In Bangladesh’s last Test tour of Sri Lanka in 2021, Praveen Jayawickrama picked up 11 wickets in the Kandy Test to see the hosts win by 209 runs and clinch the series 1-0.
Evolving and growing through every phase of life is a natural phenomenon. For most, this brings about positive changes. But for the Bangladesh cricket team, the exact opposite is the case, as in every new series and tour, the Tigers unlock new problem areas in their game.
In his address, the former Bangladesh captain stressed the urgent need to launch four new development programmes. However, there were no discussions about elections or constitutional reforms.
A key aspect of the preparations will be adapting to the slightly spin-friendly pitch at Galle, where the first Test is scheduled to begin on June 17.
It was 2005 when an 18-year-old Mushfiqur, a surprise inclusion in Bangladesh’s squad for their maiden tour of England, debuted at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Former captains Habibul Bashar, Minhajul Abedin Nannu, and Khaled Mashud Pilot didn't mince words: this isn't just a passing stumble. It's a full-blown crisis in Bangladesh cricket.
Despite posting an imposing 205 for five in the second and penultimate T20I on Monday, the Tigers fell apart in the field, suffering their first-ever loss to the hosts in any format.
The decision was taken following discussions between Emirates Cricket Board and Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Known primarily for his left-arm spin, Rakibul is beginning to showcase the kind of all-round ability that could one day earn him a similar status. His recent match-winning performances with both bat and ball in the emerging team suggest that Bangladesh may have found a new dual-threat talent in the making.
Shakib is likely to remain relevant by the time the next T20 World Cup comes in 2026.
Bangladesh enter the T20 World Cup with a bit of uncertainty as they continue to look for their strongest XI. Experienced opener Litton Das has been out of form of late with an average of 13.16 this year in six matches. Although teammate Tawhid Hridoy is confident that Das will make a strong comeback in the tournament.
The 55-year-old coach recommends focusing on the youth to steer Bangladesh to a level of excellence.
The South Asian nation is one of nine countries to have played all T20 World Cups since the tournament began in 2007 but is alone in never having made it to the knockout stage.
We distance ourselves from the sport, stop watching the games, and wish that the news of the results doesn’t reach us. But to remain unaffected is not a choice we can make.
The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side hit new lows in T20I when they suffered a series defeat against lower-ranked USA with one match to spare, sparking huge criticism among the cricket fans back home.
Liton may not be an automatic starter but Bangladesh’s plans could change drastically after just one game at the upcoming main event.
It is not unknown to anyone that Bangladesh are still to come to terms with the T20 format -- a rudimentary assessment of the Tigers’ T20 calibre and a glance at how the Tigers fared in the previous editions of the T20 World Cup would be enough to realise that.
Sure, Saifuddin has dished out glimpses of his talents with bat and ball in domestic competitions but can those sparks of promise in lower-quality contests be used to solidify faith in the 27-year-old heading into the T20 World Cup in June?
The scepticism and queries over the team’s preparation were not at all surprising, considering how poorly the Tigers have fared in the last two T20 World Cups -- only winning over low-ranked Netherlands and Zimbabwe in 2022 while suffering a humiliating loss to Scotland the year before in the previous edition.
