Amid this challenging phase, with a new ODI captain in Mehidy Hasan Miraz set to lead the side in the upcoming Sri Lanka series starting June 2, the pressure to rebuild and restore confidence is more immense than ever.
Bangladesh named a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, slated to begin from July 2, and Mohammad Naim Sheikh’s return was the major development from the squad announcement, as Soumya Sarkar was excluded owing to injury.
Soumya had been experiencing right-sided lower back pain over the past week.
Bangladesh are slated to play 16 T20Is against the UAE, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup. An additional six matches against the West Indies and Ireland will follow. With a packed T20 calendar and Shanto’s declining performances in the format, his inclusion in the squad becomes increasingly difficult to justify.
Who are the seniors in Bangladesh cricket?
Bangladesh opener Soumya Sarkar suffered a blow on the same hand which he had injured during the tour of West Indies while training in the national team's ongoing camp ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today.
It was the first time the southpaw had undergone a batting session, and having been picked for the upcoming Champions Trophy, the Tigers’ think tank will be closely monitoring how his condition develops.
If you are a left-handed top-order Bangladesh batter, you would not like the sight of Afghanistan’s left-handed pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi steaming in at you with the new ball.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday named a host of players for 'A' team's tour of Pakistan to play Pakistan A in two four-day matches and three one-day matches. Two separate squads were announced for the two four-day matches and another squad for the one-day matches on August 23, 25 and 27 respectively.
Bangladesh opener Soumya Sarkar showed glimpses of return to form in the second and third ODIs of the three-match series against New Zealand, but could not finish things off for his side due to a bizarre issue.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said he would like to see more team effort rather than one or two individual performances in order to avoid another white-ball series whitewash against New Zealand.
Where would Soumya Sarkar be in the next game had he made another poor score, not the 169, against New Zealand in Nelson yesterday? That is the poignant question involving Bangladesh's cricket, viewed through Soumya as the prism.
A superb 169 off 151 balls from opener Soumya Sarkar was not enough to end Bangladesh's miserable ODI streak in New Zealand, where they have now lost all of their 18 previous 50-over matches against the Black Caps
The win in Nelson gives New Zealand an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after their 44-run win in the first game on Sunday. The third and final ODI will be played in Napier on Saturday.
Soumya Sarkar's career-best 169 helped Bangladesh post 291 all out in 49.5 overs in their second ODI against New Zealand at Saxton Oval in Nelson today.
Soumya Sarkar's record-breaking ton went in vain as New Zealand won the second ODI by seven wickets
"Bangladesh teams for the last 15 years were used to having Shakib. We are finding it hard to make a combination [without him]."
Following a 44-run defeat (via DLS) in a rain-curtailed first ODI, Bangladesh will be eyeing to come up with a different approach and must look to form a well-balanced playing eleven in order to save the series when they take on New Zealand in the second ODI of the three-match series at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Wednesday.
“Soumya’s role will be very important,” Shanto told reporters in Dunedin today, a day before the first ODI in Dunedin.
