Bangladesh's star opener Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement from international cricket through a post from his official Facebook page today.
High-scoring fixtures have been one of the highlights of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with the wickets in both Dhaka and Sylhet receiving applause from all corners for providing exciting contests so far in the meet.
Former BCB director Khaled Mahmud Sujon came down heavily on the pair of Faruque Ahmed and Nazmul Abedeen over perceived 'greed' related to cricket operations department. Faruque, as the BCB president is currently heading the department as no standing committees are yet to be announced with only few board directors available.
In previous years, star cricketers like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, and Imran Tahir, who are generally seen ruling the franchise tournaments across the world, featured for different BPL franchises but this year, none of these players will be playing in the country’s sole franchise-based T20 tournament.
In opening day’s fixtures, reigning champions Fortune Barishal will take on newcomers Durbar Rajshahi at 01:30pm while Rangpur Riders will face Dhaka Capitals in the second match at 06:30pm.
As for the year that is winding down, it was neither an overarching triumph nor a debilitating failure. The stench of mediocrity was present, but so was vivacious tenacity. Above all, it was an interesting year in cricket for Bangladesh -- one that fans would not forget soon.
Poor string of scores is nothing new for the 30-year-old as he has gone on a run of registering single-digit scores for three or more matches on the trot on four different phases in his 50-over career but this is the longest he has gone without reaching double digits.
The left-arm pacer, who opted out from West Indies ODIs citing family reasons, announced the news on social media.
This week, what Yashasvi Jaiswal did at Perth and what the Bangladesh batters failed to do in Antigua could be enough to realise why the two countries are on opposite sides of the spectrum in Test cricket.
Najmul Hossain Shanto has managed to navigate troubled waters with perhaps the best tool there is: performance.
There were a lot of expectations as Chandika Hathurusingha’s first press conference commenced on his return to Bangladesh’s head coaching role, but far from being explosive, the Sri Lankan appeared far cooler and composed than in his first stint.
Test and T20I skipper Shakib Al Hasan, currently in USA due to a family emergency, is yet to join the side alongside Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mehedi Hasan Miraz.
After an impressive run of form in the just-concluded Bangladesh Premier League for Sylhet Strikers, Towhid Hridoy was rewarded for his performances by being included in the Bangladesh squad for the upcoming white-ball series against England.
It was a picture of a happy dressing room, Bangladesh players taking pride in their new-found strength from the depths of defeat after all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz’s heroics, with only Mustafizur Rahman for company, helped clinch the first ODI against India in Mirpur. Shakib Al Hasan himself was one of those lending a shoulder on the occasion as Miraz was hoisted in the air.
The England Cricket Team face a dilemma announcing their squad later this week for the upcoming Bangladesh tour as several key players have reportedly opted out of the tour citing franchise commitments specifically due to a scheduling clash with the Pakistan Super League, while English daily The Telegraph reported on Wednesday.
Sylhet Strikers skipper Mashrafe Mortaza acknowledged the resurgence of former Tigers teammate and Fortune Barishal captain Shakib Al Hasan saying that it wouldn't come as a surprise if the ace all-rounder manages to better his performance after a stellar run ahead of the Sylhet-leg of the Bangladesh Premier League.
With the Bangladesh Premier League showing signs of life, the off-field conundrums relating to the BPL have also found new jesty talking points with Fortune Barishal skipper Shakib Al Hasan coming up with yet another witty banter in response to a question that asked the all-rounder what he would do if he were to actually assume the role of CEO of the BPL.
In a nation that lives and breathes cricket, it is ever so difficult for other sports to stand out and make its own position in the country’s sporting culture. Another factor is the mindset of the sports industry as the focus given to the non-cricket genres of sports and its athletes is predominantly dependent on success.
2023 is expected to be the year of hope for Bangladesh, especially with the ODI World Cup in the calendar.
