Sports
ICC World Cup Trophy Ignites Fervor Amongst Bangladeshi Cricketers
On a Tuesday morning, the cherished trophy adorned the home of cricket, the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. It was Mushfiqur’s privilege to cradle the trophy, gently placing it on an improvised display table. The national team members, who are currently stationed in Dhaka, congregated at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium to behold the trophy’s splendor and seize moments with it through photographs.
Standing beside the trophy for a photo op, Mushfiqur contemplated, “I consider myself extraordinarily fortunate to have represented Bangladesh in four World Cups. We maintain the conviction of delivering exceptional performance, aspiring to surpass our past World Cup feats.”
Mushfiqur also underlined the necessity for the Tigers, Bangladesh’s national cricket team, to excel in order to achieve greater outcomes. “A strong start is of paramount importance. Over the past four to five years, we’ve exhibited remarkable cricket in ODIs. The imminent World Cup presents an excellent opportunity for emerging players to showcase their talents. Our squad boasts a combination of youthful potential and seasoned players. I am optimistic that they will synergize effectively,” Mushfiqur elaborated.
Taskin Ahmed, the right-handed fast bowler, exhibited heightened enthusiasm during the photo session with the World Cup trophy. “Our pace unit has relentlessly invested effort over the past few years,” Taskin exclaimed. “It is truly heartening to acknowledge that our pace unit is collectively performing well. I have confidence that in the forthcoming years, we can outshine our current accomplishments.”
A prominent figure at the event was Rangana Herath, the Sri Lankan cricket legend and Bangladesh’s spin coach. He emphasized the pivotal role expected of spinners in this year’s World Cup in India. “I firmly believe spinners like Shakib (Al Hasan) and Mehidy (Hasan Miraz) will be instrumental for Bangladesh in the World Cup,” he asserted. “We are presently conducting a preparatory camp. I have unwavering faith that our spin arsenal is fully equipped to tackle any challenges that may arise.”
The World Cup trophy photo session was graced not only by members of the men’s national team but also by cricketers from the Bangladesh women’s team. Nigar Sultana Joty, captain of the women’s team, expressed her optimism, noting that the men’s team has exhibited commendable performance in ODIs, elevating expectations for this year’s World Cup.
Former captains Akram Khan, Naimur Rahman, and Khaled Mahmud also partook in the event, striking poses for photographs with the coveted World Cup trophy.
Tomorrow (August 9), the World Cup trophy will be showcased at the Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in Dhaka, open to the public. The program will commence at 11 in the morning and extend until 8 in the evening, granting the public a firsthand encounter with the cherished trophy.
Bangladeshi cricketer Tanzim Hasan Sakib has been fined 15% of his match fee for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during Sunday’s T20 World Cup match against Nepal at Arnos Vale Ground.
The incident occurred at the end of the third over of Nepal’s innings when Tanzim, after delivering a ball, aggressively approached Nepali batter Rohit Paudel and made inappropriate physical contact.
As this was Tanzim’s first offense within a 24-month period, one demerit point was added to his disciplinary record.
The pacer, who took four wickets in the match, admitted to the breach and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Richie Richardson, negating the need for a formal hearing.
The on-field umpires, along with the third and fourth umpires, leveled the charge. Level 1 breaches carry penalties ranging from an official reprimand to a maximum fine of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points. Accumulating four or more demerit points within 24 months can lead to suspension points, resulting in a ban from matches.
Despite the incident, Bangladesh secured a comfortable victory over Nepal, further solidifying their position in the tournament.
Eight venues in South Africa have been confirmed for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, according to Cricket South Africa chief executive Pholetsi Moseki.
In addition to the South African grounds, matches will also be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia, who will co-host the tournament.
Moseki told the South African News24 website that the eight South African venues had been chosen for what he described as “scientific” reasons, including proximity to an airport and the availability of hotel rooms.
South Africa’s regular Test venues – the Wanderers in Johannesburg, SuperSport Park in Centurion, Newlands in Cape Town, Kingsmead in Durban and St George’s Park in Gqeberha – will all host matches.
The Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Boland Park in Paarl and Buffalo Park in East London will be the other venues.
All eight grounds were used when South Africa previously hosted the World Cup in 2003.
Benoni, Potchefstroom and Kimberley also staged matches in 2003 but were not included for the 2027 edition.
The tournament is scheduled for October and November 2027.
Venue guide
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg: South Africa’s premier venue with a capacity of about 30,000. Hosted the finals of the 2003 World Cup and inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup and a semi-final of the 2009 Champions Trophy.
Newlands, Cape Town: The scenic ground with a backdrop of Table Mountain has hosted more Test matches (60) than any other South African ground. Was the venue for the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup final and a 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final.
SuperSport Park, Centurion: The purpose-built stadium outside Pretoria hosted the 2009 Champions Trophy final.
Kingsmead, Durban: Semi-final venue for the 2003 World Cup and 2007 T20 World Cup.
St George’s Park, Gqeberha: South Africa’s oldest Test ground. Hosted a semi-final in the 2003 World Cup.
Boland Park, Paarl: Another scenic venue in the Cape Winelands. Along with the five grounds above, a centre for a team in the SA20 franchise competition. Hosted three matches in the 2003 World Cup.
Springbok Park, Bloemfontein: Five Test matches have been played in Bloemfontein as well as two matches in the Super Six stage of the 2003 World Cup.
Buffalo Park, East London: Infrequently used for men’s international matches in recent years but it has hosted one Test match as well as being a Super Six venue in 2003.
Star cricketer and Member of Parliament Shakib Al Hasan is set to venture into the footwear business with the launch of a new brand, “SAH 75,” in collaboration with Step Footwear, one of the country’s largest non-leather footwear companies.
Under this joint venture, Step Footwear will handle the manufacturing, selling, and marketing of wearable products for the “SAH 75” brand. The products will be available in 95 Step Footwear showrooms nationwide. Shamim Kabir, Managing Director of Step Footwear, confirmed this collaboration.
The formal announcement of the new business venture is scheduled to take place at a hotel in the capital on Sunday.
Sources indicate that Step Footwear will produce certain shoes under the “SAH 75” brand, while additional products will be sourced from both domestic and international markets. These products will be sold through Step’s showrooms.
The product range under the “SAH 75” brand will include shoes, sandals, boots, bats, pads, sportswear, and other wearables.
Step Footwear operates three factories in Narsingdi, where two of them focus on producing trolleys, bags, backpacks, and the third factory specializes in shoemaking equipment. All three factories are currently in full production.
