Russell-Nawaz powered Rajshahi Royals lifts Bangabandhu BPL trophy



Sports Editor, Barta24.com
Rajshahi Royals have the pleasure of being champions, photo: BBCd

Rajshahi Royals have the pleasure of being champions, photo: BBCd

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All-round contributions from Mohammad Nawaz and Andre Russell helped Rajshahi Royals to lift the Bangabandhu BPL title, as they edged out Khulna Tigers by 21 runs in the final. Nawaz and Russell added 71 runs in the last 5.4 overs of Rajshahi's innings, before bowling defining overs to weaken Khulna's chase.

Rajshahi became the fourth consecutive team to win the BPL final after batting first, and their 170 for 4 was at par with the average first-innings score in a final, which stood at 172 before this game. 

Nawaz, who made an unbeaten 41 off just 20 balls, removed Rilee Rossouw for 37 in the 11th over of the chase, a crucial wicket after the tournament's leading run-getter had put on a superb partnership with Shamshur Rahman and  Russell took an even more crucial wicket in the context of the contest, in the 18th over.

Khulna were still in the game after 17 overs with 40 needed off the last 18 balls, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Robbie Frylinck at the crease. Russell came back for his third over, and conceded just three runs off the first four balls. The pressure was on Mushfiqur.

He had no answer to Russell's yorker, however, and was unable to jam his bat down in time. Having made 21 off 15 balls, Mushfiqur fell just four runs short of teammate Rossouw in the tournament run-getters' chart.

After Khulna had slumped to 11 for 2 in the second over of their chase, Shamsur and Rossouw steadied them with a 74-run third wicket stand in nine overs. Rossouw made 37 off 26 balls to finish just five short of 500 runs in the tournament. Rossouw, when on 18, was dropped at point by Abu Jayed though it wouldn't have counted since replays showed that Shoaib Malik had overstepped. Shamsur contributed 52 off 43 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes.

One of Shamsur's boundaries was a classy inside-out cover drive off Kamrul Islam, but the pace bowler shot back in his next over. Shamsur was caught on the cover boundary, albeit to a poor short ball outside off stump. Then Kamrul revved up his pace against Najibullah Zadran, troubling him with an in-ducker that nearly trapped him lbw, before having him caught at point. Khulna slipped from 101 for 3 to 104 for 5 by the end of the 14th over.

Rajshahi's innings followed a similar pattern. They lost an early wicket before they had their recovery partnership, between Liton Das and Irfan Sukkur, who put on 49 off 6.4 overs. Liton didn't really get going, falling in the tenth over for 25 off 28 balls, but his partner at the other end was having a better day.

A known face in the domestic circuit, Sukkur became the first uncapped Bangladeshi cricketer to score a fifty in the BPL final. He held things together and vindicated his No 3 position when Rajshahi could have used any of their more established names there. He made 52 off 35 balls, with six fours and two sixes.

Before Russell really got going, he skied Shahidul Islam in the 17th over, a critical moment when Rajshahi hadn't even crossed the seven-per-over mark. As the ball ballooned towards the extra-cover boundary, Najmul Hossain Shanto ran in, got under the ball with a diving effort, but couldn't hold on to the chance. In their remaining 3.4 overs, Rajshahi scored 60 runs.

Mohammad Amir vs Russell was the most anticipated battle within the final, but it only lasted three balls. Amir hardly made any dent, as Russell smoked him for a big six over midwicket with a trademark flick of his bat.

Nawaz was Rajshahi's unsung hero with his unbeaten 20-ball 41, which included six fours and two sixes. Usually it is Russell who does the bulk of the big hitting in the slog overs, but Nawaz's contribution ensured that a middling 150-ish score became a fairly daunting total.

Brief Score:

Rajshahi Royals: 170/4 ( 20 overs); Khulna Tigers: 149/8 ( 20 overs)

Result: Rajshahi won by 21 runs.

Match best: Andre Russell    Player of the tournament: Andre Tournament: Andre Russell.

   

"That" Mohsin Sheikh was appointed for full term



Sports Desk, Barta24.com
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Mohsin Sheikh has been appointed as the Performance Analyst of Bangladesh National Cricket Team. This is not the first time the Pakistani-born Australian has worked with Shanto-Litton in the New Zealand series last year.

But that was a part-time job. BCB has appointed him as a performance analyst on a full-time basis. Mohsin was appointed to this post on contract till May 2026.

It is known that Mohsin will join the team soon. Bangladesh's five-match T20 series against Zimbabwe will begin on May 3. He will join the Bangladesh team in the field of that series.

Mohsin Shaikh's experience as a performance analyst is not less. He also spent time with the Afghanistan, Pakistan and Australia cricket boards before working with Bangladesh on the tour of New Zealand last December.

Apart from this, Mohsin has also competed in various T20 leagues around the world. He has vast experience of working as a performance analyst in top leagues like Bangladesh Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Indian Premier League and Australian Big Bash.



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Naogaon’s Dolly joined ICC umpiring



District Correspondent, Barta24.com, Noagaon
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Dolly Rani Sarkar, a girl from Naogaon, has been included as the first female umpire of Bangladesh in the World Cricket Controlling Organization (ICC) ICC umpiring.

Behind reaching this stage of success is an unknown story of a struggling life. Dolly Rani was born in a poor family in Barendra Bhoomi town of Naogaon. She used to play neighborhood cricket with boys since childhood. That's where she started playing cricket. After that she got admission in BKSP. She also got a call to the national team's 20-man camp, but had to stop there and got a job in BKSP, so her cricket career did not progress further. That Dolly Rani Sarkar is now holding the umpiring helm and showing Bangladesh a dream.

Dolly Rani told Barta24.com at Naogaon Stadium, I used to play sports since childhood. I used to play handball, volleyball and athletics in all the sports events in the school and I used to play with all the older brothers of the neighborhood. The beginning is by the hands of the older brothers of my neighborhood. The beginning was very difficult for me unless the Naogaon District Sports Association and the neighborhood elder brothers, younger brothers and neighboring uncles took me to play in the cricket tournaments held in the neighborhood and from there I developed. If they didn't help, I wouldn't have come this far. I also got a call to the national team's 20-man camp, but had to stop there. Later, the job was done in BKSP, the cricket career did not progress further.

She also said, "I am so happy to join the ICC umpiring as the first woman umpire of Bangladesh that I don't know the language to express." I am very happy and glad because it was not expected that I will join ICC umpiring so soon. The cricket board has been working with us for two years. In the last two years, the cricket board has tried to make us suitable by giving matches at different places. We did that. I have been included in ICC umpiring today.

Dolly Rani said, I was a student of BKSP. I have been in umpiring practice since 2009. We started the journey with the girls' first division cricket tournament. Besides, I was the umpire for the boys' matches in BKSP, especially when Soumya, Vijaya were there. Besides, many teams from outside the country used to come to play in BKSP like I used to umpire Sri Lanka - Pakistan matches.

She also said, I was born in Naogaon, grew up in Naogaon, and started playing in Naogaon. Everything is Naogaon-centric. My primary school life was Chak Enayet Govt Primary School, Secondary Naogaon Pyarimohan (PM) Girls High School and for sports I passed SSC from Naogaon Govt Girls High School, HSC from Naogaon Govt College, Completed Graduation from BKSP, Completed Masters from Devendra College,  Manikganj, completed Bped from National University and completed Mp ED from Uttara University. 

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Dhananjaya-Mendis hit century, target of Bangladesh is 511



Sports Desk, Barta24.com
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Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis have become a nightmare for Bangladesh in the ongoing Test series. After a pair of 202 runs in the first innings, a pair of 173 runs in the second innings. Two batsmen scored centuries in both innings. The second innings of the Lankans stopped at 418 runs. And in front of Bangladesh, the target is 511 runs in the Sylhet Test.

The record of winning matches at the top of the target is not far from Bangladesh. West Indies won the highest target of 418 runs in the long history of Test cricket. That victory against Australia in the Antigua Test in 2003 is the record for the highest run chase to date.

Earlier, however, Sri Lanka, who got a lead of 92 runs in the first innings, signaled a quick stop in the second innings. They finished the second day with five wickets for 119 runs. So it was assumed that if the Lankans were crushed on the third day, Bangladesh would be able to keep the target within reach. At the beginning of the third day, that impression was also similar.

But after that everything seems to be random. Mendis came down to accompany Dhananjaya. Then these two took the lead. They reminded me of the first innings. They repeated their first innings once more. The match somehow went wrong from the hands of Bangladesh. After that the situation became such that Bangladesh can at least breathe a sigh of relief if this pair is broken.

Finally the pair broke on 173 runs. Mehedi Miraj sent Dhananjaya back for 108 runs. However, after that, Mendis formed a pair again with Prabath Jayasuriya. They accumulated another 67 runs. It was thought that the Lankans might declare an innings if this pair breaks. However, in another round, Mendis formed a pair with the last batsman of Lankans, Kasun Rajitha. Another 52 runs came from the last wicket pair. At one time it seemed that Mendis could not be stopped until the end. However Srilankans innings ended at 418 runs in the second knock. So Bangladesh will have to score a mammoth 511 in two remaining days. 

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Bangladesh won series comfortably against Sri Lanka



Sports Desk, Barta24.com
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Rishad Hossain, the name must be remembered. He had a storm with the bat in the last match of the T20 series as well, but the result did not go in his favor. In the last match of the ODI series, Rishad appeared with the bat again after getting a chance in the team. Bangladesh won the series by 2-1 by losing 4 wickets of the Lankans in the last ODI of the series with his bat.

In the series deciding match at the Zahoor Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, Sri Lanka had a toss of luck. The Lankans, who won the toss and batted first, were uncomfortable from the start. Within 15 runs, Taskin Ahmed guided both the visitors' openers to the sack.

Charit Asalanka and Kushal Mendis tried to handle the initial shock. However, Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain ended their innings before it became scary. Asalanka with 37 runs and Mendis with catches behind the wicket for 29 runs increased the danger of the team.

Zenith Lienage tried to pull the Lankans out of that danger. He also played an unbeaten innings of 101 runs in 102 balls. However, despite the subsequent batsmen failing to give him minimal support, Lienage played a role in bringing the team to his maiden century of ODI career.

Taskin took the maximum 3 wickets for Bangladesh. Two wickets each went to Mustafiz and Mehdi Hasan Miraj.

Bangladesh lost Soumya Sarkar due to injury while fielding. Tanjid Hasan Tamim played a great innings as his concussion replacement. However, Lahiru Kumara swept over the other batters around him. Opener Enamul Haque Vijay, captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hriday and Mahmudullah became the victims of this Lankan pacer.

Mahmudullah scored 0 and 1 respectively in the next two matches despite playing an effective match-turning innings of 37 runs in the first ODI.

Tanjid picked up a 51-ball fifty on a day of failure by experienced batsmen. He was stopped by Wanindu Hasaranga after playing an innings of 84 runs with 9 fours and four massive sixes. Asalanka was caught on the boundary while trying to hit a big shot and burned in the regret of missing the century. Losing him, the danger of the team has increased!

However, in the sixth wicket, two experienced batsmen Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehdi Hasan Miraj scored 48 runs for Bangladesh to dream of winning again. 25 runs came off Hasaranga's bat before he was caught on the boundary.

Rishad Hossain came to the scene after the return of Miraj. Cricket fans saw his rampage with the bat in the T20 series against Sri Lanka. Today, after getting the opportunity, his bat was on fire again. He won the match and series by playing an unbeaten innings of 48 runs from 18 balls.

After pushing back the nightmare of defeat in two consecutive ODI series at home, Bangladesh has won the ODI series again. The pain of the T20 series loss will also be mitigated to some extent by this win. After two series of white ball, now two teams will fight in white clothes. The first Test of the two-match series will begin in Sylhet on March 22.

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