Nidahas Trophy 2018: Bangladesh Squad

Bangladesh cricket team will tour Sri Lanka next month to play a tri-nation T20I series, which includes India and host Sri Lanka as other opponents in this tournament. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 16-man squad keeping this upcoming cricket tournament titled Nidahas Trophy in mind.

Bangladesh Test and T20 captain, Shakib Al Hasan, has been included in the squad though he has not been completely recovered from a finger injury that forced him to miss out on the recently concluded home series against Sri Lanka. The BCB president Nazmul Hassan said the all-rounder might be able to play one or two matches because he is not fit enough. For this reason, Shakib could bowl but not bat. So, it will not be a good decision to take any risk with Shakib. That is why, there is very less possibility to see him playing in this tournament.

It looks like the absence created by Shakib Al Hasan will be replaced by off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz. He was one of the players who were not selected in the T20I squad that was beaten by the Lankans in February. 

The inclusion of opener Imrul Kayes and hard hitting batsman Sabbir Rahman has raised a lot of questions. The 31-year-old left-arm opener Kayes playing 14 T20Is has so far scored 119 runs at an average of 9.15 with career high score of 36. Though Sabbir’s record in the shortest format of cricket game is quite good, he is recently out of form, scoring 10, 2, 0, 1 and 1 in his last five international matches. Chief selector, Minhajul Abedin, has picked them up in the squad considering the importance of having experienced batsmen against two experienced sides in conditions where fast bowlers will be a dominating factor.

Taking the conditions of the pitch into consideration, selectors have also called in Taskin Ahmed. This tall speed star is considered the fastest among all fast bowlers in Bangladesh. This tall fast bowler has the ability to bowl yorkers and bouncers.

Mashrafe Mortaza was requested by the BCB to reconsider his T20 retirement and feature in the tournament. However, the veteran player has turned down the offer.

Players who have been left out of the squad are- Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Mithun, Mahedi Hasan and Mohammad Saifuddin. Three- Zakir, Afif, Mahedi- out of these five players made international debut against Sri Lanka. According to Minhajul, the reason behind playing many uncapped players was preparing a strong group for the next T20 world cup. They were selected based on their performances in the BPL.

The West Indies fast bowling legend, Courtney Walsh, who is now bowling coach of the national cricket team since September 2016, has been appointed as interim head coach for next month’s tri-nation T20 series in Sri Lanka starting from March 6. Since the departure of Chandika Hathurusingha, Bangladesh cricket team is without a head coach. To fill up this gap, former skipper, Khaled Mahmud, was made team director, but he has been criticized due to the Tiger’s poor performance in home series.

Squad for the tri-nation series: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Mahmudullah Riyad (vice captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Hider, Abu Jayed, Ariful Haque, Nazmul Islam, Nurul Hasan, Mehedi Hasan.

The Bollywood Queen, Sridevi, is no more

Sridevi Kapoor, who is popularly known as only Sridevi, passed away on Saturday night (24 February 2018) at the age of 54 due to cardiac arrest in the UAE. According to her brother-in-law, Sanjay Kapoor, the actress was there along with her husband, producer Boney Kapoor, and daughter, Khushi, for attending a family wedding.

Sridevi, who is also called the Queen of Bollywood, started acting at the age of four making her debut as a child artist in M.A. Thirumugam’s devotional drama film “Thunaivan”. Since then, she went on appearing in films in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi languages. However, she was absent from film industry for 15 years since 1997, but made her comeback in 2012 with the blockbuster “English Vinglish”. In her acting career which extended over five decades, she starred in more than 150 films. Some of her box office hit movies are “Himmatwala”, “Mr. India”, “Chandni”, “ChaalBaaz” and “Sadma”.

She was one of the few Indian female actresses who had the ability of making movie box office success without the support of a male hero. Her performance on the silver screen helped her bagged five Filmfare awards out of 10 she was nominated for.  For her contribution to Indian cinema, the government of India awarded her Padma Shri- the fourth highest civilian honor- in 2013.

People from different walks of life, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, actress Priyanka Chopra, expressed condolences for her untimely death. The actress died still relatively young.

Sri Lanka wins the first T20I by 6 wickets

It looks like Bangladesh cricket team cannot come out of the losing streak. They are repeatedly performing badly in the ongoing series. In their recently concluded first T20I match, they lost to Sri Lanka by six wickets. Coming to reply, the touring team reached the target with 20 balls spare at hand. The fiery knocs from Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka and Thisara Perera made the chase very easy. Winning the toss, the stand-in captain, Mahmudullah, decided to bat first and scored 193 runs losing 5 wickets. Soumya Sarkar and Mushfiqur Rahim scored 51 and 66 runs respectively while skipper Mahmudullah missed out on his fourth T20I fifty for seven runs. The second and final T20I will be played in Sylhet on February 18.

ICC rates Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium ‘below average’

After Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong, match referee David Boon has given Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka a demerit point rating the pitch a ‘below average’ for its performance in the second Test match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The period of this demerit point is five years and if the venue gets five demerit points in total during this five-year period, it will be suspended from organizing any international cricket for 12 months.

The pitch deemed to be spin-friendly. Out of 38 wickets, spinners claimed 30 while the rest of the wickets were picked up by fast bowlers, each selected by both teams. The second and final Test match ended on day three with Sri Lanka securing the two-match Test series 1-0 beating the host team by 215 runs.

David Boon has sent a report to the ICC, which was also forwarded to the BCB, informing, “From day one, there was evidence of the ball breaking the pitch surface, which resulted in uneven bounce throughout the match, along with inconsistent turn, which was even excessive at times. This pitch produced a contest that was too heavily skewed in favour of the bowlers, and didn’t give the batsmen a fair chance to display their skills.”

Earlier on February 6, the pitch at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong was rated ‘below average’ for the same reason by the same referee. However, it was considered to be too batting-friendly in terms runs scored and wickets felled. In the first Test match, 1533 runs were scored and just 24 wickets were picked in five days. As a result, the match ended in a draw on February 4.

Source: http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22435026/mirpur-pitch-gets-average-rating

Can Sri Lanka continue their dominance in T20I series?

The first T20I of the two-match T20I series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will kick off on Thursday (February 15) at around 05:00 pm local time (11:00 GMT). This match will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur.

Winning two back-to-back series, first the triangular ODI series and then two-match Test series 1-0, against the host nation, the Lankans are now in buoyant form. They are expecting to continue their winning streak even in T20I series. Cricket lovers are eagerly waiting to see if the host national can make their bounce back and can stop Sri Lanka’s dominance in the first T20I. 

Injury is perhaps the main cause of concern for both teams. Like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka will also play without their first-choice captain, Angelo Mathews, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Bangladesh Test and T20 skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, sustained a finger injury during the tri-series final and he has not completely recovered from his injury. However, Shakib is expecting to return to the squad for the second T20I. In the absence of main captains, deputies will lead the teams. Sri Lanka will be led by Dinesh Chandimal while Mahmudullah will lead Bangladesh in the first T20I.

There is no doubt that spin bowlers will get more priority. Both teams will try to pick up their best spin bowlers. Sri Lanka has a list of young and talented spinners like Jeevan Mendis, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay and Amila Aponso. Young pacers Asitha Fernando and Shehan Madushanka are likely to play in the first T20I.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has called up four uncapped players- Abu Jahed Rahi, Ariful Haque, Zakir Hasan and Afif Hossain. Experienced bowlers are Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin and Abu Hider Rony. The host will have to rely on their experienced batting line up consist of Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudullah.

Mahmudullah Riyad is hopeful of his team’s victory against Sri Lanka

Only few hours are left to kick off the second and final Test match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This is a great chance for both teams to win the match as well as seal the series victory. So, undoubtedly, this series decider will get more importance.

The stand-in captain, Mahmudullah Riyad, is very much hopeful about his team’s first-ever Test win against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium starting from February 8. The first Test match in Chittagong ended in a draw though the visitors put a 200-run lead after declaring their first innings on 713 for nine.

It is speculated that bowlers will get more help from the pitch. Taking the nature of the pitch into consideration both the teams will choose more spinners. The fate of the match also depends on toss. Toss winner team will automatically take the charge of the match.

Roger Federer wins 20th Grand Slam title in the Australian Open final

The Swiss tennis player, Roger Federer, has become the first male tennis player to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles- the most in history for a male player. His 20^th Grand Slam title came by beating Marin Cilic in five sets, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, in the final of the Australian Open in 2018. With this victory, the 36-year-old player has defended his sixth Australian Open title he won last year and jointly shared this record with Roy Emerson and Novak Djokovic.

It looks like Federer has been rejuvenated. The way he is performing, he may not take retirement very soon. In twelve months, he has bagged three major titles. His position in the world ranking is second, just behind Rafael Nadal. He said he will take retirement from tennis after becoming the oldest world No 1 player. This record is under Rafael Nadal who was 33 years old when he was No 1 in 2003.

There is no doubt that he was not a favorite contender in this tournament. Hardly anyone could dare to play gamble with an aging horse. However, in the end, he became victorious. Once again, sports lover saw him crying in front of media. Federer addressed the match result as fairy tale.

Source- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/28/sports/tennis/australian-open-roger-federer-marin-cilic.html

Mominul Haque becomes the fastest Bangladeshi cricketer to reach 2000 Test runs

Mominul Haque is now in buoyant form. In the recently concluded opening Test of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, he has set many records with his bat. He has become the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score a century in both innings of a Test match.

He scored 176 runs in the first innings and 105 runs in the second innings. These back-to-back centuries have helped him break the record for the most runs scored by a Bangladeshi batsman in a Test match. Earlier this record was hold by Tamim Iqbal who scored 231 runs against Pakistan in 2015.

The 26-year-old diminutive has also become the fastest Bangladeshi cricketer to reach 2000 runs in Test cricket. Let’s see if he can play well in the second Test starting from February 8.

Source- http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/bangladesh-cricket/mominul-haque-notches-record-most-runs-single-test-bd-1529749

Mushfiqur Rahim becomes father of a baby boy

Bangladeshi wicketkeeper-batsman, Mushfiqur Rahim, has become father of a baby boy on Monday (February 5, 2018). His wife, Jannatul Kifayet, has given birth to their son at the Square Hospital at 9:30 O’clock in the morning. At this time, Mushfiqur was with his family members. However, both mother and son are healthy and well. The arrival of new family member has been confirmed by Mushfiqur’s father, Mahbub Hamid Tara.

The former captain of Bangladesh Test cricket, who was in Chittagong playing the first Test against Sri Lanka, boarded a flight to Dhaka on Sunday soon after the match ended. However, the first Test ended in a draw.

In order to be with this wife, he wanted to skip the match, but his request was not granted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as the home side was in the back foot losing Shakib Al Hasan, who injured his little finger on his left hand during the final Tri-Nation ODI Series against Sri Lanka on January 27.

Regular Test skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, will not be available for the second Test starting from 8 February at Dhaka because his injury has not been recovered yet, making the presence of Mushfiqur in the squad more vital for the Tigers. 

Source- http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/bangladesh-cricket/bangladeshi-cricketer-mushfiqur-rahim-becomes-dad-1530187 

Sabbir Rahman has been included in the squad announced for the second Test

Bangladesh cricket selectors have announced a 15-man squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka starting from February 8, 2018 (Thursday). Very few changes have been made in the squad.

The 26-year-old hard hitting batsman, Sabbir Rahman, has been included in the squad. It looks like his inclusion in the absence of injured all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will increase the strength of batting line-up. Because of his poor performance in the recently concluded tri-nation series last month, he was not picked up in the squad announced for the first Test. Playing 10 Tests, he scored 480 runs at an average of 26.66.

The number one all-rounder Shakib will not be able to play in the second Test in Dhaka because he is yet to get recovery from a finger injury he sustained during the Rocket Tri-Nation ODI Series final against the same opponent on January 27. Due to his injury, he also missed the first Test. Until Shakib becomes fully fit, Mahmudullah Riyad will lead the Test side.

The left-arm spinner Sunzamul Islam and pace bowler Rubel Hossain have been dropped while veteran spinner Abdur Razzak and uncapped off-break bowler Naeem Hasan have been retained in the squad. Sunzamul’s performance in his debut game was not up to the mark. Bowling 45 overs, he claimed only one wicket giving 153 runs.

As the first Test in Chittagong ended without any result, no one is in the driving seat.

Squad for the 2^nd Test against Sri Lanka: Mahmudullah Riyad (Capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Kamrul Islam, Sabbir Rahman, Abdur Razzak, Naeem Hasan, and Tanbir Hayder.  

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2018: Day Five Report

The first Test match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ended in a draw. On the fifth day, the host resumed their overnight innings on 81-3, trailing Sri Lanka by 119 runs with seven wickets at hand. Mominul Haque and Liton Das shared a 180-run partnership for the fourth wicket which eventually helped Bangladesh secure a draw in the Chittagong Test.

The diminutive player Mominul scored 105 runs in the second innings and became the first Bangladeshi player to score century in both innings of a Test cricket. In the first innings, he scored 176 runs. His performance led him to gain the record for the highest number of runs scored by a Bangladeshi batsman in a Test match. For his superb performance, he was declared “Player of the Match”. Das, who golden ducked in the first innings, scored 94 runs facing 182 balls.

The stand-in captain, Mahmudullah, was leading the team along with Mosaddek Hossain. They remained not out respectively on 28 and 8 at the crease and took Bangladesh to 307-5 after the end of 100 overs.

Rangana Herath, who took three wickets for 150 runs in the first innings, also took 2 wickets for 80 in the second innings. Other three wickets were shared between De Silva, Perera and Sandakan. 

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2018: Day Four Report

After the end of day four, Sri Lanka is in driving seat. The Lankans are now expecting to win the first Test in an innings margin. In the second innings, Bangladesh scored 81 runs losing three important wickets, trailing Sri Lanka by 119 runs. On the fifth and final day, recovering the deficit, they will have to give the touring team a target in order to avoid defeat in an innings margin.

Sri Lanka declared their first innings on 713-9 after Taijul Islam dismissed Rangana Herath for 24 in the third over of the final session on the fourth day. Taijul Islam took 4 wickets giving 219 runs while Mehedi Hasan picked up 3 for 174. Mominul Haque remained unbeaten on 18 at stumps. Mushfiqur Rahim got out in the last ball of the day. 

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2018: Day Three Report

At the end of day three, Sri Lanka put on 504 runs losing 3 wickets. They are just nine runs away from equaling Bangladesh’s first innings total of 513. Roshen Silva was unbeaten on 87 and finished the day along with skipper Dinesh Chandimal who was not out on 37.

Kusal Mendis once again failed to score double century as he got out on 196. Left-arm spinner, Taijul Islam, took his wicket just before the tea break and gave Bangladesh a rare occasion for joy on an arduous day. Earlier pace bowler, Mustafizur Rahman, took the wicket of de Silva who shared 308-run partnership with Mendis in the second wicket stand. De Silva could add 69 runs to his overnight score of 104. Both the batsmen kept on frustrating the Bangladesh bowlers for nearly two sessions after Sri Lanka resumed their innings on 187-1.

Mendis, who turned 23 on February 2, faced 327 balls to score his career best innings. His earlier highest score in Test was 194. However, he added 107 runs with Roshen Silva for the third wicket before returning to the pavilion giving a catch to Mushfiqur Rahim at midwicket.

The host could put the touring team under pressure if the fielders did not miss some catch and run out opportunities. I hope they will learn from their mistakes and will try to bowl the opponent out as early as possible. 

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2018: Day Two Report

Sri Lanka got off to a brilliant start after bowling out Bangladesh for 513 on the second day of the first Test on Thursday. The tourists finished the day with 187-1. Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis were at stumps on 104 and 83 respectively. It was De Silva’s fourth Test century and his second consecutive Test ton after his 119 (retired hurt) against India.

It looked like Bangladesh would keep its dominance over the Lankans when off-spinner Mehidy Hasan took the wicket of opener Dimuth Karunarate who gave a catch behind at first slip before the visitors put any run in the score board. 

Bangladesh resumed the second day on 374-4. Mominul Haque could add just one run to his overnight total and got catch out for 176 off Rangana Herath in the third over of the day. The stand-in captain, Mahmudullah, was fighting alone as players on the other side failed to resist the Lankan bowlers with the bat. He made a 58-run partnership with debutant Sunzamul Islam in the eighth wicket stand. However, at one point, it looked like Bangladesh would not move past 500. He along with tail-ender Mustafizur Rahman added 35 runs more and took the team total move past 500. 

Both Suranga Lakmal and Rangana Herath took three wickets apiece for Sri Lanka. Two wickets were claimed by Sandakan while Perera got just one wicket. 

Walton is leading the local market leaving behind foreign companies

There was a time when people took Sony, Philips and other well known foreign brands into consideration when it came to buy electronic products, including home appliances. It looks like the situation has been changing day by day. Buyers are now giving more priority to gadgets being manufactured by local companies, showing buyers’ trust to home grown corporations. The dominance of products made by Walton, Bangladesh’s electronics giant, over foreign products at the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2018 is the best example of it. 

Walton in their pavilion at the month-long fair in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar that started from January 1 displayed 700 plus models of various electronic products, including electrical home and kitchen appliances, mobile phones, laptops, computer accessories and industrial solutions to visitors. Apart from local visitors, foreign visitors also visited their pavilion and showed interest to buy products from them. They also praised their product quality.

A wide range of products are being manufactured by Walton at its own factory. That is why, it has become possible for them to provide quality products at cheap rate. Meeting the local demand, Walton is also exporting goods to around 24 countries across the world. Through selling goods, they are also representing our country to the world.

Source: http://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2018/01/15/waltons-new-electronic-items-dominate-foreign-products-ditf/

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2018: Day One Report

The first Test match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka starts on 31st January 2018 in Chittagong. Winning the toss, the stand-in captain Mahmudullah has decided to bat first. After the end of day one, Bangladesh has scored 374 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Mominul Haque and Mahmudullah have left the field remaining not out respectively on 175 and 9. Mominul is just 6 runs away from equaling his career-best score of 181 runs. The question is if he can register his maiden double hundred in the longest version of cricket game. Another question is if Bangladesh can pile up 500 plus total in the first innings. To get answers of these questions, we will have to wait for day two. 

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes started brilliantly. Tamim Iqbal once again failed to turn his half century into a century as he got bowled out by Dilruwan Perera on 52. Then Imrul Kayes got out on 40 being trapped leg-before by Sandakan. It looks like the loss of these two vital wickets did not have much impact on the scoring rate as Mominul was leading the team along with the former Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim. They shared a 236-run partnership in the third wicket stand. However, Mushfiqur got out giving catch behind the wicket and was short of 8 runs to complete his sixth Test century. Liton Das returns to the pavilion before scoring any run beside his name.

Bangladesh has six more wickets to go. They should try to score as many runs as they can and give their opponent a tough challenge.