Different players are stepping up every match: Neesham on Rajshahi’s biggest strength

Different players are stepping up every match: Neesham on Rajshahi’s biggest strength

Speaking about his teammates, Neesham highlighted the importance of shared responsibility rather than reliance on one or two star names. According to him, this balance is what has given Rajshahi consistency throughout the tournament.

Confidence is clearly growing inside the Rajshahi Warriors dressing room, and Jimmy Neesham believes the reason lies in one key factor: collective performance. The New Zealand all-rounder has been impressed by how different players continue to deliver in different matches.

Speaking about his teammates, Neesham highlighted the importance of shared responsibility rather than reliance on one or two star names. According to him, this balance is what has given Rajshahi consistency throughout the tournament. “Ripon has been great. Saqlain has been great as well. We've had multiple guys turning up and contributing. Muhammad Waseem, obviously, was playing extremely well before he had to leave for national duty,” Neesham said.

“The most pleasing part about our performances since I got here is that it's been different guys contributing in most games. Obviously, we've got a really good young seam attack that have been performing extremely well.”

What stands out to him most, however, is not just their skill but their mindset. Neesham described the young bowlers as highly motivated, passionate, and eager to improve qualities he feels are crucial at this level. “They’re not just talented; they’re extremely committed to the game,” he explained. “Bowling confidently against big batting lineups is where their belief really shows.”

Sharing his experience of working closely with the youngsters, Neesham admitted that interacting with them has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of his time with Rajshahi. “It's been a really enjoyable part of my stay here is talking to those young guys. They're obviously extremely passionate about the game and want to succeed, and seeing them have success against some really high-quality batting lineups has been really impressive,” he adde.

Continue Reading

Sylhet Titans hold nerve to win low-scoring BPL thriller against Noakhali Express

Sylhet Titans hold nerve to win low-scoring BPL thriller against Noakhali

The second match of the day in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) delivered a thrilling low-scoring contest where Sylhet Titans held their nerve to edge past Noakhali Express by just 1-wicket off the final delivery at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday (December 27).

After winning the toss, Sylhet Titans sent Noakhali Express into bat, and the decision paid off instantly. Noakhali suffered a nightmare start as both openers, Maaz Sadaqat and Habibur Rahman Sohan were dismissed without scoring.  The collapse worsened when Haider Ali was dismissed for another duck. Captain Shykat Ali tried to steady the innings from one end, but the scoreboard pressure was relentless. At the end of six overs, Noakhali were struggling at 28 for 3.

Shykat found some support in Mahidul Islam Ankon, and the pair began the rebuilding process. Shykat eventually departed for 24 off 29 balls, while Ankon continued to anchor the innings.  Jaker was dismissed for a quick 29 off 17 balls in the final over, but Ankon finished strongly, smashing a six off the last ball to bring up a superb unbeaten 61 from 51 deliveries. Noakhali Express posted 143 for 7 in their 20 overs.

For Sylhet, Khaled Ahmed was the standout with four wickets, while Saim Ayub claimed two and Mohammad Amir picked up one.

Sylhet’s chase got off to a shaky start as opener Saim Ayub was dismissed for a duck in the very first over. Rony Talukdar provided hope with a couple of boundaries but fell for 9, leaving Sylhet at 17 for 2. Zakir Hasan also failed to convert his start, departing for 13, as Sylhet ended the powerplay on 39 for 3.

Parvez Hossain Emon and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz then steadied the innings with a composed partnership. Emon played a brilliant knock, scoring 60 off 41 balls before being dismissed at a crucial stage with the score on 117.

After Emon’s dismissal, Sylhet struggled again. Afif Hossain fell cheaply, and in the 18th over, Mehedi Hasan Rana turned around the match with a sensational hat-trick, removing Miraz, Nasum Ahmed and Khaled Ahmed in three consecutive balls. Suddenly, Sylhet needed 19 runs from the final two overs.

Only 6 runs came from the 19th over and so 13 runs were required off the last six balls. Off the last delivery, Sylhet managed the single they needed and sealed a dramatic one-wicket victory.

For Noakhali Express, Mehedi Hasan Rana finished with four wickets, while Hasan Mahmud picked up two.

Continue Reading

Dhaka Capitals coach dies after collapsing ahead of BPL game

Dhaka Capitals coach dies after collapsing ahead of BPL game

Mahbub Ali Jaki came into spotlight after working closely with Taskin Ahmed after his action came under scrutiny during the T20 World Cup in India in 2016. ©BCB

Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki died after collapsing suddenly at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium during a Bangladesh Premier League match on Saturday. Jaki fell on the ground minutes before his team's opening match against Rajshahi Warriors in the BPL.

Team staff and medical personnel immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before he was taken by ambulance to Al Haramain Hospital, where he was declared dead. BCB's chief physician Debashish Chowdhury confirmed the death.

The sudden collapse shocked everyone in and around the ground while Dhaka team officials said Zaki had not complained of any health issues prior to the incident.

Players from several BPL teams rushed to a Sylhet hospital on Saturday after Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki collapsed at the stadium shortly before a match.

Cricketers from Sylhet Titans, Noakhali Express and Chattogram Royals were among those who went to Al Haramain Hospital as news of the incident spread.

Jaki came into spotlight after working closely with Taskin Ahmed after his action came under scrutiny during the T20 World Cup in India in 2016.

The BCB expresses deep bereavement and profound condolences at the death of Mahbub Ali Zaki, Specialist Pace Bowling Coach of BCB Game Development, who passed away today in Sylhet. He was 59.

A former fast bowler, Zaki represented Comilla District with distinction in the National Cricket Championship. He also featured in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, turning out for leading clubs including Abahani and Dhanmondi.

Following his playing career, Mahbub Ali Zaki dedicated himself to coaching and player development. He joined the BCB in 2008 as a High Performance coach and went on to make a significant contribution to the growth of pace bowling in the country through his work.

The BCB extends its heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and the cricketing community during this difficult time and prays for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Continue Reading

Tait embraces 'challenge' as Bangladesh eye series win

Tait embraces 'challenge' as Bangladesh eye series win

Bangladesh won the second game and will be looking to seal the series.

Bangladesh pace bowling coach Shaun Tait on Monday urged his side to not take Ireland for granted but at the same pointed out the need to not complicate things in the three-match T20I series decider at Chattogram, scheduled on December 2.

The series, which will be Bangladesh's last bilateral T20 assignment before the T20 World Cup in February, is currently tied at 1-1 as the hosts fought back after going down in the opening game. "Ireland has played some good cricket and they've got some good players. They look like they've got a really organized T20 team," said Tait adding that they are happy to be challenged.

"For us, we want the good challenge. That's what we want. Our next series is a World Cup, and it doesn't get any bigger than that for T20 cricket. I think we don't need to complicate our thoughts too much. I think we just need to play good cricket and win the game," he said.

"Every time you win a match, every time you win an international match, you gain some confidence out of that."

Tait also heaped praise on Mustafizur Rahman for remaining calm despite all the noise that comes his way playing international cricket. "Fizz is full of experience and he keeps everything very simple," said Tait.

"He (Mustafizur) knows his strengths. He has played all over the world. He has set high standards and people expect good performances from him. He has always performed well because that is what the best players do. From the IPL to everywhere else, teams want him because he is a quality world class player," he said adding that he also has been in regular communication with Taskin Ahmed, who is currently playing the T10 League in Dubai.

"I saw Taskin playing in the T10," Tait said. "I have a great relationship with him. He is an important player for us, a senior player and a good leader. We speak regularly. He is not just a fast bowler, he is a leader. Everyone follows him. It is a pleasure to work with him. I first saw him many years ago and now he is a much better player, a leader. It is a privilege to have someone like him in the squad," he said.

Meanwhile, Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan said aggression will be the key as they seek a rare series win. "We did really really well over the last two games," said Malan. "We obviously haven't had the amount of cricket that we would have wanted throughout the year, but that's in the past. We are really focusing on where we are at.

"The T20 game has evolved massively. We really want to free our players to go out there and express themselves. Most of the time in this format you play on plastic surfaces and there are big runs scored. We've been very clear with that messaging - take the game on from ball one," he said.

The emergence of Tim Tector, who has impressed in his first two outings of the tour with his confident stroke play, is considered as one of the biggest positives for Ireland and Malan said he will back him to play his aggressive brand of cricket. "He (Tim Tector) has been doing really well back home and trying to break into the team and it's great to see that he goes out there and plays his natural game," he said.

"Hopefully, he (Tim Tector) can keep doing that tomorrow and as we head into the World Cup. We got a nice opportunity this afternoon to put some work into the areas we want to improve. Now it's about coming out here tomorrow and hopefully getting our goals done," he concluded.

Continue Reading

BPL Auction: Mohammad Naim becomes most expensive player

BPL Auction: Mohammad Naim becomes most expensive player

Mohammad Naim was the most expensive player at the auction.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) player auction finally returned after nine editions at a city hotel on Sunday. This was the BPL's first auction since the inaugural edition in 2012 as a players draft was in place since then. Mohammad Naim was the only player to get more than BDT 1 crore (USD 88,000 approx) as he was bought by Chittagong Royals.

Naim was the first player to come up in the auction when the process opened an hour later as the board was waiting to get clearance from the High Court as nine cricketers filed writ petition against them after being excluded from the auction in relation to fixing related charges.

Rangpur Riders took the second and third most expensive players in the auction, when they bought Towhid Hridoy and Litton Das for USD 73,600 and USD 56,000 respectively. There were however no initial bids for veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, who were both in category B.

Later however, the auctioneer brought up Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur after a request from BCB director and Rangpur Riders chief executive Ishtiaque Sadeque and his team Riders picked up Mahmudullah while Rajshahi Warriors took Mushfiqur, for their base prices BDT 35 lakh (USD 28,000 approx).

Among the uncapped players, Habibur Rahman Sohan, was taken by Noakhali Express for USD 40,000 on the back of his recent performances as he did well for Bangladesh A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament. Mohammad Mithun triggered a paddle-raising duel that took him from Tk22 lakh to Tk52 lakh. Newcomer Abdul Gaffar Saqlain shot from 18 lakh to 44 lakh whereas SM Meherob Hasan joined the party with 39 lakh.

While hundreds of foreign cricketers remained unsold, Dasun Shanaka was the most expensive among the overseas players, when Dhaka Capitals took him for USD 55,000. Noakhali Express can claim themselves to be lucky as they picked Mahidul Islam and Jaker Ali for their base price. Had the auction guidelines been taken into account, all the teams could have bid for them. According to auction bylaws a team has to pick minimum two cricketers from Grade A and B (combined) while they can have six cricketers from C and D ( combined) and three cricketers from E and F (combined).

After picking these 11 cricketers they have to pick one more cricketer from any grade to fill the the minimum criteria of 12 players at the auction. However, they had the option to pick a maximum of 14 local players in the auction. So every franchise had the option to pick more than two cricketers from grade A and B (combined).

However, confusion began when Chattogram Royals picked two cricketers on the trot. Rajshahi Warriors head coach Hannan Sarkar claimed that Chattogram cannot bid for any more players from A and B categories and everyone obliged. As a result after 10 out of the 12 cricketers from A and B categories (combined) were picked by five franchises, Noakhali got the chance to pick up Mahidul and Jaker at their base price as no other team were allowed to bid for them.

Noakhali head coach Khaled Mahmud was happy to be a beneficiary. "I am happy to get those two cricketers at their base price because I didn't expect it," Mahmud said.

Meanwhile, Rangpur Riders team director Shanian Taneem claimed that Mahmudullah was always in their team's plans even though they didn't bid for him initially. "If anyone thinks Mahmudullah Riyad went unsold, that's not entirely correct. Every team had limitations. With 14 players each in A and B categories and restrictions that we couldn't pick more than two, we had to choose based on strategy. But Mahmudullah was always in our plans. A player of his calibre should be in any team's plans," said Shanian.

The BPL, scheduled from December 26 to January 23, will be played by six teams - Dhaka Capitals, Rangpur Riders, Rajshahi Warriors, Noakhali Express, Sylhet Titans and Chittagong Royals.

Continue Reading