Bangladesh are seeking an improved performance to make a winning start to the three-match ODI series as they take on the visiting Sri Lanka at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram tomorrow (March 13). The match starts at 2.30 PM. The two sides had already played a three-match T20 series, which Sri Lanka won by 2-1. Sri Lanka edged Bangladesh past by three wickets in the first match after a thrilling contest but the hosts bounced back strongly to level the series with a dominating eight-wicket victory in the second game. In the third game, Bangladesh were undone by the sling action of Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara whose five-wicket haul including a hat-trick snatched the series from Bangladesh. Thushara, the replacement of injured Matheesha Pathirana, is set to play the ODI series too and so Bangladesh need to come up with a solid plan to neutralize his effect. “We need to start well to gain the momentum. Hopefully we’ll come up with our best performance,” Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said. The last ODI between the two sides was marred by the ‘Timed Out’ incident and it had an impact in the T20 series also. In the first match, Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam brought back the memory after showing ‘Timed Out’ gesture when he removed Sri Lankan opener Avishka Fernando. The approach and body language of the players of the two teams were not cordial enough in the entire series, which reached a crescendo when Towhid Hridoy engaged in a spat with the Lankan players during the third T20. Later, after confirming the series, Sri Lanka players brought out ‘Timed Out’ celebration, sparking ire in the Bangladesh tent further. After the third T20, Bangladesh Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said Sri Lanka haven’t moved on from the incident but they should. "I think they should get out of it. They should stay in the present. We were within the rules [with the timed out dismissal]. They are in a frenzy about it. I am not too worried about it,” he said. However, the way things are going, it is obvious that the ‘Timed Out’ matter will loom large on ODI series also. After Shakib Al Hasan inflicted ‘Timed Out’ on Angelo Mathews during the World Cup, Bangladesh won the match by three wickets. Shakib, the then captain, played the crucial role with attacking 82 runs in that victory. Overall the two sides played 54 matches between them of which Bangladesh won 10 and Sri Lanka 42. The two matches ended in a no result. Bangladesh has been a fortress for Sri Lanka until their last tour, when they conceded the three-match ODI series by 2-1. But before that, Sri Lanka won every series played here by the two teams. They also won several tri-nation series and Asia Cup here. On Bangladesh soil, Sri Lanka won 14 matches against the Tigers and lost six. Stat might show the Sri Lankan dominance over Bangladesh in every aspect but the situation changed after the 2015 World Cup when the Tigers won a considerable number of matches to break Lankan dominance. Despite losing the T20 series, Bangladesh still looked favourite in the ODI series, considering their recent results against the Lankans. Squad: Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay.

Bangladesh’s aspiration to seal its first ever T20 bilateral series against Sri Lanka was ruined after their 28-run defeat to the visitors in the series deciding third and final T20 International at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today (March 9). Opener Kusal Mendis hit a brilliant 86 and pacer Nuwan Thushara complemented with career-best 5-20 including a hat-trick to deny Bangladesh the feat what they aspired. However this was their first bilateral series defeat in this format after 2022.  In this period they won four series against UAE, England, Afghanistan and Ireland and drew series against New Zealand. Sri Lanka won the first match by three runs but Bangladesh leveled the series with an eight-wicket victory in the second game. Kusal Mendis single-handedly drove the side to 174-6 and then Thushara, playing his first game in the series, ripped through top-order in a gem of swing bowling display. Rishad Hossain hit seven sixes, the highest by a Bangladesh batter in this format in an innings, for his 30 ball-53 as Bangladesh recovered from 32-6 to be all out for 146 in 19.4 overs. Rishad in fact broke the record of Jaker Ali Anik, who hit six sixes against Sri Lanka for his 34ball-68 in the first match of this series. Thushara, the replacement of injured Matheesha Pathirana, took four wickets in his two overs including a hat-trick. Thushara’s hat-trick is the sixth hat-trick against Bangladesh, the highest a team conceded in this format. Dhananjaya de Silva broke through with the wicket of Liton Das (7) and then in next over, Thushara joined the party. He removed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (1) and Towhid Hridoy by rattling their stump before trapping Mahmudullah for leg-before. Mahmudullah reviewed in vain as Thushara became fourth Sri Lankan bowlers to achieve hat-trick in this format. In his next over, Thushara got the better of Soumya Sarkar and captain Wanindu Hasanranga dismissed Jaker Ali (4) to leave Bangladesh 32-6. Rishad then shared two partnerships to reduce the margin of the defeat—44- with Mahedi Hasan who scored 19 and 41-with Taskin Ahmed before being dismissed by offspinner Maheesh Theekshana. Taskin Ahmed hit a fluent 31. Earlier, Bangladesh bowlers came up with stellar performance to restrict Sri Lanka to a total that looked achievable in this wicket, Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed (2-25) and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain (2-35) led the charge, sharing four wickets between them. For Sri Lanka, opener Kusal Mendis single-handedly drove the side, hammering 55 ball-86 which laced with six fours and six sixes. No other batters could score even 20, with the second best coming from the willow Dasun Shanaka who made an unbeaten 19 off 9. Captain Wanindu Hasaranga who came back to lead the side after serving two-match ban, imposed by ICC, scored 15. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto for the third in a row won the toss and put Sri Lanka into bat first, considering Sylhet wicket favours the batters in the latter part of the game. Taskin Ahmed made the breakthrough in the fourth over, taking out Dhananjaya de Silva for e8 but two Mendis—Kusal and Kamindu once again came to the fore, sharing 34 runs to steady the innings. When Rishad removed Kamindu for run-a-ball-12, Kusal formed 59-run with Hasaranga. Kusal again dominated the partnership, scoring large bulk of runs. But Bangladesh bowlers showed their skill in breaking the partnership whenever it appeared to take the game away. Mustafizur Rahman, who took 1-47, now broke the partnership between Kusal and Hasaranga when it posed a huge threat. Shoriful, who claimed 1-28, and Taskin then in joint-venture dismissed Charith Asalanka (3) and Kusal in quick succession, denting Sri Lanka’s hope to take the total past 200. However Shanaka’s big hitting prowess at least helped them go past 170. Source: BSS

The Bangladesh national cricket team started its practice session for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka today under the supervision of head coach Chandika Hathurusingha at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.    Hathurusingha had a meeting with the available national cricketers, including Najmul Hossain Shanto who was appointed Bangladesh captain in all three formats, replacing Shakib Al Hasan recently.    The likes of Zakir Hasan, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam were also in the practice session, among others. The players, who were part of BPL playoffs, weren't part of today's practice session, but Mominul Haque, a player of Rangpur Riders, was seen in the session for some time.   The Sri Lanka series will be Bangladesh's first International assignment in this year. The Lankan side will arrive in Bangladesh on March 1 for three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.   The series starts with three T20I - which will be held on March 4, 6 and 9 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The ODI series will be held at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on March 13, 15 and 18.   The limited-over series will be followed by a two-match Test series, which is a part of the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship cycle. The first Test is in Sylhet from March 22-26 while the second Test will be held from March 30 - April 3 in Chattogram. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had already announced the T20 squad and an ODI squad for the first two matches. The Test squad is yet to be revealed.  T20 Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Liton Das, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Md Naim Sheikh, Tawhid Hridoy, Soumya Sarkar, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Mahmud Ullah, Taijul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Aliss Al Islam ODI Squad (for 1st & 2nd ODIs) Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Anamul Haque Bijoy, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman.   Source: BSS

Yashasvi Jaiswal hit an unbeaten double century to help India to its biggest-ever win Sunday, crushing England by 434 runs in the third Test to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Chasing 557 for victory, England's batting fell like a pack of cards with the loss of eight wickets in the final session to be dismissed for 122 on day four in Rajkot. "In Test cricket... when you're playing well you have to make it big," Jaiswal told broadcasters after the stunning win. "Test cricket is hard, but I thought that when I'm in there, I need to give my 100 percent," he said. Ravindra Jadeja got Mark Wood out for 33 as the final wicket -- and his fifth -- and he kissed the pitch as India registered their greatest win in terms of runs. It was England's second-biggest Test loss since their 562-run defeat to Australia in 1934. England lost their openers, including first-innings centurion Ben Duckett run out on four, before tea and Jadeja then rattled the middle-order with his left-arm spin. Jadeja was named player of the match for his seven wickets in the Test and 112 with the bat in the first innings. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root extended their poor run in the five-match series, out for four and seven respectively. Skipper Ben Stokes attempted to resist the Indian bowling but fell lbw to left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav for 15 in his 100th Test. "We're 2-1 down in the series but still have two games left," Stokes said. "We leave this game behind -- know we've got to win the next two to win the series." 'Bat till the end' The left-handed Jaiswal stood out with his 214 off 236 balls to flay the opposition attack before India declared their second innings on 430-4. The opener returned to bat in the morning session after he retired hurt on 104 late on day three due to back pain. "Today when I came, I wanted to make sure that I take the game forward and bat till the end," Jaiswal said. He raised his second double ton in consecutive matches with a single off Root and jumped for joy. Jaiswal hit a record-equalling 12 sixes in his knock, which included three straight hits over the fence off James Anderson -- a first for the veteran quick who has 696 wickets in 185 Tests. Jaiswal now stands level with former Pakistan great Wasim Akram, who also hit 12 sixes in an innings against Zimbabwe in 1996. He put on marathon stands that included an unbeaten 172-run partnership with debutant Sarfaraz Khan, who made 68 for his second half-century of the match. The 22-year-old Jaiswal, who hit a match-winning 209 in the second Test, remains the leading batsman in the series with 545 runs. Indian bowlers set up victory after they bowled England out for 319 in the first innings, after the tourists' batting collapsed from 299-5 despite the absence of star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Saturday. Ashwin, who left the Test midway on day two due to a family emergency hours after taking his 500th Test wicket, returned to the field and got his 501st wicket on the fourth day. Off-spinner Ashwin, 37, became only the ninth bowler in Test history and the second Indian after fellow spinner Anil Kumble (619) to reach 500 wickets. Skipper Rohit Sharma's 131 and his 204-run stand with the left-handed Jadeja steered India to 445 in the first innings after they elected to bat. England won the opener by 28 runs but India bounced back in the second match. The fourth Test starts on Friday in Ranchi. Source: BSS

An upbeat Bangladesh looked determined to come all guns blazing as they take on New Zealand for the third and final T20 International in a bid to seal the series at Bay Oval in Maunt Maunganui tomorrow (Sunday, 31 December). The match starts at 6 AM (Bangladesh Time). Bangladesh lead the series 1-0 following their five-wicket victory in the first match. The second game was washed out after largely being dominated by Bangladesh, who started form where they ended in the first game. A victory in the final game would help them end the year with high note apart from securing their fourth straight T20 series win. Bangladesh this year played three series in this format and won all including a three-match series sweep against T20 World Cup champions England. All of those three series victories came at home soil. If they can win the final game, it will be their first series victory on New Zealand soil and help them end the year unbeaten in a particular format for the first time in their history. "The target is to win," middle order batter Towhid Hridoy said. "Our body language is always energetic as we want to win every match we play against any team." The series victory also will prove their further progress in a format where they are considered as a vulnerable team. In fact a series victory on New Zealand soil is not a everyone's cup of tea, specially a side hailed from Asian region. After winning the first game with quite ease, Bangladesh started promisingly in the second game in a venue in which they got their landmark Test victory against New Zealand last year. Before that Test victory, Bangladesh lost all of their matches to Kiwis at their own den in all format of cricket. The Test victory was indeed prelude to snap their losing streak in ODI and T20 format too. Bangladesh were without the service of Liton Das in the second game after he was ruled out of the series with hamstring injury sustained during the first match. Liton played a match winning 42 not out to be instrumental in Bangladesh' five-wicket victory. Soumya Sarkar also had a hand injury but he was cleared fit to play the second game. "It doesn't matter who is playing or who is not. We always try to play as a team. Whoever comes into the team, he wants to contribute as much as he can," Hridoy remarked. "The senior players will not play for Bangladesh always. But we have to move on. We have to play our best and that's the target." Overall the two teams played 19 matches in this format, with New Zealand winning 14 and Bangladesh just four while one match ended no result. Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Liton Das, Rony Talukdar, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice Captain), Shak Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam and Tanzim Hasan Sakib. New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (capt), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi and Tim Southee.   Source: BSS

Bangladesh are keen to restore some pride by avoiding a whitewash as they take on New Zealand for the third and final ODI at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday. The match will start at 4am (Bangladesh Time). The Tigers lost the rain-hit first game by 44 runs before suffering a seven-wicket defeat in the second game despite landmark 169 run knock of Soumya Sarkar. The defeat extended Bangladesh's losing streak in ODI on New Zealand soil to 18. With no series in New Zealand in FTP till 2027, the third ODI would be Bangladesh's last chance so far to end this disappointing streak. If they can do so, they will also avoid the whitewash and fifth straight defeat to New Zealand. The Black Caps, even won a three-match series in Bangladesh by 2-0 ahead of the World Cup. What however ailed Bangladesh was their familiar top order collapse. In the first match, they were reduced to 92-4 in the chase of 245 and later in second ODI, they were slumped to 80-4 after opting to bat first. Soumya Sarkar hammered a record-breaking 151 ball-169 to help Bangladesh recover from ultimate shamble on a good batting track as Bangladesh compiled 291-7 in second ODI. Still they tasted a big defeat, which was a testament of how good the pitch was for batting. Bangladesh's middle order comprised with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Das and Towhid Hridoy simply failed to do their job when there was high expectation on them. The Tigers could have got the edge in the last two matches had the middle order not misfired. Mushfiqur Rahim, who is coming to bat at No. 6, failed in the first game but got back to his form with a 67-run knock in the second match. But the individual flashes of brilliance is inadequate in winning the match and that too on New Zealand soil where the Asian teams historically always struggle. "It's really disappointing. We lost a couple of early wickets, that's what cost us today. We had a good tally, but our bowlers didn't bowl well," Shanto said after the first match, emphasizing on total team effort to end their miserable streak in New Zealand. After the ODI series, Bangladesh will play a three-match T20 International series here.     Source: BSS

In a bid to stay alive in the three-match series, Bangladesh will take on New Zealand in the second match at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Wednesday (December 20). The match starts at 4AM (Bangladesh Time). The Tigers lost the rain-hit first game by 44 runs on DLS method, a defeat that extended their losing streak to 17 in ODI format on New Zealand soil. But unlike other times, Bangladesh pushed New Zealand hard in the opener, indicating that the series won't be one-sided one. The DLS method and rain actually affected Bangladesh's strategic plan. After the first time game was reduced to 47, at least two bowlers were allowed to bowl 10 overs and the plan was designed that way. Pacer Shoriful Islam swung the ball admirably to deal a double strike in the first over, which left New Zealand 5-2. Then when Will young and Tom Latham was rebuilding the innings, Bangladesh Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto used the pacers for his desperate move to break the partnership. But the rain again came to shorten the game to 30 overs and by then the main bowlers of the team had already bowled five or six overs. The game was reduced to 30 overs, meaning one bowler can bowl maximum six overs. As a result, Bangladesh had to bowl use part time bowlers like Soumya Sarkar and others in the death overs, which played to New Zealand favour as they scored 145 runs in the last 12 overs. Shanto, however, should use his bowlers, keeping the rain factor in mind which he didn't do. But at the same time, the batters showed dismal performance yet again. As has been the case, the Bangladesh players found way to throw their wicket in innovative way on good pitch always. The likes of Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim, the two most experienced batters of the side just played wretched shot to gift their wicket when they could still close out the game. Anamul Haque Bijoy who opened the innings played a 39 ball-43 to keep the run rate under control but like other Bangladesh batters he too didn't know how to make the innings longer after getting set. He pointed out this thing if Bangladesh wants to level the series. "It's my fault of not making the innings longer. In fact we have to be careful to prolong the innings once we get set in the crease," Bijoy said after the first match. He also emphasized on coping with the bounce that the Black Caps bowlers could generate due to their height. "We have to adjust with the bounce. All of them are tall and due to their height they got extra bounce, which mainly caused our dismissal. Hopefully we would learn quickly to deal with the bounce." Squad Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Vice Captain), Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain and Rakibul Hasan New Zealand: Tom Latham (Captain), Adi Ashok (games 2 & 3), Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Rachin Ravindra and Will Young. Source: BSS

Bangladesh brimmed with confidence to seal its first ever series victory against New Zealand in the longer format as they take on the visitors in the second and final Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium tomorrow (Wednesday). The match starts at 9.30 AM.   The Tigers lead the series 1-0 following their 150-run victory in the first Test. A draw or victory would give them the series for the first time against a team sans West Indies and Zimbabwe.   The victory came without their biggest match winner and regular captain Shakib Al Hasan and also without some of their key players like Ebadot Hossain, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed, Liton Das.   Winning against big teams at home is nothing new for Bangladesh but unlike the victory against Australia and England, this came in a genuine good pitch, a thing that further enhanced the home side's confidence.   Sylhet's pitch was spin favourable but it was not a rage turner like Mirpur. Also the bounce was even, favouring the batters with skillset at the same time. But Mirpur pitch will be different totally. If not a rage turner, the bounce will be uneven and pitch will be slow, which is believed to make the batters task tougher.   But whatever it is, Bangladesh will be eying a series victory and their fourth straight victory at home this year, after winning a Test each against Ireland, Afghanistan and New Zealand in the first match.   "We played really good cricket in Sylhet. We competed really well in all five days. We selected the combination according to our strengths and the conditions in Sylhet," Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said.   "You sometimes can't read Mirpur until you play couple of sessions, even. There's so much traffic going on, in this pitch. I don't think any venue is used so much in world cricket. We can't predict what's going to happen. We will try to not change much, at the moment."   Also having won the game, Bangladesh made a good start to their third cycle of World Test Championship (WTC). In the last two cycles, they had just one win and never could start with a victory.   Now this is their chance to put them in an advantageous position. As Bangladesh's target is to win the WTC matches at home, a series victory against New Zealand could be a huge boost.   "Realistic goal (in this WTC cycle) would be try to win all the matches at home. I think We can do that. I said that at the start of this series that we aim to play well at home. Then try to compete outside," the head coach said.   "We have good fast bowlers who will help us compete in a different condition. Our young players are capable of playing in any conditions. We need to prepare. The board has done good things like using Duke balls, and playing on grassy pitches. It has helped developed fast bowlers, and batters who can play fast bowling."   Bangladesh's Test record is dismal but the way they are progressing, it is believed they would fix it very soon. As of now, the Tigers played 139 Test matches resulting in 19 victories, 102 defeats and 18 draws.   Against the Black Caps, they played 18 matches and won just 2, lost 13 and drew 3. Barring West Indies and Zimbabwe, New Zealand are the only team, against which Bangladesh now have more than one Test victory. While Bangladesh planned for a grand series victory, New Zealand who are in cornered position, vowed to fight their way back.   "Again, we're expecting obviously spin friendly conditions, but we spoke about it after the last game about being more consistent for longer as a bowling group. And then, obviously, partnerships as a batting unit. We've had a great couple of days of training. So, it's looking forward to getting into another test match," New Zealand captain Tim Southee said.   Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Naeem Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Shahadat Hossain, Hasan Morad.   New Zealand: Tim Southee (Captain), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Neil Wagner.   Source: BSS

Active and retired soldiers allegedly participated in Sunday's attacks in Freetown, but the government says it's too early to tell if it was an attempted coup. The streets of Sierra Leone's capital Freetown were nearly empty on Monday, with most shops shuttered and school children staying home after a series of attacks, including on a military barrack and an armory. Security forces were still patroling Freetown's streets and controlling traffic at checkpoints.  "Monday is usually a very busy day," said DW correspondent Murtala Kamara, "but people are still in fear of what will happen next, so they aren't venturing out." This is despite the government easing a curfew imposed nationwide on Sunday and replacing it with an overnight curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. In the early hours of Sunday, gunmen tried to break into an armory located at the Wilberforce military barracks, the country's largest, located near the presidential villa. They exchanged fire for several hours with forces loyal to the government. They also targeted several jails, freeing hundreds of prisoners in what the country's information minister, Chernoh Bah, called a "coordinated set of attacks on major sensitive security and other national installations." Residents, including DW correspondent Kamara, reported being woken by the noise of sustained gunfire and explosions. Not yet clear if coup attempt Information Minister Bah told DW's Africalink program that government forces were able to "repel the assailants," some of whom have been "apprehended and are currently helping our police and security forces with investigations." President Julius Maada Bio "is in full and complete control of our country," Bah said. "Our security apparatus is functioning, we are increasing our vigilance and the security situation across the country." The minister declined to say how many people have been detained or to name those who may have been behind the attacks as investigations are carried out. Active and former military soldiers were among those allegedly involved, the army said in a statement, adding that 13 soldiers loyal to the government had died in the attacks. While local media is full of conjecture about whether the attacks were a coup attempt, the information minister said there was currently insufficient information to determine whether the intent was to overthrow President Julius Maada Bio. "It's still a pretty evolving situation, so we're careful not to use a word that we'll may have to walk back on," he said. Surge of coups in West Africa In an address to the nation on Sunday, President Bio called on the West African country's political and traditional leaders, as well as civil society, to work to preserve peace. Echoing language used to condemn past coup attempts, the West Africa bloc ECOWAS spoke of its "utter disgust" over a "plot by certain individuals to acquire arms and disturb the peace and constitutional order." In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the US embassy in Sierra Leone condemned "the attempted overnight forceful seizure of Wilberforce Barracks and armory. Such actions have no justification." The attacks deepened political tensions in West and Central Africa, where coups have surged, with eight military takeovers since 2020, including in Niger and Gabon this year, and in Guinea, which borders Sierra Leone. Opposition, government deal Only last month, Sierra Leone's main opposition party, the All People's Congress (APC), signed an agreement to end its boycott of the government. The APC had refused to take part in any level of government after contested June elections, which saw Bio reelected for a second term. "We were all excited when the government was able to reach out to the opposition and the two political parties were able to come together and create a stable parliament," said Ezekiel Duramany-Lakkoh, a public administration expert and a dean at the University of Sierra Leone. "It means that outside the normal political structure of government and opposition, there are also other stakeholders that we might be dealing with who are not happy with what we are doing," he said. As to the question of who these other stakeholders might be, Duramany-Lakkoh said it had to be someone capable of a "major security breach," but "it wasn't good to jump to a quick conclusion." However, he pointed out, having so many coups in the region "gives a lot of incentive or motivation to people who've seen it succeed everywhere, to begin to try and see if it can succeed." In August, the police arrested a number of soldiers, including senior officers, who were accused of planning to use protests to launch a violent attack against the president. Soaring cost of living The political situation in Sierra Leone has been tense since elections held in June. International observers criticized the ballot count for its inconsistencies and lack of transparency following the vote. In addition, Sierra Leone is suffering from a rapid rise in the cost of living, which has triggered public frustration with Bio and his government. "It's really tough in Sierra Leone," said Kamara. "People are bitter, life is very, very expensive and people are becoming angry."

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad ahead of the New Zealand series. Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyadh return to squad as the announcement came from the cricket board on Saturday, September 16. Soumya Sarkar and Nurul Hasan Sohan also returned to the squad. Shakib Al Hasan has been rested along with Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, and the pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Shoriful Islam as Liton Das will be the captain. SQUAD (for 1st and 2nd ODI) Liton Das (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque Bijoy, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Sheikh Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Zakir Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Khaled Ahmed.