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

Injured Suzie Bates ruled out of action for 3 months

Injured Suzie Bates ruled out of action for 3 months

New Zealand opener Suzie Bates has been ruled out of action for three months. She sustained a quadricep tear which will keep her on the sidelines through the home summer, until March.

Bates suffered the injury last month while fielding during a Shield match. Subsequent scans have revealed that due to the severity of the tear, the former skipper will require three months of rehabilitation.

The recovery timeline therefore rules out Bates for Otago's remainder of the domestic home summer, and the home series against Zimbabwe in February. Bates is now eyeing a comeback in the white-ball series against South Africa in March.

"I'm gutted to be missing out this summer, I was really looking forward to another season with the Sparks, especially the Super Smash," said Bates. "I'm determined to get back on the field with the White Ferns in March so that'll be my focus for now."

Continue Reading

No Gill, Jitesh for T20 World Cup; Ishan Kishan returns to India T20I squad

No Gill, Jitesh for T20 World Cup; Ishan Kishan returns to India T20I squad

Ishan Kishan had a breakout season in the SMAT with 517 runs in 10 innings ©AFP

Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh have been included in India's 15-man squad for the Men's T20 World Cup 2026 and the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in the lead-up to the global event next year. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side while Axar Patel has been named as the vice-captain.

As a result, Shubman Gill, who was vice-captain of the squad until the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa, and Jitesh Sharma, have missed the cut. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the 15-man squad for the mega-event from the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday (December 20).

India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel (vc), Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Rinku Singh

Axar was vice-captain of the Indian T20I squad until the conclusion of the five-match T20I series against England in January and February before Gill took over the role in India's next T20I assignment at the Asia Cup in September, this year. Gill remained the deputy for Suryakumar in the subsequent Australia and South Africa series as well but Axar will now take over.

Gill had missed the last two T20Is due to a foot injury which he suffered in the nets ahead of the abandoned T20I in Lucknow. But, it wasn't a fruitful year for Gill in T20Is scoring just 291 runs in 15 innings at an average of 24.25 and striking at 137.26 with no fifties or hundreds to show for his efforts.

Kishan, meanwhile, had a breakout season in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as he captained Jharkhand to the crown. He scored 517 runs in just 10 innings at 57.32 and struck at a whopping 197.32 in the tournament. He scored two fifties and two hundreds, including a century in the final against Haryana (101 off 49).

The batters include a power-packed lineup of Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Rinku and Kishan. Hardik Pandya who blitzed 63 off 25 balls in the final T20I in Ahmedabad is one among four all-rounders with Axar, Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar the other three.

The bowling composition includes three frontline pacers and two frontline spinners. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack while Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are the other two fast-bowlers. The spinners include Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.

Ahead of India attempting to defend their T20 World Cup, India will face New Zealand for three ODIs and five T20Is. The T20I series will be played from January 21 to January 31 in preparation for the marquee event. The squad for the three ODIs, which will be played from January 11 to January 18, will be announced at a later date.

Continue Reading