Cricket

Bangladesh's recent political and social unrest has had a profound impact on its cricketers. Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan actively participated in the protests, facing police pursuit in Dhaka. Akbar Ali and Kamrul Islam Rabbi openly supported the student movement from its inception.Anamul Haque, the Bangladesh batter, endured a personal tragedy when his close friend Akram was killed in the Dhaka student protests on July 25. Leading Bangladesh A in two four-day games against Pakistan A in Islamabad, Anamul shared his harrowing experience during the protests."Losing contact with my family during the protests was traumatizing, especially after my friend's death," Anamul said. "I was in Chattogram and couldn't reach them in Dhaka. This tragedy affected everyone in some way."Like many in Dhaka, Anamul faced sleepless nights as uncertainty and chaos gripped the capital. "I was awake from 2am to 5am, taking care of my child," he recalled. "I went out to see what was happening and witnessed people guarding their property. We don't want to live like this. We deserve peace and fundamental rights."Anamul praised the students for managing Dhaka's traffic in the absence of the police force. "They're doing an extraordinary job, maintaining discipline," he said. "This is the country we've always wanted."Regarding the silence of Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza, two prominent Bangladesh cricketers and Awami League MPs, Anamul remained diplomatic. "It's up to the individual whether they want to speak out," he said. "I was focused on my family and my friend's family. I wrote about him on social media, but others may have different perspectives."Anamul expressed hope that Bangladesh A's tour of Pakistan would provide valuable preparation for the senior team's upcoming Test series. "Cricket unites us," he said. "This tour will help us, especially the Test series in Pakistan. We're playing Tests after a long time, and we hope to bring some cheer to our fans during these challenging times."

The two-Test series between Bangladesh and Pakistan, scheduled to commence on August 21 in Rawalpindi, faces uncertainty due to ongoing civil unrest in Bangladesh. The unrest, sparked by the forced resignation and escape of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has disrupted travel plans for the Bangladesh team.The Bangladesh A team's shadow tour to Pakistan has already been affected by the unrest. Former Test skipper Mominul Haque was set to play for the A team against Pakistan Shaheens, but the tour has been postponed. The arrival of both the A and Test teams in Pakistan is now in doubt.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is making efforts to salvage the series. They have offered to host the Bangladesh players for additional days and provide training facilities in Rawalpindi ahead of the Test matches. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has not yet responded.The BCB has delayed the arrival of their A side to Pakistan by 48 hours, adding further uncertainty to the series. Reports have also emerged that homes of some senior Bangladesh players have been attacked by mobs, complicating the situation further.The A team was originally scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on August 10, while the Test squad was due on August 17. The A team's first four-day game is set to begin on August 11.The Bangladesh cricket team has not toured Pakistan since the 2019-2020 season. The PCB is actively trying to maintain communication with the BCB, but the current circumstances make it challenging."With the BCB president (Najmul Hosain Papon) also leaving the country, apparently the board is not functioning normally," a PCB source said.The ongoing unrest in Bangladesh has cast a shadow over the upcoming Test series against Pakistan. The PCB is hopeful of salvaging the series, but the situation remains fluid and the arrival of the Bangladesh teams is uncertain.

Bangladesh A, the second-string national cricket team, will embark on a tour of Pakistan next month, featuring two four-day matches and three one-day matches against Pakistan A. The tour will run concurrently with the Bangladesh senior men's Test tour of Pakistan, which begins on August 21.The first four-day match will be held from August 10 to 13 in Islamabad, with the second scheduled from August 17 to 20. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque, two experienced Test players, will feature in the first four-day match alongside Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Nayeem Hasan, and Hasan Mahmud.For the second four-day match, Mohammad Naim, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Jaker Ali, Towhid Hridoy, and Mohammad Saifuddin will replace the six players from the first game. Shahadat Hossain, Mahidul Islam, and Mosaddek Hossain will play in both four-day matches.The one-day series will consist of three matches on August 23, 25, and 27. The squad for the one-day series includes Anamul Haque, Mohammad Naim, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Mahidul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rejaur Rahman Raja, and Ruyel Miah.This tour marks the first time since the 2003-04 season that Bangladesh A will play first-class matches. The team will depart for Islamabad on August 6.

India's women's cricket team secured a commanding victory over Bangladesh in the semifinals of the Women's Asia Cup, advancing to their ninth final appearance. Led by Renuka Singh's three-wicket haul and Smriti Mandhana's blistering half-century, India cruised to a 10-wicket triumph.Bangladesh, opting to bat first, faced an early setback as Renuka Singh dismissed Dilara Akter in the opening over. The Indian pacer continued her dominance, removing Ishma Tanjim and Murshida Khatun in quick succession, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 25 for three.Captain Nigar Sultana attempted to anchor the innings, but found limited support from her teammates. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav provided excellent support to Renuka, claiming three wickets of her own. Bangladesh's innings eventually folded for a meager 80 runs.In response, India's openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, made light work of the chase. Mandhana showcased her class with elegant drives and a towering six, while Shafali played with characteristic aggression. The duo remained unbeaten, guiding India to victory in just 11 overs.Mandhana's 55 not out off 39 deliveries included nine boundaries and a six, while Shafali contributed an unbeaten 26 off 28 balls. India's fielding was also impressive, with Shafali making a diving catch to dismiss Rabeya Khan.India will now face the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday. The defending champions will be aiming to extend their dominance in the tournament, having won the previous six editions.

Bangladesh XI, led by Dilara Akter, faced off against Malaysia XI, captained by Winifred Duraisingam, in a crucial match of the ongoing tournament. Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first.Malaysia's opening bowlers, Winifred Duraisingam and Suabika Manivannan, started off with a tight spell, restricting Bangladesh's scoring. However, Murshida Khatun broke the shackles in the second over, driving a glorious boundary through the covers.Bangladesh continued to build their innings steadily, with Khatun and Ishma Tanjim contributing valuable runs. Khatun, in particular, looked in fine touch, hitting another boundary in the fourth over.Malaysia's bowlers fought back in the middle overs, with Duraisingam and Manivannan bowling economically and picking up wickets. Bangladesh lost Dilara Akter and Ritu Moni in quick succession, leaving them at 45/2.Despite the setbacks, Bangladesh's middle order held firm. Rumana Ahmed and Nigar Sultana played sensible innings, rotating the strike and finding the occasional boundary.In the latter stages of the innings, Bangladesh accelerated their scoring rate. Jahanara Alam and Nahida Akter hit some lusty blows, taking Bangladesh to a respectable total of 125/5 in their allotted 20 overs.Malaysia's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost Dilara Akter early on. However, Murshida Khatun and Ishma Tanjim steadied the ship with a solid partnership.Khatun, in particular, was in devastating form, hitting boundaries at will. She brought up her half-century in just 35 balls, guiding Malaysia towards victory.Malaysia's middle order chipped in with valuable contributions, with Nur Aishah Mohammed Iqbal and Mahirah Izzati Ismail playing cameos.In the end, Malaysia chased down the target with ease, reaching 126/3 in just 17.2 overs. Murshida Khatun remained unbeaten on 65, while Ishma Tanjim contributed 25.

Thailand's Women's Cricket Team, led by their young captain Thipatcha Putthawong, elected to bat first in their crucial Women's Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The decision came after Thailand's impressive victory over Malaysia, where they successfully defended a modest total of 133.Putthawong expressed her confidence in her team's batting lineup, hoping they would continue their strong performance from the previous game. Bangladesh, on the other hand, was desperate for a win after losing their opening match to Sri Lanka. Captain Nigar Sultana also opted to bat first, recognizing the importance of securing a victory.Bangladesh made three significant changes to their lineup, including the inclusion of left-arm spinner Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, who made her international debut. Experienced all-rounder Rumana Ahmed and opener Murshida Khatun also returned to the side. Rubya Haider, Sultana Khatun, and Shorifa Khatun were omitted from the playing XI.Thailand's batting lineup featured Nattaya Boochatham, Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Suwanan Khiaoto, Phannita Maya, Chanida Sutthiruang, Rosenan Kanoh, Thipatcha Putthawong, Suninda Chaturongrattana, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Suleeporn Laomi, and Aphisara Suwanchonrathi.Bangladesh's team consisted of Dilhara Akter, Murshida Khatun, Ishma Tanjim, Nigar Sultana, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Rumana Ahmed, Nahida Akter, Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, and Marufa Akter.The match marked a crucial moment for both teams, with Thailand aiming to strengthen their position in the semi-finals and Bangladesh seeking their first victory of the tournament. The outcome of the match will have a significant impact on the standings and the teams' chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

Former Bangladesh cricketer Nafees Iqbal, brother of star opener Tamim Iqbal, has been hospitalized in Dhaka after suffering a brain haemorrhage in Chattogram on Friday. Nafees, who served as Bangladesh's logistical manager during the recent T20 World Cup, was airlifted to Dhaka in the afternoon and admitted to the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of a private hospital.According to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief physician Debashis Chowdhury, Nafees is out of immediate danger but will require several weeks to fully recover. "Specialists have diagnosed Nafees with cerebral venous thrombosis, which involves blood clots in a specific part of the brain," Chowdhury explained. "His condition is stable, and his vital signs are good. He will remain under observation for a few more days."Nafees had reportedly been experiencing headaches for several days before his collapse. He returned to Bangladesh with the national team last Friday after the T20 World Cup in Australia.BCB officials, including director Jalal Yunus, chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury, and players like Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mashrafe Mortaza, have visited Nafees in the hospital. Nafees is also the nephew of former Bangladesh captain and current BCB director Akram Khan.Nafees has been the Bangladesh team manager for the past two years. As a player, he represented Bangladesh in 11 Tests and 16 ODIs between 2003 and 2006. He is a prominent figure in domestic cricket, having played 120 first-class matches for Chattogram.The BCB has expressed its support for Nafees and his family during this difficult time. The board is closely monitoring his condition and providing all necessary assistance.

Bangladesh's veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has expressed uncertainty about his participation in the upcoming tour of India later this year. The tour, scheduled from September 19 to October 12, will feature two Tests and three T20Is.Shakib's hesitation stems from his busy schedule, which includes the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup and the Major League Cricket (MLC) season two in the USA. He is set to play for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC, which begins on July 5."I don't have many plans. There are two T20 tournaments in front of me. One is MLC and the other one is the Global T20 League in Canada, and let me see where I stand after playing these two tournaments because I need to understand (how I feel)," Shakib said."There is international cricket and there is a series against Pakistan and I am planning till that point of time and not planning beyond that. Now I don't have time to plan for three-four years and so planning for three to six months is better, and later I will think about my next plan. For now, I am planning till the Pakistan series," he added.Shakib also addressed the controversy surrounding fast-bowler Taskin Ahmed's absence from the Super Eights clash against India at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Taskin had initially claimed that he missed the team bus, but later clarified that he had arrived on time."Taskin apologized to the team for that afterwards and everyone in the team took it normally because a man can mistake and anyone can commit unintentional mistake. He accepted it and the thing ended at that point of time," Shakib said.Bangladesh's tour of India will be their first since 2019. The two teams last met in a T20I series in November 2022, which India won 2-1.

Bangladesh's disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign can be attributed primarily to poor batting form, according to vice-captain Taskin Ahmed. Despite a 47-day tour of the Americas, the batting unit failed to deliver, resulting in the lowest collective average among the Super Eight teams.Bangladesh's top three batters struggled to provide a solid start, with Litton Das being the only one to score a fifty. Towhid Hridoy emerged as the team's best performer with 153 runs, but Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad failed to provide adequate support.Taskin acknowledged the impact of the senior players' poor form, but emphasized that it did not affect team unity. "They are great team men," he said. "We stayed as a team for 47 days. Everything was fine off the field."The batters found better pitches in the West Indies, but Taskin admitted that he had never witnessed such a prolonged batting slump in his international career. "I haven't seen such a long bad patch for the batters in my ten years playing for Bangladesh," he said.Despite the batting struggles, Bangladesh's bowling unit performed well. Taskin, Tanzim Hasan, and Rishad Hossain led the bowling charts, proving that talented cricketers are emerging from the country.Taskin expressed disappointment with the team's performance in the final match against Afghanistan, where they failed to chase down the target in 12.1 overs to reach the semi-finals. "We could have done a lot better," he said. "We were all quite disappointed with the last match."Despite the negatives, Taskin highlighted some positives from the campaign, including qualifying for the Super Eight, winning three matches in the T20 World Cup for the first time, and the emergence of promising bowlers. "We are disappointed like the rest of you," he said. "We didn't play up to expectations."