United News of Bangladesh

England have recalled fast bowler Jofra Archer for the third Test against India at Lord’s, which will be his first appearance in red-ball cricket in four years.  The 29-year-old pacer has battled persistent elbow and back injuries over the past four years, restricting him to limited-overs formats. He recently returned to first-class action with Sussex and impressed enough to be named in the playing XI for Thursday’s Test—at the very ground where he made his memorable debut during the 2019 Ashes. His comeback mirrors his debut in more ways than one. In 2019, Archer was brought in to unsettle Australia’s Steve Smith; this time, he’s expected to target Shubman Gill, who piled up a record-breaking 430 in the previous Test. Mulder shines as South Africa crushes Zimbabwe Archer replaces Josh Tongue, England’s leading wicket-taker in the series, who has shouldered a heavy workload. Despite lingering injury concerns, Brydon Carse retains his spot alongside Chris Woakes, as Gus Atkinson remains sidelined. England captain Ben Stokes said Archer was given extra time to train and build confidence with the squad. Head coach Brendon McCullum has declared him “ready to go.” Archer has 42 Test wickets at an average of 31.04.  In the ongoing series against India, England are trailing by 0-2, and are under pressure to bounce back.

Wiaan Mulder capped a dream debut as captain with a dominant all-round performance, leading South Africa to a crushing innings-and-236-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test and sealing a 2-0 series sweep. Mulder starred with an unbeaten 367 — the fifth-highest individual score in Test cricket history — falling just 33 runs short of Brian Lara’s world record. He also contributed with three wickets and three catches, including the final one, as Zimbabwe suffered its heaviest innings defeat in 20 years. South Africa declared on 626-5, and Zimbabwe’s combined total of 390 across both innings was still 23 runs short of Mulder’s tally alone. Zimbabwe managed 170 in their first innings before being forced to follow on, eventually bowled out for 220 on the third day. With regular skipper Temba Bavuma and spinner Keshav Maharaj sidelined by injury, Mulder stepped up as captain and delivered an exceptional performance.“It was super special to captain the team,” Mulder told SuperSport. “It’s something I dreamt of as a kid. I’m just happy I could make the guys and my family proud.” Lankans outplay Tigers in 3rd ODI to seal the series Zimbabwe resumed Day 3 at 51-1 but lost key wickets early, including Sean Williams who was bowled by Mulder for 11. Nick Welch brought some resistance with his third half-century in just his fifth Test but was dismissed shortly after lunch for 55, caught by Mulder off Senuran Muthusamy. That wicket triggered a collapse, with the final seven wickets falling for just 67 runs. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine fought hard with a 95-ball 49 but couldn’t turn the tide. Corbin Bosch impressed with figures of 4-38, while pacer Codi Yusuf took 2-38 and Muthusamy claimed 3-77 with his left-arm spin. The loss extended Zimbabwe’s winless run in Bulawayo to 22 Tests, including 17 defeats, dating back to 2001. Although the series did not count toward the World Test Championship, it marked South Africa’s first Test tour to Zimbabwe in 11 years. Pakistan team announced to play T201 away series against Bangladesh South Africa will now stay on in Zimbabwe for a T20 tri-series also featuring New Zealand. Source: Agency 

Sri Lanka pulled off another ODI series win over Bangladesh with a comprehensive performance in the third and deciding match on Tuesday, winning by 99 runs in Pallekele. A century from Kusal Mendis and a disciplined all-round bowling performance saw them outclass Bangladesh to win the series. Batting first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka posted a challenging 285 for 7, anchored by a brilliant 124 from Kusal Mendis. The wicketkeeper-batter struck 18 boundaries in a 114-ball innings, forming key partnerships with skipper Charith Asalanka (58) and Pathum Nissanka (35). Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets apiece for Bangladesh but failed to stop the hosts crossing the 280-mark. In reply, Bangladesh faltered early, losing Najmul Hossain Shanto for a duck and slumping to 20 for 2. Towhid Hridoy offered some resistance with a 78-ball 51, and captain Mehidy Hasan contributed with a quick 28, but wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. Pakistan team announced to play T201 away series against Bangladesh After losing early wickets, the onus was on Towhid and Mehidy, but they failed to deliver when the team needed them most. Asitha Fernando (3 for 33) and Dushmantha Chameera (3 for 51) spearheaded Sri Lanka’s bowling, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage shared four more wickets between them. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 186 in 39.4 overs, falling well short of the target. Both teams will lock horns in a three-match T20I series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the 15-member national cricket team for the ensuing three-match T20I series against Bangladesh on Tuesday. Salman Ali Agha has been retained as captain to lead the Pakistan T20I team in Bangladesh tour, said a PCB media release on Tuesday. The three-match T20Is series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played on July 20, 22 and 24 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. 15-member squad for Bangladesh series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza and Sufyan Moqim Tanvir Islam stands tall in his second ODI Team management: Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Muhammad Hanif Malik (batting Coach), Shane McDermott (fielding Coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Irtaza Komail (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)end  

Riding on the century of Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka posted a challenging total of 285 in the third and final match of the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh on Tuesday.  Before falling prey to Shamim Hossain, Kusal scored 124 with 18 fours.  He helped Sri Lanka settle after losing the first wicket for only 13 runs.  In the fourth wicket stand, Kusal and Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka added over 100 runs, giving Sri Lanka much-needed support to post a challenging target for Bangladesh. At one point, Sri Lanka was 224 for four wickets. They were expected to pass the 300-run mark but failed to do so.  Taskin Ahmed, who returned with this match after missing the previous one, broke the stand between Kuslal and Charith with a low full toss. That gave Bangladesh a breakthrough, and eventually, Sri Lanka lost some quick wickets that prevented them from scoring 300.  Sri Lanka win toss and opt to bat first in decider, Taskin returns Taskin bagged two wickets, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz also scalped two.  Bangladesh lost the first match of the series, but they recovered in the second. Now, the winner of this match will seal the series.

Dhaka, Jul 8 (UNB) — Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first in the third ODI of the three-match series against Bangladesh on Tuesday in Pallekele. The three-match series stands level at 1-1, setting up a decisive clash in Pallekele. Bangladesh, buoyed by their 16-run win in the second ODI in Colombo, will look to build on the momentum and secure their first ODI series win in Sri Lanka since 2017. Taskin, who missed the second match due to fitness concerns, backed into the pace attack, replacing Hasan Mahmud. Sri Lanka announce squad for T20I series vs Bangladesh Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman Sri Lanka XI: Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (captain), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando.  

South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder halted his marathon innings on 367 runs—just 33 short of Brian Lara’s iconic 400—not-out record—so his side could focus on bowling Zimbabwe out twice in the second Test at Queens Sports Club on Monday. The 26-year-old, captaining the side for the first time, declared the innings with South Africa at 626-5. He then starred with two quick wickets and a sharp catch as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 170 and forced to follow on. The hosts ended day two at 51-1, still trailing by 405 runs. “First, I thought we had enough and needed to bowl,” Mulder told broadcaster SuperSport. “Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend. For someone like that to keep the record is special. If I get another chance, I’d probably do the same.” Lara’s unbeaten 400, scored against England in 2004, remains the highest Test score in history. Mulder’s 367 now stands as the fifth-highest overall and the highest by a South African, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311*. Mulder, who started the day on 264, surged past 300 in 297 balls—the second-fastest triple century after Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball effort in 2008. His innings spanned nearly seven hours and featured 49 boundaries and four sixes. To stay focused, he sang The Cranberries’ “Zombie” repeatedly to himself. Sri Lanka announce squad for T20I series vs Bangladesh “I never dreamed of a double hundred, let alone a triple. This is special, but what matters most is putting the team in a winning position,” he said. Zimbabwe crumbled under pressure, lasting only 43 overs in their first innings. Debutant spinner Prenelan Subrayen impressed with 4-42, while Sean Williams played a lone hand, hitting a brisk 83 off 55 balls—the fastest Test fifty in Zimbabwe’s history. Despite battling illness and arriving to bat at 56-5, Williams showed grit, surviving a no-ball reprieve on 79 and finding support from tail-ender Tanaka Chivanga. However, Zimbabwe was unable to avoid the follow-on. Akash Deep inspires India to series-tying win over England in second test With the Proteas already leading 1-0 in the series, they appear poised to wrap up the second Test within three days and complete a dominant sweep. Source: Agency 

Sri Lanka on Monday announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, with white-ball skipper Charith Asalanka retaining the captaincy for the home side. The matches will be held on July 10, 13, and 16 respectively in Pallekele, Dambulla, and Colombo. The T20I squad sees a number of changes from Sri Lanka’s last outing in the format against New Zealand in January. Akash Deep inspires India to series-tying win over England in second test All-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne return to the side, while young left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage is also back in the mix after missing the previous T20 assignment. Sri Lanka T20I Squad: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, Eshan Malinga.//

So much for India being in trouble without Jasprit Bumrah. With the team's star pace bowler given a rest, Akash Deep — Bumrah's replacement — was the unlikely inspiration behind India's dominant, series-tying 336-run win over England just before tea on Day 5 of the second test at Edgbaston on Sunday. Deep claimed the first five-wicket haul of his short test career, removing four of the top five in England's batting order and then top scorer Jamie Smith (88) on the way to claiming figures of 6-99. He had match figures of 10-187. Set a world-record target of 608, England started the final day on 72-3 with a draw its only realistic hope and was all out for 271 as India sealed a first win at Edgbaston in nine attempts. It leveled the five-match series at 1-1 heading into the third test at Lord's starting Thursday. India recovered well after a tough defeat at Headingley last week, when England chased down 371 on Day 5. Half-centuries by Smith and Green put Australia back in charge in Grenada Bumrah was left out to preserve his fitness but Deep was a more-than-able deputy. At age 28, he is a late bloomer — certainly at test level where he has played just eight matches since his debut in February last year — but looks the part already with his nagging line and length. Surely he will retain his spot at the home of cricket. “He bowled with so much heart and the areas and the lengths he hit, he was just getting the ball to move both ways,” India captain Shubman Gill said. “He was just magnificent for us.” Asked if Bumrah would be back for the third test, Gill replied: “Definitely.” Gill was the tourists' other star in the second test, making 269 in the first innings and 161 in the second innings in a record-setting performance that has supercharged his first series as test captain. “I'd say I'm feeling comfortable with my game,” Gill said with a smile. “Hopefully with my contribution, India will be able to win this series. That would be a great achievement for us.” Tanvir Islam stands tall in his second ODI England captain Ben Stokes pointed to the failure to get the Indians out cheaply in the first innings after reducing them to 211-5 as the key part of the match. India went on to post 587 all out and never looked back. “We ran in, we tried everything, we changed plans, we maneuvered it when we could,” Stokes said. "But when a team is on top of you — and India is a class team — it is always hard to wrestle the momentum back. “The opposition is full of world-class performers. It's a tough one.” While Bumrah will be returning for India, the quick turnaround is likely to see England turn to Jofra Archer for his first test match since February 2021. Gus Atkinson could even return from injury, too.

Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam became hero as he bagged five wickets to keep Bangladesh’s dream alive of winning the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Tanvir debuted in the first ODI of the series and in just the second ODI, he secured five for 39 runs— now the best bowling record for any Bangladeshi against Sri Lanka, surpassing Abdur Razzak’s 5 for 62 in 2013. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award and praise from skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Bangladesh posted 248 in 45.5 overs losing all wickets. They needed to do something special with bowling, and Tanvier delivered that by taking key wickets. “He (Mehidy) told me, ‘Bowlers get hit. Just bowl to take wickets,’” Tanvir recalled after the match. Tanvir’s journey has been unconventional. He never played age-level cricket for Bangladesh and began his career in the Dhaka Premier League, the country’s premium 50-over league. “I always believed performance matters more than age,” he said. “I started late but stayed focused. Alhamdulillah, now I have a Player of the Match in international cricket.” Half-centuries by Smith and Green put Australia back in charge in Grenada Captain Mehidy also lauded Shamim Hossain for his control and the key dismissal of Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka. “Shamim executed the plan perfectly on a spin-friendly track,” he said. Bangladesh’s 248 was built on Parvez Hossain Emon’s 67 and Towhid Hridoy’s 51. A late cameo from Tanzim Hasan Sakib, who smashed 33 off 21 balls, proved crucial. “Tanzim’s innings changed the momentum,” Mehidy said. “That 20–30 run difference made a huge impact.” Sri Lanka threatened through Janith Liyanage’s 78, but Mustafizur Rahman’s dismissal of the set batter in the 48th over tilted the match. “We all know how tough Mustafiz is,” Liyanage said after the match. “He deserves credit.” Bangladesh bounce back to level series as Tanvir bags five For Tanvir, it was also a personal comeback. He had briefly changed his bowling action during the Pakistan series but reverted after encouragement from teammate Towhid Hridoy. “He told me, ‘You became Tanvir with that action. Trust it,’” Tanvir said.