Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed already informed Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Lucknow Super Giants today that he will not be available for the cash-rich tournament, informed Jalal Yunus, cricket operations committee chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Indian Premier League franchise Lucknow Super Giants have expressed their interest in roping in Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed as Mark Wood’s replacement for the 2022 edition of the tournament.

Bangladesh’s star player Shakib Al Hasan, currently touring South Africa with the Tigers for the ongoing ODI series and an upcoming Test series, suffered a setback due to a number of his family members currently going through concerning health complications back in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh were undone by the extra bounce from the South African pacers led by Kagiso Rabada who picked up a fifer to dismantle the Bangladesh batting line-up in the second ODI and helped the Proteas level the three-match series 1-1 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg today.

Bangladesh bowlers would be happy to have something to bowl to after the Tigers top-order spectacularly collapsed against South Africa in the second ODI in Johannesburg today.  

Imagine being Yasir Ali Rabbi, arriving into the crease for the third time in a one-dayer for Bangladesh, the first ODI away from home, and that too in South Africa, walking in the centre stage following batting mainstay Mushfiqur Rahim’s departure, with Super League points at stake, on the backdrop of Tigers’ abysmal record against the Proteas in their own backyard, and so on.

Bangladesh mounted a terrific effort in getting their very first victory -- a 38-run win -- in South African soil against the Proteas during the first ODI at Centurion yesterday and a pivotal tactical blow was enforced by star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who outdid the ploy that South Africa coach Mark Boucher and captain Temba Bavuma had set Bangladesh up for.

Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal showered Mehedi Hasan Miraz with praise after the bowler showed courage of coming back into the attack after David Miller had taken him for runs earlier in the innings during Bangladesh’s 38-run win in the first ODI against South Africa at Centurion.

Inspired by a concerted batting effort from the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Tamim Iqbal and Yasir Ali, Bangladesh secured a 38-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI in Centurion today. 

Bangladesh could not have asked for a better start to their current campaign as a collective batting effort ensured the Tigers in throwing a challenging target of 299 towards hosts South Africa in the first ODI in Centurion today.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza today did not shy away from voicing his skepticism towards Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo and yet the former Bangladesh captain still hopes that Domingo will prove him wrong in the challenging South Africa tour, starting from tomorrow in Centurion.

South Africa on Thursday called up batter Khaya Zondo to their Test team for a two-match series against Bangladesh but have been forced to name a weakened 15-man squad.

Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal informed his troops, including star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, are eager to rise above the challenges against hosts South Africa as the bilateral three-match ODI series begins tomorrow in Centurion.

“He balances our team,” Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo was full of praise for Shakib Al Hasan after the team’s practice session at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg today.

South Africa are likely to field a weakened squad for the two home Tests against Bangladesh starting March 18, with all their Test players part of various franchises choosing to go to the IPL.

Bangladesh men’s cricket team made a giant leap in their cricket fortunes more than two decades ago when they defeated Pakistan at Northampton in the 1999 cricket World Cup. Former national captain Mohammad Ashraful likened the Tigresses’ victory against Pakistan today to that match in 1999 and was hopeful that bigger achievements will follow the women’s team’s triumph if their domestic cricketing structure is taken care of.

Against the backdrop of a historic Test win at Mount Maunganui against New Zealand earlier this year, there was a sense of growing self-belief among the Tigers as they traveled to South Africa for a three-match ODI and two-match Test series.

Leading all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was finally on his way to join his teammates in South Africa as Bangladesh are set to play a three-match ODI series and a two-match Test series in challenging conditions starting from March 18.

The merry-go-round featuring Shakib Al Hasan and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) came to a stop yesterday as the star all-rounder confirmed his availability for the upcoming tour of South Africa. The 34-year-old added that any decisions regarding resting players would be taken by the BCB and that he would travel to South Africa tonight.

Bangladesh cricket set a unique example in regards to dealing with a player’s mental health. When a player wants to skip an international commitment citing a mental health issue, it deserves utmost attention and the highest levels of sensitivity.