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

Bangladesh cricket’s difficult 2025 has taken another tense turn, with assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin hitting back at speculation surrounding his role and influence ahead of the third T20I against Sri Lanka. A year marked by on-field struggles and off-field drama has only worsened during their ongoing tour of Sri Lanka, where they’ve already lost both the Test and ODI series, with just one T20I remaining.

Their string of defeats, including series losses to UAE, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe, has put the team under immense pressure. And now, tensions within the camp have become increasingly public. Salahuddin, who was appointed primarily as batting coach in November last year, found himself at the centre of controversy during a fiery pre-match press conference.

Responding to reports that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) may be seeking a new batting coach, Salahuddin spoke candidly. "My role in this team isn’t fixed permanently. If someone better comes along, it's good for the team," he said. “This team doesn’t belong to my father or grandfather.”

Bangladesh battles poor form and growing tensions ahead of the final match in Sri Lanka

While acknowledging his accountability for the team’s underwhelming batting performances over the past nine months, Salahuddin appeared most upset by suggestions that he’s exerting undue influence over team selection. With nearly three decades of experience and deep ties with several current players, he's faced accusations of favouritism, allegations he strongly denies.

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“After coaching for 27-28 years, suddenly I’m hearing there are many complaints. Let me see those in writing,” he said. “If changes are needed for the team’s benefit, I’ll be the first to step aside.”

The team’s internal issues have been simmering for weeks. Last month, Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto resigned from the role, claiming there were “too many captains” in the dressing room, a comment that revealed deeper leadership fractures. Currently, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz lead the T20I and ODI sides, respectively.

As Bangladesh prepares for the final match of their tour, the cricketing spotlight is firmly fixed not just on their performance, but on how and whether they can begin to heal their divided camp.

Bangladesh’s leading left-arm spinner, Taijul Islam, has shown interest in becoming the Test captain. He said that if he is offered the role, he is ready to take the responsibility. After Najmul Hossain Shanto stepped down from the role following his dispute with the board—after being removed as ODI captain—many names have been discussed to fill the gap left by the country’s most successful Test captain.

Taijul Islam Opens Up About Test Captaincy Dream

Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam has quietly become one of the most consistent performers in the post-“Fab Five” era. While he may not grab headlines like some of his teammates, Taijul has been a key player in the national Test team. Even though he is often ignored in white-ball formats, he remains an important part of Bangladesh’s red-ball setup.

Still, despite his steady performances, Taijul is often seen as “underrated.” Now, at 33, he has shared a personal goal—to one day lead Bangladesh in Test cricket.

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"If Given the Chance, Why Not?"

In a recent interview with Cricbuzz, Taijul spoke about his dream of becoming Test captain. He dismissed the idea that a player must have past leadership experience to lead the national side.

“I think it is important to give space to the captain and value his words, because the team will do well when we trust the captain,” Taijul said. “Just because I haven’t been captain before doesn’t mean I can’t do it. I don’t think there’s anything I can’t do if it’s needed to lead the side. It’s not like I’m greedy for the captaincy.”

Taijul has never led a side at the domestic or national level, but he believes that vision and trust are more important than past roles. “It’s not about whether captaincy is attractive or not. A captain needs to have a plan for where he wants to take the team. You need to know what kind of team you want and have a goal of where you want to see them in two years. If the opportunity comes, why not?” he added.

🗣️ "If the opportunity comes (to lead the side), why not?" - Taijul Islam added.

But he clarifies he's not greedy for the captaincy. #BangladeshCricket pic.twitter.com/egHjlhwSGC

— Cricketangon (@cricketangon) July 15, 2025

Experience, Growth, and the Art of Spin

Taijul believes his recent form is a result of maturity and experience, especially in foreign conditions.

“There are many factors,” he said. “Age plays a role. With age, you can pitch the ball exactly where you want. Experience is also important. Before 2021, I didn’t play many Tests overseas.”

He stressed the value of patience in developing players. “This experience matters—how many Tests I’ve played overseas and on different pitches. When the experience is full, the performance improves. It’s hard for a newcomer to debut and perform right away. You have to give players time. Alhamdulillah, I got time and improved step by step.”

Speaking about spin, he explained, “Pace variation is important. If you bowl one slower and one faster, it confuses the batter. Also, if you bowl two balls at the same speed—one that turns and one that goes straight—it becomes very hard for the batter. The world’s best spinners do this. A quick ball usually goes straight, but the same ball, if bowled slower, can turn in or out. That makes it very difficult for the batter.”

Former Bangladeshi Test cricketer and MP of the now-defunct Awami League, Naimur Rahman Durjoy, has been arrested by the authorities on two isolated charges of corruption. The former Test cricketer was rounded up by a team from Manikganj Detective Branch (DB) at Lalmatia in Dhaka. While addressing the media on July 3, Manikganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Yasmin Khatun revealed that Durjoy had two active cases filed against him in two different police stations. 

Durjoy's arrest comes in the wake of the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, the country's long-standing Prime Minister, who was forcefully removed from power on the back of a powerful student uprising last year. Following the takeover by Mohammed Yunis' interim government, earlier members of Hasina's now-outlawed Awami League political party face charges of arrest. Amidst this unfortunate development, Durjoy has also come under the scanner, and it remains to be seen what fate will have in store for him.

See also: Bangladesh announce ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series, Litton Das makes a return

A look into Durjoy's journey from cricket to politics

Naimur Rahman Durjoy was the first captain of the Bangladesh Test side and took over the captaincy reins in early 2000 when Bangladesh achieved their Test status from the ICC. He captained his national side during their first-ever Test on home soil against India at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. 

As years rolled by, he quietly withdrew from the cricket scene and entered politics by joining the Awami League. Then in 2014, he entered parliament and secured a second term, but was denied nomination in 2024. After the fall of Hasina's government, it all went downhill for Durjoy. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) lodged corruption charges against Durjoy. Then, on September 24, 2024, the ACC demanded bank records of Durjoy and his wife, Farhana Rahman.

And to make matters worse, a Dhaka court imposed a travel ban on Durjoy and his family on October 3, 2024, barring him from any international travel.