Mazhar Uddin

‘More emotion in our time’

The Dhaka Premier League (DPL) has been the lone fifty-over domestic competition in Bangladesh that still has a huge impact in the country’s cricket.

3w ago

Despite discussions about the slow and low nature of the Mirpur surface and how much the Tigers would rely on home conditions as they looked to undo England prior to the start of the three-match T20I series, it was a breath of fresh air to witness the impact of the pace-bowling unit as Bangladesh sealed a maiden whitewash series win against the reigning white-ball world champions.

Time to step out of the Mirpur bubble?

Following a memorable six-wicket win over England in the first T20I on a sporting wicket in Chattogram last week, there remains a lot of focus on the nature of the Mirpur’s surface on which the second T20I is set to be played today.

‘Fizz stuck in T20 mindset in ODIs’

Despite being among the most experienced pacers in Bangladesh’s bowling unit, Mustafizur Rahman’s listless performances in the 50-over format have quickly become one of the biggest concerns for the Tigers in recent times

‘I prioritise keeping a smile on my face’

Najmul Hossain Shanto has managed to navigate troubled waters with perhaps the best tool there is: performance.

‘Important to adapt and adjust’

Despite picking up a hattrick on ODI debut, Taijul Islam is yet to establish himself in the white-ball formats for Bangladesh.

Not just a fluke

Even though Bangladesh’s performance in the recently-concluded ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup surprised many, it was, in fact, a reflection of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) long-term planning and the hard work put in by the players.

‘Trolling on social media affected my image’

After going from being rated as one of the brightest prospects in the country to impressing upon starting his international career at a very early age,

Ambrose’s sage advice for Taskin

Taskin Ahmed’s transformation to a complete fast bowler has been a highlight for Bangladesh cricket in recent times and the pacer has continued to impress in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League as the sole light for a Dhaka Dominators side that has lost three of their four matches.

‘Finding the right technique is key’

Aamer Sohail, former Pakistan captain, and opener, is currently in Bangladesh as part of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) commentary panel. Sohail, who formed one of the most destructive opening pairs with Saeed Anwar, talked about formulas to shine as an opener and also many other topics during an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Mazhar Uddin in Chattogram. The excerpts of the interview are given below:

Just Shakib things

There were tense faces in the Comilla Victorians dugout prior to the start of the game as they searched for a first win in the Bangladesh Premier League and, at the other end of the spectrum, was the skipper of Fortune Barishal. Shakib Al Hasan was quietly sitting in a corner, observing proceedings.

Will concrete tracks help Tigers in the long run?

In an attempt to adapt to the fast and bouncy tracks in Australia where the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup is staged to be set next month, the Bangladesh team management had asked the grounds committee to prepare some new concrete tracks at the National Academy ground in Mirpur.

Economist, entrepreneur, entertainer: The man who wears all three hats

Whether on the field or off it, Shakib Al Hasan has remained the biggest attraction in Bangladesh cricket for his unconventionally bold attitude over the years.

‘What message is Shakib sending to the next generation?’

The latest Shakib Al Hasan saga -- which stemmed from a controversial sponsorship deal with Betwinner News, a sister concern of betting site Betwinner -- eventually ended when the cricketer terminated the deal in the face of an uproar in the cricketing fraternity and a strong stance from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Interestingly, the BCB rewarded Shakib for that ill-advised deal by handing him the T20I captaincy until the ICC T20 World Cup later this year, which again reflected the helplessness of the board when it comes to tackling the problematic yet vital member of their team. Former Bangladesh captain and match referee Roquibul Hassan spoke to The Daily Star’s Mazhar Uddin and shared his views on the issue during an exclusive interview. The excerpts are below:

Bangladeshi umpires scaling new heights

Although the Bangladesh cricket team’s performances on the field have hogged the limelight over the years, an another important aspect of the game that has remained overshadowed is umpiring.

Tigers can dream big with Tamim at the helm

When Tamim Iqbal replaced Mashrafe Bin Mortaza as the ODI captain of Bangladesh back in 2020, there were concerns whether the Tigers would be able to continue on the upward trajectory in their preferred format under new leadership.

Tigers need a show of faith

Following defeat one after another across the formats, the confidence levels of the Bangladesh cricket team approach a nadir ahead of the third and final game of the T20I series against the West Indies in Guyana tonight.

A dream taken from Bangladesh to Portugal

While there are those who are tempted to abandon their dreams after a major hurdle, the story of Siraj Ullah Khadem illustrates the possibilities that can be found when an individual never stops chasing their dreams despite the cruel twists of fate.

‘This camp is about taking yourself to the next level’

With the intent to prepare cricketers for the next step, the Bangladesh Tigers have been specifically polishing the skills of cricketers that are in contention for a place in the national side.

Can Tigers overcome half a decade of top-order struggles?

Before the start of the first of the two-match Test series in Antigua, skipper Shakib Al Hasan mentioned that the Tigers would have to put up a better show with the bat, especially in the first innings, if they wanted to take control of the Test. It was pretty much a confession that Bangladesh’s batting was the area of concern in the first innings of a Test match.

Taijul’s sights on the extraordinary

The Daily Star (DS): Another away tour is approaching. How’s your preparation for the West Indies series?

Shoriful enjoying the big shift

Shoriful Islam (SI): It’s much better now. I feel a lot better. Hopefully the plaster will be removed by May 9 and then let’s see what happens.

‘It’s not easy to fill the shoes of Mushy bhai’

Yasir Ali Chowdhury has shown great potential in his fledgling Test career and the right-hander is expected to play a big role in Bangladesh's middle-order on the tour of the West Indies as he fills a vacancy left by the absence of the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim. The 26-year-old, who will travel to the Caribbean today, spoke to The Daily Star's Mazhar Uddin before boarding a flight, discussing his plans and some other topics during an exclusive interview. The excerpts are below:

Former stars’ interest the ‘most positive’ sign

With the intention to enhance and improve the skills of the local coaches, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) conducted a six-day Level 2 coaching course at the home of cricket in Mirpur last week.

A trio of hopefuls

Bangladesh will start their build up to the ICC T20 World Cup, slated to be held in Australia in October, with the upcoming three-match T20I series against West Indies starting from July 2.

‘Franchise-based leagues are hurting the ODI format’

The sustainability of ODI cricket has been questioned after a number of legends of the game termed the format obsolete in the modern era.

The many shades of Eid

The Bangladesh national cricket team members will enjoy the Eid vacation this year with their family members. In a time when cricketers remain extremely busy throughout the year with home or away tours and global events, getting to enjoy Eid festivities with near and dear ones are increasingly rare.

The grit, grind and granite behind Mr. Happy

He may have been the youngest member of the Bangladesh team, but 21-year-old Mahmudul Hasan Joy showed that he has a mature head on his shoulders on way to registering his maiden Test hundred and the first by a Bangladesh batter against South Africa on the third day of the first Test in Durban yesterday.

Khaled emphasises depth in pace unit

As expectations of Bangladesh’s pace-bowling department began to rise following promising performances from pacers like Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed put his hands up and showed that there was plenty of depth in the pace department on the second day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban yesterday.

‘There is no alternative to being disciplined’

The morning air felt a little different in Durban yesterday, perhaps more so for Taskin Ahmed, who at one point a few years ago had felt unwanted in the national fold.

‘Bigger than the IPL’

"I am a proud man, especially with a Bangladeshi fast bowler getting a five-for, winning the series [for us] and winning the player-of-the-series award."

Taskin rises to the occasion

It takes immense willpower and focus for a cricketer to forgo a lucrative offer to play in the money-spinning Indian Premier League for the first time in his career and return the very next day to pick up a five-wicket haul.

Pace battery finds its footing

The biggest threat to any side visiting South Africa has arguably always been the fast and bouncy nature of the tracks, conditions the hosts consistently utilise to undo opponents across the formats.

‘His bowling will continue to inspire generations’

The current generation of youngsters may have not witnessed Shane Warne, who retired from cricket in 2007 after cementing himself as the greatest leg-spinner in cricketing history, but his legacy and aura are things that cannot be ignored.

Liton’s class showcased again

An on-song Liton Das is always a treat to the eyes as the elegant right-hander mesmerises everyone with his batting skills. Following a lack of consistency early in his career, Liton has surely come of age as a batsman, having taken the next step in becoming a world-class act in recent times.

‘You need to bowl 15 to 20 overs every day’

While Bangladesh are still searching for leg-spinners, Afghanistan have made producing world-class leg-spinners their forte.

Pacers thrive in their natural habitat

The way Ebadot Hossain welcomed the experienced Ross Taylor to the crease, with a well-directed bouncer that the right-hander somehow managed to survive, served as a perfect example of true fast bowling at Mount Maunganui yesterday.

‘We were never in control’

One could be tempted to take positives despite Bangladesh crashing to a convincing eight-wicket defeat in the first Test against Pakistan inside the first session of the final day to start the second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship with a defeat.

‘I’m sure the players, too, are very frustrated’

Once again batting failure has led Bangladesh to the verge of another Test match defeat following some poor decision making by the Tigers batsman against Pakistan on the fourth day of the first Test in Chattogram yesterday.

Taijul does the trick again

Many may be unable to recall that Taijul Islam had taken five wickets in the last Test that he played for Bangladesh just over six months ago against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.

Impact of genuine fast bowling showcased again

Irrespective of pitch and conditions, the possession of potent attacking fast bowlers keeps a team invariably in the hunt and the Pakistani frontline pacers proved that yet again by utilising the new ball perfectly to dismantle the Bangladesh batting line-up.

Liton, Mushfiqur stand tall in time of crisis

Both Liton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim had faced a fair share of criticism and got embroiled in controversies after Bangladesh’s dismal showing in the ICC T20 World Cup. And that had seen them being eventually dropped from the three-match T20I series against Pakistan.

Mominul hints at long-term plan

Compared to other cricketing nations, Bangladesh have probably given the least emphasis to improving in the Test format after

Parvez the latest entrant to opener merry-go-round

Bangladesh are all set to field a new opening pair as they tweak the team to eke out a consolation victory in the final game of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.

Revamped Tigers show promise even in defeat

It was a case of so close, yet so far for Bangladesh, who put up a great fight in defending a small 127-run total before going down to a four-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the first game of a three-match T20I series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Selected sans credentials

Four uncapped players were included in the squad for the Pakistan series in the form of Bangladesh Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Akbar Ali, Test specialist Saif Hasan, a relatively ordinary performer in recent times in pacer Shohidul Islam and Yasir Ali, who has been around the set-up but is yet to play an international game.

A World Cup to remember

It was a huge challenge for the governing body of world cricket to stage the ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE while adapting to the norms of the new normal against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Marsh, Warner fire Australia to maiden World T20 title

Australia were just being Australia: ruthless, invincible and powerful as Aaron Finch and Co gave no quarter to New Zealand on way to lifting their maiden ICC T20 World Cup title with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory in the final at the Dubai Cricket Stadium yesterday.

May 13, 2023