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ICC Women's T20 World Cup
Bangladesh Opt to Bat Against Scotland
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03 Oct 2024, 16:25
Photo: BCB
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first against Scotland in the opening match of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024.
Nigar Sultana, playing in her 100th T20I, did not hesitate when deciding to make first use of the surface in Sharjah. The sweltering heat - a high of 38 degrees Celsius heat, and 53% humidity - and a pitch that should play true, informed that decision. "We think it will be very good for batting, and the ball will come onto the bat nicely," the Bangladesh captain said.
Her opposite number Kathryn Bryce stated she, too, would have opted to set a total in these conditions.
Bangladesh, having qualified as the original hosts, is ranked ninth on the ICC T20I rankings, three places higher than Scotland. They have also won all four previous meetings between the two sides in this format. Sultana's charges completed their preparations in Dubai with a victory over Pakistan after losing to Sri Lanka in the warm-up matches, and are on the hunt for a first World Cup win since 2014 when they had previously hosted the tournament.
Scotland, meanwhile, will be looking to make a statement of intent in their first World Cup appearance of any kind. They earned the right by finishing as finalists in the qualifiers earlier this year, which were also played in the UAE, and were buoyed by victory against Pakistan in their first warm-up match before they also fell to Sri Lanka. Spinner Olivia Bell, who did not feature in the qualifiers, made Thursday's XI.
Skipper Bryce is also coming off the back of a memorable home summer, acknowledged at Tuesday's PCA Awards when she became the first non-English winner of the Women's Player of the Year award. It was one of four accolades for the 26-year-old, along with Domestic Overall MVP, Charlotte Edwards Cup Player of the Year, and captain of the Metro Bank Women's Team of the Year.
That this fixture acts as the curtain raiser owes to the fact the tournament had originally been scheduled for Bangladesh. Anti-government protests across the country between July and August led to the ICC shifting hosting duties to the UAE, making this the first women's T20 World Cup at a neutral venue.
Playing XI
Bangladesh: Shathi Rani, Murshida Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana (capt & wk), Taj Nehar, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter
Scotland: Saskia Horley, Sarah Bryce (wk), Kathryn Bryce (capt), Alisa Lister, Priyanaz Chatterji, Darcey Carter, Lorna Jack-Brown, Katherine Fraser, Rachel Slater, Abtaha Maqsood, Olivia Bell.
Score: Click here to know score updates
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WCA Congratulates New BCB President
The World Cricketers' Association (WCA) has warmly congratulated Faruque Ahmed on his recent appointment as the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
In a statement, WCA Chairman Heath Mills expressed enthusiasm about Faruque's new role, highlighting his distinguished background as a former cricketer and past president of the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB).
Farooq once played cricket for the Bangladesh national team. Moreover, he was the first president of the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB). WCA said, "It is great to see a former cricketer and founding president of CWAB in such an important role for Bangladesh cricket."
At this time, the WCA also reacted to CWAB. Currently, the president of the organization Naimur Rahman Durjoy is not participating in any activities. Therefore General Secretary Debabrata Pal is performing the important duty.
In a letter to Faruque Ahmed, the WCA said, "Debabrata Pal and CWAB, very crucial stakeholders for the WCA."
The WCA, previously known as the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA), recently rebranded. They expressed a strong commitment to collaborating with Bangladesh cricket to further strengthen their relationship and support the development of the sport in the country.
Brazil down Ecuador, Suarez farewell ends in stalemate
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo scored the only goal as Brazil boosted their lackluster 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday.
Rodrygo's deflected 30th-minute strike was enough to secure all three points for Brazil, who were languishing in sixth place in the South American qualifying standings before Friday's result in Curitiba.
The five-time World Cup winners moved up to fourth place with 10 points from seven games after their third win of the qualifying campaign, but remain eight points adrift of leaders Argentina.
With the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico expanded to include 48 teams, the top six finishers in South American qualifying will be guaranteed a place at the tournament. The seventh-placed South American team enters an inter-confederation play-off.
Brazil has struggled in recent international tournaments, losing in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup and failing to progress past the last eight at this year's Copa America.
The lack of fluency that has characterized their recent form was back in evidence against Ecuador on Friday, where despite dominating possession for long periods they created little in the way of clear-cut scoring chances, with only three shots on goal.
The breakthrough came at the half-hour mark, when Rodrygo collected the ball on the edge of the area, took a touch, and then shot from 25 yards. The Real Madrid attacker's strike appeared to clip Ecuador defender Willian Pacho before flying in off the post.
Frustrating farewell
In other South American qualifiers on Friday, Luis Suarez bade a frustrating farewell to international football as Uruguay was held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay in Montevideo.
Suarez, 37, announced on Monday he was stepping down from international duty after a glittering 17-year career for Uruguay that saw him finish as the country's top scorer with 69 goals from 143 appearances.
Suarez was feted in a pre-game ceremony which saw him gathered on the field with his family to receive tributes from fans, as well as a video message of congratulations from close friend Lionel Messi.
"Uruguay is bigger than any player. Starting tomorrow I will be another fan," an emotional Suarez told fans in an address to the stadium.
But the former Barcelona and Liverpool star, who now plays in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, was unable to add a 70th goal to his international tally in Friday's farewell game at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.
Despite enjoying 65% possession, Uruguay was unable to find a way through a dogged Paraguay defense in a disjointed match littered with some 24 fouls.
Suarez, whose career at international and club level was dogged by controversies such as his ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, was one of four Uruguay players to be shown a yellow card in a fractious encounter.
The result left Uruguay in second place in the standings with 14 points from seven games, four points behind leaders Argentina.
In Friday's other qualifying game, third-placed Colombia needed a late goal from Liverpool's Luis Diaz to salvage a 1-1 draw with Peru in Lima.
Alexander Callens had fired Peru into a shock lead on 68 minutes, but Diaz headed in from close range eight minutes from time to give Colombia a share of the points.
The result leaves Colombia in third place in the standings with 13 points from seven games.
Tamim to Join Commentary Box in India Test Series
Cricket icon Tamim Iqbal is set to return to the commentary box. Tamim Iqbal has frequently expressed his interest in commentary. He has previously done commentary during the BPL and the Test match against New Zealand in Mirpur.
This time, he may be seen with a microphone during the upcoming India-Bangladesh series in September, which will be held abroad.
Tamim debuted with the microphone in the commentary box during the second Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium last year.
Tamim created a stir in the cricketing community by stepping into the combo for the first time as a special guest during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game between Chattogram Challengers and Khulna Tigers.
The veteran batter has been away from cricket since his last appearance in the national jersey during the New Zealand home series in September 2023.
Tamim made a surprising decision to retire in July of last year but later changed his mind at the request of the former Prime Minister just before the ODI World Cup in October.
However, he opted out of the tournament and took a break after he was refused to participate in all the matches.
In a recent development, the newly elected BCB president Faruque Ahmed expressed interest in bringing the country's best opener back into the national fold or into the board.
The 35-year-old retired from the shortest format of cricket in 2022 after pulling out of the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE.
In a career spanning 78 T20Is, Tamim scored 1,758 runs at an average of 24.08 with seven half-centuries and the only century by a Bangladeshi in the format.
Only Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan have scored more runs in the format than Tamim but have lower averages.
Currently, Tamim Iqbal is out of action due to fitness issues. Although he is not with the national team, he will travel to India for the series. He will be providing commentary for the series. This will be the first time Bangladesh's opening batsman will provide commentary for an international match outside the country. Discussions are ongoing with the broadcasting channel Star Sports regarding this.
This month, Nazmul Hossain Shanto's team will tour India for two Tests and three T20 matches. After the two-Test series against India, the three T20 matches will be held on October 6, 9, and 12.
Tigers Start Practice Ahead of India Test Series
Bangladesh cricketers have started training for the India series. They returned home after playing a two-match Test series against Pakistan. However, Mushfiq-Liton did not get much rest.
Before this, Mahmudullah Riyad started practicing along with the young cricketers of HP for the T20 series.
The Test cricketers team started practice in Mirpur Stadium on Sunday (September 8).
On this day, Mominul-Zakir was seen practicing at the center wicket of Mirpur. These two batsmen will play a very important role in the series against India. Apart from this, there was another experienced batsman Mushfiqur Rahim. He also practices with the bat. Most of the cricketers of the Test team have come to practice on this day.
Pacer Shoriful Islam has returned to practice. This is very good news for Bangladesh team. He was ruled out of the second Test due to an injury in the first Test on Pakistan tour. It is said that Shoriful will be available and fully fit for India Test series.
Bangladesh team will tour India on September 15. Shakib Al Hasan is scheduled to join the team in India on the same day.
It should be noted that Shanto-Litton's tour of India will begin with the first Test in Chennai on September 19. The Tigers will play the second and final Test in Kanpur from September 27.
After that, the T20 series will start. After the first T20 in Gwalior on 6 October, the second and third T20 will be held on 9 and 12 October.
World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifier: / How to watch Brazil vs. Paraguay Match
Brazil has been out of form since the World Cup in Qatar. The five-time champions are not in a good position to qualify for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
However, Selecao returned to victory after defeating Ecuador in four matches. This time their opponent is Paraguay.
Vini-Rodrigo will face Paraguay in an 8th-round match in the CONMEBOL region qualifiers on Wednesday (September 10). The two teams will enter the field at 6:30 AM Bangladesh time.
They are in the 4th place in the World Cup Qualifiers in the CONMEBOL region with a total of 10 points from 7 matches. Statistics show that this is Brazil's worst chapter in the qualifiers.
Argentina is at the top of the CONMEBOL region right now.
Meanwhile, no TV channel in Bangladesh will broadcast this game live. But there is good news for Bangladeshi Brazil fans. You can watch Selecao's qualifying match against Ecuador live on the Sportzfy app. Apart from this, this match can also be seen on the Yacine TV app.
Ministry of Youth and Sports Ousts 42 Federation Presidents
On Tuesday, September 10, the Ministry of Youth and Sports announced the removal of several federation and association presidents. The decision, confirmed by a notification signed by Assistant Secretary Humayun Rashid, aims to appoint new leadership across the sporting bodies.
The initial notification referred to the removal of all federation presidents, but a later one did not specify every federation. Notably, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), Bangladesh Hockey Federation, and Bangladesh Swimming Federation, along with a few other major bodies, were excluded from the list.
For 16 years, Awami League leaders and their allies have held key positions across the country's sports federations. However, the removal comes in the wake of Sheikh Hasina’s departure from power, signaling a shift in the leadership of these organizations. The ministry had previously dismissed the presidents of the Chess, Kabaddi, and Bridge Federations after the fall of the Hasina government. Now, the remaining federations have been added to the list of changes.
Most of the federation presidents were government appointees, with individuals from the former government occupying key posts in various sports bodies, except for football and cricket. The latest move marks a significant restructuring in the country's sports administration.
Here's a look at the federation presidents who have been removed:
Bangladesh vs India / Will BCCI Move 2nd Test Venue Amid Threats?
Bangladesh will play two Test match series against India which is scheduled to start from September 19 and the first Test match will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The 2nd Test match between India and Bangladesh, scheduled for September 27 at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, will go ahead despite potential disruptions. Concerns were raised following threats of protests from the Hindu Mahasabha, citing political tensions in Bangladesh. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the match will proceed in Kanpur as scheduled, with security measures being closely monitored.
BCCI's Assurance Amidst Concerns
In response to the looming threats, a senior BCCI official stated that the situation is under control and there is no intention to shift the venue. "Yes, we are monitoring the situation and working with the concerned authorities to ensure the safety of both teams and fans. The match will take place in Kanpur as planned," the source told India Today. This reassurance from the BCCI has brought relief to fans eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated encounter.
While the protest threats could have derailed the event, the BCCI's proactive approach to collaborating with local authorities has ensured that the focus remains on cricket. The second Test promises to be an enthralling battle between two competitive teams, despite the external pressures.
Bangladesh's Challenge with SG Balls
On the cricketing front, the Bangladesh team faces a unique challenge as they adjust to playing with the SG ball, which behaves differently from the Kookaburra ball they are used to in their home conditions. Bangladesh's star batter, Litton Das, highlighted the difficulties his team faces, stating, "The SG ball is harder to play with, especially when it gets old. The seam is more prominent, making it difficult to negotiate."
Bangladesh, who recently achieved a historic 2-0 Test series victory in Pakistan, will need to adapt quickly to these conditions if they hope to challenge the Indian team. The transition from the Kookaburra to the SG ball adds another layer of complexity to their preparation, as they face an Indian side known for exploiting home conditions to their advantage.
Key Players to Watch
India's squad for the Test series against Bangladesh boasts a blend of experience and young talent. Rohit Sharma will captain the side, supported by seasoned campaigners like Virat Kohli, who returns after an extended break. The inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been cleared to play, gives India a formidable bowling attack. Bumrah's presence, alongside Mohammad Siraj and Axar Patel, ensures India's bowling unit remains one of the most feared in world cricket.
Rishabh Pant's return to Test cricket also marks a significant moment for the Indian team. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter has been out of action due to injuries but is now ready to make his comeback. His aggressive batting style will be a key weapon in India's arsenal as they look to dominate Bangladesh.
For Bangladesh, much will depend on the performances of their key players like Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das. Shakib, who has been playing county cricket in England to prepare for the series, is a vital cog in Bangladesh's lineup. His all-around abilities will be crucial if Bangladesh is to challenge India on its home turf.
The Bigger Picture
This Test series holds significance beyond the cricketing action. Both India and Bangladesh are looking to strengthen their positions in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. India, having narrowly missed out on the WTC final last cycle, is determined to assert its dominance in the red-ball format. For Bangladesh, a strong performance against India could elevate their status in international cricket and provide a major boost to their WTC campaign.
Despite the off-field tensions, the focus remains firmly on the cricket. The series promises to be a thrilling contest between two passionate cricketing nations. India, with its formidable record at home, will look to continue its dominance, while Bangladesh will aim to build on its recent successes and make a statement in one of cricket's toughest arenas.
Source: ZEENEWS
