United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman will return home for eight days during the Indian Premier League to play a limited-overs series against New Zealand.  Mustafizur was signed by Kolkata for 9.20 crore rupees at the IPL auction, the highest price ever paid for a Bangladeshi player. However, he will not be available for the full tournament, which runs from March 26 to May 31. New Zealand are scheduled to tour Bangladesh in April for three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches. Mustafizur becomes most expensive Bangladeshi at IPL auction BCB’s cricket operations chief Nazmul Abedin said Mustafizur would return to Bangladesh specifically to play the ODI series. Bangladesh’s decision is driven by qualification concerns for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Only the top nine teams in the ICC rankings by February 15, 2027, will earn direct entry. Bangladesh are currently ranked tenth. Nazmul dismissed concerns that switching from the T20 intensity of the IPL to ODIs could be difficult for Mustafizur, suggesting the opposite might be true.    

Sometimes, even legends need a moment to adjust. Nathan Lyon did not just take a wicket in Adelaide on Thursday morning against England. He crossed a line that had stood for nearly two decades — and did it with a delivery so perfect that it briefly unsettled one of Australia’s greatest fast bowlers in the commentary box. Lyon’s dismissal of Ben Duckett early on the second day of the Adelaide Test carried history with it. With that ball, the off-spinner moved past Glenn McGrath to become Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, behind only Shane Warne. For McGrath, who was on commentary duty for the BBC, the moment arrived with uncomfortable familiarity. Lyon had already drawn level with McGrath’s tally earlier in the over, when Ollie Pope fell cheaply. Two balls later, Duckett faced what many off-spinners spend a career chasing: a delivery that pitched on a teasing length, drew the front foot forward, spun sharply past the bat and clipped the off stump. Duckett stood still, briefly confused, before walking off. In the commentary box, Adam Gilchrist summed it up simply: Duckett looked “bewildered.” McGrath, momentarily, looked no less so. Cameras caught him lifting his hands to his head, then half-rising from his chair as if to throw it aside, before stopping himself. The reaction was theatrical, but the smile that followed told the fuller story. Records are meant to fall, and Lyon had earned this one properly. For context, McGrath had held that position since retiring in 2007, finishing with 563 wickets from just over one hundred Tests. Lyon surpassed him in his one hundred and forty-first match, having spent months stuck on the same tally amid selection frustrations and limited opportunities, especially in day-night Tests dominated by pace. His return in Adelaide was decisive. Two wickets in his first over, history rewritten, and a reminder that Test cricket has its own sense of timing.

Alex Carey celebrated a memorable hundred at his home venue while Usman Khawaja chipped in with 82 after a late recall, guiding Australia to 326 for eight at stumps on the first day of the third Ashes test on a sweltering Wednesday. England found some momentum through Jofra Archer, who claimed 3-29, including two wickets in three deliveries shortly after lunch. Offspinner Will Jacks added 2-105, removing Australia’s two top scorers, as England edged the day in batting-friendly conditions. Carey anchored the innings with a series of productive stands — 91 with Khawaja, who replaced Steve Smith at the eleventh hour, 59 alongside Josh Inglis, 26 with Pat Cummins and a vital 50 with Mitchell Starc — keeping the run rate near four an over. His innings ended just before stumps on 106, deceived by a slower ball from Jacks. Starc, player of the match in the first two tests, continued his fine run and was unbeaten on 33 at the close. With temperatures climbing past 35°C and forecasts nearing 40°C for Day 2, bowlers faced punishing conditions. A record Adelaide Oval crowd of 56,298 spurred Carey on. “A solid day’s cricket,” he said. “Scoring a hundred here in front of home fans and family was really special.” Carey, a central figure in the contentious 2023 Ashes stumping of Jonny Bairstow, said post-innings he understood the scrutiny that comes with elite sport. Later drama followed when England unsuccessfully reviewed a caught-behind appeal on 72; technology providers later admitted an operator error. Steve Smith missed the match due to ongoing dizziness and nausea, allowing Khawaja to return on the eve of his 39th birthday. Australia, already 2-0 up after wins in Perth and Brisbane, saw early wickets fall before Khawaja and Carey steadied the innings. Both teams wore black armbands in tribute to victims of a deadly antisemitic attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, with flags at half-staff and a pre-match ceremony marking the tragedy. Source: AP 

Usman Khawaja made a dramatic return to the Ashes, steadying Australia at 94-2 after the opening session of the third Test against England on Wednesday. Khawaja was rushed into the playing XI moments before the toss as a replacement for Steve Smith and walked in after Australia lost two wickets in quick succession. The experienced opener survived an early scare when dropped on 5 and went on to remain unbeaten on 41 at the interval. He added an unbroken 61-run partnership for the third wicket with Marnus Labuschagne, who was 19 not out, after Australia slipped from 33 without loss to 33-2 in the space of six balls. Smith had captained Australia to convincing wins in Perth and Brisbane in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, sealing an eight-wicket victory in the second Test and a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. England must win in Adelaide to keep alive its hopes of regaining the Ashes. Khawaja missed the second Test due to a back injury and, on the eve of his 39th birthday, appeared close to Test retirement after initially being left out of the squad. His situation changed abruptly when Smith was ruled out with nausea and dizziness. Mustafizur becomes most expensive Bangladeshi at IPL auction After Cummins won the toss and chose to bat in his return from injury, openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald made a solid start before Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse struck in successive overs. Khawaja settled after early pressure and capitalized on a dropped chance, adding 36 runs after the reprieve as Australia closed a steady opening session. Players wore black armbands and flags flew at half-staff to honor victims of a deadly antisemitic attack in Sydney, with pre-match tributes held at the Adelaide Oval. Source: AP 

Bangladesh left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman became the most expensive Bangladeshi player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history on Tuesday after Kolkata Knight Riders secured his services for 9.20 crore rupees at the IPL auction. Mustafizur, who had a base price of 2 crore, attracted strong interest from multiple franchises, with Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders engaged in a bidding contest before Kolkata emerged victorious. The final price surpassed the previous record for a Bangladeshi player at the IPL auction, set in 2009 when Mashrafe Mortaza was signed by Kolkata for $600,000 — equivalent to roughly 5.45 crore at current exchange rates. The signing marks Mustafizur’s sixth IPL franchise. He previously represented Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings. With Kolkata, he adds another chapter to a career that has made him one of the most sought-after overseas pace options in the league. Mustafizur made his IPL debut in 2016 with Sunrisers Hyderabad and played a key role in their title-winning campaign, taking 17 wickets in 16 matches, including a best of three for 21. Across eight IPL seasons, he has played 60 matches and taken 65 wickets, with a strike rate of 21.2 balls per wicket. He has registered six three-wicket hauls and nine instances of taking two wickets in a match. His most productive recent season came in 2016 with Hyderabad, where he claimed 17 wickets in 16 matches.  

Bangladesh’s under-19 team rewrote the record books on Saturday with a landmark chase in the Asia Cup, overhauling a target of 284 to defeat Afghanistan by three wickets in Dubai. No side in the tournament’s 36-year history had ever chased down a total of that size at under-19 level. Bangladesh did so with seven balls to spare, riding a commanding opening stand and holding their nerve through a tense finish at the ICC Cricket Academy ground. Afghanistan, sent in to bat, posted 283 for seven, anchored by a polished century from Faisal Shinozada. The batter struck 103 from 94 balls, his third hundred against Bangladesh in youth one-day internationals, before departing in the 33rd over. Afghanistan added 108 runs after his dismissal to set what appeared an imposing target. Bangladesh’s reply was shaped by a fluent opening partnership between Jawad Abrar and Rifat Beg. The pair added 151 runs in 26.4 overs, giving the chase early momentum. Rifat fell for 62, but Jawad carried on, mixing control with power and keeping the asking rate in check. He was dismissed for 96, four runs short of a century, after striking nine fours and six sixes in a 112-ball innings. A brief wobble followed as wickets fell in quick succession, bringing pressure back into the contest. Captain Azizul Hakim and Kalam Siddiki steadied the innings, and despite further losses late on, Bangladesh stayed within reach. The equation was reduced to 15 runs from the final 18 balls, and after a late dismissal, Shahriar Ahmed calmly nudged the winning run to seal a historic victory.

Devon Conway compiled a composed half-century in a 67-run stand with Kane Williamson to guide New Zealand to 112-2 at lunch on Thursday, the second day of the second Test against the West Indies. The hosts added 88 runs in the morning session, responding to the West Indies’ first-innings total of 205, on a Basin Reserve pitch that continued to offer pace and movement for the quicks. Kemar Roach struck early, removing Tom Latham for 11 in the fifth over of the day with a delivery that seamed back and hit off stump. Williamson, who looked settled on his way to 37, was undone just before lunch by a superb Anderson Phillip delivery that pitched on middle and straightened enough to clip off stump. Conway went into the interval unbeaten on 55, while Rachin Ravindra was batting on 5. Conway enjoyed a life on 29 when Brandon King dropped him at leg gully off Jayden Seales, and Williamson survived a tough return chance to Phillip on 22. Cummins returns for third Ashes Test as Australia aims to seal series West Indies’ seamers worked hard to unsettle Conway, alternating between attacking his pads from around the wicket and moving the ball across him from over the wicket. The surface hardened overnight, offering consistent bounce and sharp movement from a good length. Ravindra, who struck 171 in the second innings of the drawn first Test, got off the mark shortly before lunch with an edge that flew between slip and gully. Meanwhile, New Zealand confirmed that fast bowler Blair Tickner, who dislocated his left shoulder on day one after taking 4-32, has rejoined the squad but will not bowl or field again in the match. He will bat only if required. The opening Test in Christchurch ended in a draw. The series finale begins Dec. 18 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Source: AP 

Bangladesh leg spinner Rishad Hossain has left for Australia to take part in the upcoming Big Bash League, where he will play for defending champions Hobart Hurricanes. With this, his dream is coming into true, as he was unable to play last season as the BCB did not grant him the No-Objection Certificate.  Rishad is the only Bangladeshi cricketer after Shakib Al Hasan to play this Australian league.  This time, the clearance came early, which also kept Rishad out of the Bangladesh Premier League auction. Hobart retained their faith in him during the draft, calling him in the second round. Before that, they secured England fast bowler Chris Jordan as their first overseas pick, and later added another English leg spinner, Rehan Ahmed, in the fourth round. Jordan has been a key figure for Hobart over the last two seasons, taking seven wickets during their title-winning campaign last year and nine wickets the previous season. He remains the Hurricanes’ preferred option in the death overs and was their top overseas priority once again. With Rishad and Rehan both in the squad, two of Hobart’s three overseas slots are now occupied by leg spinners who can also contribute with the bat. Mushtaq backs Rishad for Test, citing his height and bounce advantage Rehan brings stronger red-ball batting credentials, with six first-class centuries, while Rishad has featured in ninety-six recognized T20 matches, scoring one fifty at a strike rate of 134.39. Rehan last played competitive cricket in mid-November and recently recovered from injury, which British media say will not affect his Big Bash availability. Only three overseas players can feature in a match-day eleven, making competition for places intense. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis led the team last season. The new Big Bash season begins on December 14, with Hobart Hurricanes setting to play their opening match on December 16.  

Australia’s 15-man squad for next week’s third Ashes Test features just one notable addition — captain Pat Cummins, who is set to bolster the pace attack when the series resumes in Adelaide. Selectors retained a larger squad to maintain flexibility ahead of the Dec. 17 match, with Cummins and off-spinner Nathan Lyon both expected to return to the starting XI. Australia leads the five-Test series 2-0 and needs only a draw at Adelaide Oval to retain the Ashes. Cummins has been sidelined since Australia’s 3-0 sweep of the West Indies in July, when he began experiencing the back soreness that kept him out of the opening two Tests. Lyon, who was unexpectedly dropped for the team’s eight-wicket win at the Gabba, has been cleared to play and is set to reunite with the attack. McCullum blames England’s Ashes slump on overtraining, opts for beach reset The remaining fitness concern is opener Usman Khawaja, who is recovering from a back complaint. The 38-year-old remains optimistic about being available, though it is uncertain whether he will reclaim his spot. In his absence, Travis Head partnered Jake Weatherald in Brisbane, scoring 33 and 22 after his match-winning century in Perth. Australia squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster. Source: AP 

Shakib Al Hasan, who lives out of country after the fall of his political party Awami League from the government facing a mass uprising last year, has said he remains hopeful of playing for Bangladesh again and wants to end his international career with a full series on home soil across all three formats. Many observers believe Shakib’s international career for Bangladesh effectively ended after he last played during the team’s tour of India in 2024. Following the political changes later that year, the former Bangladesh captain has remained outside the country. Shakib was a member of parliament after Awani League won an election early last year. The election was boycotted by major political parties. In July- August last year, a mass uprising ousted Sheikh Hasina-led government after she brutally superseded an earlier students-movement demanding a fair system for government job. Speaking on the YouTube podcast Beard Before Wicket, Shakib said his plan is clear. “My plan is to return to Bangladesh and retire after playing a full series — one-day internationals, Tests and T20Is,” he said. “I want to say goodbye to all three formats in a single series. It could be T20Is first, then ODIs and Tests, or in any order. I have no issue with that,” he added Shakib had earlier announced before the Kanpur Test in September last year that he would no longer play international T20Is. He had also hoped to play his final Test at home against South Africa in October, but protests and clashes near the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka preceded that series. After later apologising for his silence during the July–August student-led uprising, Shakib was not included in the squad for the South Africa Tests. However, despite the apologies, Shakib later said what he had done during the protest was right. Now, again, the star all-rounder expressed his hope to play for Bangladesh. Since the India tour in 2024, he has not featured for the national team but has continued to play regularly in overseas franchise leagues. He is currently playing in the International League T20 in the United Arab Emirates for MI Emirates. Shakib said he is still playing because of his dream to return. “This is the dream. That is why I am still playing,” he said. He added that a farewell at home would be for the supporters. “They have always stood by me. I want to close this chapter by playing a full series in front of them on home soil.” But the current political reality that emerged after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s fifteen-year rule in Bangladesh, which analysts say was authoritative, now casts serious doubt on whether that “dream” can be fulfilled.