Religious leader threatens to disrupt IPL matches if Mustafizur is seen in action in IPL!
Hindus in Bangladesh are maltreated constantly, and the wrath is increasing in India. Especially, the target is currently on the Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahaman, who has not yet shown any kind of protest against the oppression. He has not yet made any statement or posted on his social media account. Considering the perspective, religious leaders in Ujjain have warned that they may disrupt IPL 2026 matches if Mustafizur Rahman is allowed to play in the upcoming edition. The pacer has been bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹9.20 Crore. The seers said they could storm stadiums and damage pitches to stop matches involving Mustafizur Rahman, citing anger over recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Mahavir Nath, chief priest of the Rinmukteshwar Mahadev Temple, told reporters that their supporters would act because authorities ignore what they call the “persecution” of Hindus in Bangladesh. According to an IANS report, other religious organizations in India have issued similar warnings.
BPL coach Mahbub Ali Zaki dies minutes before the team’s opener
Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki died on Saturday after collapsing suddenly at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, minutes before the commencement of his team’s opening Bangladesh Premier League match against the Rajshahi Warriors. Team staff and medical personnel immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after Zaki, 59, collapsed on the ground during his team’s pre-match preparations. He was taken by ambulance to Al Haramain Hospital, where he was declared dead. The match went ahead as per the original schedule, with the players, coaches, and match officials observing a minute’s silence for Zaki. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board deeply mourns the passing of Mahbub Ali Zaki (59), Specialist Pace Bowling Coach of the BCB Game Development Department and Assistant Coach of Dhaka Capitals in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2026. “He passed away today, 27 December 2025, in Sylhet at around 1:00 PM. Mahbub Ali Zaki’s dedication and invaluable contribution to the development of fast bowling and Bangladesh cricket will be remembered with profound respect and gratitude. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire cricketing fraternity at this time of immense loss,” said the BCB in a statement on Saturday. The sudden collapse shocked everyone on the ground, with team officials saying Zaki gained prominence in Bangladesh’s cricket circles after working closely with fast bowler Taskin Ahmed when the paceman’s bowling action came under scrutiny during the Men’s T20 World Cup in India in 2016.
MCG turns into a sea of white-and-red! England win after 14 years on Australian soil
The Melbourne Cricket Ground turned into a sea of white and red on Sunday as England fans, consisting of the ever-vocal Barmy Army, finally had a moment they had waited more than a decade for. Songs echoed across the stands, flags fluttered in every corner, and chants drowned out the home crowd as England sealed a long-overdue Test victory on Australian soil, after 14 years. The Barmy Army finally had reason to celebrate. England completed a four-wicket win in the fourth Test at Melbourne, chasing down a tricky target of 175 and triggering scenes of jubilation among travelling supporters at the MCG. For a fan base known for unwavering loyalty, this was catharsis. Across two days, more than 186,000 fans packed into the iconic venue, and while the crowd was largely Australian, England’s travelling support made itself heard at every crucial moment. The green-top wicket once again raised questions as Australia faced the music, failing to survive against the English bowlers on a bowlers’-friendly pitch. At the same time, England’s batters showed clarity and intent. Although the pitch already shown its volatility, England reached the total in just 32.2 overs, registering their first successful fourth-innings chase in Australia since 1962 and their first Test win in the country since 2011. The match ended inside two days, the second such finish of the series, with 36 wickets falling across the contest. With only 13 days of cricket played so far in the Ashes, pitch conditions have become a major talking point. England have at least avoided a whitewash. As the focus shifts to Sydney, Australia will aim to close out the series 4-1, while England, buoyed by belief and the voice of the Barmy Army, will look to finish the tour on a high.
Virat and Rohit’s earnings from the Vijay Hazare Trophy are nearly Rs 1 Lakh per match!
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy has added a fresh layer of interest to the domestic white-ball competition. The presence of the veteran duo, however, has seen fans’ interest peak in the structure of the tournament and the way it functions. Both Kohli and Rohit remain contracted players of the BCCI. According to a national media report, their earnings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy have been revealed. Although it cannot be compared to their earnings in the IPL, both the greats are earning nearly Rs 1 Lakh per match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The players’ salaries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy are fixed. The primary metric is the number of List-A matches (domestic one-day games) a player has featured in. The players who are in the senior category, having played more than 40 List-A matches, are paid Rs 60,000 per match. The cricketers who are in the reserve list of the respective squads get Rs 30,000 per match. In the current season, Kohli, representing Delhi, and Rohit, representing Mumbai, earn exactly the same as any other domestic veteran. Because both have surpassed the 40-match threshold, they receive Rs 60,000 per match. But, additionally, the cricketers can increase their earnings in the Vijay Hazare from daily allowance for travel, food, and accommodation during the tournament, and also from performance bonuses, while man-of-the-match awards usually carry a cash prize of Rs 10,000.
Virat dominates in second-match also in VHT, misses second consecutive ton!
Star India batter Virat Kohli missed a second consecutive century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. He was dismissed for 77 off 61 deliveries against Gujarat on Friday at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru. Kohli had entered the match following a solid hundred in the first match against Andhra. Kohli walked to the crease early as opener Priyansh Arya got dismissed in the second over by CT Gaja. He did not take time to settle and was seen in a scintillating mood, flashing his willow all round, and started his innings with a flurry of boundaries. He moves to 30s off just 16 balls, striking at over 190. Kohli brought up his half-century in just 29 deliveries as Arpit Rana struggled at the other end. However, as wickets fell at the other end with Arpit (10) and Nitish Rana (12 off 22) departing cheaply, Kohli had to bide his time at the crease. As a result, he had to slow down after completing his fifty, as Delhi desperately needed him to stay at the crease. He was eventually dismissed for 77 (61), losing his wicket against CT Gaja. Kohli smashed 13 fours and a six during his entertaining innings, leaving everyone at the ground enthralled.
Rohit Sharma departs for a golden duck in the second match after 100 against Sikkim!
Former India cricket team captain Rohit Sharma had to return to the pavilion with a golden duck in Mumbai’s second round match in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, against Uttarakhand on Friday. The Hitman, who announced his return to the domestic 50-over tournament after over a decade earlier this week, lasted for just one delivery before he was sent packing. Uttarakhand won the toss and opted to field first in the game at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday. Opening the innings for Mumbai, Rohit was caught out by Jagmohan Nagarkoti off Bora in the final delivery of the very first over. The Hitman was dismissed while attempting his favorite pull shot off the bowler. Fans, who had queued up at the stadium since 6 AM on Friday, were left disappointed by his early dismissal. In the first round match against Sikkim, Rohit Sharma showed his dominance, scoring 155 off only 94 deliveries, delighting the crowd at SMS in Jaipur. As a result, the target of 237 runs was chased down in just 30.3 overs. The former Indian captain hammered bowlers with utter disdain, slamming 18 fours and 9 huge sixes.
Over 10,000 turn up, stadium echoes with chants for Rohit Sharma!
North Indian city, Jaipur, was draped in ‘blue’ as more than 10 thousand cricket lovers thronged at the Swai Mansingh Stadium on Wednesday morning with roaring chants of ‘Mumbai Cha Raja’ to watch Rohit Sharma. The former India captain returned to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier domestic 50-over competition, after a gap of seven years. He turned out for Mumbai, who were taking on Sikkim in a first-round fixture of the tournament in Jaipur. With the state association announcing free entry, thousands of fans queued up outside the stadium well before the scheduled start of play on Wednesday. Even before the Mumbai team bus arrived at the venue, a few thousand supporters had already taken their seats, eager to cheer one of the most successful ODI batters the country has produced. It was a rare opportunity for fans to watch Rohit up close. With no live television or streaming coverage for the Mumbai–Sikkim contest, cricket lovers in the city were keen not to miss the moment. Rohit acknowledged the affection of the crowd, taking time to wave whenever he found himself fielding near the boundary ropes as Sikkim won the toss and elected to bat first. He was stationed in the slip cordon in the beginning as the atmosphere at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium took on the feel of an international fixture. But later on, “Mumbai cha Raja, Rohit Sharma” chants compelled the former Indian captain to place him on the boundary so that the fans could watch him from close. Two stands were initially opened for the fans to watch Rohit Sharma, but today the crowd grew so large that all the remaining stands had to be opened as well.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi breaks AB de Villiers’ first-class world record with the fastest 150 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s domineering streaks at the senior level continued as he bashed a 36-ball century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate league opener for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh at the JSCA Oval Ground in Ranchi on Wednesday. Turning up for the match only three days after India’s Asia Cup U-19 final debacle against Pakistan in Dubai, Suryavanshi peppered the Arunachal bowlers from the outset to storm to his century on the back of a feast of fours and nine sixes in 36 balls, making it only the second-fastest hundred by an Indian man in overall List A cricket. Only Punjab batter Anmolpreet Singh has recorded a quicker ton among Indians in List-A cricket, having smashed a 35-ball century against Arunachal in the Vijay Hazare competition last season. Suryavanshi’s 36-ball ton ranks as the joint-fourth fastest ever in the world in List -A cricket. The dashing left-hander had racked up his 150 in only 54 deliveries, with Bihar storming past the 200-run mark inside 18 overs. Suryavanshi thereby broke South Africa batting legend AB de Villiers’ record (64 balls) for the fastest century in the format. Suryavanshi, however, missed out on recording the fastest List-A double hundred as he fell on 190 off 84 deliveries. He clubbed 15 sixes during the whirlwind knock, only second to Rohit Sharma (16) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (16) in a List-A innings among Indians.
Karnataka Home Ministry directs KSA to shift Delhi-Andhra match from Chinnaswamy! Fans frustrated
Following instructions from the state Home Ministry, the much-awaited Vijay Hazare trophy between Andhra Pradesh and Delhi has been shifted to the BCCI Centre of Excellence ground. The fans who were passionate about watching Virat Kohli after a long time in domestic cricket, and also Rishabh Pant, are extremely frustrated. The match, as revealed by Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) will be played behind closed doors, away from the city centre, preventing the fans from gathering at the venue in huge numbers. The reason behind the decision has been cited as security reasons. It is believed that the state home ministry has taken such a decision, anticipating a massive turnout to see Virat Kohli and Rishabh, who are expected to feature for Delhi in some of the matches. The KSCA scheduled the matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium last week to better manage the logistics and security of such high-profile athletes. On Tuesday, the state government intervened, citing unresolved safety concerns at the stadium. The decision is rooted in a cautious stance taken by the state government following the tragic stampede in June 2025 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations, which resulted in 11 fatalities, while many others were left injured. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had initially considered opening two stands to the public, which could’ve accommodated 2,000-3,000 spectators. However, the government shot down the proposal, citing security concerns and compliance issues. Star cricketers Kohli, Pant, Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini will be part of the Delhi Senior Men’s team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the 2025-26 domestic season, with all four confirming their availability for the tournament.
ECB to investigate England cricketers’ ‘over-drinking’ during the Ashes break!
England Cricket Board’s (ECB) Managing Director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, has revealed that the over-drinking habits of England cricketers will be investigated. Reports have come out that the cricketers were involved in too much drinking during the beach-break in the ongoing Ashes tour, where England have already been drubbed 3-0 by Australia in only 11 days. The fourth Test will start in Melbourne on Friday. The squad visited the resort town of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane between the second and third Tests, a long-planned part of the itinerary designed to help players relax and unwind on the long tour. Key, who did not join the players in Noosa, said he had no problem with the break, but would not be happy if he found evidence of over-indulging. According to a report from the BBC, some members of the squad had six days of drinking! “If there are things where people are saying that our players went out and drank excessively, then of course we’ll be looking into that,” he said Tuesday in Melbourne, where the fourth Test begins Friday. “Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for an international cricket team is not something that I’d expect to see at any stage, and it would be a fault not to look into what happened there. From everything that I’ve heard so far, they actually were pretty well behaved. Very well behaved.” He added, “We’ve got enough ways of finding out exactly what happened and everything that I’ve heard so far that they sat down, had lunch, had dinner, didn’t go out late, all of that, had the odd drink. I don’t mind that. If it goes past that, then that’s an issue as far as I’m concerned.”
