Category: Entertainment

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday congratulated Bangladesh cricket team on winning the 5th and last T20 by a big margin over Australia and sweeping the five-match series 4-1.

The Tigers beat the Aussies by 60 runs in the 14th over of the match at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur.

The hosts secured the series defeating Australia in the first three matches of the series.

Australia’s 3-wicket victory in the 4th match saved them from whitewash.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh earned a thumping 60-run victory, their second-biggest in terms of runs, against Australia in the fifth and final T20I on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

While chasing a target of 123, Australia tumbled for 62— their lowest total in T20Is now. Their previous lowest in the format was 79 for 10 against England in 2005. Australia were dismissed in 13.4 overs bowing to brilliant bowling by Bangladesh. They never lost all of their wickets in an international cricket faster than this innings.

Australia lost their last seven wickets for only 14 runs going down from 48 for three.

With the win in Monday’s game, Bangladesh sealed the series 4-1. It was Bangladesh’s first-ever series win against Australia in any format of international cricket. Before this series, Bangladesh faced Australia in four matches but lost all of them.

In the fifth win, Shakib Al Hasan played the pivotal role taking four wickets conceding only nine runs in 3.4 overs. He gave away 50 in the previous game in four overs— his worst bowling figures in T20Is— and subsequently, Bangladesh lost the match by three wickets.

Along with Shakib, Mohammad Saifuddin, who was playing his first game in the series, also shone with the ball as he bagged three wickets conceding only 12 runs in three overs.

Along the way, Shakib grabbed 100 wickets in T20Is as only the second bowler after Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga. Like the Sri Lankan, Shakib also took 83 innings in 84 matches to reach the milestone.

Bangladesh won the toss in this game and opted to bat first with two changes— overlooking Shamim Hossain and Shoriful Islam to pave way for Mosaddek Hossain Saikat and Saifuddin.

Mohammad Naim and Mahedi Hasan put up a 42-run opening stand which helped the hosts to go for a big total. But on the sluggish surface, Bangladesh only managed 122 runs.

Naim was the highest-run getter scoring 23 runs while Shakib scored 19 while Soumya Sarkar and Mahedi scored 16 and 13 respectively.

For Australia, Nathan Ellis and Daniel Christian took two wickets each.

Shakib won the player of the match and player of the series awards while Saifuddin was named the most valuable player.

In the first match of the series, Bangladesh had put only 131 runs while batting first. Despite a low score, the hosts managed to win the match by 23 runs. In the second match, they had chased down a target of 122 runs with five wickets in hand, and in the third match, they defended a total of 127 runs and won by 10 runs.

The winning streak came to an end in the fourth match when the hosts ended up scoring only 104 runs while batting first. They still fought valiantly and lost in the 19th over.

But with the thumping win in the fifth match, the Bangladesh team almost erased the memory of the only defeat in the series.

The Tigers will now take on the New Zealand cricket team in early September. The Blackcaps are scheduled to reach Bangladesh in the fourth week of August. They will play a five-match T20I series against the Tigers.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh have won the toss and opted to bat first in the fifth and final T20I of the five-match series against Australia on Monday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh made two changes in this game replacing Shamim Hossain and Shoriful Islam with Mosaddek Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin.

Australia also made two changes. They rested Andrew Tye and Josh Hazlewood and brought back Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis.

Bangladesh have wrapped the series winning the first three matches.

In the first match of the series, Bangladesh had put only 131 runs while batting first. Despite a low score, the hosts managed to win the match by 23 runs. In the second match, they had chased down a target of 122 runs with five wickets in hand, and in the third match, they defended a total of 127 runs and won by 10 runs.

The winning streak came to an end in the fourth match when the hosts ended up scoring only 104 runs while batting first. They still fought valiantly and lost in the 19th over.

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Mohammad Naim, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah(c), Nurul Hasan(w), Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Australia (Playing XI): Ben McDermott, Matthew Wade(w/c), Daniel Christian, Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques, Alex Carey, Ashton Turner, Ashton Agar, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Swepson

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Brazilian duo Robinho and Fernandes guided Bashundhara Kings to clinch the 13-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football 2020-21 crown with four matches to spare beating three-time champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 2-0 goals at the Banglabandhu National Stadium here Monday.

With the day’s victory, star studded Bashundhara Kings confirmed their 2nd BPL title securing 55 points from 20 matches. Their league crown will not hamper in case of conceding defeats in all the remaining four matches.

This is the 2nd major title for the Kings in the ongong season after winning the season’ s curtain raiser meet Federation Cup Football. Kings Women’s Football team also clinched the premier league football title few days back.

It will be a huge morale boost up for the Kings before participating this month’s AFC Cup Football in the Maldives.

After the day’s defeat, Sheikh Jamal DC out of the title race with their previous credit of 39 points from 19 encounters and joined the runners-up battle with six-time champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd, which bagged 40 points from 20 outings.

In the day’s vital match, Brazilian forward Robson Robinho put the Kings ahead in the 20th minute utilising a Fernandes pass (1-0) while Brazilian midfielder Jonathon Fernandes sealed the fate of the match scoring the 2nd goal in the 62nd minute, off a Bishwanath pass (2-0).

With the day’s feat, Robinho dominated the scorer list in the league scoring highest 19 goals.

In the day’s other match, six times champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd advanced to the 2nd slot in the league table toppllng Sheikh Jamal DC crushing bottom placed Arambagh KS by 6-1 goals at the same venue Monday evening.

Jewel Rana made a hattrick for the traditional sky blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani scoring three goals in the 19th, 21st and 90+1 minutes, Nigerian booter Sunday Chizoba, Faisal Ahmed Shitol and Sohel Rana netted one goal each for the winners in the 42nd, 68th and 88th minutes respectively .

Uzbek midfielder Dilshod Nazirov scored the consolation goal for Arambagh in the 79th minute .

After the match, Dhaka Abahani Ltd moved up to the 2nd slot collecting 40 points from 20 matches while mediocre Arambagh KS remained at bottom in the 13-team league and are struggling to avoid relegation securing five points from 19 encounters.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh opener and ODI captain Tamim Iqbal is set to miss the home series against Australia and New Zealand in August and September, respectively.

The left-handed batsman has been suffering from a leg injury that he has sustained during the Sri Lanka tour earlier this year. He had recovered well to play an ODI series in May. He also took part in the Dhaka Premier League T20.

Tamim missed the one-off Test against Zimbabwe earlier this month due to the same injury. He is now coming back home without playing the three-match T20 series against the hosts.

“Tamim has been advised to stay out of cricket for at least six to eight weeks,” Minhajul Abedin, the chief selector of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), told the media.

“He will now miss the Australia and New Zealand series at home. He is coming back home with Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam. We asked Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Mithun and Mosaddek Hossain to stay with the team for the T20 series,” Minhajul added.

Bangladesh have played a one-off Test and three ODIs in Zimbabwe and won all the matches.

In the last ODI on Tuesday, Tamim hit his 14th ODI ton off 87 balls. It was his fastest ton in the format.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Australia’s Brisbane has been selected to host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games.

The decision was made at the 138th IOC (the International Olympic Committee) Session in Tokyo and Brisbane was the only candidate city bidding to host the Summer Olympics in 2032.

“The secret ballot was held at the 138th Session in Tokyo, two days before the Opening Ceremony for the Olympic Games, under strict COVID-19 restrictions,” the IOC said in a statement. “Brisbane received 72 yes and 5 no votes from 77 valid votes.”

Commenting on the selection of Brisbane, IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The Brisbane 2032 vision and Games plan fit into long-term regional and national strategies for social and economic development in Queensland and Australia, and complement the goals for the Olympic Movement outlined in Olympic Agenda 2020 and 2020+5, while focusing on providing memorable sports experiences for athletes and fans.”

“Today’s vote is a vote of trust that Brisbane and Queensland will stage magnificent Olympic and Paralympic Games 2032,” Bach stated. “We have heard a lot of positive feedback from IOC Members and International Federations in the past few months.”

Australia was the venue for the Olympic Games on two occasions in the past, with Melbourne hosting the Olympics in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.

Following the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Paris will host the Summer Games in 2024 and Los Angeles – in 2028.

The 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Japan’s capital of Tokyo are held this year between July 23 and August 8. In March 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to postpone the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Japan for one year due to the spread of COVID-19.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

They say it all begins at the top. And for Bangladesh too, openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das did it all.

Yes, with Tamim smashing his fastest ODI ton and later Nurul Hasan Shohan celebrating his comeback, the Tigers Tuesday registered a clean sweep against host Zimbabwe in the three-match series at Harare Sports Club.

In the last game of the ODI series on Tuesday, the Tigers beat Zimbabwe by five wickets chasing a target of 299 runs. In fact, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first. Batting first, the hosts scored 298/10 — their highest in this series.

In reply, Tamim and Liton added 88 runs in the opening stand and set a solid foundation in pursue of a big total.

Liton fell for 32 but Tamim was firm at the other end of the wicket. Shakib Al Hasan joined Tamim, and together they added 59 runs on the score board. Shakib had missed a ton for four runs in the previous match, and this time, he ended up on 30 off 42.

Tamim fell for 112 when Bangladesh were batting at 204. Before falling prey to Donald Tiripano, Tamim completed his ton off 87 balls — his fastest in the format. Right after Tamim’s dismissal, Mahmudullah Riyad suffered a golden duck, and all of a sudden, Bangladesh were facing trouble.

However, Mohammad Mithun and Shohan put on a fifth-wicket stand of 64 runs, which helped the Tigers keep the scoreboard afloat.

It was Shohan’s first ODI in five years. He grabbed the opportunity in two hands as he struck 45 off 39 balls and remained unbeaten. He and Afif Hossain added 34 runs for the sixth wicket to seal the game.

Bangladesh scored 302 for five and won the game by five wickets.

Wessley Madhevere and Donald Tiripano took two wickets each for Zimbabwe.

Earlier, Regis Chakabva, who opened the innings for the hosts, scored 84 off 91 balls with seven fours and one six. It was his second fifty in the series.

For the sixth wicket, Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl added 112 runs, the highest runs in a single partnership in Zimbabwe’s innings. The stand was broken by Mustafizur, who was playing his first ODI in this series, removing Raza for 57 off 54 balls.

But Burl was there in the middle. Before falling prey to Saifuddin, Burl posted 59 off 43 with four fours and as many as sixes.

Saifuddin bagged three wickets in the 48th over removing Burl, Donald Tiripano and Tendai Chatara. Saifuddin conceded 87 runs in eight overs to take three wickets. Mustafizur also bagged three wickets conceding 57 runs. They eventually put together 298 in 49.3 overs.

The series is a part of the World Cup Super League. The top seven teams of this event along with the shots, India, will qualify directly for World Cup 2023.

After the three-match ODI series, both teams will lock horns in a three-match T20 series. All the matches will take place at the same venue. Before the limited-over series, Bangladesh took on the hosts in a one-off Test and won that match by 220 runs.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Gareth Southgate says England are ready to make history in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final as they chase a first major trophy in 55 years, but Italy are in the mood to spoil the party at Wembley.

 

Southgate’s side have sent the nation into a frenzy by reaching their first European Championship final, leaving them one win away from a first title since the 1966 World Cup.

 

Along with 60,000 lucky fans at Wembley, millions across England will be glued to the final on television, with some schools and businesses set to open later on Monday to allow a lie-in after the 1900 GMT kick-off.

 

On the eve of England’s day of destiny, Southgate’s squad received messages of support from Queen Elizabeth II, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and even Hollywood actor Tom Cruise.

 

Johnson has decked the outside of his official Downing Street residence with dozens of St George’s flags.

 

After England were given a rousing send off, with fans lining the streets on the journey from their St George’s Park base to the team hotel on Saturday, Southgate urged England to harness the outpouring of emotion into a winning formula in the final.

 

“It’s been fantastic to have the letter from the Queen, the letter from the Prime Minister to all of the team. The recognition that the players and all of the staff have gone around this in the right way,” Southgate said.

 

“We had a fantastic reception when we left St George’s Park. All the local villages had come out to line the route and people pulled up so you got an idea of what was going on outside the bubble that we’ve been in.

 

“The players need to feel that warmth and support. It has definitely helped inspire us. We’re in a final and we are here to win.

 

“Now we want to go and bring the trophy home for everybody.”

 

Southgate has revolutionised English football since taking charge in 2016 and his team have impressed in Euro knockout stage wins over Germany, Ukraine and Denmark.

 

But England were beaten in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals by Croatia and only a final triumph against Italy will be enough to satisfy them now.

 

“That is the challenge now. We have been knocking down barriers on the way but we have to go out there and win it,” England captain Harry Kane said.

 

Not everyone is buying into the patriotic fever gripping England.

 

With England playing six of their seven Euro matches on home turf at Wembley, some of rival nations claim UEFA have tipped the tournament balance too heavily in favour of the Three Lions.

 

– ‘Cool heads and a hint of madness’ –

 

England’s neighbours have made no attempt to hide their wish for an Italy victory.

 

Scottish newspaper The National featured a front-page picture of Italy manager Roberto Mancini mocked up as William Wallace in the film Braveheart above the heading “Save us Roberto…You’re our final hope!”

 

After the Scottish, German and Danish national anthems were all booed at Wembley earlier in the tournament, Southgate told England fans to respect the Italians.

 

“We know that in actual fact, when we play abroad and fans boo our anthem, it probably inspires us even more. We should be respectful,” he said.

 

But Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini is unfazed by the prospect of having to play in such a hostile atmosphere.

 

“There is always a home team. That has happened in the past and it won’t be the last time,” he said.

 

“There is no controversy. It is a dream for football lovers everywhere to be involved in the final and it will be even better if we can win it.”

 

Italy have been arguably the team of the tournament, sweeping through the group stage with a perfect record before knocking out Austria, top-ranked Belgium and Spain to reach the final.

 

Revitalised since Mancini took over after their embarrassing failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the Azzurri are on a remarkable 33-match unbeaten run.

 

Four-time world champions Italy last won the European Championship in 1968, losing their previous two finals in 2002 and 2012.

 

Veteran defender Chiellini called on his team-mates to stay focused with the trophy within touching distance. “We need to thrive and savour this occasion. When we met up before the competition I said we needed just that hint of madness and to keep cool heads,” Chiellini said.

 

“That has brought us this far and hopefully it can take us to win the competition.”

 

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)

Bangladesh has been placed in strong Group D of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Football Uzbekistan’ 2022 Qualifiers along with 2013 and 202O runners up Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Uzbekistan.

The ceremonial draw of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan’ 2022 Qualifiers was held on Friday (July 9) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The qualifying round will be held from October 23 to 31 this year with Group D matches in Kuwait.

Bangladesh will play hosts Kuwait on October 27, play Uzbekistan on October 29 and Saudi Arabia on October 31.

Uzbekistan, which already confirmed their place for the final round as the hosts, for the first time in the Central Zone. but, also included in the group stage.

Forty two Asian teams, split into eleven groups, will battle for the 15 spots of the final round of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan to be held in Jjune 2022.

The draw divided the teams into two Regions.

The West Region comprises 23 West, South and Central zone teams while East Region consists of 19 East and ASEAN teams.

Eleven group champions and four best group runners up teams earned the rights to play in the final round alongside hosts Uzbekistan.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Shakib Al Hasan bagged three wickets in the Harare Test when Zimbabwe were replying strongly to Bangladesh’s first innings total of 468.

At the tea break of day three, Zimbabwe were batting at 244 for five in 96 overs, with Takudzwanashe Kaitano and wicketkeeper-batsman Regis Chakabva were unbeaten at 82 and 10 respectively.

Bangladesh batted first after winning the toss and posted 468 in the first innings riding on the unbeaten 150 off Mahmudllah Riyad, 95 of Liton Das, 75 of Taskin Ahmed and 70 of Mominul Haque.

Zimbabwe started to reply strongly adding 61 in the opening stand by Milton Shumba and Kaitano. Shakib earned the first breakthrough for Bangladesh removing Milton for 41.

In the second wicket stand shared by Brendan Taylor and Kaitano, Zimbabwe added 115 runs on the board. Mehidy Hasan Miraz struck when this pair looked dangerous, removing Taylor for 81.

After that, Shakib removed Dion Myers and Timycen Maruma in quick succession while Taskin Ahmed also joined him to send Roy Kaia to the dressing room.

To bag three wickets, Shakib conceded 74 runs in 34 overs.

Earlier, Blessing Muzarabani took four wickets for Zimbabwe in the first innings of the match, while Donald Tiripano and Victor Nyauchi scalped two wickets each.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan scored 74 on the first day of the two-day practice match against Zimbabwe Select XI Saturday at the Takashinga Sports Club in Harare.

Shakib has been going through a bad patch for a while. He was a shadow of his former self during the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Twenty20 Cricket League last month.

But coming into the practice game, Shakib hit fifty along with Saif Hassan, 65, and Najmul Hossain Shanto, 52.

Riding on their batting performance, Bangladesh ended day one at 313 for two wickets. Mahmudullah Riyad and Mehidy Hasan Miraz remained unbeaten on 40 and 5.

Apart from Shadman Islam, who was dismissed for a duck, and Test captain Mominul Haque, 29, all other batsmen retired not out.

Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Taijul Islam, and Yasir Ali are not the part of this game.

The lone Test will take place on July 7 at the Harare Sports Club. The three ODIs will take place on July 16, 18, and 20, while the T20Is will be played on July 23, 25, and 27 at the same venue.

Test and ODIs will start at 1:30pm (Bangladesh time) and T20Is at 4:30pm.

Bangladesh were last in Zimbabwe in 2013 when the Tigers ended the series in a draw, winning one match of the two-match series.

After 2013, Zimbabwe played three Test series against the hosts Bangladesh and lost two of them; the other series ended in a draw.

Overall, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe took on each other in nine Test series. Of them, Zimbabwe won four, and Bangladesh three; the other two series ended in draws.

Bangladesh Test squad

Muminul Haque (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shdman Islam, Saif Hassan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Mahmudullah Riyad, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehedy Hasan Miraz, Taizul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed Rahi, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain and Shoriful Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Nurul Hasan Sohan and Naeem Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad.

Source: United News of Bangladesh

Ahead of the one-off Test, three ODIs and three T20Is against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh will play a two-day practice match at Takashinga Sports Club on July 3 and 4 to warm up ahead of the crucial series.

All the 18 members of the Bangladesh Test squad are currently in Zimbabwe, while the players who will play ODIs and T20Is will leave for Harare on July 9 and July 16, respectively.

Tamim Iqbal, the ODI captain of Bangladesh who is part of the Test squad, might not take part in the practice match. The left-handed batsman has been suffering from a leg injury since the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Twenty20 Cricket League.

He had represented Prime Bank Cricket Club in the event. But he couldn’t play the Super League due to the injury.

However, Shakib Al Hasan is all set to play the practice match. The all-rounder was in the US with his family before joining the team in Zimbabwe.

“We have been doing well in practice sessions,” Taskin Ahmed, the right-arm pacer who is a part of the teams in all formats, told the media over a video message. “I believe that we will have no complaint about our preparations in Zimbabwe.”

The first match of the series, the one-off test, will take place on July 7 at the Harare Sports Club.

“We are looking forward to playing the Test first. We have won many matches against Zimbabwe. But every match is new, and we have to play our best game to beat them at their home,” Taskin added.

Bangladesh’s last Zimbabwe tour was in 2013 when the Tigers ended the series in a draw, winning one of the two-match series.

After 2013, Zimbabwe toured Bangladesh thrice for the Test series and lost two of them, with the last series being a one-off Test affair.

Overall, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe took each other in nine Test series — Zimbabwe won four and Bangladesh three. The other two series ended in a draw.

The three ODIs will take place on July 16, 18, and 20, while the T20Is will be played on July 23, 25, and 27 respectively.

Test and ODIs will start at 1.30 pm (Bangladesh time) while T20Is will commence at 4.30 pm (Bangladesh time).

Source: United News of Bangladesh