United News of Bangladesh

The diplomatic crisis surrounding the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 has escalated to a new level, with Pakistan media reporting that the country may review its own participation in the tournament if Bangladesh's security concerns regarding India remain unresolved. The move follows a formal request for support from the Bangladesh government, prompting Islamabad to warn that failing to address these grievances could impact the wider tournament preparations. Pakistan has taken a firm diplomatic stance, emphasizing that no country should face pressure regarding hosting responsibilities and assuring Bangladesh of “full support”. Read More: BCB rejects ICC’s plea to reconsider India tour to play T20 World Cup The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also formally communicated its interest in hosting Bangladesh's fixtures if venues in Sri Lanka are unavailable, citing its readiness following the successful hosting of the 2025 Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, a logistical solution proposed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to swap groups with Ireland appears to have collapsed. Cricket Ireland dismissed reports of a potential exchange, stating they have received “definitive assurances” from the ICC that they will remain in Sri Lanka for the group stages. A Cricket Ireland official confirmed, “We're definitely playing the group stage in Sri Lanka,” effectively rejecting the proposal the BCB tabled during a meeting with ICC executives in Dhaka on Saturday. Read more: Rajshahi Warriors top table with a tense 3-wicket win over Chattogram This development leaves Bangladesh in a precarious position under the current schedule. They remain in Group B alongside West Indies, England, Nepal, and Italy, with three matches scheduled in Kolkata and one in Mumbai starting February 7.//

The Rajshahi Warriors confirmed their status as the group stage leaders of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) after securing a hard-fought 3-wicket victory over the Chattogram Royals on Saturday. While both teams had already qualified for the playoffs, this win ensured Rajshahi finished at the top of the points table. Rajshahi captain Nazmul Hossain won the toss and elected to field, a decision vindicated by his bowlers. The BCB-owned Chattogram franchise struggled with the bat, collapsing to 125 all out in 19.5 overs. Pacer Tanzim Hasan was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 4 wickets for just 17 runs in his 4-over spell. Asif Ali offered some resistance with a 24-ball 39, while Mahmudul Hasan scored 19, but the rest of the lineup faltered against Tanzim, supported by Ryan Burl and Jahandad Khan who took two wickets each. Chasing a modest target of 126, Rajshahi faced a terrifying start, reduced to 27 for 3 inside six overs and teetering at 33 for 4 by the eighth. Chattogram pacer Shoriful Islam ripped through the top order, dismissing openers Tanzid Hasan and Sahibzada Farhan, as well as captain Nazmul. However, a match-winning partnership of 84 runs off 66 balls between Mushfiqur Rahim and Akbar Ali rescued the innings. Man of the Match Akbar Ali shifted the momentum by hitting three consecutive sixes in the 15th over, eventually falling for 48 off 41 balls. Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 46 off 41 balls to guide Rajshahi to 126 for 7 with three balls to spare.  

In a contest dripping with tension, rain delays, and shifting equations, India U-19 held their nerve to defeat Bangladesh U-19 by 18 runs (DLS method) in a thrilling Group B encounter of the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup at the Queens Sports Club. Al Fahad of Bangladesh bagged five wickets, but those went in vain. After posting 238 in 48.4 overs, India’s defense was tested by weather interruptions that left Bangladesh chasing a revised target of 165 from 29 overs. The match hung in the balance as Bangladesh skipper Azizul Hakim anchored the chase with a gritty 51 off 72 balls. However, the introduction of Vihaan Malhotra turned the game on its head. The all-rounder produced a spectacular spell of 4 for 14 in just 4 overs, triggering a dramatic collapse that saw Bangladesh lose their last seven wickets for just 22 runs. Earlier, India’s innings was built on a solid 61 by captain Ayush Mhatre and a blistering 72 off 67 balls from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Bangladesh’s Al Fahad was the pick of the bowlers with a five-wicket haul (5 for 38), constantly piercing India’s middle order. Chasing the adjusted target, Bangladesh seemed in control at 106 for 2 before the pressure mounted. Malhotra removed the dangerous Hakim and then sliced through the tail with disciplined yorkers. He capped off his Player of the Match performance by taking the final catch to dismiss Iqbal Hossain Emon, bowling Bangladesh out for 146 with just three balls to spare. “It's nerve-wracking, but being on the winning side is great,” Malhotra said post-match. “The plan was to limit boundaries at the end, and I backed my strength of bowling yorkers.” Bangladesh’s captain, Azizul Hakim, praised the pacer Al Fahad. “(It was) disappointing for us. We missed chances,” he said. “DLS came into play. For us, it's about learning. Very proud of Al Fahad.”  

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has once again officially informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it will not send its team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, proposing instead a group swap as a potential logistical solution to the crisis. The development emerged following a high-level meeting held at the BCB office in Mirpur on Saturday afternoon. ICC General Manager of the Integrity Unit, Andrew Effgrave, flew to Dhaka for the discussion, while Gaurav Saxena, the ICC’s General Manager of Events and Corporate Communications, joined via video link after failing to obtain a visa in time—a delay that underscores the ongoing diplomatic friction. During the meeting, the BCB reiterated its formal request to relocate Bangladesh's matches to Sri Lanka. Board officials conveyed the Bangladesh government’s deep concerns regarding the safety of players, supporters, and media personnel in India. In a new strategic twist, the discussion explored the possibility of shifting Bangladesh to a different tournament group. The BCB suggested that placing Bangladesh in a group scheduled to play outside of India (potentially in co-host Sri Lanka) could resolve the security impasse with “minimal logistic changes”. Despite the “constructive dialogue,” no immediate decision was reached. ICC representatives acknowledged the BCB's position but indicated they must consult with ICC Chair Jay Shah before finalizing any changes. The meeting was attended by BCB President Aminul Islam and other top officials, who remain steadfast in their refusal to compromise on security.

The diplomatic tension between Dhaka and New Delhi has spilled onto the cricket field, as the captains of the Bangladesh and India Under-19 teams refused to shake hands during the toss at the ICC U-19 World Cup on Saturday in Zimbabwe. In a scene reminiscent of recent India-Pakistan encounters, Bangladesh acting captain Jawad Abrar and India captain Ayush Mhatre visibly avoided each other at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. While it remains unclear which team initiated the break in protocol, the two leaders dispensed with the customary sporting gesture before Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field. This incident mirrors the stance taken by India during the Asia Cup in September, where captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that his team would not shake hands with Pakistani players due to military conflicts. Read More: Bangladesh honours Mushfiqur Rahim as first cricketer to reach 100 Tests The breakdown in on-field courtesies comes amid “cold relations” between the two nations and a deepening standoff regarding the upcoming senior Men's T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remains firm in its decision not to send the national team to India for the tournament in February, citing severe security risks. 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”.

In a nail-biting finish at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Rajshahi Warriors held their nerve to defeat Sylhet Titans by 5 runs in a dramatic encounter that saw the match swing wildly until the very last ball. Chasing a target of 148, Sylhet needed 11 runs off the final over bowled by Sri Lankan pacer Binura Fernando. The drama peaked when, after two wides and a series of tight deliveries, Sylhet needed 6 runs off the last ball. However, Binura shattered the stumps of Ruyel Miah, sealing a hard-fought victory for Rajshahi. Earlier, Sylhet seemed poised for victory when Moeen Ali smashed consecutive sixes off Ripon Mondol in the penultimate over, reducing the equation to 13 runs off 10 balls. But his dismissal on the very next delivery for a 12-ball 27 turned the tide back in Rajshahi's favor. Sylhet’s chase was anchored by Parvez Hossain Emon, who blazed 41 off 30 balls with 4 sixes before being trapped lbw in the 10th over. Despite steady contributions from Mominul Haque (31) and Afif Hossain (16), Sylhet lost momentum at crucial stages. BPL halted as players boycott match despite BCB’s show-cause notice Batting first, Rajshahi posted 147 for 7, thanks largely to a 56-run partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim (40) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (34). Mushfiqur fell to his signature reverse sweep, sparking a collapse that saw Rajshahi lose 4 wickets for just 23 runs in the death overs. With this win, Rajshahi Warriors strengthened their position in the top two with 14 points from 9 games, while Sylhet Titans remain on 10 points.    

The crisis in Bangladesh cricket has taken a serious turn as Mohammad Mithun, President of the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), said he is receiving severe threats involving physical harm against players. Mithun alleged that he has been receiving abusive calls and WhatsApp messages from various unknown domestic and international numbers. The anonymous senders have accused the cricketers of acting as “agents” to create an “unstable environment” in the country. One specific threat issued a chilling warning, he said, that said “after today, no cricketer will be able to walk safely on Bangladesh soil”. Mithun noted that the volume of these threats escalated significantly after 9:00 PM on Thursday. “We haven't spoken against the country, so I don't understand why these threats are coming,” Mithun said. “As cricketers, we spoke about our rights; is that a crime?”. Mithun, who is captaining the Dhaka Capitals in the ongoing BPL, said that he has not yet taken formal legal action but is considering doing so. These threats target Mithun as he leads the players' negotiation with the BCB regarding the boycott demanding the resignation of Director M Najmul Islam. Earlier in the day, Mithun had announced that players would only return to the field if Najmul offered a public apology for his offensive remarks. However, on Thursday night, they agreed to continue playing BPL from Friday.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is set to resume on Friday (January 16, 2026) after a successful late-night negotiation between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the players, ending the boycott that stalled the tournament on Thursday. The breakthrough was announced by BPL Governing Council Member Secretary Iftekhar Rahman and CWAB President Mohammad Mithun following a meeting at the BCB office in Gulshan. Read more: BCB removes Nazmul from finance chair in bid to end player boycott Cricketers joined the discussions with board officials and franchise representatives around 10:30 PM to finalize the agreement. To accommodate the lost day, the tournament schedule has been revised. Thursday’s abandoned matches—Noakhali Express vs. Chattogram Royals and Rajshahi Warriors vs. Sylhet Titans—will now be played on Friday at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM respectively. Consequently, Friday’s originally scheduled games have been shifted to Saturday, while Saturday’s fixtures move to January 18. The Eliminator and Qualifier-1 have also been pushed back to January 20, though the date for the final remains unchanged. The standoff was triggered by offensive remarks from BCB Director M Nazmul Islam regarding player funding. While the players initially demanded his resignation and a public apology, the resumption follows the board’s decision to strip him of his Finance Committee chairmanship. Read more: BPL halted as players boycott match despite BCB’s show-cause notice

Hopes for an immediate end to the Bangladesh cricket boycott were dashed on Thursday night after negotiations between the players and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) hit a stalemate over the nature of an apology from Director M Najmul Islam. Although the cricketers softened their stance and offered to return to the field on Friday, the BCB rejected their primary condition: that Najmul must apologize publicly for his offensive remarks. In a press release issued earlier in the evening, the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) stated they had reconsidered their total strike in the “greater interest of cricket,” noting the potential impact on the Women’s National Team and Under-19 side currently playing abroad. The players welcomed the BCB's earlier decision to remove Najmul from the Finance Committee and initiate a show-cause process. However, they laid down a specific ultimatum: since Najmul’s comments insulting the players were made in public, he must also express regret publicly before they resume play. According to media reports and some BCB sources, BCB President Aminul Islam rejected this demand during a conversation (not clear if it was physical or over phone) with CWAB President Mohammad Mithun and senior players. Aminul reportedly argued that Najmul had already expressed regret internally and, as a “respected person,” could not be forced to apologize in the public sphere. With the discussion ending inconclusively, uncertainty now looms over Friday’s scheduled BPL matches, following the abandonment of Thursday’s fixtures due to the boycott.

In an emotional address during the cricketers' press conference on Thursday, Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz hit back at the common narrative that players live off public funds. He also claimed that fans are being deliberately misled about the financial reality of the national team. Speaking at the Dhaka hotel alongside national captains and BPL players from Rangpur, Noakhali, and Chattogram BPL franchises, Miraz sought to clarify misconceptions that often fuel abuse when the team underperforms. “Many times when we play badly, it is said that ‘you run on our money, you play because we pay.’ It is not like that,” Miraz stated. Miraz explained that the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) revenue primarily comes from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and sponsors, not taxpayer contributions. He emphasized that cricketers are actually significant contributors to the state coffers. “We probably pay the most tax. We pay 25-30 percent tax. This means we give money to the government... It is not that the government gives us money,” he asserted, adding that this reality is rarely explained to the public. The all-rounder expressed frustration that “negative aspects” are often amplified to turn fans against the players. He noted that despite facing severe verbal abuse during tough times, players remain accessible to their supporters. “We eat so much abuse, yet we still take pictures with the spectators... We could have said we won't take photos... but we never do that,” he said. Miraz concluded with a stern warning that players would no longer tolerate disrespect toward the profession that shapes their identities. “Today I am Mehidy Hasan Miraz because of cricket... When someone disrespects cricket, we will definitely take a stand,” he declared.