Tag: Bangladesh

Pathum Nissanka career-best 187 helped Sri Lanka finish the third day of the first Test against Bangladesh in a strong position, trailing with only 127 runs off Bangladesh’s first innings score.

The 27-year-old opener anchored the Sri Lanka innings before they finished on 368-4 at the close of play, behind Bangladesh’s 495.

He struck several key partnerships before he was bowled by Hasan Mahmud towards the end of the day’s play.

Pathum Nissanka, who had been under pressure before the match with only one half-century in nine innings, hit 23 fours and a six in his marathon 256-ball innings.

Nissanka looked set for his maiden double-ton when he was bowled by Mahmud, who was bowling with the second new ball.

“This is my first Test hundred at home so I was very happy to get there,” Nissanka said after the day’s play.

“It is important that we get a decent lead and put them under pressure.”

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But Sri Lanka’s top-scorer said he was “disappointed” with the way he got out.

He acknowledged he had failed to score big since his century in England last year and said that he was “trying to make the most of today”.

Kamindu Mendis (37) and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (17) will take charge of Sri Lanka’s first innings on the fourth day, with the Galle wicket still playing well for the batters.

Besides Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan and Mominul Haque finished the third day with one wicket each in a largely uneventful session for Bangladesh’s bowlers.

Nissanka lost his opening partner Lahiru Udara (29) early in the day to the slow left-arm orthodox bowling of Islam.

Dinesh Chandimal came in and took a solid 54 runs before he was removed by Hasan after an important 157-run partnership with Nissanka.

Veteran Angelo Matthews walked out to bat in his farewell Test with a guard of honour from the opposition. Angelo Matthews hit 39 runs in a key cameo that took the hosts to 293 before he fell to Haque.

Earlier, the third day started with Sri Lanka wrapping up Bangladesh’s innings in just three overs after their overnight score of 484-9.

Bangladesh’s last man Nahid Rana feathered a short ball to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis as fast bowler Asitha Fernando completed a return of 4-86 from his 29.4 overs.

The visitors had been cruising at 458-4 on Wednesday before losing five wickets for 26 runs in the final hour of the rain-hit second day.

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Bangladesh finished day two of the first Test on 484-9 against Sri Lanka despite the hosts enforcing a collapse late in the day.

The Tigers resumed on 292 for three overnight and turned the screws on a batting-friendly wicket, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto extending their record-breaking partnership.

The 264-run partnership finally ended when Shanto fell for 148, deceived in the air as he attempted to drive one. Shanto’s fluent innings was peppered with 15 boundaries and a six.

Mushfiqur kept going with wicketkeeper Litton Das before finally falling for 163, a marathon knock that spanned nearly nine hours and 350 balls.

Bangladesh middle-order batter Das piled on further misery for Sri Lanka with a brisk 90 off 123 deliveries, cashing in on tired bowlers and some loose fielding.

He was particularly severe on the spinners, using his feet to good effect to lift the ball cleanly over the in-field.

But he also survived some anxious moments.

Pathum Nissanka grassed a sitter at short mid-wicket when he had just 14 to his name.

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Moments earlier, he had survived a run-out stemming from a mix-up.

He eventually perished attempting a reverse sweep off debutant Tharindu Ratnayake, gloving it to Kusal Mendis behind the stumps.

Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Salahuddin said it was a “very good effort by the batter”.

“We were very impressed with the way Mushfiqur Rahim went about things. He had not scored a big one in a while but we knew it was just a matter of time before he scored a big one,” Salahuddin said.

“They (batsmen) showed character and we have almost scored 500 runs now. I hope our bowlers will be able to create opportunities bowling to attacking fields as we have got the runs on the board now. It will be an interesting day three.”

Sri Lanka Tharindu Rathnayake said it was one of the “flattest wickets we have seen in Galle”.

“It was a tough wicket to bowl on but I thought we did a decent job,” Rathnayake said.

“When they were building the pressure and taking the attack on to us, it was important to stay calm and show character. I thought after tea we came back stronger to claim five wickets.”

With rain interrupting play shortly after lunch, only 61 overs could be bowled on day two.

A persistent drizzle forced an early tea and fading light ended proceedings prematurely.

The third day between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will resume fifteen minutes early on Thursday to compensate for the lost time.

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A record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership between captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim put Bangladesh in control at 292-3 on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

After a wobbly start at Galle, the pair stitched together 247 runs –the highest fourth-wicket stand for Bangladesh in Tests against Sri Lanka– steering the tourists to a commanding position at stumps.

Having elected to bat first, Bangladesh were reeling at 45-3 when the duo came together.

What followed was a gritty rescue act – a partnership built on sound temperament, clever shot selection, and an unflinching resolve as they dug their team out of early trouble.

Mushfiqur, the most capped Test player in Bangladesh history with 97 appearances, silenced his critics with a timely ton.

The veteran, under the pump after a lean patch spanning 13 innings without a half-century, rolled back the years with a knock of poise and purpose.

Bangladesh stalwart has fond memories of Galle, having struck a monumental double hundred there in 2013, and once again turned tormentor-in-chief for the Sri Lankan bowlers.

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He did enjoy a slice of luck –a tough chance spilt by debutant Tharindu Rathnayake on 25- but made it count, navigating a nervy passage in the 90s, before scampering a quick single to notch up his 12th Test hundred.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, positive from the outset, kept the scoreboard ticking with deft footwork and a keen eye for the loose ball.

He brought up his sixth Test century–– and second against Sri Lanka–– with a cheeky paddle sweep off Prabath Jayasuriya, marking his first ton since November 2023.

Sri Lanka made early inroads with right-arm quick Asitha Fernando drawing first blood, removing opener Anamul Haque for a duck.

Off-spinner Rathnayake, handed his Test cap on the back of a prolific domestic season, struck twice in quick succession.

But once the Shanto-Mushfiqur duo got their eye in, it was one-way traffic.

Sri Lanka also handed a debut to opening batter Lahiru Udara, another domestic heavyweight, while the hosts paused before the start of play to congratulate retiring stalwart Angelo Mathews.

The 38-year-old Mathews, playing his 119th and final Test, will hang up his boots with over 8,000 runs, behind only Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in Sri Lanka’s all-time charts.

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A Bangladeshi court on Monday imposed a travel ban on veteran cricketer Shakib Al Hasan amid investigations into corruption allegations.

According to Bangladesh’s news outlets, the court issued the order following a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The petition states that it is investigating the individuals over allegations of large-scale corruption.

In addition to Shakib, various individuals are facing charges of corruption. These individuals include Deputy Registrar of the Department of Cooperatives, Abul Khair; his wife, Kazi Sadia Hassan; Abul Kalam Matbar; Kanoka Afroz; Mohammad Bashar; and Sajed Matbar.

Aleya Begum, Kazi Fuad Hassan, Kazi Farid Hassan, Shirin Akhter, Javed A Matin, Zahed Kamal, Humayun Kabir and Tanvir Nizam are also among the names facing charges of embezzlement.

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For the unversed, Shakib Al Hasan is a former lawmaker from the party of the autocratic former leader Sheikh Hasina. The all-rounder has been in hot water since Shaikh Hasina’s ouster in a student-led uprising last year.

Earlier this year, a Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant for Shakib Al Hasan in connection with a cheque fraud case.

Shakib Al Hasan, who recently appeared for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, has not returned to Bangladesh since the government’s ouster.

The left-arm all-rounder has represented Bangladesh in 71 Tests, 247 one-day internationals and 129 T20Is. He has 712 scalps to his name in international cricket.

The left-arm allrounder has played 71 Tests, 247 one-day internationals and 129 Twenty20s for Bangladesh, taking a combined 712 wickets.

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Bangladesh has named dynamic all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz as their captain in the One Day International (ODI) format.

Mehidy will take over the reins from Najmul Hossain Shanto in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in the upcoming month.

The appointment has resulted in a split captaincy for Bangladesh in all three formats, with Liton Das as the T20I captain and Najmul Hossain Shanto as the Test skipper.

Following the announcement, Mehidy Hasan Miraz expressed gratitude for having the opportunity to lead his country.

“It is a huge honour for me to be entrusted with this responsibility by the board,” Mehidy said.

“Leading the country is a dream for any cricketer, and I am grateful for the confidence the board has shown in me. I have every faith in this team. We have the talent and the belief to play fearless cricket. I want us to perform with confidence, play without inhibition and continue giving our best for the country,” he added.

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The Bangladesh Cricket operations chairman, Nazmul Abedeen, shed light on the decision to name Mehidy as skipper.

“The board felt that Miraz’s consistent performances with the bat and ball, his ability to fight and inspire the team and his energetic presence on and off the field make him an ideal candidate to lead the ODI side during a transitional time,” Nazmul Abedeen said.

He further said, “We believe he has the temperament and maturity to take Bangladesh forward in this format.”

It is pertinent to mention that Mehidy had led Bangladesh in four ODIs last year, during Shanto’s absence due to injury. His first stint was against Afghanistan, followed by a series against the West Indies. However, Bangladesh lost all four games.

Apart from ODIs, Mehidy also stood in as Test captain in the series against West Indies, helping Bangladesh draw the second Test in Jamaica after losing the first Test.

The all-rounder has played 105 ODIs and is the fourth Bangladesh player to do the double of 1000 runs and take 100 wickets in the format.

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Mohammad Haris lit up Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night with a record-breaking performance, surpassing Babar Azam and Ahmed Shehzad to become Pakistan’s second-fastest centurion in T20I history.

The wicketkeeper-batter powered an unbeaten 107 off just 46 balls in the final T20I against Bangladesh, an innings studded with eight boundaries and seven towering sixes at a strike rate of 232.60.

His fireworks not only sealed a 3-0 series sweep for Pakistan but also earned him the Player of the Match accolade.

Haris reached his maiden T20I hundred in just 45 deliveries, eclipsing Babar’s 49-ball effort against South Africa (2021) and Shehzad’s 58-ball ton against Bangladesh (2014).

Only Hasan Nawaz stands ahead of him, courtesy of a 44-ball century against New Zealand earlier this year.

Fastest T20I Centuries for Pakistan:

• 44 balls – Hasan Nawaz vs New Zealand, Auckland, 2025

• 45 balls – Mohammad Haris vs Bangladesh, Lahore, 2025

• 49 balls – Babar Azam vs South Africa, Centurion, 2021

• 58 balls – Ahmed Shehzad vs Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2014

• 58 balls – Babar Azam vs New Zealand, Lahore, 2023

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Pakistan’s chase against Bangladesh began shakily with Sahibzada Farhan falling for 1 (4) to Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the first over.

But Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub settled nerves quickly with an attacking 56-run stand in the powerplay.

The pair went on to add 92 runs for the second wicket, with Saim playing a fluent hand of 45 off 29 before falling to Tanzim Hasan with Pakistan at 100-2 in the 10th over.

Haris, unfazed by the loss, reached his half-century in the 11th over and continued to dictate terms. Hasan Nawaz added a brisk 26 off 13 before Mehidy struck again, but the chase was well in hand by then.

Captain Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 14* (11), but the night belonged to Haris, who stayed till the end to finish the job in style.

Pakistan romped home in just 17.1 overs, closing out the series with a clean sweep.

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Pakistan Test cricketer Ahmed Shehzad highly praised returning opener Sahibzada Farhan for his blistering 74-run knock in the second T20I against Bangladesh.

The right-hander made his T20I debut back in 2018 but featured in only two more matches that year before being sidelined.

His next chance came over five years later, during the Australia tour in January 2024 under Shaheen Shah Afridi’s captaincy.

But Sahibzada Farhan couldn’t leave a mark in that series — scores of 1 and 19 in two games saw him dropped yet again. He returned to the side during the tours of Australia later that year, but failed to leave a lasting impression.

However, he kept piling on runs in domestic cricket and finished as the top-scorer in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10.

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On Friday, Farhan finally got another opportunity, replacing the unfit Fakhar Zaman, and made it count in style.

Opening the innings, he smashed 74 off just 41 balls, hitting ten boundaries, including six sixes, to set the tone for Pakistan’s commanding total of 201-6 at Gaddafi Stadium.

It was his first T20I in six months and his maiden fifty in Pakistan colours, a knock that not only helped his side seal the series but also reignited hopes of a long-term future in the green shirt.

Following the match, Ahmed Shehzad took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to heap praise on the 29-year-old batter.

“So happy to [see] Sahibzada Farhan getting the opportunity for Pakistan [and] he making it count,” Shehzad posted. “Fantastic start for him. What an inning. What a player. Sky is the limit.”

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Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha opened up after leading his side to a resounding 57-run win over Bangladesh in the second T20I at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

This victory not only clinched the series 2-0 but also marked Pakistan’s first T20I series win at home in over three years.

The last time Pakistan won a T20I series on home soil was back in December 2021, when they swept West Indies 3-0.

Speaking after the match, Agha admitted he wasn’t aware of the three-and-a-half-year drought but called the win “incredibly special.”

“This achievement feels incredibly special – I hadn’t realised it’s been three and a half years since the last one. The team’s effort has made me immensely proud,” he said at the post-match presentation.

With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, Salman Ali Agha also laid out his vision for building a squad that’s not just balanced but deep enough to handle injuries without disruption.

“This is exactly what we’ve built towards – having 15 match-ready players. That depth means seamless replacements for any injuries – the kind of selection headache every captain dreams of,” he explained.

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He particularly stressed the need to develop a robust pace attack, highlighting the importance of having three reliable frontline seamers, backed up by three to four capable reserves.

“We’re committed to expanding our options, particularly in bowling depth. My vision is three frontline pacers plus 3-4 quality backups ready to step up when needed.”

Agha, who has quickly grown into the leadership role, credited the team’s attitude and hunger to perform for making his job smoother.

“Leading this team is a joy. When players are this motivated to perform for their country, my job becomes easier. I hope we maintain this standard long-term,” he said.

One of the brightest sparks of this series has been Hasan Nawaz — the young batter who continues to impress with his fearless approach and shot-making ability. Agha was full of praise for the rising star.

“Hasan Nawaz is batting at another level. His ability to dominate spinners and clear boundaries at will is rare,” he remarked. “He’s embraced his middle-order role brilliantly – this generational talent is transforming our lineup.”

READ: Sahibzada Farhan reflects on ’emotional’ comeback against Bangladesh

LAHORE: Sahibzada Farhan made a memorable return to international cricket on Wednesday night, playing a blistering knock that helped Pakistan seal the T20I series against Bangladesh here at Gaddafi Stadium.

The 29-year-old opener, who replaced an unfit Fakhar Zaman in the playing XI for the second T20I, smashed 74 off just 41 balls, laced with 10 boundaries — including six towering sixes.

His fearless approach at the top set the tone for Pakistan’s dominant total of 201-6, eventually leading to a comprehensive 57-run victory.

After receiving his first-ever Player of the Match award in Pakistan colours, an emotional Sahibzada spoke candidly about his journey.

“This is an incredibly emotional moment for me – making my national team comeback and earning my first Player of the Match award for Pakistan. I couldn’t be happier,” he said at the post-match presentation.

Sahibzada Farhan, who has been in and out of the national setup for years despite consistently topping domestic charts, credited his mental growth and domestic grind for this performance.

“I believe I’ve ticked most of the boxes. My domestic cricket experience before franchise cricket taught me the standards required to succeed internationally. This is just the beginning – I’ll keep pushing to improve and work even harder,” he added.

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Having missed out on recent tours to South Africa and New Zealand, this was yet another comeback for the right-hander, and he was determined to make it count.

“Fear doesn’t hold me back anymore. This is my third or fourth comeback, and every year I pile up domestic runs to earn my recall. Today, you all witnessed that I play without the fear of failure,” he asserted.

“I stuck to what worked in franchise cricket – staying confident and ready to prove my worth when the opportunity came.”

While Sahibzada Farhan stole the headlines, youngster Hasan Nawaz also impressed with an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls, providing the finishing touches with two fours and three sixes.

In the second half, Pakistan’s bowlers got the job done efficiently. Abrar Ahmed starred with the ball, picking 3-19 in his four overs, as Bangladesh folded for 144 in 19 overs.

With this win, Pakistan have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. The third and final match will be played on June 1 at the same venue.

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Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed humorously credited his personal training session with Hasan Ali during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 as the reason behind the pacer’s impactful return to international cricket.

Hasan, who returned to Pakistan’s T20I squad after a one-year hiatus, registered his maiden five-wicket haul in the format, helping the home side secure a 37-run win over Bangladesh in the series opener at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Soon after the match, Sarfaraz took to Instagram and shared a picture of himself training with Hasan during PSL 10, adding a tongue-in-cheek caption.

“I made you train, and this [comeback] is the result of it, understand, Hasoo,” the former captain posted.

Sarfaraz, who led Hasan during ICC Champions Trophy 2017Quetta Gladiators’ PSL campaign, also praised the pacer’s dedication and resilience throughout his comeback.

“Great comeback Hasso Jani! Your dedication and hard work paid off. Well done, young man. Keep it up,” he wrote.

Sarfaraz Ahmed further congratulated the national team on a strong start to the series and lauded key performers including Shadab Khan, Mohammad Haris, and captain Salman Ali Agha.

“Congratulations Team Pakistan. Good start to the series by the grace of Almighty Allah. Hasan Ali making us proud once again. Shaddy, Agha, Haris — well played boys and good luck for the next two games,” he added.

Pakistan are currently leading the three-match series 1-0. The second T20I will be played at the same venue later today.

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