Cricket

Shakib Al Hasan Accused of Murder, Faces Legal Notice and Potential Cricket BanFormer Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan has been embroiled in a shocking murder case, leaving cricket fans worldwide in disbelief. The case stems from the ongoing protests in Bangladesh, during which Rubel, the son of Rafiqul Islam, was killed on August 7.A case has been filed with the Adabor police station in Dhaka, naming Shakib as the 28th accused among 154 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Rafiqul Islam's lawyers have demanded Shakib's immediate removal from the ongoing Test series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.A legal notice has been sent to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), requesting a ban on Shakib from all forms of cricket. BCB president Faruque Ahmed has stated that a decision regarding Shakib will be made after the conclusion of the first Test."We are yet to receive any legal notice. The case is under investigation, and we will take a decision after the game is over," Ahmed said. "We have a Test match to play, and we are focused on that. We will address the legal notice and make a decision during the gap between the first and second Tests."Ahmed emphasized that the BCB's relationship with Shakib is contractual, and they cannot withdraw him from the Test match in progress. However, he indicated that the board will consider the legal notice and make a decision during the break between the Tests.The murder accusation against Shakib has sent shockwaves through the cricket world. Shakib is one of Bangladesh's most celebrated cricketers, having captained the national team in all three formats. He is also a renowned all-rounder, known for his exceptional batting and bowling skills.The case has raised questions about Shakib's involvement in the protests and the circumstances surrounding Rubel's death. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be.

Faruque Ahmed, the newly appointed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president, has reiterated his stance that Chandika Hathurusinghe should no longer continue as the head coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team. Ahmed had previously expressed this view before taking up the BCB job."I have not moved from my previous stance," Ahmed said. "I have to see some stuff officially, but I have to speak to my colleagues over the next two or three days and see if we can find someone better than him."Ahmed had resigned as the chief selector in 2016 after then-BCB president Nazmul Hassan put in place a two-tier selection panel, reportedly at Hathurusinghe's request. Hathurusinghe's current contract as the head coach runs till the end of February 2025.Ahmed questioned Hathurusinghe's credibility and background, stating that there was no reason for him to stay as Bangladesh's coach. He believes that Hathurusinghe's presence is causing greater damage to the team.When Hathurusinghe was brought back for a second stint in 2023, Ahmed was one of those who had questioned his return. Despite the BCB showing confidence in Hathurusinghe, Bangladesh's performance has not improved.Within a few months of Hathurusinghe's appointment, there was instability in the dressing room, with Tamim Iqbal retiring and Shakib Al Hasan lashing out at Tamim in the media. Allan Donald soon left his role as fast-bowling coach. Bangladesh's T20 World Cup performance was also sub-par, with many questioning Hathurusinghe's decision-making.Ahmed believes that it was a blunder to bring back Hathurusinghe for a second stint. He feels that Hathurusinghe had left Bangladesh in trouble when he left the job in 2017 and that Bangladesh was merely a stepping stone for him.Ahmed also expressed his desire to understand if Shakib Al Hasan is willing to play in Bangladesh this year. Shakib was an Awami League member of parliament until the government fell on August 5.Ahmed is hopeful of Tamim Iqbal's return to international cricket. He believes that Tamim can still play for two or three more years and that he has leadership qualities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to postpone the upcoming white-ball series scheduled for late July in Greater Noida, India. The BCB has cited concerns over the weather conditions during that time of year, which is typically the monsoon season in the subcontinent.The ACB had initially proposed a schedule of three ODIs and three T20Is between July 25 and August 6. However, the BCB believes that the weather in Greater Noida during that period would not be suitable for international cricket.The BCB had previously postponed the series due to concerns over player workload management. Bangladesh's next assignment is a two-Test series in Pakistan from mid-August, followed by a tour of India in September and October. The team will also play two Tests against South Africa at home and a full tour of the West Indies later in the year.The BCB has requested that the series against Afghanistan be rescheduled to a time when both boards can find a suitable window. The ACB has yet to respond to the request.The postponement of the Afghanistan series is part of the BCB's efforts to manage the workload of its players. The team has a busy schedule in the coming months, including the World Test Championship cycle, which concludes in December 2024.

Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has revealed that Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hasan's comments ignited the rift between himself and Tamim Iqbal. The revelation came in a documentary aired by Bongo, a leading OTT platform in Bangladesh.Shakib stated that Hasan's remarks created a lot of problems in their relationship and made it a focal point of discussion rather than the cricketing side. He emphasized that the rift was not as severe as portrayed and that their professional relationship remained intact."We were not talking a lot, but it's not right that we were not on talking terms," Shakib said. "We used to be together all the time, but that relationship was not there for quite some time."Shakib attributed the distance to their marriages and separate living arrangements. However, he stressed that they spoke whenever necessary on the field and that their interactions were sufficient for their roles in the team."There is nothing like making it good or bad," Shakib asserted. "We tried to contribute whether we were talking or not; there was no kind of problem inside the field or in the dressing room."Regarding a controversial interview ahead of last year's World Cup, where he accused Tamim of being irresponsible, Shakib clarified that he intended to clear the air before the tournament."I felt that before going to the World Cup, I should clear everything so that people know what actually happened and why this kind of situation is created," he said.Shakib's revelation sheds light on the dynamics between the two senior players and highlights the impact of external factors on team relationships.

BCB Shortens School Cricket Matches to 20 Overs Amidst HeatwaveBangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the reduction of school cricket matches from 50 overs to 20 overs due to the ongoing heatwave in the country. The decision was made to ensure the safety and well-being of young players amidst soaring temperatures.Temperatures in Bangladesh have consistently exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for most of April, prompting meteorologists to declare it the longest heatwave in the country's history. In response, the BCB's age-group tournament committee has implemented the following measures:* All remaining divisional round matches of the Prime Bank National School Cricket tournament will be played in Twenty20 format.* Matches will be completed by 12:30 pm to avoid the peak heat hours.* Matches may start at 8:30 am if teams agree.* Drinks breaks will be provided every 40 minutes.* Ice, lemon juice, and water will be readily available.* Ice-bath facilities will be provided where possible.* Dressing rooms will have proper cooling facilities.The tournament, which began in the early 1980s, is BCB's largest cricket competition and features 64 district teams competing at 14 venues across Bangladesh. The initial rounds will be knockouts, followed by a group stage for qualifiers before the semi-finals and final.Despite the heatwave, the Dhaka Premier League, a one-day tournament, continues in the oppressive conditions. The Super League phase is ongoing, with the remaining matches expected to conclude in early May. These are the only domestic tournaments currently being played, as Ramadan falls during the cricket season in March.The heatwave has had a significant impact on the country, with schools, colleges, and universities ordered to remain closed from April 21 to May 2. Temperatures have reached 45 degrees Celsius in some areas, including the capital Dhaka. Over 30 heat-related deaths have been reported, and hundreds have been hospitalized.