It was already evening at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, but that did not deter the national team stars as their practice continued under lights, with head coach Phil Simmons also present. The aim of the skill camp, which ended yesterday, was to place a sharp focus on the development of a few players in specific areas, while others were participating in the recently-concluded National Cricket League (NCL) or were on vacation.

At the trophy ceremony, participating players expressed relief but also lamented the absence of colleagues.

The domestic arena of Bangladesh cricket has long been mired in controversies and irregularities, despite repeated calls from experts and the media to strengthen its core in order to improve the country’s cricketing structure. That crisis appears to have deepened this season, with four of the five opening-day fixtures tomorrow expected to result in walkovers as several clubs could skip the games in protest against alleged irregularities in the most recent Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections.

India’s teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi produced a dominant display of power-hitting as India stormed to a 234-run victory over hosts UAE in their U-19 Asia Cup opener at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai on Friday.

Bangladesh won the last two tournaments in the Gulf, defeating UAE and India respectively in the finals in 2023 and 2024.

"My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series – ODI, Test and T20I – and retire. That's the plan I have," Shakib said.

Under the supervision of head coach Phil Simmons, the BCB began a week-long batting camp on Saturday, where several T20 batters are working on developing their skills.

As it often happens, a victory -- especially before a major tournament -- can lift the mood within the Bangladesh team.

The selectors themselves have avoided commenting, leaving the team management to front questions they are unwilling or unable to answer.

Bangladesh's middle and lower-middle order have slumped for over a year. Even when runs have come, they have lacked impact, and self-preserving batting has often worsened situations.

BCB vice-president Faruque Ahmed said they would continue efforts to bring the dissenting clubs back into the competition and hinted at the possibility of organising an alternative tournament if needed.

Mahedi missed the eleven in the first game and, with team combinations constantly changing, often finds himself in and out of the side.

Defending a target of 266, Bangladesh bowled out Sri Lanka for 238 in their second innings on the final day.

The 36-year-old, who played just three Tests for Bangladesh between 2013 and 2014, never received a second opportunity despite consistently performing in domestic cricket.

Batting crises have long been a recurring feature for Bangladesh, and the attempts to manage them often appear tentative -- driven more by hope than by evidence-backed planning.

Akbar Ali-led Bangladesh A will take on Pakistan Shaheens in the final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha today. The match would get underway at 8:30 pm Bangladesh Time.

Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar Sumon, the man who placed the first Test cap on an 18-year-old Mushfiqur Rahim at Lord’s in 2005, reflects on the veteran wicketkeeper-batter’s remarkable journey. Having witnessed Mushfiqur’s evolution both as a teammate and later as a selector, Bashar offers rare insight into the highs and lows that shaped Bangladesh’s first cricketer to reach the milestone of 100 Tests.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday announced a reshuffle in leadership roles across all three formats, appointing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Saif Hassan as vice-captains of the Test, ODI, and T20I teams, respectively.

The development follows the postponement of India men’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh.

The match was defined by disciplined Bangladeshi bowling at the start, followed by a steady, risk-free chase led by Zawad Abrar and Mahidul Islam Ankon.