Shakib started training with Pakistan team
There are fears about Shakib Al Hasan's return to the country in the current political situation, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the Pakistan series squad with him. This country's best cricketer joined the team in Pakistan directly from the United States without returning to the government. He has also started practicing.
BCB released pictures of cricketers practicing at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday (August 14).
In a picture released by BCB, Shakib is seen talking to coach Hathurusingha. Another picture shows the all-rounder taking batting practice under assistant coach Nick Pothas. Apart from this, he also ran with Liton-Taskin.
Comments
World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifier: / How to watch Brazil vs. Paraguay Match
Brazil has been out of form since the World Cup in Qatar. The five-time champions are not in a good position to qualify for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
However, Selecao returned to victory after defeating Ecuador in four matches. This time their opponent is Paraguay.
Vini-Rodrigo will face Paraguay in an 8th-round match in the CONMEBOL region qualifiers on Wednesday (September 10). The two teams will enter the field at 6:30 AM Bangladesh time.
They are in the 4th place in the World Cup Qualifiers in the CONMEBOL region with a total of 10 points from 7 matches. Statistics show that this is Brazil's worst chapter in the qualifiers.
Argentina is at the top of the CONMEBOL region right now.
Meanwhile, no TV channel in Bangladesh will broadcast this game live. But there is good news for Bangladeshi Brazil fans. You can watch Selecao's qualifying match against Ecuador live on the Sportzfy app. Apart from this, this match can also be seen on the Yacine TV app.
Ministry of Youth and Sports Ousts 42 Federation Presidents
On Tuesday, September 10, the Ministry of Youth and Sports announced the removal of several federation and association presidents. The decision, confirmed by a notification signed by Assistant Secretary Humayun Rashid, aims to appoint new leadership across the sporting bodies.
The initial notification referred to the removal of all federation presidents, but a later one did not specify every federation. Notably, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), Bangladesh Hockey Federation, and Bangladesh Swimming Federation, along with a few other major bodies, were excluded from the list.
For 16 years, Awami League leaders and their allies have held key positions across the country's sports federations. However, the removal comes in the wake of Sheikh Hasina’s departure from power, signaling a shift in the leadership of these organizations. The ministry had previously dismissed the presidents of the Chess, Kabaddi, and Bridge Federations after the fall of the Hasina government. Now, the remaining federations have been added to the list of changes.
Most of the federation presidents were government appointees, with individuals from the former government occupying key posts in various sports bodies, except for football and cricket. The latest move marks a significant restructuring in the country's sports administration.
Here's a look at the federation presidents who have been removed:
Bangladesh vs India / Will BCCI Move 2nd Test Venue Amid Threats?
Bangladesh will play two Test match series against India which is scheduled to start from September 19 and the first Test match will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The 2nd Test match between India and Bangladesh, scheduled for September 27 at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, will go ahead despite potential disruptions. Concerns were raised following threats of protests from the Hindu Mahasabha, citing political tensions in Bangladesh. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the match will proceed in Kanpur as scheduled, with security measures being closely monitored.
BCCI's Assurance Amidst Concerns
In response to the looming threats, a senior BCCI official stated that the situation is under control and there is no intention to shift the venue. "Yes, we are monitoring the situation and working with the concerned authorities to ensure the safety of both teams and fans. The match will take place in Kanpur as planned," the source told India Today. This reassurance from the BCCI has brought relief to fans eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated encounter.
While the protest threats could have derailed the event, the BCCI's proactive approach to collaborating with local authorities has ensured that the focus remains on cricket. The second Test promises to be an enthralling battle between two competitive teams, despite the external pressures.
Bangladesh's Challenge with SG Balls
On the cricketing front, the Bangladesh team faces a unique challenge as they adjust to playing with the SG ball, which behaves differently from the Kookaburra ball they are used to in their home conditions. Bangladesh's star batter, Litton Das, highlighted the difficulties his team faces, stating, "The SG ball is harder to play with, especially when it gets old. The seam is more prominent, making it difficult to negotiate."
Bangladesh, who recently achieved a historic 2-0 Test series victory in Pakistan, will need to adapt quickly to these conditions if they hope to challenge the Indian team. The transition from the Kookaburra to the SG ball adds another layer of complexity to their preparation, as they face an Indian side known for exploiting home conditions to their advantage.
Key Players to Watch
India's squad for the Test series against Bangladesh boasts a blend of experience and young talent. Rohit Sharma will captain the side, supported by seasoned campaigners like Virat Kohli, who returns after an extended break. The inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been cleared to play, gives India a formidable bowling attack. Bumrah's presence, alongside Mohammad Siraj and Axar Patel, ensures India's bowling unit remains one of the most feared in world cricket.
Rishabh Pant's return to Test cricket also marks a significant moment for the Indian team. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter has been out of action due to injuries but is now ready to make his comeback. His aggressive batting style will be a key weapon in India's arsenal as they look to dominate Bangladesh.
For Bangladesh, much will depend on the performances of their key players like Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das. Shakib, who has been playing county cricket in England to prepare for the series, is a vital cog in Bangladesh's lineup. His all-around abilities will be crucial if Bangladesh is to challenge India on its home turf.
The Bigger Picture
This Test series holds significance beyond the cricketing action. Both India and Bangladesh are looking to strengthen their positions in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. India, having narrowly missed out on the WTC final last cycle, is determined to assert its dominance in the red-ball format. For Bangladesh, a strong performance against India could elevate their status in international cricket and provide a major boost to their WTC campaign.
Despite the off-field tensions, the focus remains firmly on the cricket. The series promises to be a thrilling contest between two passionate cricketing nations. India, with its formidable record at home, will look to continue its dominance, while Bangladesh will aim to build on its recent successes and make a statement in one of cricket's toughest arenas.
Source: ZEENEWS
Chief Advisor Accords Reception to National Cricket Team
Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus accorded a reception to the Bangladesh cricket team at his office at Tejgaon today (September 12) following their 2-0 Test series victory against Pakistan in August-September 2024.
Welcoming the cricketers at the reception, the Chief Advisor called their success in Pakistan a historic one and said the whole nation was proud of their achievement.
"I spoke to the captain after the victory but I was eagerly waiting to meet you all personally and congratulate you on behalf of the nation," he said while addressing the players.
Prof Yunus reminded the players of the power of sports in uniting a nation and recalled his recent engagement in the Paris Olympics where he acted as an advisor and ambassador.
The Chief Advisor revealed that he has been invited by Italy to play a similar role during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
National cricket team captain Najmul Hossain Shanto thanked Prof Yunus for hosting a reception for them at his office and said his words would encourage them to achieve further success.
"Every player is happy to come here. It will inspire us," he said.
Shanto said the hard work of players and coaching staff was pivotal to their success in Pakistan.
Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, advisor to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, hailed the players for bringing success at a difficult time.
Bangladesh Cricket Board President Faruque Ahmed, its director Najmul Abedin Fahim, and Chief Executive Officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury were, among others, present on the occasion.
Source: BSS
Angel Di Maria's Documentary on Netflix
Angel Di Maria's documentary on Netflix entitled 'Breaking Down the Wall' will be released on Netflix on Thursday.
The trailer for the documentary shows interviews with a young Di Maria and memorable moments throughout his career. We see Di Maria scoring in the 2021 Copa America final and the 2022 World Cup.
It also includes interviews with his wife, his parents, Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul, Neymar, Carlo Ancelotti, and Jose Mourinho among others. We also see a glimpse of the letter Real Madrid sent him prior to the 2014 World Cup final.
Source: MA
Shakib Shines on County With Four-Wicket Haul for Surrey
On his debut for Surrey, Shakib Al Hasan delivered a remarkable performance, taking four wickets and playing a crucial role in dismissing Somerset for 317 runs in their County Championship Division One clash.
Shakib, who was handed the debut cap by Caribbean pacer Kemar Roach, made an immediate impact with the ball. After a steady start, he claimed his first wicket in his 21st over by bowling out Tom Abell. He then added three more scalps to his tally, showcasing his spin prowess. Shakib ended with figures of 33.5 overs, 97 runs, and 4 wickets, being the standout bowler for Surrey.
On a day when Shakib excelled, Somerset's Tom Banton stood out with a century. Banton scored 132 runs, but once he was dismissed, Somerset quickly lost four more wickets. Shakib's spell was complemented by pace bowler Daniel Worrall, who took 3 wickets. Shakib finished the Somerset innings by trapping Brett Rundle LBW, sealing their total at 317 runs.
Surrey’s captain Rory Burns relied heavily on Shakib from the start, with the all-rounder delivering consistently throughout the innings. Shakib claimed his first wicket by dismissing Tom Abell, who fell just short of a half-century and followed up with two more dismissals in his 31st over. He bowled out Casey Aldridge and had Jamie Overton stumped in the same over. In the final over of the day, Shakib wrapped up the innings by dismissing Brett Rundle, leaving Somerset all out for 317.
Shakib's performance on the first day of the County Championship match against Somerset has been impressive, demonstrating his value as an all-rounder in the team. The match continues as Surrey looks to build on this strong start.
Chennai to Greet Bangladesh With A Red Soil Pitch
Bangladesh is soon to begin a two-Test series against India, starting September 19 at Chennai.
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai offers two distinct kinds of pitches for the home side to choose from.
One is a pitch with a black soil base, where the ball stays low and takes a slow turn. The other is a red soil-based pitch which gets roughed up easily as the top layer gets disturbed easily after being baked in the sun. It generally offers more turn and consistent bounce than the black soil pitched.
According to reports in the Indian Express, Chepauk is all set to dish out a red soil-based track for Bangladesh, who are to play a two-test series in India, beginning on September 19 in Chennai. That would be something different for the visitors, as they mostly play on clay-rich black soil pitches in Bangladesh.
Team India already reached Chennai and has had a long-drawn practice session at the main ground on the center wicket in preparation for what is a long Test season. After the two Tests against Bangladesh, they’ll face New Zealand in three Tests at home before flying out to Australia for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
While practicing on pitches that already had rough patches ahead of the good length, Indian batters also tailored their preparation for facing Bangladesh’s spin strength, especially left-arm spin. For that, they employed Tamil Nadu’s best left-arm spin talents Ajith Ram M Siddharth and P Vignesh in the nets.
The bowlers practiced in the nets which had pitches with a lot more red soil content. India and Bangladesh have both announced their squads for the series. Find them here