ICC Penalizes Pakistan with WTC Point Deduction and Heavy Fine After Dhaka Defeat Pakistan’s cricket team faced significant repercussions from the International Cricket Council (ICC) following their first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka. The ICC imposed a 40% fine on the team’s match fees and docked eight World Test Championship (WTC) points for maintaining a slow over-rate during the match. The punishment was handed down after Pakistan was found to have fallen eight overs short of the required pace, a decision confirmed by match referee Jeff Crowe. The sanctions came shortly after Pakistan suffered a crushing 104-run defeat to Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The loss had already placed Pakistan under pressure, but the ICC’s penalty added further strain. The ICC stated that Pakistan’s team was found to be eight overs short of the mandated over-rate, a calculation that included time allowances for delays. Pakistan captain Shan Masood admitted guilt to the charges, which eliminated the need for a formal hearing. Under ICC regulations, teams lose 5% of their match fee and one WTC point for every over short. Pakistan’s eight-over deficit resulted in a 40% fine and an eight-point deduction. The ICC emphasized that the penalty adhered to the stipulations in the WTC playing conditions, which outline the consequences for delays in over-rate. This penalty severely impacted Pakistan’s standing in the WTC table. Prior to the sanction, Pakistan had accumulated 12 points from one win and two defeats in the cycle. The deduction left them with just four points, placing them at 11.11% in the points percentage, and pushing them to ninth place alongside the West Indies. The defeat in Dhaka had already exposed Pakistan’s batting vulnerabilities.#pakistan #icc #bangladesh #mirpur #shah_masood
Pakistan's Masood Confident in Bowling as Test Series Against Bangladesh Begins Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has expressed confidence in the team's bowling attack ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur, marking the start of a two-match series. The Green Shirts are set to face the Bengal Tigers in their home conditions after a recent whitewash on home soil by Bangladesh in August 2024. The visitors had previously won the two-match series by 10 wickets and six wickets in Rawalpindi, but the current series presents a new challenge. Speaking at a pre-series press conference on Thursday, Masood emphasized the team's focus on the upcoming series and the unique challenges posed by Bangladesh's home conditions. "We are fully focused on this series and the challenge of playing Bangladesh in their own conditions," he stated. Masood also highlighted the strength of the home side's "quality in all departments," acknowledging the need for Pakistan to adapt to the local environment. The Pakistan squad, which includes experienced players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Abbas, is preparing to test itself against Bangladesh. Masood praised the team's balanced squad, noting their ability to perform in both seam-friendly and spin-friendly conditions. "We have selected a well-balanced squad that can perform in different conditions," he said. "The players have experience of playing in various environments, so we are confident about the options available to us." Masood reiterated the importance of taking 20 wickets in Test cricket as a key to success. "In Test cricket, taking 20 wickets remains the key to success," he added. The captain also stressed the importance of collective performance across batting, bowling, and fielding.#babar_azam #taskin_ahmed #mirpur #shan_masood #najmul_hossain_shanto
Walter, Simmons laud Nahid as Bangladesh's pace weapon New Zealand head coach Rob Walter has praised Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana, calling him a "wonderful fast bowler" who can make a significant impact in home conditions during the upcoming ODI series. Speaking at a press conference in Mirpur on April 15, 2026, Walter highlighted Nahid's pace and potential to challenge opposing teams, particularly in familiar surroundings. "This condition will help him," Walter said, emphasizing that Nahid's ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 140 kmph makes him a formidable opponent. He added that his team is not underestimating the young pacer, noting that Bangladesh has a strong lineup of fast bowlers. "We have to do the work in the match," Walter stressed, underscoring the need for strategic preparation against Nahid's pace. Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons echoed Walter's sentiments, positioning Nahid as a key asset for his team. Simmons referred to the pacer as a "trump card," stressing the importance of managing his workload to ensure his availability for critical matches. "We have to protect him," Simmons said, adding that the team must prioritize his well-being to maximize his contributions. He also expressed confidence in Bangladesh's readiness for the series, noting that preparations are focused on overcoming challenges and competing effectively. "We are looking forward to a competitive series and a fight before Pakistan comes," Simmons said, hinting at the intensity of the upcoming fixtures. The praise from both coaches reflects the growing recognition of Nahid Rana's role in Bangladesh's cricketing strategy. As the ODI series approaches, his ability to exploit home conditions and maintain high pace could be pivotal for his team's success.#phil_simmons #odi_series #mirpur #nahid_rana #rob_walter
Ben Lister Replaces Kristian Clarke in New Zealand's White-Ball Squads for Bangladesh Tour New Zealand have made a significant change to their white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, calling up left-arm seamer Ben Lister to replace injured all-rounder Kristian Clarke. The decision comes as Clarke is ruled out of the ODI and T20 series due to a hand injury sustained during a recent match. Lister, currently part of the New Zealand A squad in Sri Lanka, is expected to join the national team in Bangladesh on Sunday, ahead of the ODI series, which is set to begin in Mirpur on Friday. His inclusion marks a return to the national squad after over two years since his last appearance for the team. Clarke’s absence is attributed to a laceration to the webbing of his right hand, which occurred while attempting a catch for New Zealand A in their one-day match against Sri Lanka A earlier this week. The injury has forced the team to seek an alternative, and Lister’s experience as a seam bowler and lower-order batsman makes him a logical choice. The 32-year-old, who has previously represented New Zealand in limited-overs formats, will now have the opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage. Meanwhile, fast bowler Ben Sears has been left out of the ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour. Sears, who has signed as a late replacement for Rawalpindiz in the Pakistan Super League, will not be included in the ODI squad. Instead, he is set to join the team for the T20I series, which is scheduled to begin in Chattogram on April 30. The absence of Sears in the ODI squad means the team will have to rely on other bowlers to fill the void, particularly given the high-stakes nature of the series.#new_zealand #mirpur #kristian_clarke #ben_listers #bangladesh_tour
New Zealand Squad Adjusted for Bangladesh Tour Amid Injury Concerns New Zealand has made a last-minute adjustment to its squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Bangladesh, with fast bowler Ben Lister set to replace the injured Kristian Clarke. The change comes as Clarke withdrew from the team due to a hand injury sustained during a recent tour match against Sri Lanka A. Clarke, who had been part of the squad for the Bangladesh series, suffered a cut to the webbing on his right hand while attempting a catch, forcing him to step down from the selection. Lister, who has not played for the Black Caps in over two years, will now take his place in the squad for the ODI series, which begins on April 17. The decision to replace Clarke was necessitated by the severity of his injury, which has ruled him out of the tour. Lister, who has been on the Sri Lanka tour, will travel to Bangladesh on Sunday ahead of the ODI series, with the New Zealand-based team members departing for the country on Monday morning. The first two matches of the ODI series will be played in Mirpur, with the final game scheduled for Chattogram. Following the ODI series, the team will transition to the T20I series, with the first two matches set for Chattogram on April 27 and 29. The concluding match of the T20I series will take place in Dhaka on May 2. The squad shuffle highlights the challenges of maintaining player availability in a demanding international schedule. Clarke’s injury adds to the pressure on the coaching staff to balance experience with fresh talent, particularly as the Black Caps aim to secure a strong performance in Bangladesh. Lister’s inclusion brings a different dynamic to the team, leveraging his pace bowling skills to bolster the attack.#new_zealand #bangladesh #mirpur #ben_lister #kristian_clarke
Bangladesh vs Pakistan, 1st ODI - Bangladesh Opt to Field, Pakistan Field Four Debutants Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz chose to field first against Pakistan in the first One-Day International (ODI) of the series at Mirpur. The decision to bowl was made after the toss, with the home team opting for a three-man seam attack that included Nahid Rana alongside Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. This strategy aimed to exploit the conditions and challenge the visiting side’s batting lineup. The Bangladesh team made several changes to their XI, bringing in Tanzid Hasan in place of Soumya Sarkar. Litton Das and Afif Hossain were also included in the middle order, providing additional depth and experience. The selection reflected a balance between established performers and emerging talents, ensuring flexibility in the batting and bowling departments. Pakistan, on the other hand, fielded four debutants in the match, marking only the second time in ODI history since 1980 that the team has introduced this many new players. The debutants were Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Shamyl Hussain, and Abdul Samad. Abrar Ahmed was selected as the sole specialist spinner, adding a different dimension to the Pakistani attack. The Bangladesh squad included key players such as Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, and Mustafizur Rahman. For Pakistan, the lineup featured Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Shamyl Hussain, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Abdul Samad, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Wasim, and Abrar Ahmed. The match, part of Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh, set the stage for a competitive encounter.#pakistan #bangladesh #taskin_ahmed #mehidy_hasan_miraz #mirpur
Bangladesh vs Pakistan First ODI Match, 2026 Series Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to face each other in the first One-Day International (ODI) of a three-match series in 2026 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The match, scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, will be officiated by umpires Gazizul Haque Sohel, Kumar Dharmasena, and Adrian Holdstock. Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field first. The playing XI for Bangladesh includes Mohammad Naim Sheikh as the wicketkeeper, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shahid Afridi as the captain. Pakistan’s team features Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Hafeez, and Mohammad Amir. The match will be a crucial encounter in the series, with both teams vying for dominance in the shortest format of the game. In the first innings, Bangladesh’s opener Liton Das scored 3 runs off 5 balls, while Tanzid Hasan reached 67 off 42 deliveries. Pakistan’s bowlers, including Mohammad Wasim and Fakhar Zaman, struggled to contain the run rate, with Wasim dismissing Nizamul Hasan Shanto in the 13th over. The Bangladesh batsmen showed resilience, with Tanzid Hasan continuing his innings despite early setbacks. Pakistan’s batting lineup saw Abid Ali scoring 0 off 10 balls, while Fakhar Zaman contributed 37 runs off 43 deliveries. The Pakistani bowlers, including Rashid Khan and Mehedi Hasan, faced challenges in restricting the run flow, with Rashid Khan dismissing Fakhar Zaman in the 30th over. The match remains in progress, with both teams looking to build momentum in the high-stakes encounter. The series will be a test of skill and strategy, with the outcome potentially shaping the dynamics of the upcoming ODI matches. Fans are eagerly awaiting the developments as the teams aim to secure a vital victory in the tournament.#pakistan #bangladesh #sherebangla_national_stadium #mirpur #odis_2026_series
Son Of Former Bangladesh International Crosses 1,000-Run Mark With Maiden List A Century Jishan Alam, the son of former Bangladesh wicketkeeper Jahangir Alam, achieved a significant milestone in his cricketing career by scoring his maiden List A century on February 28. The 22-year-old opener, representing the Central Zone team in the Bangladesh Cricket League, smashed an impressive 127 runs off 93 deliveries during a crucial match against the North Zone. His innings helped his side complete a challenging chase in the final over, securing a narrow two-wicket victory. This win propelled Central Zone into the tournament final, which will be played against North Zone on March 3. The match began with North Zone batting first, but they faced early setbacks as their captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Litton Das were dismissed in the second over by Abu Hider. Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy steadied the innings, forming a 135-run partnership for the second wicket. However, Hasan fell eight runs short of a century. Hridoy later completed his own hundred and partnered Sabbir Rahman for a 102-run stand, with Rahman scoring a quickfire 73 off 51 balls. North Zone eventually posted 322-7 in 50 overs, with Hider claiming 4 wickets for 59 runs. In the reply, Jishan Alam took charge from the outset, forming a quick 47-run partnership with his opening partner before the wicket fell in the 5.3-over mark. Despite losing No.3 Saif Hassan in the 15th over, Mahfijul Islam provided crucial support, adding 94 runs for the third wicket with Jishan. The left-handed batsman reached his maiden List A century in the 30th over, leaving Central Zone at 188-3. However, Irfaan Shukkur was dismissed on the next ball, leaving the team needing 136 runs in 20 overs.#mirpur #jishan_alam #jahangir_alam #central_zone #north_zone
