Samsul Arefin Khan

The two Pakistani hockey legends are saddened by the sorry state of Bangladesh's hockey right now

As the curtains fall on the ICC Champions Trophy’s Pakistan leg, Lahore stands at the crossroads of pride and longing. The city, which has witnessed thrilling cricket battles, roaring crowds, and unforgettable moments, now bids farewell to a tournament that rekindled its love for the game.

BCB president Faruque Ahmed spoke on diplomatic ties with cricket boards and BCB’s stance on senior players after Bangladesh’s group-stage exit.

It was a bustling day at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Security personnel, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials, and staff were all in a rush, finalising preparations for the crucial semifinal clash between New Zealand and South Africa.

Travel fatigue was the hot topic in both New Zealand and South Africa camps right before their semifinal clash of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy but both sides were adamant to keep this issue on the sideline and focus on the task at hand at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium today.

With a fresh-look squad, Pakistan now turn their focus to a tour of New Zealand. Bangladesh, on the other hand, remain at a crossroads.

From Bangladesh’s performance in the tournament to the pacers’ progress and the team’s recurring struggles on the big stage, Adams offered candid insights during an interview with The Daily Star.

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?