A counter-attacking century from Ravichandran Ashwin pulled India to a “good position” at 339-6 on day one of the first Test after Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud rattled the hosts with four wickets on Thursday.

India slipped to 34-3 inside the first hour of play in Chennai, then 144-6 in the second session before Ashwin, on 102, and Ravindra Jadeja, on 86, put on an unbeaten stand of 195 runs.

Hasan had vindicated skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s decision to field first in overcast conditions, striking early with three wickets and taking one more after lunch.

The tourists, fresh from their 2-0 sweep in Pakistan, are looking for their first Test win against India.

Chennai-born Ashwin and the left-handed Jadeja – India’s go-to spinners – blunted the Bangladesh bowling, to the delight of the home fans.

“We always have a plan. We were relaxed in the dressing room when watching,” India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal told reporters.

“I think initially the ball was moving and seaming a bit and the wicket was damp. We took our time. In the last session we scored quite well and are in a good position at the moment,” he added.

Ashwin, 38, reached his sixth Test ton in 108 balls with 12 boundaries, removing his helmet and raising his hands to soak in the crowd’s cheers.

Hasan ripped through the Indian top-order including skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – both scoring just six runs – to leave the hosts at 34-3 inside the first hour of play.

Jaiswal put on a 62-run partnership with fellow left-hander Rishabh Pant to get some momentum into the Indian innings.

Hasan broke the stand in the third over after lunch when wicketkeeper-batsman Pant, who is playing his first Test after a serious 2022 car crash, was caught behind off a loose shot. He made 39 with six boundaries.

Jaiswal fell to Bangladesh’s new pace sensation Nahid Rana for 56. Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz then took down KL Rahul for 16.

‘In my zone’

Hasan’s opening spell of 3-14 put the hosts immediately on the back foot, starting with Rohit caught at second slip.

“The plan was simple, to bowl at my strength – bowl seam-up and shape the ball in and out – and I succeeded,” said Hasan. “I was in my zone.”

He added: “Later in the day the wicket settled, but still I got some movement.”

Shubman Gill survived just eight deliveries before being caught behind for a duck when he attempted a flick down the leg side.

Kohli walked in to loud cheers but the noise soon stopped when the former captain edged a length delivery outside the off-stump from Hasan to wicketkeeper Litton Das.

It was a disappointing outing for Kohli after missing his team’s 4-1 home win over England in March due to the birth of his second child.

India are looking to extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings as they begin a fresh Test season of 10 matches.

The second and final Test starts on September 27 at Kanpur.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, expressed his admiration for the national cricket team following their significant victory over Pakistan in a historic two-match Test series held in Rawalpindi.

Yunus hosted a reception in honor of the team, where both players and officials were present.

He congratulated them for their impressive performance, which saw Bangladesh defeating Pakistan on their home ground, and extended his best wishes for their upcoming matches.

Looking ahead, Bangladesh is set to compete against India in a two-match Test series starting on September 19, followed by a three-match T20I series.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja also commented on the series, acknowledging Bangladesh’s superiority and stressing that Pakistan must make considerable efforts to recover from this disappointing loss.

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He remarked on the need for a “miracle” for Pakistan to bounce back as they prepare to host England for a Test series soon.

Raja noted the frustration among Pakistani fans regarding the team’s performance.

Bangladesh has requested that Hindus temporarily halt Durga Puja activities during the times of Namaz and Azaan.

This directive aimed to foster communal harmony as the two religious observances coincide.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that puja committees have been instructed to turn off musical instruments and sound systems, and they have consented to this request.

“Such activities need to cease during offering namaz, and the pause will have to be followed from five minutes prior to azaan,” Chowdhury said.

Chowdhury also said a total of 32,666 puja mandaps will be erected across the country this year. Of these, 157 mandaps will be in Dhaka South City and 88 in North City Corporations, reported Dhaka Tribune.

“We have discussed how to ensure round-the-clock security at the puja mandaps. Measures will be taken to facilitate the celebration of puja without any hindrance and prevent the evil activities of miscreants,” he was quoted.

Authorities believed that this measure will help maintain peace and respect between communities during the religious festivities.

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Durga Puja is a significant celebration for Hindus, while Namaz and Azaan are essential practices in Islam. The government’s appeal underscores the delicate balance of religious observance in a diverse society like Bangladesh.

Ground staff used electric fans in a desperate bid to dry the pitch in the Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand Tuesday, but play was called off for a second straight day with one official calling it “a huge mess”.

The one-off Test at Afghanistan’s adopted home near India’s capital New Delhi was supposed to start on Monday, but the toss is yet to take place because of rain and the poor condition of the Greater Noida ground.

On Tuesday, groundsmen covered areas of the pitch in anticipation of more rain, while others waved electric fans over the worst wet patches.

Ground staff dug up one wet outfield area in the midwicket region, refilling it with dry soil and laying fresh turf.

Umpires carried out repeated inspections and finally called off play in the mid-afternoon.

The venue, hosting its first Test, has only basic drainage and has been criticised for its facilities dubbed “ill-equipped” by The Times of India newspaper.

Despite sunshine on Monday and Tuesday the outfield remained soaked after days of preceding monsoon rain.

The teams stayed in their hotels on Tuesday morning but New Zealand, who were unable to complete any of their training sessions ahead of the Test, later put up nets on the ground and players went through their drills.

Afghanistan has hosted several Twenty20 and one-day internationals at Greater Noida since 2017.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan venues to train and host matches outside their troubled nation, including in the northern Indian cities of Lucknow and Dehradun.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials have been cautious about criticism, fearing it could spoil relations with the BCCI, but said they were disappointed.

“This is a huge mess. We are never coming back here,” an ACB official was quoted as saying by Indian media.

But after the second day’s play was scrapped, Afghanistan officials spoke officially to reporters.

“Everyone, including the ground authorities, have worked hard,” Menhajuddin Naz, the ACB international cricket manager, told reporters.

“Even if it had been any other venue, they would have struggled to get it back on time.”

Naz said they had been offered to host the Test in the northern city of Kanpur or the southern city of Bengaluru, but had opted for Greater Noida.

“We chose Greater Noida as it was most convenient in terms of logistics. It was closer to Delhi and also connectivity from Kabul was better,” said Naz.

This is only Afghanistan’s 10th five-day match since they were granted Test status in 2017.

There has been no public reaction from Tim Southee’s New Zealand, who will next travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests before returning for three more against India.

Indian cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle expressed his disappointment after Pakistan’s surprising 2-0 series defeat to Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Bhogle, who has often viewed Pakistan as a strong team in limited-overs formats, previously noted their weaknesses in Test cricket.

On Twitter, he remarked, “The shorter the game, the more dangerous Pakistan can be, but they are vulnerable in longer formats.”

However, he was taken aback by the severity of this recent loss, labeling it as “embarrassing” and emphasizing the need for significant improvements at the grassroots level.

Bangladesh’s victory was led by veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, who helped chase down a target of 185 runs on the final day. Zakir Hasan’s quick 40 off 39 balls set a positive tone, while Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque made important contributions.

The experienced duo of Rahim and Al Hasan secured Bangladesh’s historic win, resulting in a series whitewash against Pakistan. This loss marks Pakistan’s fifth consecutive defeat in Test matches, having lost three to Australia and two to Bangladesh, leaving them in eighth place in the World Test Championship standings.

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Four weeks after ex-premier Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh by helicopter during a student-led revolution, analysts say she has become a diplomatic headache for her hosts in India.

Hasina’s iron-fisted tenure came to an end last month as protesters marched on her palace in Dhaka after 15 years characterised by rights abuses and opposition crackdowns.

Bangladeshi students who led the uprising are demanding she return from India, her biggest benefactor before her ouster, to be tried for the killing of protesters during the revolt.

But sending the 76-year-old back risks undermining India’s standing with its other neighbours in South Asia, where it is waging a fierce battle for influence with China.

“India is clearly not going to want to extradite her back to Bangladesh,” said Thomas Kean of the conflict resolution think-tank International Crisis Group.

“The message that would send to other leaders in the region who are close to New Delhi would not be a very positive one … that ultimately, India will not protect you,” he told AFP.

‘Want a good relationship’

New Delhi last year saw its preferred presidential candidate in the Maldives lose to a rival that immediately tilted the strategically placed luxury tourism destination towards Beijing.

Hasina’s toppling lost India its closest ally in the region.

Those who suffered under Hasina in Bangladesh are openly hostile to India for the abuses committed by her government.

That hostility has smouldered through megaphone diplomacy waged by Hindu-nationalist Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and directed towards Bangladesh’s caretaker administration.

Modi has pledged support for the government that replaced Hasina, led by 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhummad Yunus.

But Modi, who has made championing the Hindu faith a key plank of his tenure, has also repeatedly urged Yunus’s administration to protect Bangladesh’s Hindu religious minority.

Hasina’s Awami League was considered to be more protective of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority than the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Modi used his annual Independence Day address from atop the 17th century Red Fort to suggest Bangladeshi Hindus were in danger and later raised the matter with US President Joe Biden.

Some Bangladeshi Hindus and Hindu temples were targeted in the chaos that followed Hasina’s departure in attacks that were condemned by student leaders and the interim government.

But wildly exaggerated accounts of the violence were later reported by pro-government Indian news channels and sparked protests by Hindu activist groups loosely affiliated with Modi’s party.

Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a top leader of the BNP, said India had put “all its fruit in one basket” by backing Hasina and did not know how to reverse course.

“The people of Bangladesh want a good relationship with India, but not at the cost of their interests,” Alamgir, one of thousands of BNP members arrested during Hasina’s tenure, told AFP.

“The attitude of India unfortunately is not conducive to creating confidence.”

‘Sheltering the autocrat’

Such is the atmosphere of distrust, when deadly floods washed through both countries in August some Bangladeshis blamed India for the deaths that resulted.

Bangladesh’s interim government has not publicly raised the issue of Hasina taking refuge in India with New Delhi — her last official whereabouts is a military airbase near the capital — but Dhaka has revoked her diplomatic passport, preventing her from travelling onwards.

The countries have a bilateral extradition treaty first signed in 2013 which would permit her return to face criminal trial.

A clause in the treaty, however, says extradition might be refused if the offence is of a “political character”.

India’s former ambassador to Bangladesh, Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, said that the bilateral relationship is too important for Dhaka to sour it by pressing for Hasina’s return.

“Any mature government will realise that making an issue out of Hasina staying in India is not going to give them any benefits,” he told AFP.

Pacemen Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana shared nine wickets on Monday to set Bangladesh on course for victory over Pakistan before rain stopped play on the fourth day of the second Test.

Hasan took 5-43 while Nahid added 4-44 — both career-best figures — in dismissing Pakistan for 172 in their second innings and giving the visitors a target of 185 to secure a 2-0 series win in Rawalpindi.

Openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam raced to 42 without loss — with Zakir hitting two sixes and two boundaries — before rain clouds gathered and bad light suspended play one over after the tea break.

Bangladesh lead the two-match series 1-0 after a surprise win in Rawalpindi last month, their first in 14 tests against Pakistan.

They have only won two series away from home — against the West Indies in 2009 and Zimbabwe in 2021 — and need another 143 runs on the final day on Tuesday to secure victory.

Pakistan had been 117-6 at lunch, with Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha fighting to save the hosts’ blushes before Hasan ended their 55-run stand.

He had Rizwan caught behind for 43 and had Mohammad Ali caught in the slips on the next ball for a golden duck to leave Pakistan teetering on 136-8.

Salman, who top-scored with 47, added 27 for the last wicket with Mir Hamza before Hasan wrapped up the innings with his fifth wicket, getting Hamza caught in the slip.

The morning session belonged to 21-year-old Nahid, who dismissed Shan Masood (28), Babar Azam (11) and Saud Shakeel (two) in a spell of express bowling.

The rain-affected Test saw Friday’s first day’s play washed out and then a remarkable fightback by Bangladesh on Sunday.

The visitors were 26-6 in reply to Pakistan’s first innings 274 before Liton Das (138) put together a seventh-wicket partnership of 165 with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (78) that enabled Bangladesh to reach 262.

Pakistan took their overnight score of 9-2 to 47-2 in 10 overs on Monday before Bangladesh broke through with a spell of three wickets for 18 runs.

Saim Ayub fell for 20 to a brilliant catch by Najmul Hossain at mid-off as the opener failed to keep down a drive off fast bowler Taskin Ahmed.

Nahid then had Pakistan skipper Masood caught behind by Liton off a wild shot before getting the prized wicket of Azam, caught at slip off a sharp delivery in his next over.

Nahid grabbed his third by dismissing Shakeel and went to lunch with figures of 3-22 off five overs.

Liton Das hit a fighting hundred to lift Bangladesh from a precarious 26-6 to 262 all out on Sunday, in a remarkable turnaround that left the second Test in Rawalpindi within either team’s grasp.

The 29-year-old hit 138 over the course of a marathon 333 minutes and brought Bangladesh back into the match with a fighting 165-run seventh-wicket stand alongside Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored a pugnacious 78.

At close on the third day, Bangladesh struck back to leave Pakistan on a sluggish 9-2, with opener Abdullah Shafique dismissed for three and nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad falling without scoring – both to pacer Hasan Mahmud.

Saim Ayub was not out on six as the home team lead by 21 runs, and Pakistan will need to bat smartly to clinch a series-levelling win after losing the first Test, also in Rawalpindi, by 10 wickets.

Bangladesh’s win last week was their first in 14 attempts against Pakistan.

The highlight of the day was Das and Mehidy’s match-turning stand.

On top of that, Das added 69 with tail-ender Mahmud (13 not out) in a 24.5-over ninth wicket stand, equalling the partnership record against Pakistan and leaving the home team frustrated.

Das, dropped on 90 by spinner Abrar Ahmed off his own bowling, hit a late cut off the same bowler to reach his fourth Test hundred. He finally holed out to Agha Salman at long-on.

Das, who came to the crease with Bangladesh tottering at 26-5, cracked 13 boundaries and four sixes, adding a big 236 for the last four wickets.

The right-handed batter admitted he was a little nervous at the start but happy by the end.

“I took it positively and took responsibility,” he said, adding that batting was not easy on the pitch.

Still, Shahzad praised Bangladesh’s batting.

“Such phases do come in Tests as we had one good session but then unfortunately they built a good partnership and we struggled,” said Shahzad.

“We believe in our batting and I think we can set a challenging target for them,” he added.

Earlier, Pakistan were put in a strong position by pacer Shahzad’s career-best 6-90 and Mir Hamza (2-50) in the morning session, but they were left wanting thereafter.

Das and Mehidy’s solid stand took advantage of an eased-out Rawalpindi stadium pitch in the second session of the rain-affected Test, which saw Friday’s first day washed out.

Shahzad, who had taken 4-15 in his first spell, had Mehidy caught and bowled off a miscued drive two overs before tea to end Pakistan’s long and frustrating wait for the seventh wicket.

Das and Mehidy are the first pair in Tests to add 150 or more runs for the seventh or lower wicket from a team total under 50 runs.

Mehidy, who took 5-61 on Saturday, hit 12 boundaries and a six as he passed 50 for the eighth time in Tests.

Bangladesh resumed at the start of the day on 10-0, but Shahzad soon had opener Zakir Hasan caught by Abrar Ahmed at short midwicket for one in the fourth over.

Shahzad then bowled Shadman Islam (10) and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (four) in the space of four deliveries to reduce Bangladesh to 20-3.

At the other end, Hamza had Mominul Haque caught by Mohammad Ali at mid-on for one and then removed first Test centurion Mushfiqur Rahim for three, caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan from a beautiful outswinger.

Shahzad made it 26-6 by trapping Shakib Al Hasan lbw for two before Mehidy and Das dug in.

Shahzad’s previous best figures were 3-45 in his debut Test against Australia at Perth last year.

Pakistan ended up with 274 as Bangladesh managed to restrict the home side to a small total in the first innings of the second Test in Rawalpindi on Saturday. The first day was washed out due to rain.

The visitors were without no loss after the end of the day’s play.

Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz was star player for Bangladesh who brought his side back into the game after the home side dominated the first session.

Miraz dismissed Shan Masood for 57 and opener Saim Ayub for 58 after the home team had been well-placed on 99-1 at lunch. He bagged a five-wicket haul.

However, the second session belonged to the visitors as spinner Shakib Al Hasan trapped Azam for 31 with a ball that kept low. Zakir Hasan dropped a sharp catch at short-leg off Agha Salman two balls later.

Mohammad Rizwan was unbeaten on 18 at the break, with Salman yet to score, with Pakistan desperate for a victory to level the two-match series after losing the first Test by 10 ten wickets.

Bangladesh’s Test victory last Sunday was their first over Pakistan in 14 attempts.

Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed bowled first Test centurion Saud Shakeel for 16, the left-hander having already survived a dropped catch by Mehidy off Nahid Rana on one.

The first day’s play on Friday was washed out due to rain but Pakistan shone with solid batting in the first session after being sent in by the visitors.

Masood, under pressure after scores of six and 14 in the first Test, hit two boundaries before he fell leg-before to Mehidy in the third over after the lunch break.

Fellow left-hander Ayub was more aggressive, hitting two sixes and four boundaries before he was stumped by wicketkeeper Liton Das off Mehidy.

Taskin, brought in for the unfit Shoriful Islam as Bangladesh’s only change, bowled Abdullah Shafique off the sixth ball of the match.

Pakistan made two changes from the first Test, resting spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah to bring in pace bowler Mir Hamza and spinner Abrar Ahmed.

The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship’s third cycle.

Bangladesh, whose win was their first in 14 Tests against Pakistan, brought in fast bowler Taskin Ahmed for unfit Shoriful Islam. Pakistan rested new-ball bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, bringing in fast bowler Mir Hamza and spinner Abrar Ahmed.

A Shan Masood-led team with an all-pace bowling attack suffered a stunning loss on the final day of the first Test and now face a must-win task in the second Test.

Bangladesh on the other hand are looking to record a historic first Test series victory over Pakistan.

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Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s red ball coach, has said the bowlers would need to embrace a ruthless approach in the final Test.

“Our [over] rates were very poor in [the] first Test and that is unacceptable, as simple as that,” Gillespie said adding that the bowlers will play this match with a new approach in order to make an all-out effort to take 20 wickets.

“We want to be ruthless with discipline and line and length. We want to keep going at the [opponent] batsmen. We want to keep hitting good spots on the pitch, challenging the opposition’s defence constantly again and again.”

The team management has decided to release pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test squad to allow him to spend time with his family.

Shaheen, who featured in the first Test against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 20 to 25 August, is not part of the 12-member squad announced on Thursday for the second Test match.

The decision was taken after a disappointing performance in the first Test, where the Pakistani pace attack struggled to contain the Bangladesh batsmen.

Bangladesh registered their first-ever Test win against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Sunday, thanks to spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan. The duo took seven wickets between them to secure a stunning 10-wicket victory.

Shaheen and his wife Ansha Afridi welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Aliyaar Afridi, the Afridi family said earlier this week. Ali Yar’s birth also makes ex-cricketer and Ansha’s father Shahid Afridi a grandfather.

Shaheen and Ansha tied the knot in Karachi in September 2023.

The left-arm fast bowler was also seen celebrating in style after taking his first wicket as a father.

In a telephone conversation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, underscored the necessity for enhanced collaboration to ensure shared progress for both nations.

The leaders acknowledged that greater regional cooperation could significantly uplift the lives of South Asian citizens.

During the call, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated Professor Yunus on his new role and expressed his condolences for the recent flood devastation in Bangladesh.

He highlighted the importance of revitalizing bilateral relations through increased cooperation in various sectors, emphasizing the shared historical, cultural, and religious ties between the two countries.

Professor Yunus expressed gratitude for the support and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the partnership.

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Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as Bangladesh’s interim leader on August 8, promising to uphold the constitution.

His appointment followed the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after weeks of protests that resulted in hundreds of deaths.

Heavy rain in Rawalpindi has caused the opening day of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh to be washed out.

Persistent rainfall has left the outfield waterlogged, requiring the pitch to remain covered.

Originally scheduled to start today at the Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium, the match’s commencement is now uncertain as grounds staff work to drain the accumulated water. Weather conditions continue to pose challenges.

The toss, which was meant to happen before the match, has been postponed until the outfield is suitable for play.

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Pakistan squad: 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Ali Agha, 8 Abrar Ahmed 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Mohammad Ali, 11 Khurram Shahzad, 12 Mir Hamza

Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi has been left out of the second Test against Bangladesh, set to begin on August 30 in Rawalpindi.

Coach Jason Gillespie said on Thursday that the team wants Shaheen to be able to spend time with his family after the birth of his son.

The decision comes after a disappointing performance in the first Test, where the Pakistani pace attack struggled to contain the Bangladesh batsmen.

The 12-member squad includes: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad

Shaheen, who has been working on regaining his form after a knee injury, has taken only 16 wickets in 10 innings since his return in July. Coach Jason Gillespie cited a need for Shaheen to focus on improving his bowling and spend time with his family, who welcomed a new baby recently.

The 12-member squad for the second Test includes spinner Abrar Ahmed and left-arm pacer Mir Hamza. The team management, reportedly unhappy with the pace attack’s performance in the first Test, is looking to revamp the bowling strategy.

The first Test saw Pakistan field four pacers – Shaheen, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, and Naseem Shah – but the strategy backfired as Bangladesh dominated the match, winning by 10 wickets.

The team management is believed to be concerned about the pace bowlers’ inability to capitalize on the grassy pitch and their declining pace. While Naseem picked up three wickets, Shaheen, Shahzad, and Ali managed only two each, proving insufficient against Bangladesh’s strong batting lineup.

The death toll from the ongoing flash floods in Bangladesh has reached 23, with over 5.5 million people affected across 11 districts. The floods, caused by heavy rainfall since August 20th, have inundated homes, submerged roads, and caused widespread damage.

According to the latest reports, over 415,000 people are taking refuge in 3,654 evacuation centers, while another 1.04 million remain trapped in floodwaters. The affected districts include Noakhali, Cumilla, Feni, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Khagrachari, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Lakshmipur, and Sylhet, with Noakhali, Cumilla, and Feni being the worst hit.

The floods have also disrupted power supply, affecting over 928,000 people in nine districts. Several highways and roads have been damaged, making it difficult for relief efforts to reach those in need.

The weather forecast predicts moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and wind over Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet districts in the next 24 hours, raising concerns about further flooding and potential displacement.

Relief agencies are working to provide food, shelter, and medical assistance to those affected by the floods.

The government has also deployed rescue teams and military personnel to assist with evacuation and relief efforts.

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The international community has expressed concern over the situation and pledged support to the Bangladesh government in its response to the disaster.

This is a developing story, and the situation is expected to evolve in the coming days. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Pakistan recalled leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed on Wednesday for the second and final test against Bangladesh after their decision to play an all-pace attack on a slow track backfired in the series opener in Rawalpindi last week.

Pakistan succumbed to their first ever test defeat against Bangladesh on Sunday after fielding an attack, which did not contain a single frontline spinner.

On a slow track, their pacers toiled with little success, while spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz shared seven wickets between them as they bowled Bangladesh to a memorable 10-wicket victory.

Abrar, who has 38 wickets from six tests, has been added to the squad along with uncapped spin bowling all-rounder Kamran Ghulam.

All-rounder Aamer Jamal has also been recalled but his participation was subject to fitness clearance, the PCB said in a statement.

The final test, also in Rawalpindi, begins on Friday.

Bangladesh’s government has lifted the ban on major Islamist political party, Jamaat-e-Islami, effective immediately.

The recent order rescinds the previous directive issued on August 1, which had prohibited the party from political participation.

In its latest order, the government cited the absence of specific evidence linking Jamaat-e-Islami to terrorism and violence as the reason for the ban’s removal. This decision also extends to the party’s student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir.

The ban on Jamaat-e-Islami was solidified under an Anti-Terrorism Act shortly before Hasina’s government faced immense pressure from student-led protests. Following weeks of unrest, Hasina fled to India by helicopter on August 5, 2024.

Jamaat-e-Islami, a major political party with millions of supporters, was initially barred from contesting elections in 2013 when the High Court ruled that its charter violated the secular constitution of the predominantly Muslim nation.

The party faced further restrictions in subsequent elections, including those in 2014, 2018, and most recently in January 2024, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured her fifth term amid allegations of electoral malpractice and a lack of credible opposition.

Jamaat-e-Islami remains one of the primary political parties in Bangladesh, alongside the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced free entry for students for the second Test match between Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan, scheduled to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 30 to September 3.

“The students are required to be in their uniform and bring their educational institution cards to enter the stadium,” the PCB said in a statement.

The decision was made to encourage students to come and see the game of cricket between the two sides. Bangladesh are leading the two-match Test series 1-0, after defeating the hosts by 10 wickets in the first Test match which concluded on Sunday.

The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25.

The free entry policy for students does not apply to the seating capacity in PCB Gallery or Platinum Box.

Meanwhile, the fans can purchase tickets for the second Test online at PCB.tcs.com.pk or from the physical ticket booth located at Aviation Ground, opposite Rescue 1122, Rawal Road and also at the designated TCS express centres.

The tickets for the premium enclosures will be available for Rs200 while VIP enclosures tickets will be priced at Rs500 on weekdays and Rs600 on weekends.

The Gallery pass, which includes lunch and tea, is priced at Rs2,800. The Platinum box, which also includes lunch and tea, is available for Rs12,500. Additionally, a full hospitality box can be reserved for Rs200,000.

a free shuttle bus service will continue to run on two routes on match days for ease of access into the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium by spectators. Route 1 will run from Aviation Ground, Rawal Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate while the Route 2 will go from Government Satellite Town College for Boys, 6th Road, Murree Road to Allama Iqbal Park Entrance Gate.

The Bangladesh national cricket team has rallied behind their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who is facing a case of alleged murder connected to the recent unrest that led to the toppling of the government.

Shakib, a former member of parliament from the ousted Awamy League party, has been accused along with 155 others in a murder case filed by the father of one of the hundreds killed during the civil protests that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India.

Despite the serious allegations, Shakib’s teammates have publicly expressed their support for him. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto described Shakib as “a big asset of our country” who has proudly represented Bangladesh for 17 years.

Shanto said the team’s historic first Test win against Pakistan on Sunday was a tribute to the victims of the recent unrest.

Veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim also took to social media to voice his unwavering support for Shakib, stating that he is proud to play alongside the “champion” and that he does not believe the “false allegations” against him.

The protests that led to Hasina’s downfall were marked by widespread accusations of abuses by her government, including the mass detention and extrajudicial killing of political opponents.

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Shakib, who lost his parliamentary seat when the legislature was dissolved, now finds himself embroiled in the aftermath of the civil unrest.

As Bangladesh’s cricketers rally behind their embattled teammate, the case against Shakib highlights the complex political landscape in the country and the challenges faced by public figures caught in the crosshairs of wider societal upheaval.

Severe floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains have wreaked havoc in Bangladesh, leaving at least 23 people dead and around 1.24 million families stranded across 11 districts.

The flooding, caused by relentless rainfall and overflowing rivers, has left an estimated 5.7 million people affected and in urgent need of assistance.

Many remain isolated, with blocked roads hindering rescue and relief efforts, particularly in remote areas.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the flood conditions could persist if the monsoon rains continue, as water levels are receding very slowly. Around 470,000 people have sought refuge in 3,500 shelters set up across the affected districts, where 650 medical teams are on the ground providing treatment.

The armed forces, including the army, air force, navy, and border guard, are aiding in the rescue and relief operations. However, the scale of the disaster is overwhelming, with vast areas of land submerged and a significant threat to crops if the floodwaters linger.

Experts attribute the exacerbation of such catastrophic events to the impacts of climate change, highlighting the vulnerability of countries like Bangladesh, which has negligible emissions but bears the brunt of the consequences.

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Calls have been made for immediate funding to address the losses and build long-term resilience.

One of the worst-affected districts, Noakhali, saw 56-year-old Shukuri Begum lose her home as it was swept away by the floodwaters. She fled with her grandchildren, but was forced to leave her son with physical disabilities behind, stacking beds in the hope that he would be safe.

As the nation grapples with this devastating natural disaster, the need for urgent humanitarian aid and a concerted effort to address the root causes of climate change has never been more pressing.

Pakistan and Bangladesh have been fined and docked World Test Championship points over slow over rates during the first Test in Rawalpindi, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Monday.

Bangladesh achieved their first victory over Pakistan in 14 Tests with a thumping 10-wicket win on Sunday after both teams struggled in hot conditions on a flat Rawalpindi pitch.

“Hosts Pakistan were found to be six overs short and lost six WTC points, while visitors Bangladesh were docked three points after being found three overs short of the acceptable rate,” the ICC said in a release.

Pakistan’s players were also fined 30 per cent of their match fee and the Bangladeshis 15 per cent, it said.

Pakistan slumped to eighth in the nine-team WTC points table after the defeat, while Bangladesh are seventh.

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Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan was also fined 10 per cent of his match fee and received a demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.

“Shakib threw the ball at Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan in the 33rd over of the second innings after the latter had backed away,” the ICC said.

The second and final Test will also be played in Rawalpindi from Friday.

Bangladesh registered their first-ever Test win against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Sunday, thanks to spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan. The duo took seven wickets between them to secure a stunning 10-wicket victory.

The hosts batting collapsed to 146 on the final day of the first Test, setting visitors a meagre 30-run target on the final day. In response, Bangladesh achieved the target in a mere 39 balls without the loss of a wicket.

Apart from a draw in 2015, the previous 10 encounters had all been won by Pakistan.

Mehidy grabbed 4-21 and Shakib 3-44 to trigger a Pakistan collapse on the fifth day, with the home side dismissed for 146 runs in 55.5 overs.

That left Bangladesh a target of just 30 runs, which openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam reached in 6.3 overs.

Zakir Hassan made 15 runs while Shadman Islam made nine runs in the brief chase. The match ended with over 45 overs yet to be bowled on the final day of the test.

Bangladesh began the day with five wickets in the morning session to take control of the match, which batters have dominated.

Muhammad Rizwan (51) and Abdullah Shafique (37) were among four Pakistani batters to enter double figures in the second innings.

Despite managing to avert an innings defeat, the team was bowled out for 146. This set Bangladesh a target of 30 runs, with over 50 overs remaining.

The victory will be a rare one for Bangladesh, which has struggled in the longest format of the game away from home.

A holiday crowd of nearly 5,000 expected Pakistan to fight out a draw but Mehidy bowled Rizwan and trapped last man Mohammad Ali for a duck in successive overs.

Bangladesh skipper pays tribute to individuals passed away during protest

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto dedicated the win to people who were killed in political turmoil that resulted in the ouster of premier Sheikh Hasina this month after weeks of student-led protests.

“We are paying tribute to the individuals who recently passed away in our nation during the protest and praying for their souls,” he said.

“Thanks Almighty for the win. It was very special to win on my special day,” said Najmul, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday.

‘Very disappointing loss’ for Pakistan

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood described the loss as “disappointing”.

“Yes, it is a very disappointing loss,” said Masood who has lost four successive Tests as skipper. “We did not take Bangladesh lightly but the pitch did not play as we expected.”

Bangladesh, criticised for their lack of Test wins, now have one win each over Australia, England and Pakistan.

The win in Rawalpindi was only their sixth in 143 Tests.

Pakistan’s batting crumbled on a pitch that had been unresponsive over the first four days until small cracks started to appear that were exploited by Bangladesh’s spinners.

The hosts also paid for not including a frontline spinner as they fell to the fifth defeat in their past nine home matches, with four draws.

Their leading batsmen also failed, with Babar Azam making only 22 and skipper Masood 14. First innings century-maker Saud Shakeel fell for a fourth-ball duck.

Pakistan trailed by 117 on the first innings and resumed at 23-1, only to lose Masood in the second over to pace bowler Hasan Mahmud.

It could have been 28-3 had wicketkeeper Liton Das not dropped a regulation catch off fast bowler Shoriful Islam to give Azam a first-ball reprieve.

Azam hit three boundaries to raise hopes of a Pakistan fightback but was bowled by an inside edge off Nahid Rana for the right-arm paceman’s only wicket of the match.

Shakib, whose participation in the Test drew protests at home over his political ties to Hasina, had Shakeel stumped and Shafique caught off a miscued shot before lunch.

Agha Salman then fell to off-spinner Mehidy for a first-ball duck, leaving Pakistan in tatters at 105-6.

Mehidy then dismissed Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah cheaply in the space of seven runs.

Pakistan won 12 of the previous 13 Tests against Bangladesh, six by an innings, with one draw.

The second and final Test will also be played at Rawalpindi from Friday, with the series part of the World Test Championship (WTC).

Pakistan slumped to eighth in the nine-team WTC table after their defeat, with Bangladesh climbing to sixth.

Veteran Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has been charged with the alleged murder of a garment factory worker in the country’s capital, Dhaka.

According to reports, the victim’s father filed a first information report against Shakib and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina at a Dhaka police station on Thursday.

Shakib, who is currently on tour with the Bangladesh national team in Pakistan, was a member of the dissolved Bangladesh Parliament that was led by Hasina. The former PM was forced to flee the country earlier this month amidst mass protests.

The interim government in Bangladesh has granted Shakib permission to participate in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan, the first match of which began on Wednesday.

Shakib is Bangladesh’s key all-rounder, having scored 4,505 runs in 67 Test matches and taken 237 wickets - the most by any Bangladeshi bowler in the format.

Neither Shakib nor the Bangladesh Cricket Board has commented on the murder allegations at this time.

Bangladesh were dismissed for 565 on Saturday after a brilliant knock of 191 by veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim on the fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.

Mushfiqur’s marathon knock – lasting eight hours 42 minutes – ended when he edged pacer Mohammad Ali to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. He added a record 196 runs for the seventh wicket with Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

It gave Bangladesh a lead of 117 runs after Pakistan had made 448-6 in their first innings.

It was also Bangladesh’s highest total against Pakistan, beating the 555-6 they scored at Khulna in 2015.

The seventh-wicket stand with Mehidy bettered the previous record of 186 set by Warren Lees and Richard Hadlee for New Zealand in Karachi in 1976 – a record against Pakistan in all Test cricket.

Mehidy was caught behind for 77 off Shaheen Shah Afridi, who finished with 2-88.

Naseem Shah was the best bowler with 3-93.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered to Bangladesh amid recent catastrophic floods triggered by heavy rains, killing at least 15 people and millions more caught in the deluge.

“Pakistan is ready to help the people of Bangladesh in this difficult time,” he said in a letter to Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Friday.

Flash floods wrought havoc in the South Asian country on Friday as the country recovers from weeks of political upheaval, with the death toll rising to 15 and millions more caught in the deluge.

The nation of 170 million people, crisscrossed by hundreds of rivers, has seen frequent floods in recent decades.

Monsoon rains cause widespread destruction every year, but climate change is shifting weather patterns and increasing the number of extreme weather events.

PM Shehbaz expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with Bangladesh during the challenging time, saying that the country stood with those who lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in the floods.

He lauded the people of Bangladesh for their “renowned bravery and courage, particularly in the face of adversity”.

The prime minister expressed confidence that Bangladesh’s leadership would guide the country through the challenging period.

He earlier said he was “deeply perturbed at the loss of life and devastation caused by the floods in Bangladesh”.

“I extend my deepest sympathies to the people of Bangladesh and the families of the victims,” he said, “Pakistan stands in solidarity with Bangladesh in this moment of tragedy”.

Bangladesh opener Shadman Islam missed a fighting hundred by just seven runs but still helped Bangladesh reach 199-4 in the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Friday.

The defiant 29-year-old left-hander was approaching his second hundred but was bowled by a sharp delivery from Pakistan pacer Mohammad Ali in the last over before tea on the third day.

Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim was 15 not out as Bangladesh trail Pakistan’s total of 448-6 declared by 249 runs with six wickets in hand.

Shadman added 52 runs for the fourth wicket with Rahim following his stubborn 94-run stand with Mominul Haque (50) in an earlier wicket stand.

Shadman hit 12 boundaries in his fighting five hour 29-minute stay at the crease.

Haque was the only batter dismissed in the post-lunch session when he missed a delivery from Khurram Shahzad and was bowled. He hit five boundaries in his 76-ball innings.

It was Shadman who anchored his team’s fight as Pakistan’s pace attack looked less effective on a Rawalpindi stadium pitch that has slowed down considerably.

Shahzad was the pick of home bowlers with 2-36 while Naseem Shah and Ali have a wicket each.

Shadman pulled pacer Shah’s last delivery before the lunch interval for his sixth boundary to reach a third Test half-century as Bangladesh reached 134-2.

The Shadman-Haque stand led the recovery after Pakistan removed Zakir Hasan (12) and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (16) in the extended three-hour session due to Friday prayers.

Pakistan employed all four pacers but were missing the services of a frontline spinner.

Part-time slow bowler Agha Salman had Shadman leg-before wicket on 57 but the decision was overturned on review.

Resuming at 27-0, Bangladesh lost Zakir to a smart catch by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, diving to his left to take a one-handed catch in Shah’s fifth over of the day.

Shanto looked good during his short knock but was bowled between bat and pad by Shahzad, leaving the visitors on 53-2.