Samsul Arefin Khan

People call the city of Lahore ‘The heart of Pakistan’, owing to its rich history, cultural heritage and the fact that it’s the capital of Punjab, the most influential province of the country.

Bangladesh’s spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed is close to signing a two-year contract extension with the Tigers. The former Pakistan spin wizard left to be with his family in Lahore after Bangladesh’s final ICC Champions Trophy group-stage fixture got washed out in Rawalpindi but had a chat with The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan about Bangladesh’s disappointing campaign in the global event and some of the factors that contributed to it. The excerpts are as follows:

Since its foundation in the 1960s, Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has always been a well-planned city, with separate zones for administration, educational and commercial institutions and residential areas –unlike most major cities in the Indian sub-continent.

Before leaving Dhaka for the ICC Champions Trophy, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had boldly announced his grand goal of bringing the trophy home, raising many eyebrows.

It appears that interest has waned in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, and its twin city, Rawalpindi, as fans turn their backs on today’s ICC Champions Trophy Group A clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Bangladesh team manager Rabeed Imam reminded all-rounder Mehedi Hasan Miraz to check the honours board at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, as the latter was waiting to face the media in the Mixed Zone following their Champions Trophy game against New Zealand.

Eight months ago, curator Tony Hemming parted ways with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) while still having a year left on his two-year contract, expressing dissatisfaction at some of the incidents during his short tenure.  

On Monday morning, right in front of the main entrance of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, a few local hawkers were selling flags of Bangladesh and New Zealand – the two participating teams in today’s crucial Group A match – and of course of hosts Pakistan.

It’s make or break for Bangladesh as they take on New Zealand in their second Group A match of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium today.

“Bangladesh’s got a good bowling attack, that’s what I like about them. But big concern is about the batters,” Pakistan’s head curator Tony Hemming said this yesterday when asked about Bangladesh’s chances in today’s match against New Zealand.  

Soon after he tendered his resignation to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) abruptly in last year’s July, renowned curator Tony Hemming joined the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on a two-year contract.

Ahead of the crucial ICC Champions Trophy contest against New Zealand on Monday, the Bangladesh contingent in Islamabad heaved a sigh of relief yesterday as the experienced campaigner Mahmudullah completed his first net session since sustaining a calf injury in Dubai.

Despite being in such a comfortable environment, the pressing question remains: can Bangladesh rise to the occasion against New Zealand?

Jaker Ali, who made a hard fought 68 off 114 balls and was involved in a record 154-run stand with Towhid Hridoy, talked to a few journalists immediately after the India game where he remained optimistic about his team’s chances of reaching the knockout phase. Here are the excerpts:

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official on Friday said that the team is hopeful of getting Mahmudullah Riyad’s services in Bangladesh’s remaining two Group A matches of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy after the batter missed the opening match against India due to a calf muscle injury.

Despite scoring a fighting hundred, Towhid Hridoy shouldered the blame for Bangladesh’s failure to post a more challenging target for India in their ICC Champions Trophy Group A match in Dubai yesterday, as the batter said that getting cramped up during the last stretch of his innings shaved a few runs off the total.

A jam-packed gallery is a common sight whenever India and Bangladesh square off in any global tournament.

The pre-match hype around Bangladesh’s speedster Nahid Rana proved to be for nought as the pacer did not get picked for their opening Group A match of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy against India in Dubai today, a decision that raised quite a few eyebrows.

His absence had little to do with form or age. Off-field turmoil pulled him away. When the Awami League government fell on August 5, the political landscape shifted. Shakib, associated with the ruling party, was caught in the storm. The writing was on the wall.

In an interview with The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan, opening batter Mohammad Naim discussed his frustrations over missed opportunities and approach to overcoming setbacks, among other issues.