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Cricket World Cup 2023: Swansong For Bangladesh’s ‘Fab Three’?

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Three cricketers, considered the backbone of Bangladesh’s golden generation, are expected to make their swansong at the World Cup, after dragging their side up from whipping-boy status over 15 years. When Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad came onto the scene in the mid-2000s, Bangladesh were mostly embarrassing as a national side. But over the years they shed the pushover tag, especially in one-day internationals — the format used in the World Cup starting in India next week.

Bangladesh had won only 40 of their 218 games — just over 18 percent — across all formats when Shakib, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah, along with the retired Mashrafe Mortaza and the axed Tamim Iqbal, first played together in a Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg in 2007.

Only a few of those victories had come against higher-ranked teams.

But over the next 15 years they won nearly 40 percent of their games, including at least five wins against each Test-playing country.

And the 3-0 Twenty20 series win against world champions England this year ticked another box — at least one series win against all Test-playing countries, in one format or another.

But the series victories were never capped with a trophy from a major competition.

Aside from a tri-series in Ireland, involving the hosts and the West Indies ahead of the 2019 World Cup, Bangladesh have never won a tournament involving more than two teams.

They reached three Asia Cup finals, in 2012, 2016, and 2018, but lost them all.

The team reached the semi-finals of the 2017 Champions Trophy in England, only to lose against India at Edgbaston.

“They certainly deserved better as a group,” said Habibul Bashar, who led Bangladesh at the 2007 World Cup.

“Those players did something for Bangladesh cricket that had never happened in the past. They achieved a lot, definitely.

“But it is a matter of regret that they could not win a big trophy yet.”

Ranked seventh in ODIs, and the team unsettled, their chances of breaking their duck at the World Cup in India are slim.

The furthest progress they have made at a previous edition was a quarter-final berth in 2015.

Veteran journalist and cricket commentator MM Kayser told AFP: “The kind of buildup we have seen, well, I cannot be too optimistic about Bangladesh’s chances this time.”

Shakib was only appointed as captain three months ahead of the World Cup and the build-up to the event was marred by a spat with Tamim who was branded “childish” by the new skipper.

Former Bangladesh opener Javed Omar, who played with Shakib, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah in the early days of their careers, believes only a “miracle” can see them win the tournament.

“They are all good players, but we have already seen their limit in international cricket,” he said.

“To go to the next level like winning the World Cup maybe they need to play super extraordinary or produce a kind of miracle.”

Bangladesh start their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan in Dharamshala on October 7.

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Manchester United Off To Worst Premier League Start After Chelsea Draw

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Moises Caicedo‘s strike denied Manchester United victory in their first Premier League game since sacking Erik ten Hag as Chelsea claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday. Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim later his month, sprinted down the touchline in celebration after Bruno Fernandes put United in front from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time. Caicedo quickly replied for the Blues, who edge above Arsenal on goal difference into fourth place in the table.

A point leaves United still down in 13th, six points off the top four.

The Red Devils’ return of just 12 points from 10 games is United’s worst start to a league campaign since 1986/87.

Amorim was not in attendance as he prepares to take charge of Sporting Lisbon for the one of the final times against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

United were far more competitive than in 3-0 demolitions by Liverpool and Tottenham at home this season, but showed many of the same flaws that cost Ten Hag his job.

Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a 5-2 demolition of an under-strength Leicester in his first match in charge to reach the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek.

Still a hero among the United fans from his days as a prolific striker, the Dutchman’s name was chanted in a buoyant pre-match atmosphere.

However, a Chelsea side that have lost once in nine Premier League games, provided a much stiffer test for a United side still short on confidence.

Both sides hit the woodwork in a disappointing first 45 minutes as Noni Madueke hit the post from a corner before Marcus Rashford clipped the bar with a cushioned volley in the last action of the half.

Pedro Neto‘s burst of pace nearly gave Chelsea a dream start to the second period but the Portuguese winger’s shot flew just past the far post.

However, the Blues remain overly reliant on Cole Palmer for inspiration.

The boyhood United fan, who began his career at Manchester City before joining Chelsea last year, was kept quiet by Van Nistelrooy’s pairing of Casemiro alongside Manuel Ugarte in midfield.

‘Results will come’

Before kick-off only Southampton had scored fewer than United’s eight Premier League goals in nine games this season.

The lack of efficiency in front of goal that Ten Hag often bemoaned was in evidence again.

“Over the last games we played we lost some points where we didn’t convert our chances,” said Van Nistelrooy, who is set to take charge of two more games.

“When you create a lot, all through the season so far, I’m not too worried the players will get in a flow with results and confidence growing. Results will come.”

Alejandro Garnacho wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring from Fernandes’ cut-back with a tame effort that looped into the arms of Robert Sanchez.

United were gifted the chance to break the deadlock when Sanchez clipped Rasmus Hojlund inside the box.

Fernandes kept his cool to send the Spanish international goalkeeper the wrong way and spark wild celebrations from Van Nistelrooy.

United’s joy was short-lived as Chelsea hit back within four minutes.

A corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, where Caicedo connected a sweet strike to fire into the bottom corner.

Caicedo cost a British transfer record 115 million pounds ($149 million) when he joined Chelsea just over a year ago and is beginning to deliver on that investment after a difficult first season.

“Since we arrived Moi is doing fantastic,” said Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

“The problem with Moi is because the club paid big money, people expect them to be the best. It is normal to be a bit up and down. We are trying to improve him and he is showing how good he is.”

Chelsea should have struck again moments later when substitute Enzo Fernandez spooned over with Andre Onana stranded.

But it was United who came closest in a frantic finale when Garnacho’s acrobatic effort flew just over.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Agreed To Play Duleep Trophy, Says Report. Later Backed Out Saying…

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Team India’s catastrophic performance against New Zealand in the 3-match Test series against New Zealand has raised many questions about the players’ preparation. India comprehensively defeated Bangladesh in a 2-match Test series before gearing up for the New Zealand assignment. At the same time, there were suggestions of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah‘s participation in the Duleep Trophy, as part of the preparations for the Bangladesh and New Zealand series. But, none of the four featured in the domestic competition, much to the disappointment of some experts.

After India’s 0-3 series loss against the Kiwis, many former cricketers have suggested that lack of match practice is one of the biggest reasons behind the embarrassing result. Now, a report has suggested that all four of Kohli, Rohit, Ashwin, and Bumrah had agreed to feature in the Duleep Trophy but later withdrew their interest.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the selectors had made all arrangements for the quartet’s participation in the Duleep Trophy, which was held in Bengaluru and Anantapur between September 5 and 22, but they withdrew, citing “lack of motivation.”

“They should have had some practice, definitely. It’s a long gap. I know we beat Bangladesh and therefore, it looked as if it was going to be a cakewalk against New Zealand,” former India captain Sunil Gavaskar told the paper on Sunday. “But New Zealand, obviously, had a better attack, with cricketers who have played in India and in the IPL, who have a sense of what Indian pitches do,” he further said.

The report further claims that Ravindra Jadeja was pulled out of the Duleep Trophy campaign by the selectors after Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah, and Ashwin’s withdrawal.

Among those India stars who featured in the Test series against the Kiwis, the likes of Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Washington Sundar were part of the domestic tournament.

While Jadeja did manage to leave an impact in the game, producing a 10-wicket haul in the Mumbai Test (accumulating two innings), the likes of Rohit, Kohli, and Ashwin looked lackluster. Bumrah, on the other hand, had little help from the spin-friendly tracks.

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India Star Wriddhiman Saha, Released From BCCI Contract In 2023, Announces Retirement

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One of India’s finest wicket-keepers of all time, Wriddhiman Saha has announced his decision to hang his boots from all forms of the game. In a post on social media, Saha wrote that his cricketing journey will come to an end after the ongoing Ranji Trophy campaign. Saha is happy to be representing Bengal for ‘one final time’ but plans to retire after the end of the campaign. Arguably the finest wicket-keeper India have had in recent times, based on pure keeping skills, Saha reportedly doesn’t plan to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season too.

“After a cherished journey in cricket, this season will be my last. I am honoured to represent Bengal one final time, playing only in the Ranji Trophy before I retire,” Saha wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible ride, your support has meant the world. Let’s make this season one to remember…”

Saha was part of Team India’s Test plans for a long time, especially at home, before being released from the Central Contracts in 2023. Since being released, he never made a comeback to the Test side.

As per a report in Sportstar, Saha’s intention is to stay away from all forms of the game, including the IPL. In fact, he reportedly hasn’t even registered himself for the upcoming mega auction which is set to take place later this month. While Saha is yet to formally clarify his stance on IPL participation, reports suggest that the IPL 2024 season with the Gujarat Titans was his last in the T20 league.

Saha wasn’t retained by GT ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. He is one of the few players remaining in the league who have featured in every single season, starting from the inaugural campaign in 2008.

The veteran wicket-keeper has played for a total of 5 franchises in his career – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Gujarat Titans (GT).

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