United News of Bangladesh

Australia’s star batter Steve Smith will travel with the team to the Caribbean for their upcoming three-match Test series against the West Indies, despite suffering a serious finger injury during the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Captain Pat Cummins confirmed on Saturday that Smith won’t require surgery for the compound dislocation to his right pinkie, sustained during the final at Lord’s. However, his availability for the first Test, scheduled to begin on June 25 in Barbados, remains uncertain. “I’d say the first Test is probably unlikely, and we’ll assess from there,” Cummins said, adding that it’s still too early to make a definitive call. Smith sustained the injury while fielding at first slip during a key moment in the final against South Africa. Positioned closer to the stumps than usual, he was struck on the finger by an edge off the bat of South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma. Smith dropped the catch, allowing Bavuma — then on 2 — to go on and score 66 runs, forming a match-winning partnership with Aiden Markram, who made 136. ICC Women's World Cup 2025 fixtures announced Although Smith is expected to recover from the injury in about two weeks, he will have to wear a splint for up to eight weeks — the duration of the Test series — meaning his participation depends on how well he can manage with it on. The upcoming series marks the beginning of Australia’s 2025-27 WTC campaign. Following the disappointing five-wicket defeat to South Africa inside four days, Cummins said the team is eager to bounce back. “It’s good we get to dust ourselves off and turn around in a couple of weeks and start focusing on the next challenge,” Cummins said. “That’s one of the good aspects of the WTC — every series, every Test, holds weight.” Cummins emphasized the need to strike a balance between introducing fresh talent and maintaining a winning team, especially with an Ashes home series approaching in November. He hinted that some senior players may consider retirement afterward. “This feels like a bit of a fresh start,” he noted. “We’re already thinking a couple of years ahead — if we make the next final, who will be part of the team? Should we start giving game time to new players now? Or stick with the current squad?” Despite a strong personal performance — taking seven wickets and reaching 300 career Test wickets — Cummins admitted the team missed a golden chance to win back-to-back WTC titles. He pointed to Australia’s 74-run first-innings lead as a missed opportunity to build a bigger advantage. Mathews set for farewell as Bangladesh begin WTC campaign “There were plenty of turning points,” Cummins said. “We had a lead, but we should have batted South Africa out of the game with a score well above 300. Unfortunately, we gave them a chance to come back, and now we’re left with a sense of missed opportunity.”

The launch of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which was scheduled for this summer, has been pushed back to 2026. The delay is largely due to three prospective franchise owners shifting their focus to finalizing stake acquisitions in The Hundred, England’s city-based cricket competition. The ETPL, partly owned by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, was set to feature teams from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, with matches planned between July 15 and August 3 across cities including Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam. Cricket Ireland is leading the project in coordination with its Scottish and Dutch counterparts. Although negotiations for at least half of the six city-based teams are nearing completion, the involved investors have prioritized their interests in The Hundred after the ECB extended its sales deadline in April. This shift has caused a ripple effect, ultimately leading to the ETPL's postponement. A formal announcement is expected within two days. Bachchan, who co-owns the league through Indian firm Rules Sport Tech, had actively promoted the tournament in Ireland earlier this year. Despite the setback, organizers remain optimistic, insisting the ETPL will avoid the fate of the Euro T20 Slam—an earlier attempt at a similar league that was indefinitely postponed after multiple delays since 2019. Cricket boards from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands have declined to comment on the situation.   

Sai Sudharsan delivered a stunning performance on Sunday, scoring an unbeaten 108 off just 61 balls as the Gujarat Titans cruised to a dominant 10-wicket win over the Delhi Capitals, securing their place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs. Opening the innings, Sudharsan and captain Shubman Gill put together an unbroken 205-run partnership — the third-highest opening stand in IPL history — as Gujarat comfortably chased down the target in 19 overs. Gill contributed a commanding 93 not out from 53 balls. Their effort overshadowed Lokesh Rahul’s impressive 112* from 65 balls — his fifth IPL century — which helped Delhi post 199-3 in their 20 overs. The loss marked Delhi’s fifth defeat in seven matches. With this win, Gujarat Titans moved to the top of the IPL standings with 18 points from 12 games. The result also ensured playoff berths for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (second with 17 points) and Punjab Kings (third with 17 points), as Gujarat's victory over fifth-placed Delhi widened the gap. Delhi has 13 points and is a point behind fourth-placed Mumbai Indians, who occupy the fourth and final playoff spot, with two regular season matches remaining. Lucknow Super Giants is currently seventh with 10 points from only 11 games. Punjab beat Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs earlier Sunday to secure its playoff spot. Rahul’s century in vain Rahul scored his fifth IPL century overall as Delhi rode on a blistering knock to present a challenging score. Mustafiz to leave for IPL after playing first T20I vs UAE He hit 14 fours and four sixes, and put on a vital 90 off 52 balls with Abhishek Porel (30). Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs also had cameos – but there wasn’t a second major contribution alongside Rahul, who reached 100 off 60 balls. In reply, Gujarat relied on its in-form openers to confirm a spot in the knockouts. The duo dominated Delhi’s bowling, hitting 11 sixes and 15 fours altogether. Gill scored 50 off 33 balls, including four sixes, and then added another three. Sudharsan hit 12 fours and four sixes. Three of those sixes came after he scored 50 off 30 balls and helped him gallop to a second IPL century.   Punjab wins Nehal Wadhera scored 70 off 37 balls to lead Punjab Kings to a 10-run win over Rajasthan Royals. Wadhera smashed five sixes and five fours in his second half-century of the season in Punjab’s 219-5 in 20 overs. Shashank Singh’s 59 not out off 30 balls also helped the Kings cross the 200-mark. Left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar then took 3-22 in four overs as Rajasthan’s chase lost momentum despite half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaisal and Dhruv Jurel. The Royals were restricted to 209-7 for a 10th loss this season. Wadhera took charge of the innings after Punjab was down to 34-3 in 3.1 overs, rebuilding it with a 67-run partnership off 44 balls with skipper Shreyas Iyer, who scored 30 off 25 balls. Wadhera reached 50 off 25 balls, and then added 58 off 33 with Shashank Singh which set up the base for a 200-plus score. Singh hit five fours and three sixes, while also finding an able partner in Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored 21 not out off nine balls. The duo added 60 runs off the last four overs. In reply, Rajasthan made a quick-fire start. Jaiswal took 22 runs off the first over, and added 76 off 29 balls with his teenage opening partner Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The latter scored 40 off 15 balls, with four sixes, before he was caught off Brar in the fifth over. Jaiswal carried on despite the breakthrough, scoring 50 off 25 balls, before he holed out too – again off Brar in the ninth over. Rajasthan started losing steam afterward with Sanju Samson (20) and Riyan Parag (13) unable to keep up the momentum.    

Bangladesh cricketers Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain have decided not to return to Pakistan for the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Thursday. Both players were part of the 2025 PSL season and returned home earlier this month after the league was suspended due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan.  Although the tournament is set to resume on May 17, the duo has opted out of making a return. Earlier, the BCB had been working with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh High Commission to assess the situation, especially after a reported drone strike near Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium forced the postponement of two matches. The incident raised serious safety concerns among overseas players, including Rishad and Nahid. At the time, the board stated it was actively working to bring both players back “in a timely and secure manner.”

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received government approval to proceed with the national team’s five-match T20I series in Pakistan, scheduled to commence later this month. Farque Ahmed, the president of the board, confirmed the development to the media.  This decision follows a period of uncertainty due to recent tensions between India and Pakistan, which had previously led to the postponement of both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to BCB president, while the government has given the green light, the board is still awaiting the official letter to finalize the tour. Mustafizur’s INR 6 crore IPL deal not full payout, here's why He said the importance of ensuring the safety and comfort of players and coaching staff before making a definitive decision. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed a revised itinerary, with the series set to begin on May 27 in Faisalabad and conclude on June 5 in Lahore. The adjustments were made to accommodate the resumption of the PSL, which is slated to restart on May 17. Despite the government’s approval, some Bangladeshi players have expressed reservations about traveling to Pakistan, citing security concerns. The BCB has said that it will not compel any player to participate and will engage in discussions with the squad to address their apprehensions. Shakib set to return with Lahore Qalandars in PSL

The ICC has announced a record-breaking prize pool for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023–25, which will be contested between South Africa and Australia from June 11 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The total prize money stands at a massive USD 5.76 million, more than double the amount from the previous two editions. The champions will receive USD 3.6 million, an increase from the USD 1.6 million awarded in both 2021 and 2023. The runners-up will take home USD 2.16 million, up from USD 800,000. The ICC released the details as part of a promotional campaign marking the 30-day countdown to the final. A star-studded video featured current players like Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Steve Smith, and Travis Head, along with cricketing legends such as Shaun Pollock, Shoaib Akhtar, Matthew Hayden, and Ravi Shastri. South Africa, who finished top of the WTC table, secured their place in the final with series wins over Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, as well as a drawn home series against India. Australia booked their place after a strong campaign that included a 3-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory against India, a 3-0 home sweep of Pakistan, and away series wins over New Zealand and Sri Lanka. ICC Chair Jay Shah said the final is a celebration of Test cricket. “This edition showcased remarkable performances and culminates in a final between two outstanding teams. Lord’s is a fitting venue for this prestigious clash,” he said. South African captain Temba Bavuma called the match a golden opportunity. “Everyone understands the importance of Test cricket, and this is a chance to win an ICC title at a historic venue. The anticipation is increasing with less than one month to go,” Bavuma said.  Australian skipper Pat Cummins echoed the sentiment.  “It’s an honour to defend the WTC title at Lord’s. This reflects the hard work of everyone involved over the past two years,” Cummins said.  The winning team of the ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and South Africa will receive USD 3.6 million, the highest ever prize for a Test match.  Mehidy wins ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April The runners-up will also enjoy a significant payday, earning USD 2.16 million for their efforts. India, who finished third in the WTC standings, will be awarded USD 1.44 million, while New Zealand, placed fourth, are set to take home USD 1.2 million. Fifth-placed England will receive USD 960,000 for their campaign. Sri Lanka, who finished sixth, will earn USD 840,000. Bangladesh follow with a payout of USD 720,000 after finishing seventh in the table. The West Indies, in eighth place, are due to collect USD 600,000, and Pakistan, who ended the cycle in ninth, will receive USD 480,000.  Bangladesh qualify for ICC Women's World Cup'2025 despite losing to Pakistan by 7 wickets

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is set to make his return to competitive cricket, having been picked by Lahore Qalandars for the remainder of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Shakib, 38, confirmed the development on Tuesday to the media.  He will join fellow Bangladeshi cricketer Rishad Hossain in the Lahore squad, with the league resuming on May 17 after a week-long suspension due to India-Pakistan tensions. Shakib had been training privately in Dubai for several days. His last PSL appearance came for Peshawar Zalmi, and he previously played for Karachi Kings as well, tallying 181 runs and 8 wickets across 14 matches.  BFIU seizes bank accounts of cricketer Shakib Al Hasan However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has yet to grant him the No Objection Certificate (NOC) required for participation. A BCB official said that while Shakib has not yet submitted a formal request, the board’s permission is essential before any official announcement from Lahore Qalandars. Court orders confiscating Shakib Al Hasan’s assets   The PSL, which was suspended amid rising geopolitical tensions, will now resume with eight matches remaining, including the playoffs. Lahore Qalandars play their final league game this Sunday, and Shakib may debut for them that day—if clearance comes through in time. With several foreign players unavailable for the concluding stages of the tournament, franchises are turning to experienced replacements like Shakib to bolster their squads.   

Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April 2025, following a dominant performance in the home Test series against Zimbabwe. The 27-year-old became only the third Bangladeshi to receive the award, after Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. Mehidy earned the accolade with a standout display that included 15 wickets and a crucial century across two Tests. Mehidy was named Player of the Series after picking up three five-wicket hauls and scoring 104 in the second Test in Chattogram, where Bangladesh secured a resounding innings and 106-run victory to level the series 1-1. Mehidy Hasan Miraz reaches No. 2 in the ICC Test All-Rounder Ranking His efforts also propelled him to No. 2 among all-rounders in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings — the highest of his career. “It’s an incredible honor to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award,” Mehidy was quoted as in an ICC statement.  “This award will be a big source of inspiration for me to keep giving my best and contributing to Bangladesh’s success on the world stage,” he added.  Rawalpindi Test: Miraz player of the series, Litton player of the match

Both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) for 2025 are set to resume on May 17, following a week-long suspension caused by cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. However, the revised schedules have forced adjustments to other international commitments, including Bangladesh’s planned tour of Pakistan. The PSL will conclude on May 25, with four remaining group-stage matches taking place in Rawalpindi and the playoffs and final scheduled in Lahore. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the resumption via a social media post by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. “Get ready for 8 thrilling matches starting 17th May, leading up to the Grand Final on 25th May,” Mohsin said.  Foreign players exit IPL, resumption plan in limbo  The revised PSL schedule now overlaps with Bangladesh’s previously scheduled T20I series in Pakistan, which was set to begin the same day as the PSL final. BCB has acknowledged that the tour will not go ahead as originally planned and confirmed it is in “active and ongoing discussions” with the PCB. Meanwhile, the IPL will resume play across six Indian cities: Bengaluru, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad. The final has been rescheduled for June 3. A total of 17 matches remain, including 13 league games and four playoffs. The delayed IPL will also impact the England-West Indies ODI series, the India A tour of England, and player availability for the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa, starting June 11.  Nahid and Rishad to exit PSL amid tensions between India and Pakistan Both leagues now face the logistical challenge of recalling overseas players, many of whom had flown home. While some franchises are confident about player returns, the PCB is considering a replacement draft for the PSL to ensure balanced squads.  India tour of Bangladesh, Asia Cup in doubt after IPL halt

The ongoing cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan have cast a shadow over the Bangladesh cricket team’s upcoming tour of Pakistan. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), however, said they had not yet decided to postpone the tour. On Tuesday night, India launched missile strikes at different locations in Pakistan. In response, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets, which indicates a broader conflict in the region. Bangladesh team is scheduled to travel to the UAE on May 14 for a short T20 series, after which they are slated to fly to Lahore and Faisalabad for a five-match T20 series against Pakistan A. Given the current security concerns, the BCB held an emergency meeting Wednesday evening to assess the situation. BCB president Faruq Ahmed said no immediate decision has been made to cancel the tour, but the board will continue monitoring developments until May 10. He added that the BCB hopes the situation will stabilise before the team’s scheduled travel. Tensions soar as Pakistan vows retaliation over Indian strikes The board is also concerned about Bangladeshi players Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana, currently playing in the Pakistan Super League. Both players have informed the board they are safe. The BCB remains in close contact with the PSL and their respective franchises. The UAE leg of the tour may also be reconsidered, as the T20 series there was arranged with Pakistan in mind. If the Pakistan tour is canceled, playing in the UAE’s extreme May heat might not be deemed worthwhile, officials hinted.