20 batting structure, and replacing Mahmudullah may require a fundamental shift in their setup.”
1 week ago
Who will replace Shakib in T20Is for Bangladesh?
The Bangladesh team is set to begin their T20I campaign on October 6 without the services of long-time stalwart Shakib Al Hasan. The former Bangladesh captain recently announced his retirement from the format, leaving the team with a pressing question: who will replace Shakib in the T20I format?
It was expected that Shakib would play in the three-match T20I series against India following the two-match Test series. However, ahead of the second Test in Kanpur, Shakib surprised everyone by announcing his retirement from both Test and T20I formats, making him unavailable for the T20I series.
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In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) included Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the squad. But the question remains: will Mehidy truly replace Shakib in this format?
Shakib played 129 T20Is, amassing over 2,500 runs and taking 149 wickets. In contrast, Mehidy has played just 25 T20Is, scoring 248 runs and claiming 14 wickets.
These stats clearly demonstrate that Shakib has been an irreplaceable figure in Bangladesh’s T20 setup. While Mehidy is a spinning all-rounder like Shakib, he cannot yet replicate what Shakib brings to the table.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed hope that Mehidy can rise to the challenge left by Shakib. However, he stopped short of calling Mehidy a direct replacement.
“It will be a bit difficult to adjust now. There will be some challenges in forming the playing eleven,” Najmul said. “Shakib used to provide balance on both fronts—batting and bowling. We have brought Mehidy into the team, and I hope he will quickly adapt to that role.”
Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that finding a like-for-like replacement for Shakib would be difficult.
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After the Kanpur Test, which Bangladesh surprisingly lost in just over two days, Hathurusingha expressed his shock at Shakib’s sudden retirement announcement.
In T20Is, Bangladesh has struggled to perform consistently, but Shakib was a steady presence, which earned him spots in various private leagues worldwide. While Bangladesh may find someone capable of performing well in the format, Shakib’s absence will undoubtedly haunt the team for some time.
2 weeks ago
Bangladesh make history with first Test win over Pakistan
Bangladesh created a historic moment in their cricket history, beating Pakistan in the Rawalpindi Test on Sunday by a big margin of 10 wickets.
It was Bangladesh’s first-ever Test win over Pakistan, and overall 20th win in the format.
In 2003, Bangladesh went as close as just one wicket from a win, but they were eventually denied by a great innings of Inzamam-ul-Haq. Twenty-one years later, Bangladesh finally registered a Test win over Pakistan.
Before this match, Bangladesh played 13 Tests against Pakistan and lost 12, with the other ending in a draw.
In the first innings of the match, Pakistan posted 448 for six and declared the innings. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan hit a century each for Pakistan.
Read more: CA Prof Yunus greets Bangladesh cricket team for their historic Test win against Pakistan
For Bangladesh, Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud took two wickets each. In reply, Bangladesh posted 565 in their first innings— Bangladesh’s highest-ever Test total against Pakistan, with Mushfiqur Rahim scoring 191. Naseem Shah took three wickets for the hosts.
In their second innings, Pakistan consistently lost wickets at crucial moments, managing only a 29-run lead and setting Bangladesh a modest target of 30 runs to win.
For Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan Miraz took four wickets conceding only 21 runs, and Shakib Al Hasan took three wickets.
Shakib has now taken 707 wickets in international cricket, surpassing New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori's tally of 705 to become the highest wicket-taking left-arm spinner in history.
Bangladesh chased the target of 30 runs in just 6.3 overs, with Zakir Hasan hitting the winning shot.
Read more: Shakib’s career in jeopardy: Legal notice to BCB demands removal from national team
1 month ago
Women’s Asia Cup: Bangladesh beat Malaysia by 114 runs
In their third match in the Women’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh beat Malaysia by 114 runs. It was Bangladesh’s second win in the tournament.
In their first two matches, against Sri Lanka and Thailand, Bangladesh beat Thailand but lost to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh won the toss on Wednesday in Dambulla and opted to bat first.
Read more: Shathira Jakir Jessy: First Bangladeshi Woman to Become an International Umpire
Opener Murshida Khatun and captain Nigar Sultana proved the decision of batting first as justified, hitting a 50 each. While Murshida hit 80 with 10 fours, Nigar scored 62 with five fours and two sixes.
Riding on their excellent batting show, Bangladesh posted 191 for two.
In reply, Malaysia managed only 77 for eight in 20 overs and suffered a heavy defeat.
Nahida Akter took two wickets for Bangladesh.
Read more: ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup 2024: Match Fixtures, Schedule, Groups, and Teams
2 months ago
Shathira Jakir Jessy: First Bangladeshi Woman to Become an International Umpire
While men’s cricket gets a lot of attention, the history of women in cricket is also no less impressive. The first recorded instance of women in cricket goes back to 1745 and the first Women’s One Day International (WODI) was played in 1934. Over the years, the participation and fan following surrounding women’s cricket has only increased, and one of our very own has taken the flag to new heights. We’re talking about none other than Shathira Jakir Jessy, the first Bangladeshi woman to become an international umpire.
Early Life
Shathira Jakir Jessy was born in 1990 in Lalmonirhat. Her father, a banker, and mother, a head teacher, were very supportive of her love for cricket. Through her mother, Jessy first got into Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) in shooting as women’s cricket wasn’t offered by BKSP at that time.
Over the years, Jessy persisted and when women’s cricket finally took off in 2007, Jessy found her calling. And the rest is history.
Read more: Women's Asia Cup: Bangladesh aim for semifinal spot
Career Overview
Table: Shathira Jakir Jessy’s Cricket Career at a Glance
Competition
Matches
Runs Scored
Top Score
Ball Bowled
Wickets
WODI
2
1
1
22
0
WT20I
1
-
-
-
-
WLA
9
133
62
342
15
WT20
13
57
22*
270
17
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shathira_Jakir
3 months ago
ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup 2024: Match Fixtures, Schedule, Groups, and Teams
The 2024 ACC Women's Asia Cup Tournament starts this month. Sri Lanka will host this T20I tournament, consisting of 15 matches. Eight teams are participating in this contest. Let’s look at the fixtures, teams, and schedules of the 2024 Women's T20I Asia Cup tournament.
Participating Teams and Groups
The 2024 ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup tournament will be played by eight teams, divided into two groups. The teams in Group A are India, Nepal, Pakistan, and United Arab Emirates, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand are in Group B.
Group A
Group B
India, Nepal, Pakistan, and UAE
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand
.
The four full members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, and Pakistan, have been automatically qualified for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024.
Besides, the finalists (Malaysia and UAE) and semi-finalists (Nepal and Thailand) from the 2024 ACC Women's Premier Cup will join the tournament.
Read more: Bangladeshi players' performance in foreign cricket leagues: Updates from LPL and MLC
Fixtures of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024
Table: Match Schedules of Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 (Time Adjusted to BST)
Stage
Date (BST)
Time
Teams
Venue
Group
July 19, 2024 (Friday)
2.30 PM
UAE vs Nepal (Group A)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 19, 2024 (Friday)
7.30 PM
India vs Pakistan (Group A)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 20, 2024 (Saturday)
2.30 PM
Malaysia vs Thailand (Group B)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 20, 2024 (Saturday)
7.30 PM
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (Group B)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 21, 2024 (Sunday)
2.30 PM
India vs UAE (Group A)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 21, 2024 (Sunday)
7.30 PM
Pakistan vs Nepal (Group A)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 22, 2024 (Monday)
2.30 PM
Sri Lanka vs Malaysia (Group B)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 22, 2024 (Monday)
7.30 PM
Bangladesh vs Thailand (Group B)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 23, 2024 (Tuesday)
2.30 PM
Pakistan vs UAE (Group A)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 23, 2024 (Tuesday)
7.30 PM
India vs Nepal (Group A)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 24, 2024 (Wednesday)
2.30 PM
Bangladesh vs Malaysia (Group B)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Group
July 24, 2024 (Wednesday)
7.30 PM
Sri Lanka vs Thailand (Group B)
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Semi-Final 1
July 26, 2024 (Friday)
2.30 PM
TBD vs TBD
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Semi-Final 2
July 26, 2024 (Friday)
7.30 PM
TBD vs TBD
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
Final
July 28, 2024 (Sunday)
7.30 PM
TBD vs TBD
Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka
.
Read more: BCB uncertain about Mushtaq Ahmed's role as long-term spin bowling coach
Conclusion
Starting on July 19, the 2024 Women’s T20 Asia Cup tournament will end on July 28. The tournament will be played in the round-robin and knockout format. Therefore, each team will play with other teams. The current champion, India, will enter the tournament as a favorite. However, Bangladesh is expected to try to regain the title they won in 2018.
Read more: BCB announces women's cricket team for ACC Women's Asia Cup 2024
3 months ago
Virat Kohli ends T20 career on a high as India wins World Cup
Right up to the Twenty20 World Cup final, there were question marks about whether India should persist with playing Virat Kohli.
One of the greatest cricketers India has ever produced just wasn't scoring.
He'd tallied 75 runs in seven games, including two ducks. India won every game but Kohli was reduced to a concerning afterthought, saved by the middle order and bowlers.
The humbling scores followed a spectacular Indian Premier League for Kohli, who set or extended tournament records in scoring 741 runs at an average of nearly 62.
Captain and fellow opener Rohit Sharma, despite their low-scoring partnerships at the World Cup, insisted throughout that he and Kohli were the first names on the team list.
His faith was repaid in the final against South Africa on Saturday, when Kohli led India's batting with 76 from 59 balls in a competitive total of 176-7. The bowlers brilliantly defended the total to win a thriller by seven runs and make India a world champion for the first time in 13 years.
“None of us doubted him,” Sharma said of Kohli.
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“We know his quality. He has been at the top of his game for 15 years now. Big players will step up in big occasions and he played a crucial knock today. It was a team effort to get to that total but we knew we needed someone to bat time and he did that perfectly, using all his experience.”
After being named man of the match, Kohli said it was his last T20 international.
“One day you feel like you can't get a run, but one day things just click,” he said.
“I am so proud to get the runs for the team on the day it mattered most. The occasion prompted that change for me, I felt like it was now or never. We have wanted to lift a trophy for a long time. The occasion made me put my head down, respect the situation and play the innings that the team needed from me.”
Class prevails when it comes to Kohli. He's produced so often when it's mattered.
In the 2014 final in Dhaka, he led all scorers with 77 off 58, though India lost to Sri Lanka.
In the 2016 semifinal in Mumbai, he hit an unbeaten 89 off 47 in the loss to West Indies.
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He finished as the T20 captain at the 2021 World Cup, and hit 50 off 40 in the 2022 semifinal loss to England in Adelaide.
After six T20 World Cups, he's the highest scorer in tournament history, just ahead of Sharma, but he's decided to finish his 14-year T20 career on a high than stay to the next World Cup in 2026 co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. He'd be 37 by then.
“It is time for the new generation to come through for India,” Kohli said. "We have some amazing players coming through and they have to take this team forwards now.
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“I wasn't feeling myself before today. I wasn't confident. So I am very grateful and humble right now. It has been difficult, so there are a lot of emotions. It hasn't quite sunk in for me yet. It's an amazing day, I am so thankful.”
3 months ago
Best T20 Cricket Games for Android, and iOS in 2024
The T20 Cricket World Cup has created a buzz. All cricket enthusiasts are watching the matches and supporting their favorite teams. However, cricket lovers may want to interact more with the tournament. Numerous games are on mobile platforms featuring the twenty20 cricket format. Let’s look at the top 10 high-rated T20 games for Android and iOS. These feature-enriched games offer diverse options for the players.
Top 10 Twenty20 Cricket Games for Smartphones in 2024
Real Cricket 24
Real Cricket 24, released in August 2022 by Nautilus Mobile, offers a comprehensive cricket simulation experience on mobile. With a 4.4-star rating, this free-to-download game includes in-app purchases. The game features advanced motion capture for realistic animations, dynamic stadiums, and a variety of tournament formats such as RCPL 2023 and the World Cup 2023.
Unique player faces and customizable jerseys enhance the experience. The game includes real-time multiplayer, manual fielding, and shot assist for over 600 batting shots. It requires Android 6.0 and up, with a download size of 659 MB, and offers commentary in English and Hindi from renowned commentators.
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World Cricket Championship 3
World Cricket Championship 3 (WCC3), released in 2020 by Nextwave Multimedia, holds a 4.3-star rating on app stores. The game features real-time motion-captured actions, professional commentary, and detailed stadiums. Players can engage in T20, ODI, and Test matches, along with a Career Mode offering over 400 matches. It includes the official West Indies Cricket Team and allows advanced customization of players.
The game supports English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Urdu commentary. WCC3 is free to download with in-app purchases, with a download size of around 700 MB. Multiplayer options include 1-on-1 and team-based matches against other gamers.
World Cricket Championship 2
World Cricket Championship 2 was released in July 2015 by Nextwave Multimedia. This mobile cricket game has achieved a 4.3-star rating. It offers both online and offline multiplayer modes, 150 batting animations, 28 bowling actions, and realistic ball physics. Players can participate in numerous tournaments, including the World Cup and Ashes Test Series.
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The game features professional English and Hindi commentary, cinematic cameras, and dynamic lighting. WCC2 is free to download with in-app purchases ranging from BDT 5.00 to BDT 5,600.00. The download size is 529 MB, and it requires Android 5.1 or higher. The game includes customizable players, manual field placement, and various gameplay modes.
Indian Cricket Premier League 2023
The Indian Cricket Premier League 2023 game was released by Rockit Game Studio on 13th March 2020. It is a popular mobile cricket game with over 5,000,000 downloads and a 4.3-star rating. This offline and online game features teams like Chennai, Delhi Devils, and Mumbai Stars, offering various modes including Quick Play, Challenges, and Tournaments.
The game supports Hindi commentary and includes realistic stadiums from around the world. Players can enjoy daily rewards and unlock items as they progress. The game requires Android 5.1 and up, with a download size of 65 MB, providing a comprehensive and engaging cricket experience with advanced AI and multiplayer modes.
Read more: June 2024 Video Games Lineup: A Burst of Exciting Releases Across Genres
Sachin Saga Cricket Champions
Sachin Saga Cricket Champions was released on December 6, 2017. The game was developed by JetSynthesys Inc. It is a 3D mobile cricket game featuring advanced AI and multiplayer modes. Rated 4.2 stars, it allows players to relive Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic matches and participate in various formats like ODIs, Tests, and IPL T20.
The game includes unique modes such as Legendary, PvP, and Quick Play. It features 24x7 live events, manual catching, dynamic camera angles, and realistic motion-captured animations. The game is free with in-app purchases ranging from BDT 50.00 to BDT 8,500.00. It requires Android 4.4 and up, with a download size of 243 MB.
3 months ago