Chittagong Vikings ropes in Mohammad Ashraful in the club

Mohammad Ashraful is very happy because he has been taken by Chittagong Vikings during the players’ draft for the sixth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), which will kick off on January 5.

Mohammad Ashraful, former captain of the Bangladesh cricket team, was found guilty of match and spot-fixing during the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League. As a result, he was given a punishment of eight years ban from all formats of cricket game by anti-corruption tribunal of BPL. Later it was reduced to five years following an appeal against the suspension by the batsman. His ban ended on August 13, 2018, thus making him eligible to play international and franchise-based Twenty20 cricket tournaments. However, he started playing domestic cricket two years ago after being cleared by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Mohammad Ashraful was and still is very much desperate to make his comeback to the national team. Playing 13 List A matches in the last season, he scored 665 runs at an average of 66.50 with five centuries. With this magnificent performance, he has increased his possibility of getting recalled to the national squad. If he can do well in the upcoming season of the BPL, his inclusion to the national team might come much earlier than expected. 

Apart from Mohammad Ashraful, another controversial cricketer in the BPL 6 is Australia’s David Warner who has been picked by Sylhet Sixers. Cricket Australia banned him for a year for his role in the ball-tampering scandal earlier this year. 

Since making debut, Mohammad Ashraful has so far represented Bangladesh in 61 Tests, 177 ODIs and 23 T20Is before being banned. 

Source-

http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/172275

Bangladesh takes 2-0 lead beating Zimbabwe by 7 wickets

Bangladesh cricket team took a 2-0 lead of the three-match ODI series after beating Zimbabwe by 7 wickets at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Wednesday (October 24). 

The host team chased down Zimbabwe’s 247-run target with 5.5 overs remaining and losing only three wickets. Liton Das and Imrul Kayes opened the innings for Bangladesh. The duo made a 148-run partnership for the first wicket stand. Liton Das played a brilliant knock of 77-ball 83. The right-handed batsman struck twelve fours and one six before being caught by Donald Tiripano off SikandarRaza. Imrul Kayes became the victim of nervous nineties. He was caught out for 90 and eventually failed to score back-to-back hundreds. In his innings, he hit seven fours and one six. Fazley Mahmud, who made his ODI debut in the 1^st ODI match against Zimbabwe, got out without scoring any run. However, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Mithun remained not out on 40 and 24 runs respectively. 

All three wickets were taken by SikandarRaza. 

Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza won the toss and invited the touring team to bat first. Brendan Taylor scored the highest run for his team. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 75 runs from 73 deliveries with nine fours and 1 six. In his innings, he made two partnerships- a 52-run partnership with Cephas Zhuawao and then a 77-run partnership with Sean Williams. Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza scored 47 and 49 runs respectively. After them, none of the players could keep contribution with the bat. However, Bangladeshi bowlers gave their best performances in the death overs, which eventually helped them to restrict Zimbabwe to 246 taking seven wickets in their stipulated 50 overs. 

Mohammad Saifuddin took three wickets giving 45 runs in 10 overs, and for his performance he was later declared Man of the Match. Mashrafe, Mustafizur, Mehidy and Mahmudullah each took one wicket. 

Bangladeshi selectors did not make any change in the squad for the second ODI. On the other hand, Zimbabwe made one change from first ODI, brining in all-rounder Elton Chigumbura to replace Craig Ervine. 

Both Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will play their third and final ODI match in the same venue on Friday, beginning at 2:30 pm local time. 

Scorecard- http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18815/scorecard/1153636/bangladesh-vs-zimbabwe-2nd-odi-zimbabwe-in-bangladesh-2018-19

Source-

https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/cricket/2018/10/24/bangladesh-win-toss-ask-zimbabwe-to-bat-first

Bangladesh takes 1-0 lead, beating Zimbabwe by 28 runs

Defeating Zimbabwe by 28 runs in the first ODI match at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Bangladesh cricket team has taken 1-O lead in the three-match ODI series. The host nation will once again take on the touring side in the second ODI match at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on October 24 with a hope of confirming the ODI series victory with one match remaining at hand. 

Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza won the toss and decided to bat first. The home team could make a competitive score of 271 runs for the loss of 8 wickets, thanks to Imrul Kayes’ third ODI century and Mohammad Saifuddin’s maiden ODI half-century.

Imrul Kayes, the 31-year-old veteran left-handed opener, played his career best innings in this match. He scored 144 runs off 140 balls with 13 fours and 6 sixes, the second-highest ODI score by any Bangladeshi batsman shared with Mushfiqur Rahim who also scored the same runs against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Asia Cup. However, the record of Bangladesh’s highest individual score in ODI is still held by Tamim Iqbal who scored 154 runs against Zimbabwe on August 16, 2009. 

Imrul Kayes on his way to scoring century got huge support from Mohammad Saifuddin who scored 50 runs from 69 balls. The duo also shared a 127-run seventh-wicket partnership, which helped the home team coming out of danger after tottering at 137 runs losing 6 wickets. Mohammad Mithun also played a useful innings of 40-ball 37, including one four and three sixes. He also made a 71-run partnership with Kayes in the fourth wicket stand. 

For Zimbabwe, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara and Brandon Mavuta took 4, 3 and 1 wicket respectively.

Coming to chase Bangladesh’s target, Zimbabwe could manage to score 243 runs losing 9 wickets in their stipulated overs. Sean Williams remained not out on 50 runs playing 58 deliveries in which he hit five fours and one six. Kyle Jarvis’ all-round performance helped his team to avoid a big margin defeat. With bat, he played a crucial innings of 33-ball 37. He and Williams made a 67-run partnership for the eight-wicket stand. This pair was also showing their team hope of winning the 1st ODI match. However, due to Bangladeshi bowlers’ controlled bowling, their effort did not come true. 

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the highest wicket taker. The off-spinner took three wickets while Nazmul Islam picked up two wickets. Other two wickets were shared between Mustafizur Rahman and Mahmudullah. 

Selectors of the Bangladesh cricket made two changes in the squad that lost to India in the Asia Cup final last month. They picked up the uncapped Fazle Mahmud Rabbi to replace Shakib Al Hasan, who has been nurturing his finger injury. Another change is the recall of pace-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin in place of fast bowler Ruble Hossain, who is recovering from fever.

Scorecard- http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18815/scorecard/1153635/bangladesh-vs-zimbabwe-1st-odi-zimbabwe-in-bangladesh-2018-19

Hazratullah Zazai becomes the sixth player to hit 6 sixes in the same over

Hitting six sixes in an over, Hazratullah Zazai of Afghanistan has included himself in an elite club of cricketers. The 20-year-old left-handed batsman has accomplished this rare feat in the inaugural edition of the Afghanistan Premier League (APL). He has put his name on the record list as the sixth player after Garry Sobers, Ravi Shastri, Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh and Ross Whiteley who hit six sixes in the same over. He also became the third player to share this record with Yuvraj Singh and Ross Whiteley in T20s. Not only that, he also reached fifty off just 12 balls, which made him equal the record for the fastest half-century in T20 format, a record held by Yuvraj and Chris Gayle beforehand.

Hazratullah Zazai played this record equaling innings on Sunday (October 14) when his franchise Kabul Zwanan met Balkh Legends in the league stage of the APL 2018. Opening for Kabul Zwanan, Zazai smashed six sixes off Abdullah Mazari in the fourth over of the innings. The left-arm spinner Abdullah Mazari conceded 37 runs, including a wide delivery.

Hazratullah Zazai played an aggressive innings of 17-ball 62 before being caught by Gulbadin Naib off Ben Laughlin. Despite playing such a beautiful innings decorated with four fours and seven sixes, he could not guide his team to a victory. Coming to chase Balkh Legends’s 245-run target, Kabul Zwanan was restricted to 223-7. As result, Balkh Legends won the match by 21 runs. 

However, Hazratullah Zazaihas so far represented his country in two ODI and three T20 internationals. This youngster with good physique has huge potential. He is likely to break many records in future. I congratulate him for his performance and pray for his better cricket career. 

Source- https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/878428

Bangladesh announces 15-man ODI squad against Zimbabwe

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday 11 October 2018 announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. Of them, national team selectors picked up only two uncapped players namely Fazle Mahmud Rabbi and Ariful Haque.

Fazle Mahmud Rabbi, the 30-year-old batting all-rounder, earned his place in the Bangladesh squad after scoring 708 runs at an average of 47.2 in the last season of the Dhaka Premier League. He got this golden opportunity to wear national team’s jersey after showing consistency in domestic circuit for almost 15 years and in the Ireland tour with Bangladesh A team recently. He also can bowl left-arm spin, which has been proved effective in domestic cricket. The reason behind taking him was to replace Shakib Al Hasan. Ariful Haque is another batting all-rounder. He has so far played only 6 T20Is. His performance in domestic cricket is quite satisfactory. So, Minhajul Abedin, Bangladesh's chief selector, is expecting that Ariful will play a vital role both with bat and ball.

Cricket fans might know that all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and opener Tamim Iqbal were ruled out of the squad for their respective injuries. The 31-year-old Shakib, who worsened his left little finger injury during the 2018 Asia Cup, is undergoing rehabilitation. He might take four to six months to get recovery from his finger infection and before that, he cannot go under surgery. Tamim Iqbal fractured his left hand in the opening match of the same tournament.

It is a matter of great joy that Mushfiqur Rahim has recovered from hip injury in time, thus he has been named in the squad. Experienced players like Mahmudullah Riyad, Liton Das, Rubel Hossain, Imrul Kayes have retained their places.

The exclusion of Mominul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain and Soumya Sarkar, who were part of the Bangladesh squad in the recently concluded Asia Cup campaign, might upset the cricket lovers.

Mohammad Saifuddin impressed the coach in the net practice and made his way to the Bangladesh’s ODI squad. His inclusion is likely to fill up the shortage of pace bowling all-rounder.

However, this team will be led by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as usual. He will try to lead his team to a series victory, leaving behind the frustration of losing out to India in the Asia Cup final.

This two-sided ODI series is scheduled to kick off from October 21.

Bangladesh ODI Squad against Zimbabwe: Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Liton Das, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Ariful Haque, Mehidy Hasan, Nazmul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider Rony, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mohammad Saifuddin, Fazle Mahmud.

Source- https://bdnews24.com/cricket/2018/10/11/bangladesh-picks-uncapped-fazle-rabbi-for-zimbabwe-odi-series-saifuddin-returns

Rashid Khan becomes the top all-rounder in ICC ODI rankings

International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday (September 30) released its latest rankings for ODI all-rounders on which Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan came top, replacing Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh. The 20-year-old player achieved this place showing outstanding performance in the recently-concluded Asia Cup that took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Rashid Khan performed pretty well with both bat and ball in the Asia Cup 2018. Taking 10 wickets in five matches, he became the leading wicket taker in this tournament. With the bat, he scored 87 runs at an average of 43.50. Because of his excellent all-round performance, Afghanistan could beat Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the group stage and tied the match against India in the Super Four round.

For his endeavors in Dubai and Sharjah, Rashid Khan earned 67 points, which helped him to go up six places to take the top position of the ICC ODI All-Rounder Rankings, overtaking Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan who is taking second position with 342 points. Rashid’s co-worker Mohammad Nabi also witnessed improvement in the rankings, moving one place up to the third position after totaling 134 runs and taking five wickets. However, Shakib maintained his dominance in the Test all-rounder rankings despite suffering from a long standing finger injury.

In the latest ICC ODI bowlers’ rankings, Rashid Khan held no to No. 2 spot and was sandwiched between two Indian bowlers- Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav- who are respectively taking first and third spot.

Source- https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/864074

India wins their seventh Asia Cup title beating Bangladesh by 3 wickets

India beat Bangladesh by three wickets in the final match of the 2018 Asia Cup at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday (September 28). With this triumph, the ‘Men in Blue’ snatched the trophy for the seventh time in 14 events. It was bad luck for team Bangladesh. They reached the Asia Cup final third time in the last four seasons and each time handed a defeat by a narrow margin.

India’s stand-in captain, Rohit Sharma, won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat first. Riding on Liton Das’ maiden ODI century, the Tigers scored 222 runs losing all wickets in 48.3 overs. The right-handed batsman scored 121 runs off 117 balls. In his innings, he hit 12 fours and two sixes. He made open with Mehidy Hasan Miraz who scored 32 runs before being run out. The opening pair made a 120-run partnership. However, apart from these two players, only Soumya Sarkar could reach the double figure as he scored 33 runs. Because of the poor performances of the middle-order batsmen including Mushfiqur Rahim, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Mithun and Mahmudullah- the ‘Men in Green and Red’ failed to set a competitive score to defend. Another fact that went against Bangladesh is that they suffered three run outs. 

For India, Kuldeep Yadav claimed three wickets while Kedar Jadhav took two wickets. Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah took one wicket each.

In reply, India reached the target in the last ball of their innings. For India, Rohit Sharma scored the highest run of 48 runs from 55 balls. Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni played useful innings of 37 and 36 runs respectively. Kedar Jadhav and Kuldeep Yadav remained not out on 23 and 5 and led their team to a thrilling three-wicket win.

For Bangladesh, Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain took two wickets each while Nazmul Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza and Mahmudullah equally shared three wickets.

Scorecard- http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8532/scorecard/1153255/bangladesh-vs-india-final-asia-cup-2018-19

Source- https://en.prothomalo.com/sports/news/184142/Tigers-make-222-despite-Liton-ton