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.
The least the board can do is maintain a basic line of communication and show they care about engagement beyond the boundary.
With a five-T20I tour of Pakistan to follow, and the Asia Cup likely to be staged in the UAE, these games offer a timely opportunity to assess conditions and sharpen plans.
As it seems, the dilemma for Bangladesh remains: is Shanto worth the tactical compromise?
A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official on Thursday said that they have received clearance from the government regarding the Tigers' upcoming tour of Pakistan later this month.
The two sides will now play a two-match four-day series, with the first game starting on May 14 in Sylhet.
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.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced the squad for the upcoming ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa including four senior team players on Thursday.
