Category: CRICKET

India’s national cricket team was scheduled to tour Bangladesh in August this year. However, the series will no longer take place in 2025. Instead, India will visit Bangladesh in September 2026.

India was supposed to play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is) during the tour. For the past couple of months, rumors had been circulating that India might skip the August tour. Now, those rumors have been confirmed.

India’s tour of Bangladesh has officially been postponed for this year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the decision in a press release issued today, Saturday.

The decision was made through mutual discussions between the two cricket boards. The revised schedule for the tour will be announced later.

According to the previously released schedule in April, the Indian team was supposed to arrive in Dhaka on August 13. The first ODI was scheduled to be held on August 17 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. But now, the two teams will not meet on Bangladeshi soil this year.

After a remarkable performance in the Galle Test, Bangladesh lost their rhythm in Colombo during the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka. Following an innings defeat in the Colombo Test, the Tigers suffered a major batting collapse in the first ODI of the three-match series at the same venue on Wednesday.

Now, ahead of the T20 leg of the tour, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 16-member squad for the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka.

Opening batter Naim Sheikh has returned to the T20 squad after a long break, earning his spot through consistent performances in domestic cricket.

Meanwhile, pacers Taskin Ahmed and Mohammad Saifuddin have also made comebacks after recovering from injuries. Former captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has been dropped due to poor form—he hasn’t scored a fifty in this format since March 2024. Pacer Nahid Rana has also been left out of the squad.

The T20 series will begin on July 10, following the conclusion of the ODI series. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will face off in the first T20 at Pallekele. The remaining two matches of the series will be played in Dambulla and Colombo respectively. All matches are scheduled to start at 7:30 PM Bangladesh time.

Bangladesh Squad:

Litton Das (Captain), Tanzid Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Naim Sheikh, Towhid Hridoy, Zakir Ali, Shamim Hossain Patwari, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Sheikh Mahedi, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Mohammad Saifuddin.

At Colombo, Bangladesh were comfortably chasing a target of 245 in 300 balls. At one point, with 100 runs on the board for the loss of just one wicket, it seemed the Tigers were cruising towards victory.

But then, everything changed in a flash. Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis wreaked havoc with their spin. In just 25 deliveries, Bangladesh collapsed, losing 7 wickets while adding only 5 runs to the scoreboard.

By modern ODI standards, a target of 245 is considered modest. The way Bangladesh’s top-order was playing, it looked like the chase would be achieved with ease. After 16 overs, they had 100 runs on the board with 9 wickets in hand. But then came the all-too-familiar collapse. Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s team lost 9 wickets for just 25 runs, resulting in a heavy 77-run defeat in the first match of the 3-match ODI series.

Pacer Taskin Ahmed was stunned by the batting collapse. In the post-match press conference, he shared his reaction:
“Of course, we didn’t expect anything like this. We were in a really good mood, sipping coffee and chilling. Suddenly, we saw five wickets had fallen. We’ll learn from this mistake and come back stronger, but what happened today was definitely not pleasant.”

No team in ODI history had ever lost their 2nd to 8th wickets for so few runs. The previous record was 8 runs — in 2020, the USA lost their 2nd to 8th wickets for just 8 runs against Nepal (from 23 to 31).

On Wednesday at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka lost 3 wickets for just 29 runs while batting first. Then captain Charith Asalanka steadied the innings. Thanks to his century, the hosts managed to reach a total of 244.

Asalanka top-scored with 106 runs. Kusal Mendis added the second-highest with 45, while Janith Liyanage contributed 29. Milan Rathnayake and Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with 22 runs each.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed claimed 4 wickets for 47 runs, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib picked up 3 wickets for 46.

Former captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has become the 32nd Bangladeshi cricketer to reach the milestone of 50 One Day Internationals (ODIs).

He played his 50th ODI today in the first match of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium.

Shanto made his ODI debut in September 2018 against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Since then, in 49 matches and 48 innings, he has scored 1,565 runs at an average of 34.77, including 3 centuries and 10 half-centuries. The left-handed batter has scored ODI centuries against Ireland, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka.

In March 2024, Shanto played a sublime unbeaten innings of 122 runs against Sri Lanka in Chattogram. Riding on his career-best knock, Bangladesh won the match by six wickets.

Before Shanto, 31 cricketers from Bangladesh had played 50 or more ODIs. Former captain Mushfiqur Rahim holds the record for most ODIs for Bangladesh, with 274 matches.

In the first match of the three-match ODI series, hosts Sri Lanka have set a target of 245 runs for Bangladesh. Batting first at the Premadasa Stadium, the Lankans were all out for 244 runs in 49.2 overs.

Bangladesh are now dreaming of victory after bowling out the Sri Lankan team for 244 runs in 49.2 overs.

On Wednesday, at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka lost 3 wickets for just 29 runs after electing to bat first. Then captain Charith Asalanka took charge of the innings. Thanks to his century, Sri Lanka managed to post a total of 244 runs. Asalanka alone scored 106 runs for the team. Kusal Mendis contributed 45 runs, Janith Liyanage scored 29, Milan Rathnayake added 22, and Wanindu Hasaranga also made 22 runs.

For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed took 4 wickets for 47 runs, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib claimed 3 wickets for 46 runs.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. On the first ball of the fourth over, Pathum Nissanka was dismissed by Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Soon after, Taskin Ahmed struck twice in two consecutive overs. In the fifth over’s third ball and the seventh over’s first ball, he dismissed Nisshan Madushka and Kamindu Mendis.

At 6.1 overs, Sri Lanka were under pressure with just 29 runs for 3 wickets. Then, captain Asalanka steadied the innings. He built a 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Kusal Mendis. Mendis was dismissed after scoring 45 runs off 43 balls, hitting 6 fours and a six.

Next, Asalanka added a 64-run partnership off 76 balls with Janith Liyanage. He also formed partnerships of 39 and 34 runs with Milan Rathnayake and Wanindu Hasaranga for the sixth and seventh wickets respectively, taking the team close to the 250-run mark.

Asalanka came to bat in the fifth over’s third ball and was finally dismissed on the first ball of the last over. Before that, he played a remarkable innings of 106 runs off 123 balls, which included 6 fours and 4 sixes. This was his fifth century in ODI cricket, and his second against Bangladesh.

Ahead of the ODI series in Sri Lanka, Bangladeshi cricketers are putting in intense effort with both bat and ball. There’s no lack of preparation within the squad—sweat is pouring in the nets, fitness drills are underway, and coaches are giving constant guidance. But the biggest question remains: when will this hard work reflect in actual match performances?

While head coach Phil Simmons is working with the entire team, two other coaches have stood out with their relentless efforts during the preparation phase. Bowling coach Shaun Tait has spent significant time with the pacers, especially Mustafizur Rahman and Hasan Mahmud. He has focused on their run-ups, line and length, variations in the death overs—every technical detail.

On the batting side, senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin has worked closely with the openers, particularly young Tanzid Hasan Tamim and the experienced Najmul Hossain Shanto. Salahuddin has analyzed Shanto’s technique, patience, and mental readiness in detail. Although Phil Simmons is officially the head coach, Salahuddin’s deep rapport with the players has been clearly evident during training.

Yesterday’s training session was heavily centered on both batting and bowling. There is consideration of giving Mohammad Naim Sheikh another chance at opening. The left-handed batter has been out of the national setup for a while but has returned fully prepared—now it’s time for him to prove himself on the main stage.

Fielding coach James Pamment was also actively involved, putting the Tigers through catching drills and high-intensity training. Under his supervision, players were split into groups to work on reflex catches and high catches.

ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who recovered from a fever to play in the Colombo Test, has shown confident body language despite initial doubts about his new leadership role. He has prepared thoroughly in all three departments—working on his bowling, spending significant time batting in the nets, and displaying sharpness in fielding.

Overall, there’s no shortage of preparation—only a lack of on-field performance. If the hard work transforms into confidence during the matches, this tour could indeed mark the beginning of a comeback. All eyes are now on how Bangladesh starts the series, which kicks off tomorrow with the first of three ODIs.

After a long gap of 19 years, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the revival of the Award Night. The last time such an event was held was in 2006. Since then, the BCB has failed to maintain the tradition. However, the country’s highest cricket authority is now set to bring it back.

On Monday (30 June), during a BCB meeting, the decision was made to restart this award-giving tradition. Usually, these awards are presented at the end of the year to recognize players’ performances across various categories. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul announced the decision to organize the Award Night to acknowledge the efforts of cricketers.

In addition to players, the performances of journalists and grounds staff may also be evaluated. The BCB president said,

“We will resume the Award Night. Not just for one year—we’re working on a long-term agreement about how the awards will be given. We are planning for the next 4–5 years.”

He further added,

“This is part of our overall program—‘High Performance for All.’ One of the goals is to boost players’ morale and confidence. We will give these awards to encourage and uplift everyone involved in cricket.”

At long last, the people of Noakhali may finally see their long-held dream come true. The much-talked-about district of Bangladesh is likely to make its debut in the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Never before has Noakhali been represented in the tournament, but that may soon change with the arrival of a new team — Noakhali Royals.

Cricket fans from the greater Noakhali region have long demanded a BPL franchise representing them, often voicing their hopes on social media. Now, it seems their wait may finally be over.

A new franchise under the name Noakhali Royals has submitted an application to join the upcoming BPL. The ownership is set to be under a company called Shayan’s Global. On Monday (June 30), representatives of the company submitted the official application to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), requesting participation in the 11th edition of the BPL in compliance with all necessary procedures.

Badal, a representative of Shayan’s Global, told the media:

“There is a board meeting scheduled. In that meeting, a decision will be made on whether a new franchise will be taken in and, if so, what documents will be required. They will inform us.”

Speaking about their own preparations, he added:

“From our end, we’re fairly well-prepared. We’ve already arranged the necessary documents. We’re hopeful they’ll accept our application and help fulfill the dreams of the people of Noakhali.”

Earlier, on June 24, in a letter addressed to the BCB president, Shayan’s Global expressed its interest not only in owning a BPL team but also in contributing to the development of cricket in the Noakhali region.

At long last, the people of Noakhali may finally see their long-held dream come true. The much-talked-about district of Bangladesh is likely to make its debut in the upcoming season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Never before has Noakhali been represented in the tournament, but that may soon change with the arrival of a new team — Noakhali Royals.

Cricket fans from the greater Noakhali region have long demanded a BPL franchise representing them, often voicing their hopes on social media. Now, it seems their wait may finally be over.

A new franchise under the name Noakhali Royals has submitted an application to join the upcoming BPL. The ownership is set to be under a company called Shayan’s Global. On Monday (June 30), representatives of the company submitted the official application to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), requesting participation in the 11th edition of the BPL in compliance with all necessary procedures.

Badal, a representative of Shayan’s Global, told the media:

“There is a board meeting scheduled. In that meeting, a decision will be made on whether a new franchise will be taken in and, if so, what documents will be required. They will inform us.”

Speaking about their own preparations, he added:

“From our end, we’re fairly well-prepared. We’ve already arranged the necessary documents. We’re hopeful they’ll accept our application and help fulfill the dreams of the people of Noakhali.”

Earlier, on June 24, in a letter addressed to the BCB president, Shayan’s Global expressed its interest not only in owning a BPL team but also in contributing to the development of cricket in the Noakhali region.

Najmul Hossain Shanto has stepped down from Test captaincy, marking the end of his leadership in red-ball cricket. Earlier, he had voluntarily relinquished the T20I captaincy, and more recently, the BCB removed him from the ODI captaincy without much discussion. In his place, Mehidy Hasan Miraz was appointed as the new ODI captain. Now, strong speculation suggests that Miraz could also take over the Test captaincy.

Reportedly, Shanto had informed the BCB’s cricket operations department that if he wasn’t retained as ODI captain, he no longer wished to continue as the Test captain either. His reasoning was clear: having three different captains in a single dressing room could negatively impact the team in multiple ways.

Following Shanto’s resignation, the BCB has begun deliberating on appointing a new Test captain. While no official announcement has been made yet, a decision is expected ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against Ireland in November.

Alongside Miraz, other names being considered for the role include Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim. However, Mushfiqur is nearing the end of his career and may not be interested in taking on such responsibility at this stage. Former Test captain Mominul has already made it clear that he has no intention of returning to the leadership role.

Given these circumstances, Mehidy Hasan Miraz appears to be the front-runner to become Bangladesh’s next Test captain.