Bangladesh Cricket

Bangladesh's third Test against New Zealand has been cancelled after the touring team narrowly avoided a terrorist attack on a Christchurch mosque that saw at least 40 people killed on Friday. 

Most of the Bangladesh squad were outside the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch's city centre and were about to step off their bus to go inside at the time of the attack, per AFP (h/t Sky Sports).

Spokesperson for the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Jalal Yunus, told AFP: "They are safe, but they are mentally shocked. We have asked the team to stay confined in the hotel."

Mohammad Isam of ESPN Cricinfo wrote that players escaped to the nearby Hagley Oval, where the third Test was set to take place on Friday, after the attack began. 

New Zealand Cricket CEO David White said: "We are shocked and appalled as I am sure all New Zealanders are. We are offering support to all those within the teams affected by the situation and are continuing to take advice from authorities on the ground."

Isam posted a video walking alongside members of the Bangladesh squad through Hagley Park just after the attacks took place:

An attack was carried out at a second mosque in Christchurch that saw seven people killed, with three men and a woman taken into custody. One man was charged with murder, with a court appearance in Christchurch set for Saturday.

One person was later released.

Bangladesh team manager Khaled Mashud confirmed the team were ending their tour early:

The Guardian's Lisa Martin reported 20 people were also left injured across both attacks in what was "the worst mass shooting in New Zealand's history." 

New Zealand Cricket issued a statement:

Those responsible for the shootings were also said to have attached a number of improvised explosive devices to vehicles in the area, which were disarmed by authorities before detonating.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern responded to the attacks:

"There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence, which it is clear this act was. This is significant and I can tell you now this is and will be one of New Zealand's darkest days. I would describe it as an unprecedented act of violence, an act that has absolutely no place in New Zealand. This is not who we are."

Ardern also said New Zealand's national security threat level had been increased from low to high:

New Zealand Cricket has also cancelled a women's match between Australia Under-19s and a New Zealand development team that was scheduled to take place at Lincoln's Bert Sutcliffe Oval. 

If Australia learned anything during their recent Ashes defeat at the hands of England, it should be that they are not nearly as good as they think they are.

Steve Smith will begin his journey as captain of Australia with a trip to Bangladesh. While in years gone by teams would have seen this as an “easy” win, Bangladesh have come on leaps and bounds since then.

In recent months, the Tigers have pushed Pakistan, India and South Africa close, and with a wounded Aussie team, they have a chance to hammer home their point. Bangladesh will be helped by the fact that the Aussie team coming to their shores are having to make do without a number of their key players, with five senior men recently retiring.  

Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Chris Rogers, Ryan Harris and Shane Watson have all called it a day. Also out of the picture is David Warner, who is injured, while Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood are being rested.

This could very well be the best chance Bangladesh have ever had to beat the Aussies. The hosts have lost all four Tests they have played against Australia, but their recent record is far more impressive. With just two losses out of their last 12 home Tests and ODI series wins against Pakistan, India and South Africa, Bangladesh have reason to be confident.

Australia’s inexperienced team will have their work cut out for them on Bangladesh’s turning tracks and they could make life very uncomfortable for Smith. The Aussies are not sure on their batting lineup yet, but Smith dismissed the notion that they are simply using the tour as a way to trial new players as Australia go through another transitional phase.

The skipper was quoted by cricket.com.au as saying:

Every Test you play you want to win, you want to win very series you play, and it’s no different going to Bangladesh.

It’s going to be difficult playing over there, they’ve played some very good cricket in their own backyard. 

It’s going to be a tough tour but hopefully we prepare well and adapt to the conditions accordingly and have a successful tour.

While Smith has long been tipped as Clarke’s successor and will most likely stay in the job for the foreseeable future, a series loss against Bangladesh will be a very uncomfortable start. Despite their improvements recently, many will still consider Bangladesh to be a “small” team and the odds will almost certainly show that they are the underdogs heading into this series.

Smith and Co. have certainly not talked down their opposition, but a loss will still be considered a shock and will make the start to his captaincy career very awkward. The skipper has said he views this as an exciting time for Australian cricket.

We want to improve the way we play away from home and this is our first chance to do that.

The conditions can be quite foreign to what we’re used to in Australia so the guys will have to adapt right away and have plans in place to make sure they’re doing everything they can to make sure they have success over there.

We’ve got a bit of a clean slate with a lot of guys coming in and it’s a really exciting time for Australian cricket.

For Bangladesh, this series could be a defining moment. Should they manage to rattle Australia, they will finally be able to shake off the “minnows” tag that has followed them around for so long.   

Bangladesh reached 179-4 when rain caused a premature end to Day 2 of the first Test with South Africa in Chittagong.

Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah both scored half-centuries at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium with the hosts trailing by 69 runs with six first-innings wickets intact.

The Tigers resumed on 7-0, after bowling out the Proteas for 248 on Tuesday, and openers Tamim and Imrul Kayes navigated the opening hour.

Kayes had made 26 when he became the first wicket to fall, stumped down the leg side off the medium pace of Stiaan van Zyl.

Mominul Haque soon followed after making only six when he attempted to cut, but off-spinner Simon Harmer pegged back his off-stump.

Bangladesh went to lunch on 80-2, but there was an unsavoury incident between Tamim and SA keeper Quinton de Kock, as reported by Cricinfo, as they headed to the adjournment.

Tamim and Mahmudullah batted defiantly, reaching their half-centuries off 119 and 109 balls, respectively.

Tamim perished for 57, just before tea, when he attempted to sweep Dean Elgar but missed and the ball hit leg stump to end the 89-run partnership.

Mahmudullah had moved to 67 when he was trapped lbw by Vernon Philander as one of South Africa’s main three-seamers finally took a wicket.

Just four balls later, the heavens opened and although the players were able to return for one delivery, play was finally abandoned at 4.50pm local time.

At the end of the first day of the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa in Chittagong, the hosts are well on top and looking strong.

The Proteas were bowled out for 248, and at stumps the home side were 7-0, leaving themselves in a strong position for the second day and their reply.

It was a day filled with highlights for the Bangladeshis, who took advantage of a South African batting collapse. Meanwhile, the visitors find themselves behind even at this early stage and will need to recover well in the subsequent days to have a chance at victory.

With Day 1 now over, let’s examine some takeaways from play in Chittagong.

Mustafizur Rahman has a debut to remember

If Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman was nervous on his debut at 19 years of age, he did not show it, as he finished with figures of 4-37 in 17.4 overs.

The left-armer had a memorable 14th over, as he took three wickets in four balls to rip the heart out of South Africa’s middle and lower order.

He first removed the dangerous Hashim Amla for his first Test wicket, as he had the Proteas captain caught behind by wicket-keeper Liton Das. Then with his next ball, Rahman trapped JP Duminy leg before wicket to leave the visitors reeling on 173-5.

To complete a memorable over, Quinton de Kock followed just two balls later, capping off a remarkable start to Rahman’s Test career. In a superb conclusion, he then finished off South Africa’s innings by removing top scorer Temba Bavuma to finish a great first-innings debut.

If he can do the same in the second innings, it would be superb both for Rahman and his side.

South Africa experience worrying batting collapse

Within and beyond that three-wicket over from Rahman, South Africa experienced a worrying and rare batting collapse that hints at wider problems.

Without AB de Villiers but still with some talented players at their disposal, the Proteas would have wanted far more than 248 all out, having chosen to bat first.

All their top four were guilty of getting starts but then getting out when looking set, and only Bavuma seemed capable of getting a big score.

Even he was dismissed for 54, and it was more worrying still that Duminy and De Kock fell so quickly and so cheaply to leave the tail exposed.

A total of 248 may still be a good one, but it will be hard to say until Bangladesh have completed their first innings. It definitely has not put them in a good position though, and the away side will need their bowler to be on top form to defend it effectively.

Bangladesh must apply themselves with the bat

At the end of the day, Bangladesh were seven without loss, having negotiated a tricky session of two overs at the finish.

They will need to work hard for their runs against a potent South African bowling attack, especially the trio of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel.

If their openers can set a good platform and the middle order can capitalize, there is no reason why the hosts cannot surge into a big lead by the end of tomorrow. Runs may well be at a premium against such a strong battery of pacemen, so they will need to concentrate well and take advantage of loose balls if possible.

Bangladesh grabbed a historic series win over South Africa with a nine-wicket win in Chittagong.

The Proteas could only make 168-9 after winning the toss and electing to bat in a match reduced to 40 overs because of rain.

A superb 154-run opening stand between Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar helped the Tigers reach their target with 13.5 overs to spare at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

South Africa were reduced to 50-4 in the 16th over as their batting order, missing AB de Villiers, failed again.

Shakib Al Hasan picked up two wickets in his opening five overs to take his one-day international tally to 200.

Shakib Al Hasan has become the 7th player in ODI history with 4000+ runs and 200+ wickets. #BANvSA

— Cricket Record (@cricinfo_record) July 15, 2015

David Miller and JP Duminy put on 83 for the fifth wicket in 14.5 overs, although their stand was interrupted by a near three-hour rain delay.

Some photos during the long rain-break. pic.twitter.com/boYTjBbvF6

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) July 15, 2015

Miller perished for 44, caught at backward point off Mashrafe Mortaza who matched the feat of Shakib.

This is first time in ODIs that two bowlers have taken their 200th wicket in the same match! #BanvSA

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) July 15, 2015

Slow left-armer Shakib then claimed the scalp of Farhaan Behardien, and the tail was unable to fire, with Duminy dismissed off the final ball of the innings after making 51 from 70 balls.

Shakib Al Hasan is now the highest wicket-taker on Bangladesh soil in all three formats! Tests:103 ODIs:123 T20Is:17 #BANvSA @Sah75official

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) July 15, 2015

In the Bangladesh reply, Tamim and Soumya made batting look easy with the century partnership coming up in only the 16th over.

In second ODI Soumya Sarkar had raced to the fastest 50 by a Ban batsman vs SA (47 balls). He bettered it today with a 41-ball 50. #BanvSA

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) July 15, 2015

Man-of-the-match Soumya smashed 13 boundaries and a six in making 90 from only 75 balls before being dismissed by Imran Tahir in the 25th over.

However, Tamim finished unbeaten on 61 with Liton Das hitting the winning boundary.

Bangladesh continue making history with a stunning 9 wicket victory to win the Series 2-1 v. South Africa #BanvSA pic.twitter.com/3I5xUqcABD

— ICC (@ICC) July 15, 2015

Bangladesh have now won four successive ODI series at home after previously beating Zimbabwe, Pakistan and India.

It was also only their third win over South Africa in 17 matches. The Tigers had beaten SA only once before Sunday’s series-levelling win in Dhaka.

Bangladesh made history on Sunday night when they beat India by six wickets in Dhaka. It was their first-ever bilateral series win over their neighbours and their 10th ODI win on the trot on home soil. 

Since their exploits in the World Cup, everyone has kept a beady eye on Bangladesh. World Cups often bring out the best in teams, and the underdogs often perform way beyond expectations, but this time was different for Bangladesh. Their World Cup performance was no fluke, as they showed when they beat Pakistan in the series preceding the one against India.

Now, with a series victory over India in the bag, too, there can be no doubt that Bangladesh have found a brand of cricket that suits them well. It’s a fearless brand, which can sometimes be a little bit careless, but Bangladesh’s approach of not taking themselves too seriously has paid off.

The new players who have been brought in for the series against India performed exceptionally well. Most notably, Mustafizur Rahman became the first player ever to take 11 wickets in his first ODIs.  Rahman is only 19 years old and caught the selector's eye when he tried out at a fast bowling camp in 2012.

For a country that doesn’t really produce quick bowlers, Rahman has been a revelation. The fact that rookies can come into the team and perform with such ease speaks volumes to how far Bangladesh has come as a team.

There is still one ODI left against India, and this will be Bangladesh’s real test. They cannot afford to rest on their laurels.  The core of this team will, most likely, be the team Bangladesh take to the 2017 Champions Trophy in England and Wales, and getting into winning habits now will go a long way in helping them perform well in that tournament.  They secured qualification for the event with the series victory, and now it’s about building from this foundation.

Bangladesh’s slow but steady rise underscores what can happen when a side is given time to develop. They are still a long way off in Tests and, despite having an overall poor record in one-day internationals, their newfound vigour and victories prove that there is a reason for cricket to continue developing.

This kind of improvement will also mount a case for teams like Ireland, Afghanistan and other associates to play more one-day internationals against Test-playing nations. Despite the fact that the door is all but closed for associate teams at the next World Cup, teams still have a chance to improve their game and earn some revenue from taking part in bilateral series.

It has taken Bangladesh decades to get her,e and they have succeeded in spite of the system that bogs down teams’ progress, but with smaller teams working together and arranging for regular tours, their progress will steadily improve, too.

Bangladesh’s next challenge is against South Africa. The Proteas will be without key players AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, so Bangladesh have to believe that they at least have a chance. They have played just 14 ODIs against South Africa and have beaten them just once, but high on confidence and with a group of players eager to prove a point, you never know what might happen.

Bangladesh secured a historic one-day international series victory over India with a six-wicket win in Dhaka.

India made 200 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, after winning the toss and deciding to bat, as teenage sensation Mustafizur Rahman took six for 43.

The Tigers reached the total with 54 balls to spare to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after winning Friday’s opening match by 79 runs.

It is Bangladesh’s first series win over India and just their fifth victory in 31 matches.

Rahman, the 19-year-old left-arm seamer who took five for 50 on his debut 48 hours earlier, again tormented the Indian batsmen as they were dismissed in 45 overs after rain had reduced the game to 47 overs per side.

He removed Rohit Sharma for a second successive duck with his second delivery before Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli put on 74 for the second wicket.

Kohli was trapped lbw by Nasir Hossain for 23, and opener Dhawan was caught behind off the off-spinner for 53.

Five balls later, Ambati Rayudu was caught a point off Rubel Hossain for a duck before Rahman took the next five wickets to fall in his next five overs.

Suresh Raina was caught behind for 34, and MS Dhoni lobbed one to cover on 47 before Rahman raced through the lower order as India lost six wickets for 37 runs in 9.3 overs.

The hosts were always ahead of the run rate in their reply, bringing up 50 in 10.4 overs for the loss of Tamim Iqbal (13), who was caught at slip off the recalled Dhawal Kulkarni.

Soumya Sarkar (34) and Litton Das (36) went in quick succession but the Tigers were still positioned at 99 for three after 20 overs.

Mushfiqur Rahim made 31 before being run out and shared a 54-run partnership with Shakib Al Hasan, who guided his side home with an unbeaten 51.

Bangladesh’s victory also secures their place in the 2017 Champions Trophy. The series comes to an end at the same venue on Wednesday.

At the start of play in the first one-day international against India in Mirpur, Bangladesh would have been hopeful of making an impact—even against a full-strength opposition.

What followed was nothing short of magnificent. They posted 307 all out first up with the bat then dismissed India for 228 to win by 79 runs.

The batsmen flourished in home conditions, but it was 19-year-old left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman who stole the show with five for 50 in 9.2 overs on debut.

Rahman was one of two uncapped players named to the ODI squad for the three-match series, but never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined the day he had.

Handed the new ball by captain Mushfiqur Rahim, he came in for some treatment initially before striking to remove Rohit Sharma, caught by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.

In his next over, Ajinkya Rahane followed, caught by Nasir Hossain as Bangladesh started to gather some momentum with the ball.

Unfortunately, Rahman was forced off the field after colliding with Mahendra Singh Dhoni, but he recovered to resume his spell later on.

His first over back after a breather was stunning, as he removed the dangerous Suresh Raina and Ravichandran Ashwin with consecutive deliveries.

To wrap things up, he completed his five-wicket haul by snagging Ravindra Jadeja and almost had six except he dropped a return catch from Mohit Sharma.

In the end, five wickets on debut for a 19-year-old seam bowler against one of the strongest and deepest batting lineups in the world is quite a return.

However, it was the manner in which he earned his dismissals that should give Bangladesh fans the most optimism for the future.

Rahman bowled various cutters as he took pace off the ball and got it moving well off the pitch, while he also showed some good pace and skid at other times.

It shows a great understanding of the conditions available to him far beyond his 19 years and shows he is willing to bowl to his strengths regardless of the opposition.

In removing Raina and Ashwin with consecutive deliveries, he also showed a willingness to keep up the pressure when it might have been easy to relax against a new batsman.

Rahman is still very inexperienced at any level, having played just 10 First Class matches and five List A matches before today’s game.

In addition, his Twenty20 International debut for Bangladesh against Pakistan earlier this year was also his first-ever game in the shortest format for any side.

However, against the No. 2 side in ODIs in the world, Rahman showed himself capable of thriving in international cricket and against the very best.

On the strength of this game, and his previous performances, he has a bright future for Bangladesh and should give them even more depth in the seam-bowling department.