Twenty20 international series in Khulna Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe

With the Asia Cup T20 looming and a World T20 to follow, Bangladesh will take on Zimbabwe in the first of a four-match Twenty20 international series in Khulna on Friday.

The match will start at 3 pm local time (9 am GMT) at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium.

The four-match T20 series between the two sides will give them a chance to try out new combinations. Hosts Bangladesh are keen to identify a settled combination. Zimbabwe, after losing four successive limited-overs series against Afghanistan, will also look to build for the World T20.

The two sides have met on five previous occasions with Bangladesh winning three of those matches. Neither team has a good record in T20 internationals, a discrepancy that needs correction. Bangladesh had lost their last T20, against Zimbabwe in November from a winning position.

Bangladesh’s progress as an ODI team over the last year has been phenomenal, and it would like to replicate the formula in the game’s shortest format.

Bangladesh`s last T20 win against a top side was against Pakistan in April last year. Hathurusingha said that he wanted his players to understand their roles, especially on the batting front.

The return of Shakib Al Hasan and Soumya Sarkar will ease Bangladesh`s concerns about building a settled combination. Shakib had gone on paternity leave and missed the last two T20s against Zimbabwe while Sarkar missed both the ODIs and T20s because of a side strain.

Eyes will be on the returning duo how they deliver and complement the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim and others could set the template that Bangladesh would carry over to India for the big tournament.

While Mustafizur Rahim was Bangladesh’s find last year, newcomer Abu Hider will be under focus during this series, having bowled Comilla Victorians to the title in the last Bangladesh Premier League with 21 wickets.

Zimbabwe’s biggest concern has been its lack of consistency, which was exposed during its recent One-Day International and T20I series losses to Afghanistan in Sharjah.

Zimbabwe clearly missed the services of Tinashe Panyangara, who continues to be out of the team because of an injury. The team, however, has shown that when it comes together as a unit, it could be a potent force, like in a T20I win over India and an ODI win over New Zealand at home last year.

Zimbabwe have included Vusi Sibanda and Brian Vitori for the series, and Sean Williams, who could not play in the series against Afghanistan because of a groin injury, is also in the squad.

Bangladesh`s leading electronics brand Walton is the title sponsor for the series while Marcel, another renowned brand of Bangladesh`s electronics products emerged as the powered by sponsor.

Squads:

Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Arafat Sunny, Nurul Hasan, Shuvagata Hom, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider, Al-Amin Hossain.

Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (capt), Malcolm Waller, Peter Moor, Hamilton Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Richmond Mutumbami (wk), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Graeme Cremer, Chamu Chibhabha, Neville Madziva, Vusi Sibanda, Brian Vitori, Luke Jongwe, Taurai Muzarabani, Tendai Chisoro.

Indefinite work abstention of public universities Teachers

Teachers of 37 public universities have continued their indefinite work abstention for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday.

They started their indefinite work abstention from Monday morning demanding implementation of the promises under 8th National Pay Scale and removing salary discrimination.

The indefinite work abstention of teachers has already halted the activities of country’s 37 public universities.

“Teachers all over the country are observing the work stoppage successfully and spontaneously. We will continue the strike until our demands are met”, said Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed.

The public university teachers have been continued a movement for last eight months to press home four demands that included declining status of teachers in pay scale and separate scale; and maintaining selection grade and time.

Sanitation facilities in Bangladesh now 61 percent

About 61 percent people are brought under sanitation facilities in the country.

LGRD and cooperatives minister Engineer Khandker Mosharraf Hossain said that Bangladesh has made significant progress in this sector. About 28 percent of developments have been achieved in last 12 years.

The Minister announced the closing of three-day long 6th South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN – VI) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital on Wednesday evening.

He said that about 33 percent people used household hygienic toilets and 25 percent people used unhygienic toilets in 2003 across the country. But, the situation has changed incredibly in last 12 years.  

The proportion of people using improved sanitation in South Asia has increased remarkably in the last fifteen years compared to global progress.

The era of SDG offers a much broader frame work to tackle challenges exacerbated by climate change, wider socio-economic changes and increasing inequality which was addressed in this government-led biennial convention.

Bangladesh need more development and attention on it

The incumbent government led by Awami League celebrated two years in power. There will be many talks in pros and cons if we discuss about the success and failure of the government in this two year. In its success, there is economic growth to be considered. At present, this growth rate is 6.7 percent. Bangladesh now stands fifth position in the list of first growth achieving countries. Average per capita income has increased to 1314 US dollar. Employment opportunity has increased and poverty rate has reduced in the country. Foreign investment and flow of remittance have increased alongside man power export which can be considered as major achievements in last two years.

An initiative has been taken to export man power in Malaysia with government fund and supervision.
People in the country have got a chance to go abroad for work with cheap cost.  Probashi Kallyan Bank has been formed to give loans to those interested to go abroad for employment.  Export for readymade garments has boosted.  Bangladesh now stands second position in garment export. At the same time, the country has moved forward in exporting products. Bangladesh now stands second position among South Asian countries in terms of export earnings. Foreign currency reserve has exceeded $27 billion.  Bangladesh is now set to export after achieving self-sufficiency in food.

Child and maternal mortality rates have reduced. Child mortality rate is 73.60 percent. The literacy rate increased to 65.04 percent. The increased rate in health sector is also considerable. Around 15000 community centers have been launched across the country. The number of hospital across the country has increased to 2501. The government has put emphasis on enhancing information and technology sector. The number of internet subscribers has topped 4 crores in the country. Electricity generation capacity has increased to 8525 MW.

But very recently militant activities have increased in the country. Brutal attacks have occurred on foreigners and in shrines. In this situation, the government has pledged to take bold steps to prevent militant activities. The government has achieved great success in education. Bangladesh has set a unique example in the world by organising book festival on January 1. On this day, the government is distributing books free of cost among students.

Trial for war criminals is underway who committed crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971 and the government has been able to ensure punishment to some of them. The biggest challenge the government has undertaken is the construction of Padma Bridge which has successfully started.

A country has to go through both the success and failure. That the incumbent government has some failures cannot be ignored. We expect that the government be more attentive to the development of the country, forgetting all the failures in the past.

Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Association halted the activities

An indefinite work abstention of teachers has halted the activities of country’s 37 public universities.

Federation of Bangladesh University Teachers’ Association started their indefinite work abstention from Monday morning demanding implementation of the promises under 8th National Pay Scale and removing salary discrimination.

All classes including evening classes have been remained.

President of the federation Prof Farid Uddin Ahmed said, “About 13 teachers are observing the programme from Monday morning”.

The public university teachers have been continued a movement for last eight months to press home four demands that included declining status of teachers in pay scale and separate scale; and maintaining selection grade and time.

Earlier, the teachers also observed daylong strike on September 8 in 2015 as the government did not met the demands.

New chairman of Islamic University in Kushtia

Professor Dr AHM Aktarul Islam Zillu has been made as a new chairman of English department of Islamic University in Kushtia, IU registrar office sources said on Saturday.

He replaced to Professor Dr M Mizanur Rahman of the same department.

Vice chancellor Professor Dr Abdul Hakim Sarker appointed him to the post. He will be continued to the post for the next three years.

Professor Dr AHM Aktarul Islam Zillu said that he would try to reduce the session jam of the department by the assistance of the teachers.

Ideal College student was injured by bullets

A student of Ideal College was injured as miscreants opened bullets at the college campus in the capital on Saturday noon.

The bullet injured was identified as Naimur Rashid Nabil, 18, a first year student of commerce department in the college.

Witnesses said that some outsiders entered into the campus around 12:30pm with sticks and attacked the Nabil. At one stage, a attacker named Roman opened fire aiming Nabil, leaving him bullet injured.

Later, the injured was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Confirming the matter, Mohammad Iqbal, officer-in-charge of Kalabagan Police Station told risingbd.com that additional police forces were deployed in the college campus.

Rana killed in road accidents happened on Bangabandhu Bridge

Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sherif`s son Rana `among others` was killed in separate road accidents happened on Bangabandhu Bridge early Saturday.

However, the other deceased could not be identified immediately. 10 more people were also injured in the incidents.

The road mishaps happened due to low visibility by dense fogs, police claimed.

It was learnt that Minister`s son Rana Sherif along with his wife and child was heading to Dhaka. But they became victim in road accident on the bridge. Rana was rushed to Tangail Medical College and Hospital where attending doctors declared him dead.

Meanwhile, the vehicle movement on Bangabandhu bridge resumed after suspension for hours due to back to back accidents, police said.

Allah give my mother the gift of death

Celebrated Bangladeshi actress Parvin Sultana Diti has been returned home.

Her son Shafaet and daughter Lamia along with their allying mother came around 4.30pm on Friday in Dhaka from Chennai.

She has been admitted to United Hospital in the capital.

The actress underwent treatment at Chennai MIOT Hospital of India, but her condition did not improve.

In a Facebook status, daughter Lamia Chowdhury wrote "She`s dying. Stop asking me about her. Stop giving me bullshit condolences that she will recover soon”.

Lamia said, "There`s nothing else doctors can do for her. Now she has developed secondary Parkinsons disease from radiation side effects. Her cancer is not going to kill her."

"Her tumor is not back. The radiation is what did this to her. I cannot answer to your questions anymore. I will not pray for her recovery anymore and if you are praying then please pray for a quick and easy departure for her," she said.

At some point we need to understand life is a boon for the healthy and a curse on those suffering. Allah give my mother the gift of death, Lamia Chowdhury.

people died at Biswa Ijtema venue Bangladesh

Two more devotees died of heart attack on Friday midnight at Biswa Ijtema venue, one of the biggest congregations of Muslims in the world being held on the bank of the Turag River, at Tongi, on the outskirts of capital Dhaka.

The dead two devotees were identified as Abul Bashar, 60, son of Kala Mia hailing from Sundorpur of Kobira in Noakhali, and Alauddin, 65, son late Mofiz Uddin of Toker bazar area under Jalalabad in Sylhet.

Earlier, three devotees also died of heart attack on the Biswa Ijtema grounds on Thursday and Friday.

They were idnentified as Nurul Islam (72) of Kurigram district, Joinal Abedin (55) of Sylhet, Farid Uddin (72) of Natore district.