Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has appointed Litton Das as the skipper for the upcoming three-match T20I series for the first time since 2021. The wicket-batter has previously captained his side in the absence of Mahmudullah on the tour of New Zealand in April 2021. The Test side was captained by Mehidy Hasan Miraz under whom Bangladesh managed to level the series by ending a 15-year-long drought. At present, he is also leading the Tigers in the ongoing ODI series which has already been decided in the favor of West Indies.

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Shamim Hossain and Ripon Mondol return to the grand scheme of things

Batting allrounder Shamim Hossain, who last featured in an international fixture in December 2023 in New Zealand gets a call-up ahead of the series. Shamim, aged 24, has participated in the format but has not yet achieved significant success. Over the course of 14 T20I innings, he has accumulated 254 runs with a strike rate of 115.98, and his highest score stands at 51, which is also his sole half-century.

Besides, the 21-year-old right-arm medium-pace bowler Ripon Mondol also makes his way into the T20I squad. The quick has played three T20Is in October 2023, all at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he picked up four wickets as Bangladesh finished third. Apart from Shamim and Mondal, Bangladesh drafted their start pacer Hasan Mahmud along with spinner Nasum Ahmed and top-order batter Soumya Sarkar, all of whom starred in the recently concluded GSA T20 tournament helping Rangpur Riders clinch their maiden title. 

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the regular captain for all formats, remains absent as he is currently recuperating from a hamstring injury sustained during the series against Afghanistan in November. Additionally, there has been no information regarding Shakib Al Hasan's availability or his future in international cricket.

Bangladesh squad for the T20I series against West Indies

Litton Das (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Ripon Mondol

The young Bangladesh U-19 side conquered yet another milestone in their promising cricketing history this Sunday by beating the tournament favorites India U-19 by 59 runs. The young Tigers prevailed in a low-scoring thriller which had all the viewers on the edge of their seats. 

This is also Bangladesh U-19's second U-19 Asia Cup title win and the young side would be mighty proud of achieving such a monumental feat against a quality India U-19 side. It was a horror show for India this Sunday as not only their young team but also their men's and women's team suffered horrific defeats at the hands of Australians down under.

Bangladesh's road to glory in the Asia Cup Final

After winning the toss, the Indian U-19 skipper inserted Bangladesh U-19 to have a bat first. The India U-19 bowlers made early inroads with the ball as Yudhajit Guha cleaned up Bangladesh opener Kalam Siddiki relatively early for 1. Zawad Abrar offered some resistance with the bat and chipped in with a useful 20 before being removed by Chetan Sharma. 

Further on, Guha's resilience with the ball helped India to assert their authority further as the Bangladeshi skipper Azizul Hakim was removed in the 19th over causing Bangladesh to slip to 66-3. 

Mohammad Shihab James and Rizan Hossan then stitched a 62-run stand for the fourth wicket to add life to the Bangladesh innings, but wickets in quick succession pegged back their hard-earned momentum. The Indian bowlers made a strong comeback during the middle overs which triggered a collapse as Bangladesh went from 128-3 to 167-8 and subsequently got bowled out for 198 thanks to a gutsy 30-run stand between Farid Hasan and Maruf Mridha.

The winning moment for the young Tigers

Bangladesh U19 players bring the dressing room alive after clinching the ACC Men’s Asia Cup trophy | #BCB #Cricket #ACC #ACCMensU19AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/06Phg5gsya

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) December 8, 2024

In response to Bangladesh 198, India U-19 failed to get going in the run chase. Mhatre and the 13-year-old overhyped Vaibhav Suryavanshi perished in the first five overs of the run chase. And soon enough Andre Siddharth became the next Indian victim as India U-19 found themselves precariously placed at 44-3 within 12 overs. 

But it all came down to some destructive bowling from Iqbal Hossain Emon and Azizul Hakim who snapped three wickets each to derail India U-19 off course in this run chase. The duo unleashed their terror on the Indian batters and breached the Indian middle order in no time. Despite facing some resistance from Hardik and Chetan down the order, the game was firmly in their grasp.

Azizul applied the finishing touches by picking up the last Indian wicket to power Bangladesh U-19 to a euphoric 59-run win in Dubai. Emon registered figures of 3-24 in his 7 overs while Azizul recorded 3-8 in just 2.2 overs. 

Despite their men's team not being at their prime best, Bangladesh's youth have a lot of untapped potential. Time and again, their youngsters have shown tremendous promise and grit to excel in major ICC and ACC tournaments. 

Bangladesh U-19 side are the proud title winner of the 2020 U-19 World Cup as well as the 2023 and 2024 Asia Cup editions. With so much talent at their disposal, the senior management in BCB need to have a robust plan in place to nurture such talent and make them battle-ready to compete at the highest level. 

See also: Bangladesh create history in Sabina Park, Register their maiden Test win in the Caribbean since 2009

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan is reportedly doubtful for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Faruque Ahmed has clarified Shakib’s ODI future. 

The 37-year-old all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has already announced his T20I retirement. While the Test series against the hosts India was his probable last Test, the all-rounder has a wish to play his last Test at home. 

Initially, Shakib was included in the Test squad for the ongoing home Test series against South Africa. However, due to security reasons, Shakib withdrew his name from the home Test series. 

It means Shakib is available: BCB president

Bangladesh will travel to the UAE for a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Sharjah will host the ODI series on November 6, 9, and 11. While Shakib’s present was doubtful for the ODI series against Afghanistan, president Faruque Ahmed revealed his current status. 

Ahmed told the media, according to Cricbuzz, "Regarding Shakib Al Hasan, since the team (for the three ODIs against Afghanistan) has not been given yet, it means he is available.”

Shakib couldn't retire from Test cricket at home

Talking about Shakib’s absence for the ongoing home Test series against South Africa, Ahmed confirmed that the board wasn’t involved in Shakib’s decision. He also added that he tried best to end his Test career at home. 

While Shakib didn't return to Bangladesh after conclusion the India tour, the BCB president clarified that they would provide their best security to Shakib if he had arrived in the country. 

Recently, the media reports claimed that Najmul Hossain Shanto wants to step down from the captaincy role after the conclusion of the ongoing home Test series against South Africa. The BCB president has no clarity about this news. 

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has suspended the Men's Head Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe on disciplinary grounds. With this suspension of 48 hours, he will be terminated immediately as well. Former West Indies Cricketer Phil Simons has been announced as interim coach till the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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Hathurusinghe returned for his second stint as Bangladesh coach in February last year. His first stint as the coach was from 2014 to 2017. BCB president Faruque Ahmed said, "Hathurusinghe is facing two misconduct charges. One is for assaulting a player, and the other is for taking more leave than allowed in his contract."

Chandika Hathurusinghe's Second Stint as Men's Head Coach

Bangladesh team had underwhelming performances under Hathurusinghe in the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup where they failed to win a single game in the Super 8 stage. Bangladesh's T20 World Cup performance was also sub-par, with many questioning Hathurusinghe's decision-making in the Super Eight game against Afghanistan. Well as compared to his first stint as the head coach which was better as the national team improved a lot, especially in white-ball cricket, with a strong performance in the 2017 Champions Trophy, earning automatic qualification for the 2019 ODI World Cup.

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BCB President Faruque Ahmed On Chandika Hathurusinghe

In his first press conference as BCB President, Ahmed said "Chandika Hathurusinghe should no longer continue as the head coach." He further added, "It was a real blunder to bring back Hathurusinghe for a second stint. He had left us in trouble the last time he left the job [in 2017]. Bangladesh was a stepping stone for him. He went back to his country and became their head coach. I couldn't believe that a 25-member board of directors, including the president, could make such a decision. I hope they are realising their mistake. Those who brought him back thought that he was a magician. They thought that only Hathurusinghe created this bubble of success. Cricket is not about magic. Bangladesh's success is due to a combination of players, coaches, selection committee, and even board officials."

His best achievement was the 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan this year. It was their maiden win in Pakistan, and first overseas Test series win in 15 years. Their India tour ended in disappointment as they were whitewashed in Tests as well as T20Is by a bigger margin.

Phil Simmons first assignment as an interim coach would be a two-match Test series at home against South Africa this month. Followed by the clashes against West Indies, UAE, and ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Bangladesh Cricket has made a significant move by bringing in former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed as their new spin bowling coach ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Mushtaq is set to join the team during their upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe and will continue through the World Cup hosted in the West Indies and USA.

Mushtaq Ahmed’s Background

Mushtaq Ahmed, a name revered in cricket circles, boasts an illustrious playing career followed by a robust coaching resume that includes stints with England, West Indies, and Pakistan. His experience and success in nurturing top-class spinners are expected to be invaluable for the Bangladesh team.

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The Role of a Spin Bowling Coach

The spin bowling coach is pivotal in developing effective strategies and enhancing the skill set of the team’s spinners. Mushtaq’s role will primarily involve analyzing performance data, providing tactical guidance, and fine-tuning the bowlers’ techniques to exploit the playing conditions optimally.

“It is a great honour for me to be a part of the Bangladesh cricket team as a spin bowling coach. I am looking forward to the role and want to pass my experience to the players because they are very coach-able and I always believe that they are one of the most dangerous teams around. They can beat anyone because they have the capability, the resources and the talent. I will try to instill that belief into them. I am very excited at the opportunity to work with the team,” Mushtaq Ahmed said in a statement released by BCB.

Preparation for the T20 World Cup

The upcoming series against Zimbabwe serves as the perfect platform for Mushtaq to begin his tenure and set the groundwork for the World Cup. This series will be crucial for assessing the team’s current capabilities and identifying areas of improvement.

The pitch conditions in the West Indies and the USA tend to favor spin bowling. Mushtaq’s experience and knowledge of playing in similar conditions will be vital in preparing the spinners to exploit these conditions effectively.

Mustafizur Rahman, the left-arm pace sensation from Bangladesh, has been making headlines with his exceptional performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mustafizur has quickly become a key player.

Bangladesh Cricket Board on Rahman

Recently, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made a significant decision to extend his stay in the IPL by one more day, allowing him to play in the crucial match against Punjab Kings on May 1st. This move has been seen as a strategic decision by BCB, balancing national commitments with the bowler’s current form and exposure on the international stage.

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Mustafizur’s Impact at Chennai Super Kings

Since joining CSK, Mustafizur Rahman has been a revelation, claiming 10 wickets in just 5 matches. His ability to deliver in critical moments has not only earned him accolades but also bolstered CSK’s bowling line-up. Mustafizur’s unique bowling style, characterized by lethal cutters and subtle variations in pace, has puzzled many batsmen this season, making him a valuable asset for his team.

BCB’s Decision to Extend IPL Stay

Originally, Mustafizur was granted a no-objection certificate by BCB to participate in the IPL until April 30. However, recognizing his crucial role at CSK and his form, the board decided to extend this period to include the May 1st game against Punjab Kings. A BCB official explained that this extension is part of a broader strategy to manage the player’s workload ahead of the T20 World Cup, ensuring he remains in peak condition.

Implications for CSK’s Upcoming Matches

With Mustafizur available for the May 1st clash, CSK can maintain their bowling strategy, which heavily relies on his early and late overs’ efficiency. His presence is especially crucial against a strong side like Punjab Kings, where his expertise in handling pressure situations could prove decisive.

Mustafizur’s Return and Commitments

Following his extended IPL stint, Mustafizur is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on May 2. His return is timely as it precedes the T20 series against Zimbabwe, starting on May 3. The BCB has expressed its intent not to release him for further matches in the IPL season, prioritizing his rest and preparation for the upcoming World Cup.

Bangladesh’s T20I Strategy and Future Fixtures

Looking ahead, Bangladesh is set to play a three-match T20I series against the USA from May 21-25. This series is part of their preparation for the T20 World Cup, with matches scheduled in the USA. Bangladesh has limited experience playing in American conditions, having participated in only two T20Is there before, both against the West Indies in Florida in 2018.

Bangladesh cricket suffered a blow as pace bowler Ebadot Hossain has been ruled out from the upcoming T20 World Cup, dampening hopes of his return to international cricket after battling with injuries.

Ebadot Hossain’s Injury

Ebadot Hossain, known for his fiery pace and ability to trouble batters, faced a setback during Bangladesh’s home series against Afghanistan in July 2023. A collision with an umpire during bowling left him with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, putting his career on hold.

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Confirmed Absence from T20 World Cup

Despite his aspirations to make a comeback for the T20 World Cup, Bangladesh Cricket Board’s chief physician, Debashish Chowdhury, confirmed Ebadot’s unavailability for the tournament. The news comes as a disappointment for both the players and fans alike.

Debashish said that there is no way for the right-arm pacer to make a comeback before the T20 World Cup. “No way (Ebadot can make a comeback before the World T20). We are not even thinking about it,” Debashish told Cricbuzz.

Ebadot’s Rehabilitation Efforts

Ebadot remained optimistic throughout his rehabilitation journey, expressing hope and determination to return to the field before the World Cup. However, despite his hard work and the support of the medical team, his recovery timeline doesn’t align with the global event.

Unfortunate Timeline of Injuries

Following his surgery, Ebadot faced a prolonged absence from competitive cricket. He missed several international series along with premier domestic tournaments like the Bangladesh Premier League and the ongoing Dhaka Premier League, further delaying his return to action.

“It does not go (his comeback) in that time frame (before the World Cup). It takes eight to 12 months but at least you need 10 months. He was operated in December, so it will be at least October when he can make a comeback. He can make a comeback a bit earlier but certainly not in the World T20,” Debashish said.

Expert Opinion on Ebadot’s Return

Debashish Chowdhury provided insights into Ebadot’s recovery timeline, stating that a comeback before the T20 World Cup is highly unlikely. Despite undergoing surgery in August of the previous year, the required recovery period would extend beyond the tournament dates.

Meanwhile, Debashish informed that they are hopeful that the injured duo of Soumya Sarkar and Taijul Islam are likely to be available before the home series against Zimbabwe.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named former national team captain Habibul Bashar as the head of women’s cricket, effective Tuesday, February 20. Habibul, who previously served on the national selection panel from 2016 to 2024, officially took on his new role during a meeting held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The meeting, chaired by Nadel Chowdhury, focused on outlining future strategies for women’s cricket

Nadel Chowdhury expressed his confidence in Habibul’s appointment, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on the women’s wing. He highlighted Habibul’s extensive experience and leadership qualities, considering them valuable assets for the development of women’s cricket in Bangladesh.

Habibul’s Vision for School Cricket Development

In his new capacity, Habibul will be responsible for strategic planning, while David Moore, BCB’s program head, will handle communications with other cricket boards and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Together, under Habibul’s leadership, they aim to enhance the operational aspects of women’s cricket.

Excited about his new role, Habibul acknowledged the recent successes of women’s cricket as a motivating factor behind his decision. He expressed a keen interest in promoting women’s cricket at the grassroots level, particularly focusing on establishing school cricket programs for girls. Habibul emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities for female cricketers and involving current players in outreach efforts to schools.

Looking ahead, BCB plans to introduce franchise cricket for women, which Habibul believes will significantly boost the profile and development of women’s cricket. He stressed the need for increased focus and investment in women’s cricket, suggesting that more matches and tournaments, including T20 competitions, would be beneficial.

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Habibul also outlined plans for providing scholarships to female cricketers, similar to those offered to male players for training abroad. He expressed optimism about collaborating with David Moore to implement various development initiatives aimed at nurturing talent and enhancing performance in women’s cricket.

In conclusion, Habibul expressed his enthusiasm for the future of women’s cricket in Bangladesh and his commitment to implementing strategies that would facilitate its growth and success.

Tamim Iqbal, who recently returned to international cricket after a brief retirement, has once again faced uncertainty about his future in the sport. This uncertainty comes in the wake of various incidents just before the World Cup, prompting Tamim to enter a temporary retirement phase. The prolific cricketer’s future in international cricket is now hanging in the balance.

In a recent meeting with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hasan Papon, Tamim discussed his future in the sport. Papon stated that a decision regarding Tamim’s future would be made after the conclusion of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Tamim, however, did not provide any official statement on the matter. Instead, he mentioned that he is making a return to the cricket field through the BPL.

Addressing the media at his residence, Tamim expressed, “I will probably start my cricket game from BPL. Then you might get an idea of what’s going on. I would never want to do this without another month, without another month. Dragging things unnecessarily… (I don’t want to). I have already made my decision, after many discussions with the board. They told me many things and I have to respect them too. Let’s wait till January, let me play BPL then there will be more discussion hopefully let’s see what happens.”

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As the Bangladesh cricket team commenced a two-match Test series against New Zealand, Tamim extended his best wishes to the team. Despite his potential absence, he emphasized his support for the team, stating, “Even if I don’t play, it’s our team, and I wish them all the best.”

The first match of the Test series took place at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on November 28. Tamim’s return to competitive cricket through the BPL remains a focal point, and further developments are anticipated after the conclusion of the league.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board is set to request clarification from Allan Donald regarding his recent comments about Shakib Al Hasan’s timed out appeal against Angelo Mathews during their match against Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on November 6. Mathews became the first international cricketer in history to be timed out in that match.

Shakib Al Hasan faced substantial criticism from various quarters for his actions, with Allan Donald expressing his disapproval as well. Donald found it disheartening to witness such conduct on the cricket field and noted a clear sense of discontent in Shakib’s demeanor when discussing the incident.

Controversial Timed Out Decision and Allan Donald’s Response

“It was disappointing to see. I can understand Shakib taking his chance. His words were ‘I was doing everything to win.’ You can sense in my voice that I don’t like it. My immediate reaction when that happened – and this is just my instincts taking over – is I almost actually thought of going onto the field and saying, ‘enough is enough, we don’t stand for this; we are not that kind of team who stand for this.’ That was my immediate thought,” Donald mentioned during an interview with CricBlog.Net.

BCB officials have acknowledged Allan Donald’s comments and stated their intention to seek clarification promptly. They emphasized their commitment to avoiding distractions for the team leading up to their crucial match against Australia. “We have seen the news quoting Donald, and we are taking that seriously. We will certainly seek an explanation in the coming days.”

This memorable incident occurred in the 25th over of the Sri Lankan innings after Sadeera Samarawickrama’s dismissal. Angelo Mathews, upon reaching the crease alongside Charith Asalanka, encountered a broken helmet strap and immediately signaled to his teammates in the dugout for a replacement helmet.

As the substitute brought the correct helmet, the umpires expressed their dissatisfaction with the proceedings. Bangladesh’s captain wasted no time in appealing for a ‘timed out’ dismissal. Despite Mathews’ efforts to explain the situation to both Shakib and the umpires, Bangladesh upheld their appeal, resulting in the rare instance of a timed out dismissal in the match.

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