United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh government has officially confirmed that the national cricket team will not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing ‘genuine security risks' amidst a volatile regional political climate. The announcement made by the Sports Adviser, Asif Nazrul, on Thursday, effectively defies the ultimatum set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) just a day earlier. Speaking to the media, the Sports Adviser made it clear that the safety of the delegation is non-negotiable. “Bangladesh is not travelling to India to play the World Cup due to the security risk—this is a decision made by the Bangladesh government. No other entity has any rights to take this decision,” he said. Read more: Travel to India for T20 World Cup or be replaced: ICC warns Bangladesh This statement overrides the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) attempts to negotiate and directly challenges the ICC's insistence on the original schedule. Addressing the potential financial and sporting repercussions of a boycott, the Adviser argued that national dignity and human safety carry a higher value. He urged the public and media to consider the alternative cost of capitulation. “You should also consider what the damage would be if we played the World Cup,” he said. “Pushing our players, fans, and journalists into a genuine risk amidst this regional political situation, with our heads bowed down... is a damage that must be weighed.” Despite the ICC's vote on Wednesday to replace Bangladesh with Scotland if they refuse to travel, the government remains hopeful for a last-minute diplomatic solution involving a venue change. Read more: India wins T20 series against New Zealand by 48 runs The Adviser insisted that the demand to play in Sri Lanka is valid and rooted in history. “We still hope the ICC will do justice,” he said. “There are many precedents in the world where matches are played at a different venue due to security risks. We have not given up hope yet.”

Abhishek Sharma blasted 84 off 35 balls to power India to a commanding 48-run win over New Zealand in the first T20 of the five-match series on Wednesday. Riding on Sharma’s eight sixes and five fours, India posted 238-7, the third-highest T20 total against New Zealand. Captain Suryakumar Yadav added 32 off 22 balls, while Rinku Singh finished unbeaten on 44 off 20 deliveries to provide the late surge. After being sent in, India lost Sanju Samson (10) and Ishan Kishan (8) early, but Sharma counterattacked and raced to a 22-ball fifty. He shared a rapid 99-run stand off 47 balls with Yadav as India crossed 100 inside nine overs. Yadav fell in the 11th over, and Mitchell Santner (1-37) then helped slow India’s momentum. Ish Sodhi struck in the following over to remove Sharma, and India slipped to 185-6 in 15.4 overs. Hardik Pandya scored 25 off 16 balls, while Shivam Dube and Axar Patel made 9 and 5 respectively. Singh, however, held firm at the end and accelerated in the final overs to lift India to a daunting total. Kyle Jamieson (2-54) and Jacob Duffy (2-27) took two wickets each for New Zealand. BPL Qualifier: Rajshahi defend 165 to knock out Sylhet, will face Chattogram in final In reply, New Zealand’s chase stumbled early as Devon Conway fell for a two-ball duck and Rachin Ravindra made 1. Tim Robinson scored 21 before Varun Chakravarthy (2-37) dismissed him in the seventh over, leaving the visitors at 52-3. Glenn Phillips kept the chase alive with a 78 off 40 balls, adding 79 off 42 deliveries with Mark Chapman, who scored 39 off 24 balls. Phillips reached his fifty off 29 balls and benefited from a few fielding lapses before he was eventually caught off Axar Patel in the 14th over. Despite Daryl Mitchell’s 28 off 18 balls and Santner’s unbeaten 20 off 13, New Zealand finished on 190-7, falling well short of the target. Sylhet Titans elect to field against Rangpur in BPL eliminator The series serves as preparation for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, beginning Feb. 7. The second match will be played in Raipur on Friday.

Rajshahi Warriors stormed into the final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), defeating the Sylhet Titans by 12 runs in a gripping second Qualifier on Wednesday. A stellar all-round bowling performance, led by Sri Lankan pacer Binura Fernando, dismantled Sylhet’s chase and set up a title clash against the Chittagong Royals, scheduled for Friday. Chasing a target of 166, Sylhet finished on 153 for 8, falling short despite valiant efforts from opener Parvez Hossain Emon and Sam Billings. The chase began disastrously as Fernando struck early, removing Zakir Hasan and Ariful Islam in a fiery opening spell. He finished with match-winning figures of 4 for 19 from his four overs. Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan was equally instrumental in the field, taking a record-breaking five catches—the most by any fielder in a single BPL innings. Sylhet’s hopes were kept alive by a 69-run partnership between Parvez (48 off 34) and Billings (37 off 26). However, a crucial run-out of Parvez in the 11th over shifted the momentum. Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals, and despite the equation narrowing to 24 runs off the final over, Chris Woakes and Nasum Ahmed could not pull off a miracle. Earlier, Rajshahi posted a competitive 165 for 9 after being asked to bat first. New Zealand star Kane Williamson, making his BPL debut after arriving in Dhaka just this morning, anchored the innings with a composed 45 off 38 balls. He was supported by fellow Kiwi Jimmy Neesham, who finally found form with a 44 off 26 balls. The duo rescued Rajshahi from a precarious 80 for 5, adding 68 runs for the sixth wicket. Rajshahi’s innings had started briskly with Tanzid Hasan smashing three sixes in an over off Moeen Ali, but a middle-order collapse sparked by Sylhet captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who took two wickets in two balls, threatened to derail them. Ultimately, the Kiwi pair’s resilience ensured Rajshahi had enough on the board to defend.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a strict ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB): travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup or be replaced. In a decisive board meeting on Wednesday, the global body voted in favor of bringing in a replacement team if Bangladesh persists in its refusal to play in the host nation.  The BCB has been granted a final 24-hour window to consult with its government and confirm whether they will adhere to the tournament schedule. If Bangladesh ultimately declines to travel, Scotland is expected to take their place in Group C, despite failing to qualify directly during the European Qualifiers. The decision to replace Bangladesh was reached via a majority vote by the ICC Board, which included directors from all Full Member nations, such as ICC Chair Jay Shah, BCB President Aminul Islam, and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Bangladesh not to accept any illogical ICC conditions under Indian pressure: Sports Adviser The vote proceeded despite a late diplomatic intervention from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had written to the ICC formally supporting Bangladesh’s stance regarding security concerns in India. The standoff centers on Bangladesh's refusal to play its group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, citing political turmoil and safety risks. However, an independent risk assessment report reviewed during the meeting reportedly stated that while the general threat environment in India is “moderate-high,” there is “no information to indicate a direct threat against participating teams.” Pakistan formally backs Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India With the tournament set to begin on February 7, the ICC has refused to alter the schedule or move matches to a neutral venue like Sri Lanka. The cricketing world now waits for the BCB's final response tomorrow, which will determine whether the Tigers compete or forfeit their spot on the global stage.

The diplomatic crisis surrounding the T20 World Cup has intensified just hours before a prospective deadline, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally intervening to support Bangladesh's refusal to play in India. On Tuesday, as ESPNcrinfo reported, the PCB sent a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its board members, backing the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) stance that the political climate in India poses a security risk. This move comes just a day before the ICC board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to make a final call on Bangladesh's participation in the tournament. The ICC has called an urgent board meeting for Wednesday to resolve the impasse, which threatens to derail the event less than three weeks before it begins. While the timing of the PCB’s email has raised eyebrows, sources suggest it is unlikely to alter the ICC's firm position. Read more: Bangladesh not to accept any illogical ICC conditions under Indian pressure: Sports Adviser The global body has repeatedly conveyed to the BCB that the World Cup schedule will not be changed to move Bangladesh's matches to co-host Sri Lanka. Both sides have remained deadlocked, with the ICC insisting on the original itinerary and the BCB, backed by their government, refusing to travel to India. Speculation regarding Pakistan's involvement has been rife for days, with unverified reports suggesting the PCB might review its own participation contingent on the outcome of the Bangladesh issue. While the PCB has not publicly commented, their email confirms a unified front with Bangladesh. This diplomatic row originated when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, citing worsening political ties—a move that prompted the Bangladesh government to bar the national team from playing in India. Read more: T20 World Cup: PCB suspends preparations, Pakistan signals Support for Bangladesh

A captain’s knock from Mahedi Hasan has propelled the Chattogram Royals into the final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), securing a thrilling six-wicket victory over the Rajshahi Warriors in the first Qualifier on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 134, Chattogram crossed the finish line with three balls to spare, thanks to Mahedi’s unbeaten cameo and a solid top-order performance. Needing 9 runs off the final over, Mahedi took charge against bowler Ripon Mondol. After a single on the first ball, the skipper hit a six over mid-off on the second delivery, effectively sealing the game. He finished the match on the third ball with a couple of runs, remaining unbeaten on 19 off just 9 balls. Earlier in the chase, Chattogram’s Mirza Baig led the innings with a crucial 45, the highest score for his side. Despite a sluggish start from opener Mohammad Naim, who consumed 38 balls for his 30 runs, timely boundaries from Hasan Nawaz kept the Royals in the hunt. Before his heroics with the bat, Mahedi delivered a match-defining spell with the ball. He claimed two key wickets for just 20 runs, dismissing Rajshahi captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim in consecutive deliveries in the ninth over, narrowly missing a hat-trick. Rajshahi, who opted to bat first, struggled to build momentum. Opener Tanzid Hasan top-scored with 41, while a late blitz from Sakib Saklain helped them post a respectable 133. However, the top order failed to fire, with key players like Sahirzada Farhan and Jimmy Neesham unable to convert their starts. Pacer Shoriful Islam continued his fine form, taking his season tally to 24 wickets, just one shy of Taskin Ahmed’s record. While Chattogram celebrates their spot in the final, Rajshahi remains in contention and will face the Sylhet Titans in the second Qualifier.

In a heart-stopping finish at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Chris Woakes struck a massive six off the final ball to guide the Sylhet Titans to an incredible victory over the Rangpur Riders in the BPL Eliminator on Tuesday.  The breathtaking win keeps Sylhet's title hopes alive, propelling them to the second qualifier, while the Rangpur Riders have been knocked out of the tournament. Chasing a modest target of 112, the match appeared to be slipping away from Sylhet during a tense final over bowled by Rangpur's Fahim Ashraf. With just three runs required off the last six deliveries, the drama escalated quickly. Read More: Royals bat first against Noakhali Express as BPL resumes Ashraf started well, conceding only two runs off the first ball before bowling two consecutive dots to strangle the scoring. The pressure mounted further when Moeen Ali was dismissed on the fourth ball, leaving Sylhet needing one run to tie or a boundary to win with just one delivery remaining. However, Woakes held his nerve, connecting perfectly with the final ball to send it over the ropes and trigger wild celebrations in the Sylhet camp. Earlier in the day, Sylhet captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz won the toss and elected to field, a decision that paid immediate dividends. Pacer Khaled Ahmed tore through the Rangpur top order, delivering a match-winning spell of 4 for 14.  Read More: BPL in Jeopardy: players threaten total strike if a board director doesn't step down by Thursday 1 pm Rangpur’s star-studded lineup crumbled under the pressure, losing key wickets including openers Tawhid Hridoy and David Malan early on. Captain Litton Das managed just one run before falling to Khaled, leaving his side reeling. Veteran Mahmudullah Riyad offered some resistance, top-scoring with 33 off 26 balls, while Khushdil Shah added a fighting 30. However, the lack of support from the other end meant Rangpur could only post a below-par 111 for 9 in their 20 overs. Alongside Khaled, Woakes and Nasum Ahmed chipped in with two wickets each to keep the scoring in check. Sylhet’s chase was far from smooth, as they found themselves in deep trouble at 44 for 4 in the eighth over following strikes by Alis Islam and Mustafizur Rahman. It took a great partnership between Sam Billings and skipper Miraz to resurrect the innings. Billings played a gritty knock of 29 off 40 balls, anchoring the middle overs before falling in the 18th over, setting the stage for Woakes’ last-gasp heroics.

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul on Tuesday said Bangladesh will not accept any unreasonable conditions if the ICC creates pressure on the country under influence from the Indian Cricket Control  Board. “If the International Cricket Council (ICC) bows to pressure from the Indian Cricket Board and tries to impose any illogical condition on us, we will not accept,” he told reporters at the Secretariat. He also said Bangladesh cannot be forced to travel to India to play the T20 World Cup under pressure. Read more: T20 World Cup: PCB suspends preparations, Pakistan signals Support for Bangladesh Asked about a report by French news agency AFP which said Scotland would replace Bangladesh in the World Cup if the team refuses to go to India, the adviser said they have not officially heard any such decision. “There are precedents in international cricket, when India refused to play in Pakistan the ICC changed the venue. We have reasonably asked for a venue change,” he added. Bangladesh recently informed the ICC that they would not travel to India for the tournament due to political tensions and requested their matches be moved to another venue. BCB rejects ICC’s plea to reconsider India tour to play T20 World Cup A final decision on Bangladesh’s participation and travel to India is expected by Wednesday. The ICC has not clarified how it would select a replacement team if a participant withdraws. Tensions escalated recently after Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL due to security threats, a concern reportedly validated by the ICC’s own “Internal Threat Assessment Report”.

Sylhet Titans captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz won the toss and opted to field first in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) eliminator against Rangpur Riders. Sylhet have made four changes to their squad, while Rangpur captain Litton Das confirmed two changes in his squad for today’s match. Rangpur Riders squad: Dawid Malan, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das (c), Khushdil Shah, Iftakhar Hossain Ifti, Nurul Hasan (w), Mahmudullah, Faheem Ashraf, Nahid Rana, Aliss Al Islam, Akif Javed, Mehedi Hasan Sohag, Rakibul Hasan, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Nayeem Hasan, Abdul Halim, Mustafizur Rahman, Kyle Mayers, Kamrul Islam Dramatic final over sees Rajshahi edge past Sylhet by 5 runs Sylhet Titans squad: Tawfique Khan, Parvez Hossain Emon (w), Moeen Ali, Afif Hossain, Mominul Haque, Mehedi Hasan Miraz (c), Ethan Brookes, Shohidul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Ruyel Miah, Salman Irshad, Rony Talukdar, Ariful Islam Jony, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Rahatul Ferdous, Zakir Hasan

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not approached Scotland about replacing Bangladesh at next month’s men’s T20 World Cup, though Scottish players say they would be ready if needed. Bangladesh recently informed the ICC that they would not travel to India for the tournament due to political tensions and requested their matches be moved to another venue. As the highest-ranked team not in the tournament, Scotland could be considered if Bangladesh withdraws, but Cricket Scotland has not been contacted and is not initiating talks, out of respect for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Read more: Bangladesh not to accept any illogical ICC conditions under Indian pressure: Sports Adviser Scotland missed out on the 2026 T20 World Cup after finishing fourth in last summer’s Europe Qualifier, with the Netherlands and Italy claiming the two available spots. Their players are currently training ahead of a one-day international tri-series with Namibia and Oman in Windhoek in March. A final decision on Bangladesh’s participation and travel to India is expected by Wednesday. The ICC has not clarified how it would select a replacement team if a participant withdraws. Previously, Scotland replaced Zimbabwe at the 2009 T20 World Cup after Zimbabwe pulled out for political reasons. With current T20 World Cup qualifications conducted regionally, any replacement decision is likely to be at the ICC’s discretion. Scotland is currently ranked 14th in the ICC T20 rankings. The ICC could also move Bangladesh’s matches to a less politically sensitive area in India or transfer their games to co-host Sri Lanka. Reports suggest the BCB has requested a group swap with Ireland, whose matches are scheduled in Sri Lanka. Cricket Ireland said its schedule remains unchanged but it is monitoring the situation closely. Read more: Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup deadlock: Ireland rejects group swap, Pakistan sides with BCB #With inputs from BBC