Author: A Sports

The Bangladesh government on Monday ordered an immediate ban on the broadcast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) following the release of national fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the 2026 season.

In an official statement, the local administration said the decision was taken after a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) led to Mustafizur’s exclusion from the KKR squad for the IPL, which is scheduled to begin on March 26, 2026.

“No rational reason for such a decision by the BCCI is known, and such a decision has pained, saddened and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” the statement read.

“Under these circumstances, until further notice, instructions have been issued to stop the broadcast and telecast of all IPL matches and programmes.”

The government added that the order had been issued in the public interest and with the approval of the competent authority.

“This order is issued with the approval of the proper authority and in the public interest.”

Mustafizur, one of Bangladesh’s most high-profile cricketers, was released by Kolkata after the franchise was “advised” by the BCCI to do so in the wake of heightened diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

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The 30-year-old left-arm pacer had been picked up by KKR for more than one million dollars at the IPL auction in December.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the board’s role in the decision, stating that “considering recent developments”, Kolkata were advised to release the Bangladeshi fast bowler.

Kolkata Knight Riders, which is majority-owned by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, later said the move was made after due consultations.

“His release has been carried out following due process,” the franchise said in a statement, adding that the BCCI would allow the defending champions to sign a replacement player under IPL regulations.

The situation further intensified on Sunday when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that the national team would not travel to India for its scheduled matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Following an emergency meeting, the BCB said it had formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s fixtures to Sri Lanka.

READ: Nasum Ahmed powers Sylhet Titans to crushing win against Noakhali Express

SYLHET: A devastating spell from Nasum Ahmed dismantled Haider Ali-led Noakhali Express as Sylhet Titans cruised to a one-sided victory in the 13th match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26 on Monday.

Asked to bat first, Noakhali endured a torrid outing with the bat and were bundled out for just 61 in 14.2 overs, the fourth-lowest total in BPL history and the lowest of the ongoing season.

Left-arm spinner Nasum was the chief architect of the collapse, returning sensational figures of 5 for 7 from his four overs.

Mohammad Amir and Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with a wicket apiece, tightening the noose around the struggling batting line-up.

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Only two Noakhali batters reached double figures. Wicketkeeper-batter Mahidul Islam Ankon top-scored with a 32-ball 25, striking a boundary and a six, while opener Habibur Rahman Sohan added 18 off 16 deliveries, including three boundaries.

Captain Haider Ali endured a forgettable outing, managing just five runs from 12 balls, as four of his teammates departed without scoring.

The dismal total now sits fourth on the list of lowest scores in BPL history, with the unwanted record still held by Khulna Tigers, who were dismissed for 44 against Rangpur Riders in the 2016 edition.

Sylhet Titans made light work of the modest target but not before a brief wobble at the start of the chase, losing Parvez Hossain Emon for one in the opening over.

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Tawfique Khan and Zakir Hasan then took control, adding a decisive 53-run stand that effectively ended the contest. Tawfique led the charge with a brisk 32 off 18 balls, while Zakir anchored the innings with 24 from 23 deliveries.

Afif Hossain fell cheaply for two, but Moeen Ali calmly struck the winning run off his very first ball to seal the chase in just 8.4 overs. Zahir Khan was the lone bright spot for Noakhali in the field, claiming three wickets.

The emphatic win lifted Sylhet Titans to third place on the BPL 2025-26 points table. Noakhali Express, meanwhile, continue to search for their first victory in their debut campaign, having now suffered four defeats on the trot.

READ: Brisbane Heat sign Pakistan pacer as Shaheen Afridi’s replacement

Brisbane Heat have strengthened their bowling resources for the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 15 by signing Pakistan fast bowler Zaman Khan as an international replacement for the injured Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The 24-year-old right-arm pacer has received clearance from the BBL Technical Committee and is set to be available for the Heat’s fixture against Sydney Thunder at the Gabba on Saturday.

The match will see Zaman come up against his former franchise, having previously represented the Thunder during BBL 13.

Known for his distinctive slingy action and effectiveness at the death, Zaman featured in four matches for Sydney Thunder, claiming eight wickets at an impressive average of 16.38.

 

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Since making his international debut in 2023, he has gone on to represent Pakistan in 10 T20 Internationals and one One-Day International, picking up seven wickets across formats.

Zaman Khan arrives in Australia in good rhythm, having recently made an impact in the Abu Dhabi T10, where he grabbed a hat-trick in his opening match of the tournament.

He also brings experience from multiple leagues around the world, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he plays under Shaheen Afridi at Lahore Qalandars, and England’s The Hundred, where he turned out for Manchester Originals.

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Brisbane Heat head coach Johan Botha expressed confidence that Zaman’s inclusion would add a cutting edge to the bowling unit as the tournament reaches a crucial phase.

“He’s a genuine wicket-taker up front, but he can also control an over with his variations and pace,” Botha said.

“He complements our attack nicely and gives us additional options in the key bowling periods. Zaman was a handful when he first came on the scene and has continued to evolve his game.”

READ: Second group of Pakistan squad departs for Sri Lanka

LAHORE: The second batch of the Pakistan T20I squad, including captain Salman Ali Agha, departed for Colombo on Monday for the three-match series against Sri Lanka starting January 7.

The travelling party also includes Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Abdul Samad and Khawaja Nafay.

Batting coach Mohammad Hanif and several members of the support staff are also part of the second batch.

پاکستان/سری لنکا ٹی ٹوئنٹی سیریز

قومی ٹی ٹوئنٹی سکواڈ کا دوسرا گروپ لاہور سے کولمبو کے لیے روانہ

دوسرے گروپ میں کپتان سلمان علی آغا ، محمد نواز ، صاحبزادہ فرحان ،عثمان خان ، صائم ایوب ، ابرار احمد ، عبدالصمد اور خواجہ نافع شامل

بیٹنگ کوچ محمد حنیف اور سپورٹ سٹاف کے دیگر… pic.twitter.com/gy1VGAJZFj

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) January 5, 2026

Earlier in the day, the first contingent of the Pakistan team reached Sri Lanka, accompanied by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.

The group featured all-rounders Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf, as well as pacers Mohammad Wasim Jr and Salman Mirza.

Bowling coach Ashley Noffke, the fielding coach and other support staff members also arrived in Colombo.

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Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to face each other in a three-match T20I series, scheduled for January 7, 9 and 11.

All matches will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla.

The series holds added significance for Pakistan as it serves as a key build-up assignment ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

Pakistan will play all of their World Cup fixtures in Colombo.

Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka T20Is

Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.

READ: Travis Head hits back for Australia after England post 384

SYDNEY: Joe Root added another landmark to his illustrious career on Monday, drawing level with Australia great Ricky Ponting on the all-time list of men’s Test centuries during the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The former England captain brought up his 41st Test hundred with a composed knock that stood out in an otherwise challenging innings for the tourists, who entered the match trailing 3-1 in the five-Test contest.

Resuming on 72 on the second day after rain curtailed play on the opening day, Root batted with characteristic control despite increased intensity from the Australian bowlers and a surface that offered variable bounce.

He reached the three-figure mark with a push for two off Michael Neser, bringing up his 41st Test century in his 163rd Test.

At 35, Root now shares third place on the all-time Test century list with Ponting, with only South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (45) and India legend Sachin Tendulkar (51) ahead of him.

While wickets continued to tumble at the other end, with Harry Brook (84), Ben Stokes (0) and Jamie Smith (46) all departing, Joe Root remained unflustered.

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He went to lunch unbeaten on 138 before extending his innings further in the middle session, eventually passing the 150 mark.

Root’s resistance finally ended on 160 when Michael Neser produced an athletic caught-and-bowled effort to remove the England mainstay.

Notably, it marked Root’s second century of the tour, having failed to register a hundred in his previous 14 Test appearances in Australia before this Ashes series.

England were eventually dismissed for 384, with last man Josh Tongue falling in the same over as Root.

For Australia, Neser led the bowling effort with four wickets, while Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland chipped in with two apiece.

READ: Australian great Martyn out of coma in ‘miracle’ recovery

DUBAI: Pakistan off-spinner Usman Tariq has hit back at critics over allegations of chucking, urging them to gain knowledge before commenting or sharing opinions about his action.

The tall right-arm spinner came in as a replacement for Desert Vipers in the International League T20 (ILT20) and made an immediate impact with the ball during the qualifier against MI Emirates.

His three-wicket haul, which also included the scalp of Tom Banton, helped Vipers cruise to the ILT20 final.

After he got Banton, the right-handed batter pointed to the umpire about his action, which sparked debate over Tariq’s action.

Speaking during an interview, Tariq shed light on his unorthodox action, noting that he had cleared his action twice before.

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“As you can see from history, whenever spinners faced allegations of chucking, they went to the lab, tried to modify their action, and worked on the correct degree of flexion. That sometimes confuses spectators,” he said.

“I have undergone two official tests in Pakistan, and my action was cleared. Unlike others, I didn’t have to change anything. I was confident because I know I am not throwing,” he continued.

The 28-year-old has faced chucking accusations in the past, which required him to undergo a bowling action test.

He urged people to first gain knowledge before commenting or sharing opinions without a proper understanding of the game.

“If you don’t understand cricket and still comment or share opinions, illiteracy can kill knowledge. It’s better to understand the game first,” he said.

READ: Khushdil, Mustafizur shine in last-over thriller for Rangpur Riders

SYLHET: All-round Khushdil Shah and an impressive final over from pacer Mustafizur Rahman helped Rangpur Riders seal a thrilling five-run victory over Dhaka Capitals in the 12th fixture of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26.

Set 156, Capitals fell short by five runs at the end of their 20 overs, with 10 required on the last six balls.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Abdullah Al Mamun provided a solid start with 54 on the board in the first six overs.

However, Kyle Mayers and Khushdil Shah removed both batters in consecutive overs to put Dhaka Capitals back into the game.

Gurbaz made 31 from 22 with the aid of five fours and six, while Mamun hit four boundaries in his 20 off 18.

Despite the wickets, Mohammad Mithun and Saif Hassan were able to lift their side out of trouble as they added 51 for the third wicket partnership. The pair composed a batting partnership that brought the score to 111 in 15.1 overs.

Saif made 15 from 24 balls, an innings without a single boundary.

Meanwhile, Mithun managed to string a couple of partnerships, first wiht Shamim Hossain and then with Sabbir Rahman, that brought them near the target.

But it was an impressive final over from Mustafizur that turned the match on its head.

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With 10 required of six, Mustafizur started with a single, followed by two dots on the next two deliveries. The left-arm pacer gave nothing away in the next three balls as Sabbir and Mithun could only take three singles.

For Rangpur Riders, Khushdil Shah, Kyle Mayers, Mustafizur Rahman, and Al Islam picked up one wicket each.

Earlier, put into bat first, Rangpur Riders were limited to 155-5 in their 20 overs.

Dhaka Capitals bowlers put Riders in early trouble as they were reduced to 30-3 in 5.2 overs.

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But it was Dawid Malan’s and Mahmudullah’s 74-run stand that laid the foundation for a competitive total.

The stand eventually ended with Malan’s wicket, the scorecard reading 104-4 in 14.2 overs.

Mahmudullah, meanwhile, continued on and scored a half-century before getting caught in the 17th over. The right-handed batter made 51 off 41 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

Khushdil, on the other hand, provided Riders’ innings with a s late flourish, scoring a brisk 38* off 21, which included two sixes and four boundaries.

For Dhaka Capitals, Ziaur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers as he took two wickets in his quota of four overs.

READ: Tyson Fury comes out of retirement again

Former Australia batter Damien Martyn has awoken from an induced coma following meningitis, ex-teammate Adam Gilchrist said on Sunday in a statement on behalf of Martyn’s family.

Martyn, 54, fell seriously ill last week and was rushed to the hospital.

He was diagnosed with meningitis — an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Now, former wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist provided an update regarding his health, calling his recovery a ‘miracle.’

“It’s been an unbelievable turn of events in the last 48 hours,” Gilchrist said. “He is now able to talk and respond to treatment.”

“He has responded extraordinarily well since coming out of the coma to the point where his family feels it’s like some sort of miracle,” he added.

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He remained hopeful of moving the batter out of the ICU amid speedy recovery.

“It has been so positive that they’re hopeful he will be able to move out of the ICU into another part of the hospital, which is representative of what a great recovery it’s been and how quickly it has flipped around.

He’s in good spirits and overwhelmed by the support. There is still some treatment and monitoring to go, but it’s looking positive,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Damien Martyn represented Australia in 67 Tests and 208 ODIs between 1992 and 2006.

He remained part of Australia’s triumph in the 2003 ODI World Cup. The right-hander played a pivotal role in the final against India alongside skipper Ricky Ponting, scoring an unbeaten 88*.

Damien Martyn called time on his international career during the 2006 Ashes and has kept a low profile since.

READ: Bangladesh opts out of T20 World Cup fixtures in India

DHAKA: The Bangladesh cricket team has decided to pull out of its fixtures scheduled in India for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the country’s cricket board confirmed on Sunday.

Political relations between India and Bangladesh soured after a mass uprising in Dhaka in 2024 toppled then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi.

The decision came in the light of pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s abrupt exclusion from the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.

A day earlier, the left-arm pacer was excluded from the KKR’s squad on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), after an emergency meeting on Sunday, said it had “formally requested” the International Cricket Council (ICC) shift its games to Sri Lanka.

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“The Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” a BCB statement read.

The board linked the decision to players’ security and safety upon the government’s advice.

Earlier, Asif Nazrul, Youth and Sports Adviser in the interim government, said that Dhaka “will not accept any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers and Bangladesh under any circumstances.”

For the unversed, the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled begin on 7 February in India and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh, who are slotted in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Italy, and Nepal, were scheduled to play the first three out of their four Super 8 fixtures in Kolkata.

Initially, the mega event was to be hosted solely by India, but strained relations with Pakistan — who will play their matches in Sri Lanka under the hybrid model — led to this decision.

READ: Rizwan, Brown end Renegades’ losing streak in Melbourne Derby

MELBOURNE: Josh Brown, Mohammad Rizwan, and skipper Will Sutherland helped Melbourne Renegades seal a nervy last-ball victory over Melbourne Stars in the 22nd fixture of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15.

Renegades chased down a stiff 174 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday in front of a record crowd with one ball to spare, losing six wickets in the process.

After Tim Seifert departed for six in the second over, Mohammad Rizwan and Josh Brown made light work of the chase with a 103-run partnership.

The duo composed batting, particularly Brown, made the target look easy before a collapse left them reeling. The pair brought the total to 127 in 14.1 overs.

Brown was bowled by Mitchell Swepson for 84 off 48 with the help of nine fours and four maximums.

However, after Brown’s departure, the Renegades lost their way in the middle, losing 5 for 34 in less than 5 overs.

Rizwan followed him after the 16th over, making 41 off 38 with the help of four boundaries, while Peter Siddle and Haris Rauf combined to rock back with quick wickets, which slumped them to 148-5 in 17.5 overs.

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However, Sutherland held his nerve and launched Marcus Stoinis for two sixes in the final over to win it for his side.

For Melbourne Stars, Peter Siddle and Haris Rauf once again stood tall with the ball, picking up two wickets each.

With this, the Melbourne Renegades ended their three-match losing streak and secured their second win of the season. On the contrary, Stars have now lost two in a row after winning the first four games.

Earlier, put into bat Melbourne Stars managed to put 173-9 on the board at the end of their 20 overs.

Callum Stow and Gurinder Sandhu provided Melbourne Renegades with the start they wanted, keeping the Stars batters on their toes.

At one stage, Stars were reduced to 55-4 in 7.4 overs before a string of partnerships in the lower middle order lifted them out of trouble.

After a shambolic display from the top-order, Tom Curran (38 off 18) and Campbell Kellaway (33 off 27) provided them with respites, which helped them reach a competitive total at the end of their innings.

For the Renegades, Gurinder Sandhu remained the star bowler, who picked up a four-wicket haul.

READ: Bangladesh reveal squad for T20 World Cup 2026