cricket
BPL 2024: Barishal oust Rangpur, advance to final
Fortune Barishal secured a 6-wicket victory in the second qualifier of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Wednesday, eliminating Rangpur Riders and advancing to the final.
Despite Shamim Hossain's electrifying 20-ball fifty, the Riders' target of 150 proved insufficient. Barishal's measured response, anchored by a composed 47 not-out from Mushfiqur Rahim, saw them reach the target with nine balls remaining.
It was two consecutive wins for Barishal, who beat Chattogram Challengers in the eliminator to make their way to the second qualifier.
BPL 2024: Shamim blasts 20-ball 50, powers Rangpur to competitive total
This marks Barishal's fourth BPL final appearance (Barishal has multiple teams in BPL’s different seasons, and it is the second final for the Fortune franchise), while former champions Rangpur missed a golden opportunity to replicate their success. Their dominance in the league phase, with nine wins out of 12 matches, made their consecutive qualifier defeats a bitter pill to swallow.
Though the Riders' 150-run total seemed modest, their bowling attack sought to make things difficult for Barishal. Despite losing openers Tamim Iqbal and Mahedy Hasan Miraz early, Barishal never seemed in danger of collapsing.
Fazalhaq Farooqi and Abu Hider posed occasional threats, but their efforts weren't enough to defend the total. Kyle Mayers and David Miller joined Mushfiqur, providing the necessary impetus to their innings to maintain the run rate and seal the win.
Earlier, Shamim's blistering 20-ball half-century propelled Riders to a challenging total in what looked like an unlikely finish just two overs prior.
Liton fined for breaching BCB Code of Conduct
Rangpur struggled early, reaching only 112 runs with three wickets remaining after 18 overs. However, Shamim's explosive 19th over against Obed McCoy changed the game. He smashed 26 runs, including three sixes and two fours, single-handedly boosting the Riders to a competitive total.
While Shamim's late-innings heroics were the highlight, the rest of the Riders' batting lineup faltered.
The top three batters contributed a mere 11 runs, and the following three added only 43. Shamim remained unbeaten on 59, with James Neesham the second-highest scorer at 28.
Fortune Barishal's bowlers shined, with James Fuller taking three wickets and Mohammad Saifuddin claiming two.
BPL 2024: Barishal or Rangpur – Who Will Face Comilla in the Final?
Barishal will now face the Comilla Victorians, who defeated the Riders in the first qualifier, in the final on March 1. While Comilla boasts a record number of BPL titles, Barishal seeks their first championship victory.
BPL 2024: Shamim blasts 20-ball 50, powers Rangpur to competitive total
Shamim Hossain's blistering 20-ball half-century propelled Rangpur Riders to a challenging total in what looked like an unlikely finish just two overs prior.
Shamim's powerful knock guided the Riders to 149 for seven in 20 overs against Fortune Barishal in the second qualifier of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Wednesday.
The winner of this match will advance to the March 1 final to face the Cumilla Victorians.
Rangpur struggled early, reaching only 112 runs with three wickets remaining after 18 overs. However, Shamim's explosive 19th over against Obed McCoy changed the game. He smashed 26 runs, including three sixes and two fours, single-handedly boosting the Riders to a competitive total.
While Shamim's late-innings heroics were the highlight, the rest of the Riders' batting lineup faltered. The top three batters contributed a mere 11 runs, and the following three added only 43.
Shamim remained unbeaten on 59, with James Neesham the second-highest scorer at 28.
Fortune Barishal's bowlers shined, with James Fuller taking three wickets and Mohammad Saifuddin claiming two.
Liton fined for breaching BCB Code of Conduct
Comilla Victorians Captain, Liton Das, has been slapped with a fine equating to 15 percent of his match fees due to a breach of the Code of Conduct of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) during the Bangladesh Premier League 2024.
The incident occurred during the match against Rangpur Riders in Mirpur on Monday (February 26).
The breach was identified under Article 2.6 of the BCB Code of Conduct for Players, which prohibits the use of gestures that are obscene, offensive, or insulting during a match.
BPL 2024: Barishal or Rangpur – Who Will Face Comilla in the Final?
Aside from the fine, Liton also accrued one demerit point on his disciplinary record.
Liton acknowledged his offense and accepted the proposed sanction by Match Referee Salim Shahed. Consequently, there was no necessity for a formal hearing.
The charge was brought forth by on-field umpires Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat and Deighton Butler, third umpire Tanvir Ahmed, and fourth official Ali Arman.
David Hemp appointed new batting coach, Adams bowling coach of men's cricket team
Level 1 breach entails a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, with a maximum punishment of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, alongside the addition of one or two demerit points.
BPL 2024: Barishal or Rangpur – Who Will Face Comilla in the Final?
Fortune Barishal and Rangpur Riders face off in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024 second qualifier on Wednesday evening. The winner of this high-stakes clash will secure a spot in the March 1 final against the Comilla Victorians.
Both Barishal and Rangpur have experienced fluctuations throughout the league phase, but a victory in Qualifier 2 requires them to play at their absolute best.
Barishal enters the playoffs with momentum, having defeated the Chattogram Challengers in the Eliminator. They finished third in the league stage.
Rangpur, on the other hand, suffered two consecutive losses to Comilla – one during the league phase and the other in Qualifier 1. This puts them under slightly more pressure than their opponents.
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The outcome of this match, and who will ultimately face Comilla in the final, depends significantly on the performance of both teams' local players.
Barishal's success has been heavily driven by veteran opener and captain, Tamim Iqbal, who is the second-highest run-scorer in this BPL season with 443 runs, trailing only Tawhid Hridoy who massed 447 runs. Mohammad Saifuddin has been their standout bowler, claiming 12 wickets in 7 matches.
Barishal's foreign recruits and other key players will need to contribute significantly for them to secure a place in the final.
For Rangpur, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedi Hasan have spearheaded their bowling attack, and Hasan Mahmud has provided additional support.
BPL 2024: Tawhid, Litton star in Comilla's victory march to final
Their Achilles heel is their batting lineup, particularly their top order. Following Babar Azam's departure due to other commitments, Rangpur has struggled for consistent starts. Their lack of a batter with 300-plus runs this BPL highlights this issue (seven batters from other teams have achieved this milestone).
Regardless of who wins Qualifier 2, the match promises to be a thrilling spectacle for BPL fans who flocked in droves around the stadium gates in Mirpur hours before the match. For whoever wins Qualifier 2, the final on March 1 will be tough going for them due to Comilla's history of winning every time they've reached the final.
David Hemp appointed new batting coach, Adams bowling coach of men's cricket team
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has revamped its coaching staff, appointing David Hemp as batting coach and Andre Adams as bowling coach for the Bangladesh national men’s team.
Both coaches join the team with impressive backgrounds and a wealth of international experience.
Habibul Bashar takes new role as head of BCB women's wing
Hemp, who previously served as BCB's high performance (HP) head coach since May 2023, brings extensive coaching experience to the role. He also toured with the national team as batting coach in New Zealand last year.
Hemp boasts an ECB Level 4 coaching certification and a prolific, first-class career as a batter. He previously coached the Pakistan women's national team and held positions with the Victoria State women's team and the Melbourne Stars in the Women's Big Bash League.
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Adams, a former New Zealand all-rounder, joins Bangladesh after serving as bowling coach for the New Zealand White Ferns. His decade-long coaching career includes stints with the New Zealand Black Caps and as Australia's assistant coach in their 2022–23 series against South Africa. Adams' expertise extends to his time as head bowling coach of the New South Wales Blues in the Australian Sheffield Shield.
Both coaches will commence their two-year contracts with the Bangladesh team in the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka, starting early in March in Sylhet.
Mahmudullah included, Tamim axed from BCB's new central contracts
Women's Cricket: BCB Announces Schedule for Bangladesh-Australia Series
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has revealed the schedule for the upcoming Australia Women's tour, which will feature three ODIs and three T20Is.
The ODI series is part of the 2022-25 ICC Women's Championship. This tour marks the first bilateral series between Bangladesh and Australia, who have previously only met during ICC events.
All matches will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
BPL 2024: Barishal crush Chattogram in eliminator, secure qualifier spot
The ODIs are scheduled for March 17, 21, and 24, with all matches starting at 9:30 am. The T20Is will follow on March 31, April 2, and April 4, starting at 12 pm.
Cricket Australia has also announced the squad that will travel to Bangladesh.
Australia squad: Alyssa Healy leads the side in both formats: Alyssa Healy (Captain), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris (T20s only), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (Vice Captain), Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck.
BPL 2024: Tawhid, Litton star in Comilla's victory march to final
The record-holding Comilla Victorians outshone the Rangpur Riders in the first Qualifier of the ongoing season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), securing their path to the final and a chance to claim yet another title.
Tawhid Hridoy and Litton Das led a masterful batting symphony, guiding Comilla to the final of March 1.
Despite Rangpur's efforts, their journey now takes them to the second Qualifier on February 28th, where they'll face Fortune Barishal, who eliminated Chattogram Challengers in the Elimantor and kept their title dream alive.
Comilla weathered an early storm, losing their premium all-rounder Sunil Narine on the very first ball to Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who was playing his first match in this BPL. But their batting lineup remained unfazed.
In a dazzling second-wicket partnership, Litton and Tawhid formed an outstanding partnership of 143 runs, effectively snatching the match from Rangpur's grasp.
Tawhid's bat sang a song of dominance, reaching a well-deserved fifty. Litton, too, joined the party with his own half-century. In doing so, Tawhid soared past Tamim Iqbal as this BPL's leading run-scorer, surpassing the 400-run mark. His ended up on 83 off 57 balls, with five fours and four sixes.
Comilla ultimately danced to victory, chasing the target of 186 in 18.3 overs with six wickets to spare.
Earlier, Rangpur batted first and set a challenging total of 185 runs for six wickets. James Neesham shone as their main scorer, with a breathtaking 97 off 49 deliveries, with eight fours and seven sixes. He remained unbeaten. Rangpur captain Nurul Hasan offered a supporting melody of 30 runs.
However, despite promising starts, Rangpur's other batters couldn't sustain their rhythm.
Comilla's Andre Russell took two wickets for 37 runs.
With this win, Comilla strides confidently towards their fifth BPL final. In their four previous appearances, they've emerged victorious each time – an unmatched record in BPL history.
India beat England in fourth Test to secure series
India took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series against England by winning the fourth Test by five wickets on Monday. And with this win, they’ve secured the five-match series.
It was the first Test series defeat for England after Ben Stokes took over the captaincy and Brendon McCullum became their coach.
Chasing 192 to win, India lost five wickets for 36 runs to slip to 120 for five, but Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel put on a sixth-wicket partnership of 72 to get the hosts over the line.
India’s victory was set up on Sunday’s third day when England collapsed to 145 all out, as the tourists surrendered the initiative after having taken a 46-run lead from the first innings.
England had won the first Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs. India responded by winning the second Test in Visakhapatnam by 106 runs, and then the third Test in Rajkot by 434 runs. The fifth Test will be played in Dharamshala from March 7.
BPL 2024: Barishal crush Chattogram in eliminator, secure qualifier spot
“It has been a hard-fought series without a doubt and to come on the right side of it after four Tests feels so good,” said India skipper Rohit Sharma.
India resumed Monday on 40 without loss. Sharma completed his half-century and seemingly had set his team on course for victory, before England snared three wickets to keep their hopes alive of achieving a dramatic turnaround.
Sharma shared an 84-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal, before the latter was spectacularly caught by 41-year-old James Anderson off Joe Root for 37 to give the tourists a much-needed breakthrough.
Jaiswal’s wicket sparked a mini-collapse as India went from 84 for none to 100 for three inside nine overs as England sniffed a chance of victory.
Left-arm spinner Tom Hartley had Sharma caught behind in the 26th over for 55. It was initially judged as a stumping but, on review, the television umpire also detected an edge from the batter as keeper Ben Foakes held on to a sharp catch.
England take three wickets but India closing in on series victory in 4th test
Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir then had Rajat Patidar caught at short leg for a six-ball duck as India lost its second wicket in eight deliveries.
India went to lunch at 118 for 3, but the slide continued after the break.
Ravindra Jadeja (4) was caught first ball on the resumption of play. He hit a low full toss off Bashir straight to mid-on. Next ball, Sarfaraz Khan was caught at short leg.
Jurel (39 not out) denied Bashir the hat-trick and then bedded down for a match-winning partnership with Gill.
The 24-year-old Gill was watchful and intent on not taking any risks. He only scored his first boundary after 119 deliveries.
BPL 2024 David Miller ready to make his mark with Barishal
The two batters grew in confidence as they spent time at the wicket, with England’s spinners beginning to toil.
Gill (52 not out) hit two sixes to reach his sixth Test half-century and brought a swift end to an enthralling match
Jurel, who also scored a crucial 90 in the first innings, was named player of the match in only his second Test. “I play according to the demands of the situation,” he said.
“In the first innings we needed to get runs as well and it was vital because we had to bat last. In both innings I was involved in important partnerships, so credit to all those who stayed with me and helped add vital runs.
Bashir, playing in only his second Test, finished with 3-79 and collected a match haul of eight wickets to lead the England attack.
India climbed to second in the world Test championship table with a win percentage of 64.58 in eight matches. England slipped to eighth with a win percentage of 19.44 in eight games.
“It was a great Test match,” said England skipper Ben Stokes. “The scoreboard says India won by five wickets but it doesn’t credit the way things unfolded, the ebbs and flows on every single day. I can only be proud of my team. We have some inexperienced spinners but they have kept bowling. I am proud of their efforts.”
BPL 2024: Barishal crush Chattogram in eliminator, secure qualifier spot
Fortune Barishal delivered a dominant performance against the Chattogram Challengers in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Eliminator on Monday, securing a place in the second Qualifier.
They will now face the winner of the first Qualifier between Rangpur Riders and Comilla Victorians.
Chattogram's BPL 2024 campaign has come to an end with this defeat.
Despite finishing the league phase with seven wins in 12 matches, and entering the playoffs with the same points as Barishal, their inferior run rate meant they were placed at number fourth in the points table.
England take three wickets but India closing in on series victory in 4th test
Batting first, Chattogram managed a modest total of 135 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Barishal comfortably chased down the target within 15 overs, securing a convincing victory with seven wickets in hand.
Barishal's chase suffered an early setback with Soumya Sarkar's dismissal for a duck. However, Tamim Iqbal and Kyle Mayers steadied the innings with a crucial 98-run partnership.
Mayers unleashed a blistering 25-ball fifty, which included a 26-run over off Chattogram captain Shuvagata Hom featuring three sixes and two fours.
After Mayers' dismissal at 50, Tamim Iqbal continued to guide Barishal towards victory, ending with his third unbeaten half-century of this BPL season. And with this fifty, his total in this BPL surpasses 400 runs.
BPL 2024 David Miller ready to make his mark with Barishal
Chattogram's batting struggled against a disciplined Barishal bowling attack. They lost in-form opener Tanzid Hasan for just two runs, hunted by Mohammad Saifuddin in the second over.
Wicketkeeper-batter Imrul Kayes fell cheaply for seven, further increasing the pressure.
Josh Brown attempted to counter-attack and was dropped on 20 by Tamim. However, he was unable to fully capitalise on the chance, adding only 14 more runs to his score.
All of Tom Bruce, Shykat Ali, and Shuvagata Hom got starts but failed to convert them into significant contributions.
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Josh Brown was Chattogram's top scorer with 34, while captain Shuvagata Hom contributed 24. For Barishal, Kyle Mayers and Saifuddin both claimed two wickets for 28 runs in their four-over spells. Obed McCoy also contributed with two wickets for 29 runs.
England take three wickets but India closing in on series victory in 4th test
Rohit Sharma scored a half century to set India on course for victory on day four of the fourth test, before England snared three wickets to keep their slightest hopes alive of achieving a dramatic turnaround.
India was 118-3 at lunch on Monday, needing 74 more runs for victory and an unassailable 3-1 series lead in the five-test series.
Sharma shared an 84-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal, before the latter was spectacularly caught by veteran James Anderson off Joe Root for 37 to give the tourists a much-needed breakthrough against the seemingly comfortable Indian opening pair.
Jaiswal's wicket sparked a mini-collapse as India went from 84-0 to 100-3 inside nine overs as England sniffed a chance of victory.
Left-arm spinner Tom Hartley had Sharma caught behind in the 26th over for 55. It was initially judged as a stumping, but on review, the television umpire also detected an edge from the batter while keeper Ben Foakes held on to a sharp catch.
Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir then had Rajat Patidar caught at short leg for a six-ball duck as India lost its second wicket in eight deliveries.
Shubman Gill (18 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (3 not out) watchfully navigated the remaining overs before lunch, with a grandstand finish in the offing.
At the break, Gill was batting on 18 runs with Jadeja (3 not out), and England stayed in the hunt needing another seven wickets for an improbable win.
India has a 2-1 lead in the five-test series, after winning back-to-back tests in Visakhapatnam and Rajkot by 106 and 434 runs, respectively. England had won the first test in Hyderabad by 28 runs.