Once again, Bangladesh's left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is in the cricket circle's discussions, this time because of his registration for the Draft of Pakistan Super League 11, which has been planned for the 2026 season. This move follows very closely after his unanticipated departure from Indian Premier League 2026, where he had been acquired in the mini-auction.

Calm amid controversy, Mustafizur lets performances do the talking

Although Kolkata Knight Riders had spent INR 9.20 crore on Mustafizur, his involvement was later denied due to the BCCI's directives. The ruling had its basis in off-the-field matters and had caused a lot of discussions among fans and experts, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board also opposing the move and voicing their objections.

Amidst all the noise and controversy around the situation, Mustafizur's close ones are saying that the pacer has been very calm and focused. The Bangladesh cricket coaching staff have said that Mustafizur has not allowed the setback to affect his mindset and continues to focus on his performances on the field. His recent appearances in domestic cricket, especially his bowling towards the end of the innings, have reiterated that he is still considered one of the best T20 bowlers in the world.

ALSO SEE: PSL reveals names of qualified bidders for new teams

The signing of Mustafizur for the PSL 11 draft after his IPL disappointment has made a lot of news. He is already being valued highly by a lot of the PSL teams because they think of his experience, skill-set and ability to deliver in difficult situations as their biggest assets. The league’s social media activity with the Bangladeshi fast bowler has also played a part in increasing the talk around a possible transfer.

Mustafizur puts cricket first as IPL controversy opens wider debate

Not only has the whole saga unravelled, it has also set off a discussion about the extent to which political issues are able to affect international cricket, or more exactly, franchise cricket. Nevertheless, Mustafizur’s rapid shift of focus does not only show the professional side of him but also his commitment to the sport. The 30-year-old, who had been a hot pick in the global T20s, has once again demonstrated that he is not a person to be forgotten, by putting cricket first and leaving his options opened.

In case of selection, Mustafizur Rahman will be one of the top international players in the contest who, besides his good reputation, will also be a valuable resource for the team he joins in terms of bowling strength.

Bangladesh adviser for sport, Asif Nazrul, has ignited controversy by calling for the banning of Indian Premier League (IPL) broadcasts within Bangladesh. His comments followed Kolkata Knight Riders’ release of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 roster amid increased political tensions between India and Bangladesh that surrounded Rahman’s acquisition for the IPL 2026 at ₹ 9.20 crore, increasing the dispute over the release.

Nazrul requested via a forceful Facebook post that the Bangladeshi Ministry of Information and Broadcasting prohibit the broadcast of all IPL matches from being shown in Bangladesh. In his statement, he suggested that the rejection of Mustafizur’s contract may set a poor precedent regarding bilateral relations between the two cricketing nations. Nazrul commented further, stating that Bangladesh would never tolerate any derogatory comments made against its players and the entirety of the cricketing industry of Bangladesh.

This situation has further deteriorated cricketing relations between the two countries, with added intensifying pressure on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to take action on an international level. Nazrul expressed that if our players cannot feel secure in India participating in league cricket, then the BCB must also question the security of our national team when participating in international tournaments within India.

T20 World Cup 2026 Venue Shift Demand Adds to Tension

In addition to asking for an IPL telecast ban, Asif Nazrul has requested that the BCB approach the ICC for assistance. All four of Bangladesh's group-stage matches at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 will be played in India, with three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai, which Nazrul argues places the Bangladeshi cricket team in an unsafe position.

Nazrul formally asked the BCB to request a venue change from India to Sri Lanka, which co-hosted the World Cup. Nazrul stated that the same considerations must be extended to Bangladesh as were done with Pakistan, which also played matches in Sri Lanka because of political issues, allowing for the safety and dignity of their players.

However, given the fact that the T20 World Cup is approaching quickly (less than a month away), many cricket analysts feel that any potential venue change is unlikely. While the controversy surrounding this issue has certainly added more tension to the overall event build-up for IPL 2026 and the World Cup, it also helps to exemplify the continuing influence of geopolitical tensions on the game of cricket internationally.

On Sunday, the chairman of the ICC, Mr. Jay Shah, laid down an ambitious plan for Indian athletics by encouraging Indian athletes to both plan to host a future Olympic Games in the year 2036 and Mr. Shah made this statement while addressing an audience during an event held in Surat and credited the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, for achieving the goal of hosting the Olympic Games after bringing the Commonwealth Games to India in 2030.

In reference to the 2024 Olympic Games, Mr. Shah stated that the eight medals won by Indian athletes are encouraging to see, as it demonstrates how Indian athletes can win medals at the Olympic Games. However, there are not enough medals won by Indian athletes, and from this, Mr. Shah stated that Indian athletes should target a minimum of 100 medals if the country is to successfully host the Olympic Games in the year 2036. Mr. Shah is confident that the state's capabilities of achieving a total of 10 medals will only be through Gujarat's cooperation.

The chairman of the ICC has also reinforced the importance of long-term commitments, building a robust sports infrastructure, and developing grassroots support to support the sporting vision. By bringing together Indian athletes to compete on a global scale, Mr. Shah believes that it will inspire future generations to pursue sport and support a sustainable sporting ecosystem throughout the nation.

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🚨 Jay Shah sets the bar high: CWG 2030 to India, Olympics 2036 next. Says 8 medals won’t cut it, target is 100 medals, with 10 from Gujarat alone👏

Remember, he predicted the 2024 T20 WC and it happened. Vision or prophecy? Time will answer 🔥
pic.twitter.com/8okWfNhdPs

— The Analyzer (News Updates🗞️) (@Indian_Analyzer) January 4, 2026

Jay Shah Looks Back On India's Success In Recent Cricketing History

Jay Shah, as he reflects on India, discussed their progress in competitive international cricket. He was disappointed about how well they performed during the 2023 ODI World Cup but ultimately did not win. But privately he predicted there would be a turnaround for the team in 2024.

His prediction came true when India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and subsequently the Champions Trophy. Jay believes that these recent successes show that Indian sports are going in a positive direction and that we have great confidence in our ability to continue setting high expectations for ourselves over the next several years.

Bangladesh are set for a busy home schedule in the calendar year 2026, as Pakistan, New Zealand, Australia, India, and the West Indies are set to tour this year.

Currently, Bangladesh is in an unstable condition due to political turmoil and the upcoming election. However, the country is confident to host the international series on time in 2026. 

See Also: Wisden names 2025 Men's ODI Team of the Year

Bangladesh have busy home schedule after T20 World Cup 2026

After the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will jointly host between February 7 and March 8, Bangladesh will host Pakistan for a three-match ODI series in March. Later, in May, Pakistan will tour Bangladesh once again for a two-match Test series, part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. 

New Zealand will then travel to Bangladesh for a three-match ODI and three-match T20I series in April and May. The similar schedules are for Australia and India, who are expected to visit Bangladesh in June and September, respectively. 

In October, the West Indies will travel to Bangladesh for a two-match Test series, a part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship. 

In addition, Sri Lanka A will visit Bangladesh in May 2026 for two four-day matches and three List A games. 

Bangladesh are now known as one of the strongest teams at home, especially in white-ball cricket. 2026 is going to be a crucial year for Bangladesh, as they are eyeing a direct spot in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027. 

Bangladesh vs India match schedules

The ODI matches between Bangladesh and India are likely to be scheduled on September 1, 3, and 6. Then the T20I series will be played with the likely schedule on September 9, 12, and 13.  While India's tour of Bangladesh in 2025 was postponed, the Men in Blues are likely to land in Bangladesh on August 28, 2026.  

Cricket boards have started to announce their squads for the upcoming T20I World Cup, which is scheduled to start in February 2026. BCCI already declared the full squad for the tournament. Now, reports came about the probable squad of Bangladesh.

In 2025, as the Bangladesh cricket team had gone through some high and low points, it is expected to see multiple changes in their World Cup 2026 team. According to fresh reports, the selection can be dependent on the basis of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL 2026) performances. But the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) can soon submit their preliminary squad to the International Cricket Council (ICC). After that, the board will finalize their final squad, which will participate in the elite tournament.

It is reported that the chief selectors of the board had a meeting with Captain Liton Das. After scoring a brilliant century in the BPL 2026, Najmul Hossain Shanto can be selected for the final squad. Parvez Emon can be selected for the number 4 batting spot, and Nurul Hasan can be picked up in the lineup as a backup keeper and lower middle-order batter. The team management of Bangladesh can try to utilize him as a finisher. Though, for the finisher role, there can be multiple other contenders also.

Read More:“No one can…”- Dhruv Jurel reacts to ODI call-up buzz for home New Zealand series

Bangladesh can make multiple changes in their squad for the T20 World Cup 2026

As the T20I World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, multiple spinners are expected to be in their squad. Bangladesh can select at least 3 spinners along with 4 pacers, as per reports. Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman could also be in the fray depending on their BPL 2026 performances. 

Bangladesh will play their first match on February 7 at the Eden Gardens against the West Indies. 

The craze for the Bollywood movie 'Dhurandhar' goes beyond any boundary. Despite some backlash on the international stage, there is no denying that the movie, especially the soundtrack of the movie, is the latest viral content on social media platforms across the globe. Even the youth team of Bangladesh is not a part of the trend. 

The cricketers of the Bangladesh Under-19 team were dancing on the soundtrack after a match of the Asia Cup Under-19. The video of Bangladeshi cricketers dancing to the 'Dhurandhar' soundtrack caught cricket fans' attention on social media platforms. 

Yesterday (December 17), the Bangladesh Youth Cricket team was up against the youth cricket team of Sri Lanka. For multiple past few incidents on the grounds, these two nations are considered their arch rivals. Bangladesh got a dominating victory against Sri Lanka in the crucial game of the Asia Cup Under-19 at the ICC academy ground in Dubai. 

Read More: 

Watch Bangladesh cricket team celebration with 'Dhurandhar' movie's viral sound track 

Bangladesh Under 19 Cricket Team dances to Indian film Dhurandhar song FA9LA during Asia Cup Bangladesh Versus Srilanka match even as radical groups in Bangladesh issue threats against India. pic.twitter.com/NCrQVjCiFU

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) December 18, 2025

Bangladesh was the first side to bat in the match and registered a total of 225/10 in 46.3 overs. As the target was not high, Sri Lanka had a fair amount of chances to claim the match. 

After an underwhelming batting effort, Bangladesh pulled out a stunning victory because of their bowling performances. The Sri Lanka cricket team failed to craft any significant partnership and bundled for only 186 runs. Bangladesh won the Asia Cup Under-19 game by 39 runs. Iqbal Hossain Emon and Shahriar Ahmed claimed 3 wickets each. After the win over the archrivals, Bangladesh cricketers made a special celebration with the viral soundtrack of the Bollywood movie 'Dhurandhar.' 

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025–26 is set to deliver another thrilling season of top-tier T20 cricket, featuring a power-packed lineup of local stars and international talents. As one of Bangladesh’s most popular sporting spectacles, the upcoming edition promises intense rivalries, packed stadiums, and countless unforgettable moments.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially released the full schedule, fixtures, match dates and venues, giving fans the perfect opportunity to start planning for an action-filled month of cricket. The tournament begins on December 26, 2025, and concludes with the final on January 23, 2026, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

BPL 2025–26 Venues

The matches will be played across three major Bangladeshi cricket stadiums known for energetic crowds and world-class playing conditions.

BPL 2025–26 Full Schedule (League Stage)

All times in IST

Match Fixtures

BPL 2026 Knockout Fixtures

Bangladesh have their T20I captain back, with Litton Das returning to the squad for the first two T20Is against the West Indies in Chattogram next week. Das had missed Bangladesh’s last five T20Is due to a side strain suffered during the Asia Cup last month.

The 30-year-old skipper missed two Asia Cup matches as well as Bangladesh’s 3-0 series win over Afghanistan in Sharjah, where Jaker Ali led the team. His return comes at the expense of Mohammad Saifuddin, who impressed with the ball in the third T20I against Afghanistan, taking three wickets for 15 runs in three overs.

Selectors have also left out Soumya Sarkar, who was part of the squad against Afghanistan but could not play due to visa issues. He is replaced by Parvez Hossain Emon, despite Emon scoring an 86-ball 91 in the third ODI against the West Indies in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Maintain Core Squad with Key Players in Top and Middle Order

The core of the squad that recently defeated Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Netherlands, and Afghanistan remains intact. Litton Das will lead the top order alongside Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Tanzid Hasan. The middle order will feature Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, and Nurul Hasan.

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Bangladesh’s spin attack will include Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, and Mahedi Hasan, while the pace department comprises Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam. The three T20Is will be played in Chattogram on October 27, 29, and 31. Bangladesh will aim to maintain their strong momentum in the ongoing white-ball season, following their recent 2-1 ODI series win over the West Indies, which included one game decided in a Super Over.

Bangladesh Squad for First Two T20Is Against West Indies:

Litton Das (capt & wk), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam.

Tilak Varma shared that he sustained a serious muscle injury after the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite this setback, the young left-handed batsman, instead of taking a break from domestic cricket and letting his body rest, put too much load on it again and further aggravated the injury.

Tilak spoke about a significant highlight during the India A tour to Bangladesh in 2022, when he had to retire hurt in the middle of the game. At that time, he was already signed with the Mumbai Indians, and Akash Ambani intervened, contacting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ensure Tilak received proper treatment. The batter admitted that arriving even a few hours later at the hospital could have been life-threatening.

“I was playing an India A game in Bangladesh. After a point my eyes became watery, I was not even able to lift the bat and all my nerves were hard. I retired hurt and came out. Akash Ambani called me right away. He spoke to the BCCI and they helped me a lot. At the hospital, they told me it could have gotten worse if I had come even a few hours later. It was that bad. Even the needle was not going in. I just wanted to come out alive,” Tilak said on ‘Breakfast with Champions.'

Tilak Varma Credits Coach and Early Struggles for Mental Toughness

Tilak also credited his childhood coach for believing in him even before he was selected for the Hyderabad team. The 22-year-old explained that his resilience and mental strength stemmed from the challenges he faced in his early years.

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“My coach told me that he knew I would make it big and become the number one player. He would tell me this even when I had not started playing for Hyderabad yet. Many people also went against me and told things to my coach. But he never listened to anyone and worked a lot on me. There were times when I even fell at people's feet asking for just one opportunity to play. That made me a hard person. People say I do well under pressure. But I have seen such things that make me hard and all this feels like nothing,” he said.

Tilak played a crucial role in the 2025 Asia Cup final, scoring a calm and composed half-century against Pakistan to help India win a low-scoring thriller in Dubai. He is set to return for the Indian team in the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, starting Wednesday, October 29.

After a heartbreaking Asia Cup 2025 campaign, Afghanistan was whitewashed by Bangladesh in the three-match T20I series. After the last match of the series, Afghanistan cricket team coach Jonathan Trott acknowledged that they are not the second-best team in Asia. 

Last night, at the Sharjah Cricket Ground, Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan by 6 wickets and 12 balls to spare. They chased down the 144-run target with ease. Before the match, Bangladesh was already leading the 3-match series by 2-0, which made the third and the last match for the home team a prestige fight. There too, the Afghanistan cricket team was unable to find the way to bounce back. 

For the last few years, the Afghanistan cricket team has been considered the dark horse in various ICC events, especially in T20I tournaments. On social media, a part of cricket fans also claimed the Rashid Khan-led team as the second-best team of the continent. But back-to-back setbacks gave them a reality check. 

Read More: 'Banda Dimag Se Pagal Hay...'- Former India pacer's huge remark on Shoaib Akhter and his career

Statements of Afghanistan coach after the defeat against Bangladesh 

Accepting the reality, Trott, without any hesitation, said that they are not the second-best cricket team in Asia. He is well aware of the speculations and claims on social media platforms labelling him as one of the best in the cricket world. But the former England cricketer and now Afghanistan cricket team coach opined that at present, they are not the second best in Asia. 

Afghanistan team coach accepted that they are not 2nd best team anymore ! Bangladesh whitewashed Afghanistan 3-0 , #afgvsban #Cricket #AsiaCup2025 #asia pic.twitter.com/yFEku9YvDV

— Altamash Iqbal (@altamashi25) October 5, 2025

"As it stands right now, we obviously are not the second-best team in Asia. So, I think all sorts of social media and media speculations are not accurate. All we've got to do is get better," Jonathan Trott said after the 0-3 whitewash against Bangladesh in the 3-match T20I series.