Bangladesh pacer Marufa Akter made a dream start to her Women’s World Cup journey. Playing her debut match in the tournament, the 20-year-old delivered an impressive spell that turned the game in her team’s favour.

Marufa bowled seven overs, conceding just 31 runs while picking up two key wickets. Her early breakthroughs were crucial as she dismissed Pakistan’s opener Omaima Sohail and top-order batter Sidra Amin, putting the opposition under pressure right from the start.

Pakistan struggled to recover from the early blows, managing only 129 runs. Bangladesh chased down the target comfortably with seven wickets in hand. Marufa’s outstanding performance earned her the well-deserved ‘Player of the Match’ award in her World Cup debut.

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Marufa Akter Opens up About Her Struggle in Life:

Marufa Akter’s impressive ability to swing the ball both ways has quickly made her a sensation in women’s cricket. Experts are already hailing her as one of the finest fast-bowling prospects to emerge from the subcontinent in recent years.

Hailing from Nilphamari in Bangladesh, Marufa is enjoying her well-deserved recognition but continues to stay grounded. Her journey has been shaped by years of financial hardship and determination. Growing up in a modest household, she faced numerous challenges, yet her perseverance and love for the game helped her overcome every obstacle to become one of Bangladesh’s brightest young stars.

She said, “ They wouldn't invite us to various gatherings (like weddings), saying we didn't have proper clothes. If we go there, we'll lose our respect — that's what they used to say (tears). There was a time when we couldn't even afford new clothes for Eid (tears). My father is a farmer. We didn't have much money, and even the people in the village where I grew up weren't very supportive.”

Every player has a story!

Cricket, like life, doesn’t just make champions. It makes believers — those who never stopped chasing, even when the pitch of life turned rough.

Good Luck to Marufa Akter! Hope the game will take of her.pic.twitter.com/OVv7yYH9G8

— Rehan Mazhar (@rehanch04) October 14, 2025

Today, Marufa stands as a proud daughter, providing for her family through her success in cricket. Her journey from struggle to strength inspires many across Bangladesh and beyond.

She further said, “ Actually, the position we are in now—others aren't quite there. The way I support my family, perhaps many boys can't do the same. That gives me a special kind of peace. As a child, I used to wonder when people would look at us with admiration and applaud. Now, when I see myself on TV, I feel shy (laughs).”

Ahead of the Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2025 against India (BAN vs IND), a part of Bangladesh's cricket fans are now worried about the new UAE visa policy. Over the past few hours, there have been a lot of rumors about the policy. The Bangladesh cricket team currently is in the United Arab Emirates for the important match against India. Will the Bangladesh cricket team be going to face any problem regarding the visa policy? 

First of all, we need to understand the fact in a larger aspect. Not only the cricket team, but will every Bangladeshi national be set to face problems regarding the UAE visa policy? To clear the scenario and uphold the truth, Tareq Ahmed, Bangladesh's ambassador to the UAE, opined about the situation and possible effect on Bangladeshi nationals. 

Several online platforms had reported that the UAE had suspended visa issuance for citizens of multiple countries, including Bangladesh. But in reality, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has not imposed any visa restrictions on Bangladeshi nationals, the Bangladesh official confirmed. While speaking to the media, Ahmed clarifies that the Bangladeshi officials have not received any information about the visa ban. 

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Will the Bangladesh cricket team suffer any problems from the UAE visa policy amid the 2025 Asia Cup? 

"So far, neither our embassy nor the consulate has received any information from the UAE government regarding such a ban," Tareq Ahmed said. 

As of now, there is no clear evidence that the UAE government has decided to ban Bangladeshi nationals' visas. If the claims made by the official are to be believed, then there is no threat over the Bangladesh cricket team. They will play in the tournament as per the original schedule without any dilemma.

Before the departure of the Bangladesh cricket team for the Asia Cup 2025, their star keeper-batter Jaker Ali Anik looked optimistic about the team's possible performance and preparations. He did not show any intention to entertain comments from critics. Some of the cricket experts believe that the Tiger brigade does not have the strength to overcome the challenges in the group stage. 

Bangladesh is in Group B of the Asia Cup 2025 with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. In the airport, during the interactions with the media, Jaker clearly said that they have nothing to prove and nothing to reply to the experts who showed doubts over the Bangladesh cricket team.

"The environment in the dressing room has always been good. Our preparation has gone really well, fitness sessions to the Netherlands series, everything has been on track. We’re hopeful of a good result in the Asia Cup... There’s nothing to prove to anyone. We’re not here to give answers to critics. We’ll just play our cricket and give our best," Jaker said. 

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The Asia Cup will start on September 9, while Bangladesh is scheduled to start their campaign on September 11. Their first match will be against Hong Kong, and then they have to face Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in their next fixtures. 

Bangladesh Asia Cup 2025 Fixtures (Group B):

September 11 – Bangladesh vs. Hong Kong, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

September 13 – Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

September 16 – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Bangladesh Asia Cup 2025 Squad:

Litton Das (C, WK), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is dealing with a possible match-fixing incident. A Dhaka Premiere League (DPL) match between Shinepukur Cricket Club and Gulshan Cricket Club, held earlier this year, is under the scanner for various strange activities, and Minhazul Abedin Sabbir is at the center of the stage of the investigation process.

As per recent media reports, BCB's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has recommended a minimum five-year ban on the cricketer for his alleged involvement in the above-mentioned match-fixing. Reports further claim that Sabbir might be in touch with suspected bookmakers but did not inform the board, which is considered a serious breach of BCB's Anti-Corruption Code. In that game, Sabbir’s dismissal was strange.

The Shinepukur batter was stumped out while facing off-spinner Naeem Islam. Islam’s delivery was well wide of the length; the batter then backed out of making any shot. Wicketkeeper Alif Hasan collected the ball wide from the stumps, but at the first attempt he failed to dislodge the bails. He touched the stumps with the ball in the second attempt.

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A wakeup call for Bangladesh cricket

In the meantime, when the keeper failed to utilize the first attempt, Sabbir did not show any intention to save his wicket. The way he stumped out was not a very usual sight on the cricket field. The question arose: why did the batter not try to get back into the crease when he saw the keeper was struggling? 

As per reports, ACU recompenses to ban Minhazul Abedin Sabbir from all forms of cricket. Sabbir may have to serve a ban of at least five years, which can be extended up to 10 years or even more. Investigators also found regular communication between Sabbir and a foreign number linked to international betting syndicates. ACU has labelled the incident as a wake-up call for Bangladesh cricket.

Bangladesh’s young fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib shared an inspiring message for the country’s future cricketers: don’t make excuses if you want success. Stay focused, work hard, and set your goals clearly. In a podcast, Sakib spoke about his journey, his thoughts on cricket, and the mindset that helped him reach the national team.

For young players, his advice was simple: dream big, work hard, and never take shortcuts.

Sakib said, “Those who are starting now will represent Bangladesh one day. My message is — no excuses. If my trainer asks me to run 10 kilometers, I will run 10. If my coach asks me to bowl five overs in the nets, I will bowl five. If I must hit 100 cover drives before leaving, I will hit all 100. There is no space for excuses.”

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Sakib’s Struggles and Determination

The 21-year-old spoke about a tough time in his career when he was dropped from the U-19 squad. Instead of going home upset, Sakib stayed away for four months. He trained harder with one goal — to get his place back. “I promised myself I won’t go home until I am selected again,” he said.

He also shared how great players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Mushfiqur Rahim inspired him. “Look at Sachin. He avoided his favorite foods until his career was over. Kohli did the same. And Mushfiq bhai was not tall, he had limits, but he never stopped working. That is what made him great.”

Nawrose Nabil, the former U19 cricketer and World Champion of 🇧🇩 and the current Head of Operations at CA Sports Bangladesh has started a new podcast 🎙️

And his first guest? Another World Champion, his friend and teammate, Tanzim Hasan Sakib!#BangladeshCricket pic.twitter.com/n5uFWdHVET

— Cricketangon (@cricketangon) August 21, 2025

Dream Big, Work Hard

As a child, Sakib said he wanted to play for the national team, but people laughed at him. Today, he proudly wears the Bangladesh jersey. His advice to young players is clear: “Don’t dream small, dream big. Then work hard to achieve it.”

He also thanked his coaches at BKSP for showing him the way. “I wanted to be a cricketer, but I didn’t know how. My teachers guided me, and now I am playing for my country. There is more to achieve, Insha’Allah.”

Sakib’s message for young cricketers was simple: talent is not enough. It takes hard work, discipline, and love for the game. “Cricket needs effort, but you also have to enjoy it. That is how you grow,” he said.

A recent probe has confirmed that several teams and players were involved in match-fixing during the last edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The revelations have sparked major concerns regarding the integrity of the competition and the effectiveness of its governance. According to reports, the investigation found multiple irregularities, with suspicious incidents linked to both domestic and international players. This has cast a shadow on the credibility of one of Bangladesh’s premier cricket tournaments, which has been a key platform for local and overseas talent.

The report published by Prothom Alo highlighted that the BPL’s investigation committee identified 36 unusual events in the previous season. These included questionable batting collapses, suspicious bowling tactics, and deliberate wides delivered at crucial moments. Among the flagged players were 10–12 cricketers, including two current Bangladesh internationals, a pacer and an off-spinner. Some domestic players were also found guilty of manipulating match outcomes by deliberately bowling poor deliveries to aid betting-related corruption.

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The inquiry classified players based on the weight of evidence gathered against them. Three to four cricketers were placed in the “highly flagged” category, with strong evidence directly linking them to corrupt practices. Others were labelled “medium” or “low flagged,” where suspicion existed but proof was insufficient for direct charges. Worryingly, one of the accused was part of Bangladesh’s recent tour of Sri Lanka, raising concerns about the possible infiltration of corruption into the national team setup.

Allegations extend beyond players

Interestingly, the probe revealed that most of the implicated cricketers are over the age of 35, reducing the chances of their return to international cricket. However, their careers now face a heavy cloud of suspicion. Shockingly, the list of accused also included a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) sub-committee member, who allegedly helped facilitate fixing deals with franchises. Team officials from Durbar Rajshahi, Sylhet Strikers, and Dhaka Capitals were also found admitting their roles in manipulating matches, further tainting the tournament’s reputation.

The committee is expected to recommend barring all accused players, officials, and managers from participating in cricket until they can clear their names. The investigation also exposed irregularities involving broadcasting partners, as certain TV channels were found to have aired betting-related advertisements. These broadcasters allegedly earned 170–180 crore taka illegally through such promotions. The findings have triggered widespread debate in Bangladesh cricket circles, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations and stronger administrative measures to rebuild trust in the BPL.

Bangladesh all-rounder Mahedi Hasan said it is important to practice on good pitches to do well on the world stage. The Asia Cup 2025 is coming soon, and the T20 World Cup will be held next year.

Most of Bangladesh’s home matches are played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. But the pitch there has been criticised many times for being uneven and hard to play on. The problem came up again in the recent match against Pakistan, and even the coach was worried about the pitch quality.

On the other hand, grounds in Chattogram and Sylhet have made better pitches, especially when they are not used too much. Mahedi said that playing on balanced wickets will help the Tigers get ready for big matches, where ICC pitches usually give a fair chance to both batters and bowlers.

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Mahedi Hasan Wants Better Pitches for Preparation

"It's important to prepare on good wickets. In ICC or global events, the pitches are better and any small mistake can cost you. From a batting point of view, if the wicket is not good, you have to either block or go for big shots. On a good pitch, you can take singles and doubles, which is very important for any team," Mahedi told Cricbuzz.

The Mirpur pitch is known for being unpredictable, but Mahedi feels the team should also use other venues before big tournaments. "We know what to expect in Mirpur – sometimes the bounce is unpredictable. But we could also train in Chattogram or Sylhet, where the wickets are better."

Confident About His Own Game

Talking about his own performance, Mahedi said he can adapt to any condition. "If you look at my performances abroad, I have not done badly. I don’t think I can play well only on certain pitches. I am always trying to improve as a cricketer," he said.

The Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format and will be an important preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February. Eight teams will take part, divided into two groups. Group A has Pakistan, India, UAE, and Oman. Group B has Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. The tournament will start with a Group B match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong on September 9.

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed has finally spoken about the recent controversy where he was accused of assaulting a close friend. The Bangladesh pacer denied the allegations in a Facebook post, calling them "false, made-up, and misleading." He also requested people not to believe rumours or get involved in news meant to create drama.

The incident reportedly happened on the night of July 27, when Taskin was accused of physically hurting a childhood friend. However, Taskin says the situation has been blown out of proportion. “I humbly request everyone not to be misled by rumours,” Taskin wrote. “A lot is being said about an incident between me and my childhood friend. I feel it’s being exaggerated beyond what really happened.”

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Taskin Says Matter Was Settled Privately

Taskin Ahmed said that the issue had already been discussed privately between him and his friend. He added that neither his family nor his friend wanted the matter to become public.

In his Facebook post, Taskin said, “It’s not something respectful for me, my family, or my friend. We’ve already spoken and cleared things up. This shouldn’t have escalated the way it has.”

He ended his message by strongly denying the claims. “All I want to say is this – the reality is different. The claims are false, made-up, and done with bad intent. I hope you stand by the truth, because truth never becomes a lie.”

Police Begin Investigation

The police have started an investigation after Taskin Ahmed was accused of physically attacking a longtime friend.

According to the accuser, Taskin called him around midnight on Sunday and then attacked him. Officer Sajjad Noman of Mirpur Police Station said the incident began as an argument and later turned into a fight that involved Taskin and other people.

“A friend of Taskin said there was an argument and then a fight. Other friends were also present. We are trying to find out what exactly happened,” said Sajjad Noman.

He added, “The incident didn’t happen in Mirpur, but the group left from Mirpur in a vehicle. The fight took place in the Asad Gate area, which comes under Mohammadpur Thana. We are investigating the case.”

In a format built on aggression and power-hitting, Bangladesh have emerged as the most dominant six-hitting team in 2025 so far. This year, Bangladesh, not England, not the West Indies, not India, has hit the most sixes in T20 internationals of any Test-playing country.

Bangladesh have hit exactly 100 sixes in international T20 matches this year, making them the only Test-playing country to do so.  Their bold style of cricket has not only helped them beat tough teams, but it has also shown the world a braver side of the Tigers. This constant desire to attack shows how the team's thinking is changing and how much they want to play modern, high-impact cricket.

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Most Sixes by a Team in T20Is in 2025 (Test-Playing Nations):

1. Bangladesh – 100 sixes
2. Pakistan – 84 sixes
3. New Zealand – 78 sixes
4. West Indies – 76 sixes
5. England – 62 sixes

Bangladesh's success with sixes has come from quick starts and smart acceleration in the middle overs. Openers like Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Litton Das have given strong starts, and middle-order batters like Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali Anik have built on them.

1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ sixes in T20Is in 2025— the first Test-playing nation to reach the mark 🇧🇩#BANvPAK #BangladeshCricket #BDCricTime #ActivePlus pic.twitter.com/xdOp8tHloV

— bdcrictime.com (@BDCricTime) July 25, 2025

Big hits have also come from players like Shamim Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz at the right moments. Even bowlers like Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shoriful Islam hitting sixes show how confident and deep Bangladesh is with the bat.

After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bowl first in the 2nd of the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Bangladesh was the better team between these two in the first encounter of the series. In the match, Pakistan was the first side to bat, and they fared miserably against the home team. So with a change in tactics, Pakistan made a fresh plan, hitting the deck. Without their main three bowlers—Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem—Pakistan's bowling lineup has a mountain to climb. But more than their bowling, it was their batting that let them in the previous encounter at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka. 

In the ongoing first of the three matches in the T20I series, the host nation defeated the visiting side with ease. Pakistan lost all of their wickets with only 110 runs on the scoreboard in 19.3 overs. Bangladesh did not have to face any notable trouble during the chase.

BAN vs PAK 2nd T20I Match Details:

BAN vs PAK 2nd T20I Live Streaming: The Bangladesh vs. Pakistan 1st T20I will not be telecast live on any channel in India. The match will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website.

Match: 2nd T20I

Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

Date and Time: Tuesday, 22nd July, 17:30

Series: Pakistan in Bangladesh, 3 T20I Series, 2025

Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh 🆚 Pakistan T20I Series 2025 | 22 July

Bangladesh’s Playing XI | 2nd T20I 🏏

The 2nd T20I match is dedicated to the victims of the Milestone air crash tragedy.

LIVE SCORE LINK 👉: https://t.co/5O7los5s7d#BCB #Cricket #BANvPAK #BDCricket… pic.twitter.com/ZbhX17SlyS

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) July 22, 2025

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Bangladesh vs Pakistan 2nd T20 Playing XI Today

Bangladesh playing 11: Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Litton Das (w/c), Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

Pakistan playing 11: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (w), Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal