Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman celebrates with team mates (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul has openly questioned whether the International Cricket Council is fully grasping the gravity of the situation surrounding the national team’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup matches scheduled in India. Speaking to the media on Wednesday after a meeting with Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul and vice-president Faruque Ahmed, Asif Nazrul said the response received from the ICC failed to reflect the seriousness of the security concerns raised by Bangladesh.

The issue escalated after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the next IPL season, following advice from the BCCI. Soon after, the BCB formally asked the ICC to move Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup fixtures from India to co-host Sri Lanka. “After reading the letter we received from the ICC today, we felt that they have not fully understood the serious security situation that has developed in India for Bangladeshi cricketers,” Asif Nazrul said. “To me, it does not feel like only a security issue. It feels like an issue of national humiliation as well. Still, we are primarily treating it as a security issue.” Asif Nazrul said discussions with the BCB leadership led to a unanimous view that Bangladesh’s qualification for the World Cup came through hard work and deserved respect. “We are a cricket-crazy nation and we definitely want to play. We do not want to play the T20 World Cup at the cost of national humiliation, at the cost of the security of our cricketers, spectators and journalists, or at the cost of the country’s dignity.” Reiterating Bangladesh’s position, Asif Nazrul made it clear that the request to shift matches was non-negotiable. “When it comes to the security of our cricketers, the security of Bangladesh, and the honour and dignity of Bangladesh, there will be no compromise. We want to play the T20 World Cup and since there is another host country, Sri Lanka, we want to play there. We are firm on this position.” The adviser also pointed to the Mustafizur episode as evidence of a wider problem. “When the Indian cricket board itself is telling the Kolkata team that they cannot provide security to this player and asking them to drop him from the team, that alone shows there is no environment in India where it is safe to play.” On the possibility of the ICC rejecting the request, Asif Nazrul said the immediate focus was persuasion. “Our first stand is to convince the ICC. We have strong arguments and we will convince them with those arguments. On the question of Bangladesh’s security, honour and dignity, there will be no compromise.”

Mustafizur Rahman (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has sent a strong message to the ICC following the Mustafizur Rahman controversy. BCB director Asif Akbar has made it clear that Bangladesh will not play matches in India unless their concerns are addressed. Speaking to the media, Akbar said the board has no flexibility left on this issue. The decision comes after Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the IPL on instructions from the BCCI.

“We have already made our position clear. We have no second option. After the Mustafizur incident, we are concerned about the safety of our cricketers. Taking everything into consideration, we have decided not to play matches on Indian soil. We are ready to play in Sri Lanka,” Asif said.He also confirmed that the ICC has been officially informed about Bangladesh’s stand, adding, “The ICC has been informed of our concerns and our position. After hearing their response, we will decide our next steps.”Tensions between India and Bangladesh have increased since Mustafizur’s IPL exit. In response, the BCB submitted a written request to the ICC, asking for Bangladesh’s four T20 World Cup matches to be shifted from India to co-host Sri Lanka.On Wednesday, the BCB released a statement saying that the ICC has responded positively to their concerns. According to the board, the ICC has shown interest in working together to ensure Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.“The Bangladesh Cricket Board has received response from the ICC regarding the Board’s expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India for the ICC T20 World Cup, including the request for relocation of the team’s matches,” the BCB said.The statement added: “In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament.”The BCB also shared that the ICC is open to listening to their inputs.“The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event,” it added.The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7. Bangladesh are scheduled to play four matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, but their participation in India now remains uncertain.

Shubman Gill & Yashasvi Jaiswal (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

With cricket’s legendary Fab Four – Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson – nearing the twilight of their careers, the spotlight is gradually shifting to a promising new generation. While still early in their journeys, players like Shubman Gill, Rachin Ravindra, Harry Brook, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are widely tipped to shape the landscape of world cricket over the next decade and beyond. Some have already started making significant waves: Gill has cemented his status as a leading Test captain for India and starred in a record-breaking series in England last year, Harry Brook has emerged as one of the most exciting young batters globally, Jaiswal has been steadily climbing the ranks, and Ravindra is quickly establishing himself as one of cricket’s most formidable all-rounders.

Amid this emerging talent pool, Australian great Mark Waugh was asked to name the next potential superstar of Test cricket. The former opener initially listed three contenders but was quick to single out his top pick. “I reckon there’s three in the run. Jaiswal, Brook and Ravindra from New Zealand. Well, I’m going with Jaiswal. At 24 years of age, he’s already scored a double hundred and averages just under 50. There’s something special about this kid. So I’ve got him down, Jaiswal, as the next champion batsman of the elite group. Look at him. Brilliant player. So that’s my pick, the young Indian,” Waugh said while speaking to Kayo Sports on the sidelines of the fifth Ashes Test between Australia and England in Sydney. Waugh’s endorsement comes as Jaiswal continues to impress on the field. In less than three years of his Test career, he has amassed 2,511 runs in 28 matches, including centuries in the demanding conditions of England and Australia. He has also shown an ability to convert his hundreds into big scores, recording two double centuries from his seven Test hundreds. However, former England captain Michael Vaughan holds a different view, naming Harry Brook as the next great Test batsman. Despite Brook having slightly more experience, with 3,052 runs from 34 Tests at an average exceeding 50, Vaughan believes the 26-year-old’s best is yet to come. “Harry Brook is the next one that we’re going to be talking about. We’re already talking about him on this trip, the way that he’s played. He hasn’t got the amount of runs I would have expected, but over the course of the next 10 years, I think we are going to see some of the most extraordinary innings from this chap. He’s already played quite a bit in his young career; red-ball cricket, white-ball cricket. He’s an all-format player, and he’s box office,” Vaughan said. Both experts agree that the baton is being passed, and while opinions differ on who will emerge as the next global Test superstar, the future of the game appears to be in promising hands.

Mustafizur Rahman (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has spoken openly about the growing political problems affecting cricket. After heavy public backlash, the BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for IPL 2026. This move came at a time when relations between India and Bangladesh have gone downhill. Things became tense after Sheikh Hasina was removed as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister in August 2024, and now cricket is feeling the impact.

Moeen believes the situation is getting worse for the game. He feels politics should not interfere with cricket.“The game is already in a bit of danger regarding these things, and then on top of that, what happened with Mustafizur… Honestly, something isn’t right here. Something needs to be done to fix things because it’s not just about Mustafizur. Pakistan, Bangladesh—we all know various issues are going on. It can’t go on like this. These are big problems,” Moeen told bdnews24.“More than anything else, I feel bad for Mustafizur. He got such a good contract, and considering his career, his years of skillful performance and journey, he finally got something so good… He could have been in another team, but KKR got him… and honestly, he is the one suffering more than anyone.”The former KKR player does not blame the Bangladesh Cricket Board for refusing to send their team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. He feels it is a reaction to the BCCI’s actions, which have nearly blocked Bangladeshi players from the IPL.Moeen also spoke about power politics in world cricket. He believes the BCCI has controlled the game for years, while boards like Australia and England stay silent.“I read today that Bangladesh (is not going to India)… and stopped the (IPL) broadcast. Actually… I’m not blaming Bangladesh. But whoever is doing these things, whoever is dragging these issues in, it’s a very rubbish thing to do because cricket is different,” he added.“The ICC is never like that. That’s the truth. But no one says anything. Everyone knows who runs it… Shouldn’t countries like Australia and England play a role here? They don’t say anything either.”

Jacob Bethell (Getty Images)

Jacob Bethell stood tall with a flawless maiden Test century on Wednesday, anchoring England’s reply as the visitors clawed their way back into the contest and edged into a slender 119-run lead, leaving the fifth and final Ashes Test delicately poised. At stumps on Day 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, England were 302 for 8, with the 22-year-old unbeaten on 142 and Matthew Potts yet to open his account.Bethell’s innings proved pivotal after England suffered early blows, losing Zak Crawley cheaply and Joe Root soon after. Showing composure well beyond his years, the left-hander brought up his hundred in style from 162 deliveries, unfazed by the pressure around him.

However, wickets continued to fall at the other end. Just two overs after Bethell reached three figures, Beau Webster struck twice in the space of three balls, dismissing Harry Brook for 42 and removing Will Jacks for a duck. England’s troubles deepened when Jamie Smith was run out for 24 following a disastrous mix-up.Ben Stokes, who had earlier limped off while bowling with what appeared to be a groin issue, came in at No. 7 but survived only five balls before falling to Webster. England, chasing another morale-boosting victory after their win in Melbourne, remain in pursuit despite Australia already securing the Ashes with a 3-1 series lead.Remarkably, Bethell’s century was not only his maiden Test hundred but also his first in red-ball cricket, surpassing his previous best of 96 against New Zealand. Recalled for the Melbourne Test in place of the struggling Ollie Pope, Bethell has strengthened his claim to the No. 3 spot after also contributing a gritty 40 in challenging conditions.Earlier, Australia were dismissed for 567 before lunch, built around Travis Head’s 163 and a commanding 138 from captain Steve Smith, leaving England to erase a daunting first-innings deficit of 183 after being bowled out for 384.England’s chase began shakily as Mitchell Starc struck with a first-over breakthrough, trapping Crawley lbw for one. Ben Duckett, dropped on 38, failed to capitalise and was bowled by Michael Neser for 42. Root endured a torrid stay before falling lbw to Scott Boland for six.Bethell, though, remained immovable, taking England past Australia’s lead shortly after tea with a single off Neser and celebrating his hundred with a crisp boundary through midwicket. Webster’s late strikes swung momentum back Australia’s way, but Bethell’s resolve ensured the contest heads into the final day finely balanced.

BCB issued a statement on ICC communication regarding T20 World Cup

NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday said it has received a formal response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh national team in India during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, stressing that no ultimatum has been issued by the world body.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In a detailed statement issued after its communication with the ICC, the BCB said the global governing body has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the “full and uninterrupted participation” of Bangladesh in the tournament. The ICC, the board added, has expressed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and assured that Bangladesh’s inputs would be “welcomed and duly considered” as part of the tournament’s security planning.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains firmly committed to placing the highest priority on the safety, security and well-being of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team,” the statement read, while underlining that reports suggesting the BCB had been issued an ultimatum by the ICC were “completely false, unfounded and do not reflect the nature or content of the communication received”.The statement comes in the backdrop of an online meeting between ICC and BCB officials on Tuesday, during which the ICC is understood to have said it had received no actionable or credible security inputs warranting a relocation of Bangladesh’s matches from India. According to reports, the ICC sees no basis, at present, to revise the tournament’s venues.The BCB had written to the ICC following an emergency meeting on January 4, seeking relocation of its matches to safeguard players and officials. Bangladesh are scheduled to play Group C matches against West Indies, Italy and England in Kolkata on February 7, 9 and 14 respectively, before facing Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.

Conflicting media reports emerged after the ICC-BCB interaction, with some claiming Bangladesh were told to travel to India or risk forfeiting points. The BCB has categorically denied this, and no official statement has been issued by either the ICC or the BCCI on the meeting’s outcome.The issue was triggered by the BCCI’s directive to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, despite him being bought for INR 9.2 crore at the auction. In response, the BCB banned IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh, while Mustafizur has since signed up for the Pakistan Super League.

Full BCB Statement on ICC Communication Regarding T20 World Cup 2026

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the Board’s expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, including the request for relocation of the team’s matches.In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament. The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event.The BCB has also taken note of certain reports published in a section of the media suggesting that the Board has been issued an ultimatum in this regard. The BCB categorically states that such claims are completely false, unfounded and do not reflect the nature or content of the communication received from the ICC.The Board will continue constructive engagement with the ICC and relevant event authorities in a cooperative and professional manner to arrive at an affable and practical solution that ensures the smooth and successful participation of the team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains firmly committed to placing the highest priority on the safety, security and well-being of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team.”

Indian presenter Ridhima Pathak (Image credit: Instagram)

NEW DELHI: Reports emerged that Indian presenter Ridhima Pathak had been removed from the presentation panel of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), local media reported on Wednesday, citing sources in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). She was scheduled to host the Dhaka leg of this year’s BPL but was reportedly dropped from the team before arriving in Bangladesh. The current edition of the tournament has already begun in Sylhet.However, Pathak, a prominent figure in Indian sports broadcasting, refuted these reports, clarifying that she voluntarily withdrew from the T20 league due to the ongoing political climate.

In a statement shared on social media, Pathak addressed the rumors directly:“In the last few hours, there’s been a narrative suggesting I was ‘dropped’ from the BPL. That is not true. I made a personal decision to opt out. For me, my nation comes first—always. And I value the game of cricket far beyond any single assignment. I’ve been privileged to serve this sport for years with honesty, respect, and passion. That won’t change. I’ll continue to stand for integrity, for clarity, and for the spirit of the game.“Thank you to everyone who reached out with support. Your messages mean more than you know. Cricket deserves truth. Period. No further comments from my side.”

The BPL authorities have also introduced major changes to the presentation and commentary panels this season. Pakistani presenter Zainab Abbas arrived in Bangladesh, along with veteran commentators Waqar Younis, Ramiz Raja, and Darren Gough. Ridhima was originally set to join them but will no longer be attending.The development comes amid heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh. On January 5, the Bangladesh government suspended the broadcast of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 matches in the country after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad.The IPL is set to begin on March 26, following KKR’s decision to remove Rahman in compliance with the BCCI directive regarding atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.Bangladesh’s response has included an emergency BCB meeting requesting the ICC to shift T20 World Cup matches out of India due to security concerns, alongside the IPL broadcast ban. The ICC has reportedly informed Bangladesh they must play in India or risk forfeiting matches.

Indian Super League trophy (Pic credit: ISL)

PANAJI: The sports ministry and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) turned the tables on top-tier clubs during a joint meeting in the Capital on Tuesday, leaving them with no choice but agree to take part in this edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya later announced that the ISL will kick off on Feb 14 with all 14 teams taking part. When clubs headed to the Capital at short notice — summoned individually through a phone call late on Monday night by AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan — they were expecting to hear the proposal, return home, study and then consult owners. Instead, they were told time was running out and they had to say “yes or no” on Tuesday itself.

“We had no choice to decide whether the (short-term) proposal makes sense,” said one club official who had to hurriedly call the club owner and inform him of the latest developments.Consistent in their stand that they are taking part in the top league, whatever the format and financial implications, Jamshedpur FC were the first to provide an email confirmation, followed by the likes of Punjab FC, East Bengal, NorthEast United, Mohammedan Sporting and Inter Kashi. Later, Delhi SC, Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant came on board. Five clubs — Kerala Blasters, Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City, FC Goa and Odisha FC — needed time to speak with their owners and reluctantly agreed. ISL clubs were also taken aback with the change in format.

While most were in favour of a single-leg centralised format, AIFF proposed a single leg home and away structure for the current season, estimated to cost Rs24.3 crore. AIFF said a single leg centralised format will cost Rs 38 crore, adding to the cost.The ISL will have a total of 91 matches with all 14 teams playing each other once. Clubs have to pay Rs 1 crore each as franchise fee. As per the constitution, the top league will have principles of promotion and relegation, but AIFF is likely to approach the Supreme Court for a one-year relaxation, given that it will be a truncated league. Talking to the media, sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya said: “Today the govt, football federation and 14 clubs had a meeting and we have decided that ISL will start Feb 14 on Saturday. All 14 clubs will participate.”“Similarly, the I-League will be held around the same time with all 11 clubs participating. The leagues will finally happen,” he added.Mandaviya was joined by the beleaguered AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, who explained the financial and logistical aspects of both leagues. “A Rs 25 crore central pool has been made only for the conduct of the ISL. 10 percent of this fund will come from AIFF, 50% from clubs and 10% from legacy partners (clubs). Another 30% was to come from a commercial partner but since we don’t have one right now, the AIFF will pitch in with that contribution for this season,” Chaubey said.