Cricket

Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das put up a valiant fight against Pakistan's bowling attack on Day 3 of the first Test in Rawalpindi. The duo added an unbeaten 98 runs for the sixth wicket, guiding Bangladesh to a respectable 316-5 at the close of play.Rahim, who reached his 28th Test half-century with a boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi, remained unbeaten on 55. Das, who also completed his half-century with a six off Naseem Shah, was not out on 52.The pair came together after Bangladesh lost opener Shadman Islam for 93, just seven runs short of a century. Islam's patient innings of 183 balls helped Bangladesh recover from a shaky start and lay the foundation for a solid total.Pakistan's bowlers struggled to make an impact on the unresponsive Rawalpindi pitch, with only Naseem Shah managing to break through the Bangladesh defense. Shah dismissed Litton Das for 52, ending a promising partnership that had threatened to take the game away from Pakistan.Despite the wicket, Bangladesh remained in control of the match, trailing Pakistan's total of 448-6 declared by 132 runs with five wickets in hand. The visitors will be confident of securing a draw or even pulling off a first-ever win over Pakistan in the 14th Test match between the rivals.

Faruque Ahmed Elected BCB President as Nazmul Hassan ResignsDhaka, Bangladesh - Faruque Ahmed has been elected as the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following the resignation of Nazmul Hassan during a board meeting in Dhaka on Wednesday.Hassan, who had served as BCB president since 2013, stepped down from his position citing personal reasons. He expressed his gratitude to the board members and the cricket community for their support during his tenure.Ahmed, a former national cricketer and BCB director, was unanimously elected as Hassan's successor. He has been involved in cricket administration for over a decade and is widely respected within the cricketing fraternity.In his acceptance speech, Ahmed outlined his vision for Bangladesh cricket, emphasizing the importance of player development, infrastructure improvement, and international competitiveness. He pledged to work closely with the board members, players, and stakeholders to take Bangladesh cricket to new heights.Ahmed's election comes at a crucial time for Bangladesh cricket. The team is currently ranked seventh in the ICC Test rankings and eighth in the ODI rankings. Ahmed will be tasked with guiding the team to greater success on the international stage.The BCB is also facing challenges in terms of infrastructure and player development. Ahmed has promised to address these issues by investing in new facilities and implementing comprehensive player development programs.The election of Faruque Ahmed as BCB president is a significant development for Bangladesh cricket. His experience and leadership will be invaluable as the team looks to build on its recent successes and achieve even greater heights in the future.

ICC Considers Relocating Women's T20 World Cup from Bangladesh Amid Political UnrestAmidst escalating political tensions in Bangladesh, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is contemplating moving the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup out of the country. According to a report by Cricbuzz, the ICC held a virtual board meeting on Tuesday and identified the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a potential alternative venue.The tournament, originally scheduled to take place in Bangladesh from October 3 to 20, has been thrown into uncertainty due to the ongoing political crisis. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reportedly agreed to the shift but will remain the official host of the event.The decision to relocate the tournament is primarily driven by concerns over the safety and security of players, officials, and spectators. Bangladesh has been experiencing widespread protests and political unrest in recent weeks, raising concerns about the ability to host a major international sporting event.The ICC is expected to make a final decision on the venue change in the coming days. If the tournament is indeed moved to the UAE, it would mark the second time in a row that the Women's T20 World Cup has been held in the country. The 2020 edition was also hosted in the UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The potential relocation of the tournament has drawn mixed reactions. Some have expressed disappointment that Bangladesh will not be able to host the event, while others have welcomed the decision to prioritize safety and security.The ICC is committed to ensuring the well-being of all participants and will continue to monitor the situation in Bangladesh closely. The organization will provide further updates as they become available.

Jalal Yunus, a former fast bowler and prominent sports organizer, has resigned from his position as a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director and chairman of the cricket operations committee. This move comes after the National Sports Council (NSC), the governing body for 41 sports organizations in Bangladesh, requested his resignation.Yunus's resignation is part of a broader effort by the NSC to reform sports federations in the country, including the BCB. The NSC's new sports adviser, Asif Mahmud, has called for a politics-free sporting arena, a departure from the BCB's history of political influence.Yunus, who played professionally in the 1980s, has been involved in cricket administration since the late 1990s. He has held various key roles within the BCB since 2009, including his most recent position as cricket operations head.In his resignation statement, Yunus expressed his support for the NSC's efforts to improve cricket governance. "I have resigned for the greater interest of cricket," he said. "I am all for cricket running properly and correctly."Meanwhile, Ahmed Sajjadul Alam, another NSC-nominated director in the BCB, has declined the board's request to step down. Alam, a veteran sports organizer and current chairman of the BCB's tournament committee, stated that the NSC should make the decision regarding his position.The NSC is expected to nominate a replacement for Yunus as their director in the BCB. Faruque Ahmed, a former Bangladesh captain and two-time chief selector, is reportedly the likely candidate.The BCB, which oversees Bangladesh's most popular sport, has been criticized for its political connections in recent years. The board has included members of parliament, former MPs, and relatives of the country's prime minister.The NSC's move to reform the BCB is seen as a step towards creating a more transparent and accountable sports administration in Bangladesh.

Australia's T20 World Cup captain, Alyssa Healy, has expressed concerns about hosting the tournament in Bangladesh due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country. Healy believes it would be inappropriate to divert resources from relief efforts to a sporting event.The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to announce the tournament's host this week, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) considered the frontrunner. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are also potential options.Healy's comments reflect the concerns of several governments, including Australia, the UK, and India, which have issued travel warnings for Bangladesh. The country has been grappling with the aftermath of recent violence that has resulted in hundreds of deaths and the ousting of the government."I find it really hard to see a cricket event going on over there at the moment and taking resources away from a country that is really struggling," Healy said. "They're needing everyone they can possibly get in there helping people that are dying."Healy emphasized that her concerns are based on humanitarian grounds rather than safety issues. Australia toured Bangladesh earlier this year and played six matches without incident. However, she believes that hosting a major sporting event at this time would be insensitive."I'd find it hard to fathom playing there at the moment, as a human being, I feel like it might be the wrong thing to do," Healy said. "But I'll leave it to the ICC to work out."Allrounder Sophie Molineux confirmed that players have been kept informed about the situation and trust the ICC to make the right decision.Australia will name their World Cup squad next Monday, and Healy is confident they will be able to adapt to any host country. They gained valuable experience during their tour of Bangladesh earlier this year."I feel like we're so well balanced in the…players that we get to choose from, wherever the World Cup gets put, I think we're going to have the right squad to take it on," Healy said.The World Cup squad will also play three T20Is against New Zealand in September as preparation for the tournament.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to announce the host nation for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as the frontrunner. The BCCI's refusal to host the event has opened the door for alternative venues, with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe also expressing interest.The UAE boasts three world-class cricket stadiums in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, making it an ideal location for the tournament. The ICC is expected to make a final decision this week, as time is running out to finalize arrangements.Meanwhile, Thailand has withdrawn as co-host of the 2025 Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup, leaving Malaysia as the sole host. The tournament will feature 16 teams, including debutants Samoa, and will be played at four venues. Defending champions India are grouped with West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia in the tournament, which begins on January 18, 2025.The ICC's decision to move the Women's T20 World Cup out of India has sparked controversy. BCCI secretary Jay Shah cited monsoon conditions and the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup in 2023 as reasons for declining the offer. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains keen on hosting the tournament despite ongoing political turmoil in the country.The ICC's decision will have a significant impact on the development of women's cricket. The Women's T20 World Cup is a prestigious event that showcases the best female cricketers in the world. Hosting the tournament in a country with a strong cricketing infrastructure and a passionate fan base will help to raise the profile of women's cricket and inspire future generations of players.

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam faced a challenging net session ahead of the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, as pacer Khurram Shahzad rattled him with an inswinging delivery that struck him near the abdominal region. The incident, captured on video and shared on social media, has sparked concern among fans.Shahzad's delivery left Azam visibly in pain, and he struggled to time the ball effectively throughout the session. The video shows Azam getting clean bowled on the very next delivery he faced from the same bowler.The incident occurred during a training session in Rawalpindi, where the Pakistan team is preparing for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting August 21. The series will mark the first assignment for Jason Gillespie as Pakistan's Test coach.Pakistan has opted for a pace-heavy lineup for the series, with five fast bowlers and just one frontline spinner, Abrar Ahmed. Saud Shakeel has been appointed as the new vice-captain.The Pakistan squad for the Test series includes: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be led by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Their squad includes Mahmudullah, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, and Khaled Ahmed.The first Test will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium from August 21 to August 25, while the second Test will be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3. Spectators will not be allowed during the second Test due to ongoing renovations at Karachi's National Stadium.

Pakistan's former cricketer Salman Butt has lauded Babar Azam's fitness and consistent performance over the past two years. Butt emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness, especially after Pakistan's disappointing performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup.Sources have revealed that Babar Azam will bat at number four in Pakistan's upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Captain Shan Masood will bat at number three, while Abdullah Shafique's position as opener remains secure.Butt praised Azam's ability to score runs in both the first and second innings, demonstrating his fitness and adaptability. He expressed concern over the team's fitness issues, which have been a topic of discussion since the T20 World Cup.The two-match Test series against Bangladesh will commence on August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Jason Gillespie will make his debut as Pakistan's Test coach during the series. The second Test will be played in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.Due to ongoing renovations at the National Stadium in Karachi, spectators will not be allowed during the second Test match.

Amidst the political turmoil in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing calls for reform. Board president Nazmul Hassan Papon has reportedly offered to resign to facilitate cooperation with the Muhammad Yunus-led government.Papon, who is currently serving his fourth term as BCB president, has been in hiding in London since the unrest began. Former BCB officials and organizers have gathered at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium to demand his resignation.According to a BCB director, Papon is willing to step down and cooperate with the government to bring about reforms in the board. The director stated that Papon is prepared to request a board meeting to accept his resignation and hold elections for a new president.Another BCB director emphasized the need for cooperation from the interim government if the board is to be run by an elected body. The director explained that the board would need to accept Papon's resignation and fill the vacancy through an election among the 25 board directors.The BCB's constitution dictates that any resignation must be submitted to the board, which will then decide whether to accept or reject it. If accepted, an election will be held to fill the vacant position.The political instability in Bangladesh has cast a shadow over the BCB, with calls for reform growing louder. Papon's offer to resign is seen as a step towards addressing these concerns and bringing about positive change in the board.