Earlier, 135 cricketers were enlisted across 12 clubs during a two-day players’ transfer window held on April 18 and 19.

Bangladesh completed their highest-ever run chase in T20Is in the series opener against New Zealand in Chattogram on Monday, but skipper Litton Das insisted the wicket was far from easy to bat on.

The hosts included rookie pacer Ripon Mondol, known for his death-over expertise, as Bangladesh look to test new combinations at the start of a crucial T20I phase.

The long interview highlighted a major shift from being Bangladesh captain to BCB president, where the focus moves from on-field performance to overall cricket development, administration, and long-term planning.

The match will start at 2pm, with T Sports telecasting it live.

"Really happy with the victory," said Kolkata skipper Ajinkya Rahane. "The way we played after the 16 overs, Rinku's innings was amazing. That last over and getting the momentum to our side was amazing."

Bangladesh return to T20I cricket today after around a five-month gap, with skipper Litton Das keen to strike a balance between rediscovering rhythm and laying the groundwork for sterner tests ahead.

Tom Latham said New Zealand have been analysing available footage of Bangladesh players ahead of the T20I series, particularly as several members of the hosts’ squad are yet to debut in the format.

Pace bowler Rabada struck twice in his second over to set the tone for his team's domination as they restricted Chennai to 158-7 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

Bangladesh have handed maiden Test call-ups to Tanzid Tamim and Amite Hasan for the opening match of next month’s two-Test series against Pakistan, with selectors rewarding consistent performances in the longer format.

On whether the team has moved past the disappointment of missing out on the global stage, the captain suggested a shift in mindset has already taken place.

No total looks safe in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL), but Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins is far from intimidated, and sees it rather as a challenge for bowlers like him.

Bangladesh will take on visiting New Zealand in a three-match T20I series starting Monday in Chattogram, following their 2-1 ODI series victory. However, the team management’s focus appears to extend beyond just the shortest format.

Unless the domestic structure is prioritised and revitalised, Bangladesh may find themselves perpetually playing catch-up.

Will Young was among the more experienced players in an otherwise inexperienced New Zealand ODI squad that suffered a 2-1 defeat in the recently concluded three-match series against hosts Bangladesh. Arriving in Bangladesh after a successful tour of India, Young and his side encountered tougher batting conditions and a hostile pace attack. The New Zealand number three spoke about the conditions, Bangladesh’s bowling threats, and more in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Abdullah Al Mehdi. The excerpts are as follows:

Blistering fifties by Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma guided Sunrisers Hyderabad to a five-wicket win Saturday after teen prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blasted 103 off 37 balls for Rajasthan Royals.

A monumental unbeaten 152 by KL Rahul, the highest T20 score by an Indian, went in vain as Punjab Kings mounted the largest successful chase in IPL history to extend their lead at the top of the table on a run-soaked Saturday with a six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals.

The Delhi bowler was back-pedalling but misjudged the catch, falling backwards and hitting his head on the turf.

Opener Sarmin Sultana has received a surprise maiden call-up to the national T20 side, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match WT20I series against Sri Lanka.

A respected figure in domestic cricket since Bangladesh’s independence, he remained professionally active until 2021.