Shakib in betting site advertisement again

Shakib Al Hasan was once again seen in a betting site advertisement. After his controversial argument with 'Bet Winner News', he stepped back from that path, but this time an advertisement for another betting company named '1xBet' has surfaced on his official Facebook page. This video was released on the very day of the IPL, which has sparked a new controversy.

Shakib has not been in international cricket since the country's political situation changed in August last year. He has also been dropped from the BCB's central contract. The star was away from both the field and advertising as he was out of the country for almost eight months. However, this time he has broken that void and returned to the betting site's campaign.

Although this does not create a problem for Shakib legally, any promotion of betting or gambling is prohibited in Bangladesh. As a result, discussions have started on whether his advertisement is targeting Bangladeshi viewers or not.

Shakib, who is currently in the United States, recently received a bowling action clearance. However, his future in the national team is still uncertain. The big question now is whether he will ever play in the Bangladesh jersey again.

Trophy number 12 in the Ambani family cabinet

 Another trophy has been added to the Ambani family's trophy cabinet. Mumbai Indians won the WPL title for the second time by defeating Delhi Capitals in the women's IPL yesterday. With this, the Ambani family's franchise tournament trophies have reached 12. The Ambani family's Reliance Group has invested in cricket through Indiawin Sports Limited. This company has bought teams in leagues in the United Arab Emirates, the United States and South Africa in addition to India.

Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani

Their teams are very successful in these leagues too. That is why their number of titles is 12. No other team is even close to Mumbai in the list of winning titles.

Chennai Super Kings has 5 titles in the IPL, the same as Mumbai. The Chennai franchise has a total of 7 titles, the third highest in the list of title wins. They also have teams in South Africa's Twenty20 and the United States' Major League Cricket. However, the Super Kings have not yet tasted the title there. Outside the IPL, they have only won the Champions League T20 twice. This tournament, which is held with the top teams of the leagues of different countries, was last held in 2014. The team that is second on the list with 8 titles is Kolkata Knight Riders. Apart from SA Twenty20 and Major League Cricket, the Knight Riders franchise has a team in the CPL.

Number of trophies of the Knight Riders family

The Knight Riders are more successful in the Caribbean League than in the IPL. The team has won the CPL title in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022—in these 5 seasons. Of these, the 2022 title was for women. And before becoming champions in the last season of the IPL, the team won the title in 2012 and 2014.

Next on the list will be the Big Bash franchise Perth Scorchers and the Super Smash's Auckland Aces, who have won 5 titles each. BPL's Comilla Victorians, Lanka Premier League's Jaffna and Super Smash's Central Stage franchise have 4 titles each.Mumbai franchise is different from all these teams in one place. Mumbai has won 12 titles in the last 12 finals they have played. 

That means the team has not tasted defeat in 12 consecutive finals. The team knows how to win finals, which is why there are so many trophies in the trophy cabinet! The team has a maximum of 5 titles in the IPL. There are 2 in the Champions League T20. There are 2 more in the Women's IPL. The team's title in the name of Mumbai Indians is 9.Apart from this, they have titles with Mumbai New York (MLC 2023), Mumbai Emirates (ILT20 2024), Mumbai Cape Town (SA20).

However, the Ambani family had to wait 4 years to taste their first title. Although they started their journey with the IPL in 2008, Mumbai Indians saw their first trophy in 2011, with the Champions League T20. The team's only taste of final defeat came in 2010, in the IPL final.

Saudi Arabia is bringing in a 6,000 crore rupee league to rival the IPL

The franchise-based cricket leagues around the world are in a state of flux. The biggest impact on this is the IPL, where cricketers are eager to play. Why not? IPL means a lot of money.In terms of money as well as popularity and stardom, there is no league that is comparable to the IPL at the moment. As a result, India's dominance in cricket is increasing day by day. Their income from the ICC is also several times higher than that of any other country. Except for a few big teams, the others are suffering.

Former Australian Cricketers Association board member Neil Maxwell has taken the initiative to solve this problem. Another identity of 57-year-old Maxwell is the manager of Australian captain Pat Cummins. He also has a big contribution in establishing a T20 league in the United States. Australian media The Age reported that Neil Maxwell has been secretly working on a plan for a year. According to the plan, he will launch a Saudi Arabia-based T20 league on the model of the tennis Grand Slam. Saudi Arabia's state-owned sports investment company SRJ Sports Investments will invest $5 billion (Tk 6069 crore in Bangladeshi currency) in this. Discussions are also underway between the ICC and the Saudi cricket authorities in this regard.

Tennis has four Grand Slams a year - the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. Similarly, Saudi Arabia is planning to organize a cricket league in four different countries at different times of the year. There will be a women's tournament as well as a men's tournament. The final may be held in Saudi Arabia.

SRJ Sports Investments is part of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. They have committed $1 trillion (Tk 12.139 trillion) to expand the sports arena.

The main goal of the planned T20 league is to create new revenue sources and spread cricket. It can play a role in addressing major challenges such as ensuring the economic status of cricket, especially outside India, Australia and England. It is believed that through this, the financially weak cricket boards will overcome the crisis.

It is not yet known when this league will start. However, if it wants to see the light of day, it will definitely have to face some obstacles. Because, for this, the green signal of ICC and Cricket Australia (CA) will be needed. BCCI will also have to be convinced to give a no-objection certificate to Indian players. Ultimately, the final decision will have to be relied on ICC Chairman Jay Shah.

International analysts have been claiming that Saudi Arabia's image around the world has been tarnished due to human rights violations in recent years. To restore its reputation, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has started investing a lot of money in sports, which is called 'sports washing'. The Middle Eastern country has invested huge amounts of money in football, golf, boxing, tennis, racing and many other sports.

This year's IPL mega auction was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has also won the rights to host the 2034 Football World Cup. It is rumored that the country will also bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

How much is Coach Gambhir's salary?

Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the head coach by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on July 9 last year. The contract will keep him with the board till December 2027. Gambhir's record of achievements as the coach of Rohit-Kohli has both successes and failures.

However, India's victory in the recently concluded Champions Trophy has almost overshadowed Gambhir's failures. Bringing the country a global title in just eight months of taking charge is no small feat! The 43-year-old Gambhir won the 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cups as a player for India. This time, he won the Champions Trophy as a coach. Very few people have the feat of winning global trophies in both the player and coach roles. After bringing new success to India, Gautam Gambhir is back in the discussion in the cricket community, especially his salary and other benefits provided by the BCCI.

Indian business website Ascendants has tried to satisfy the curiosity of cricket lovers. Their report says that Gambhir's estimated annual salary is over Rs 14 crore, which makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the world. Before Gambhir, Rahul Dravid was the head coach of India. Dravid used to earn Rs 12 crore annually.

In addition to the hefty salary, Gambhir gets a daily allowance of Rs 21,000 during foreign tours. The BCCI also covers businessclass airfare, accommodation in luxury hotels, laundry expenses. There are other logistical facilities.

These facilities are part of the BCCI's strategy. Through this, they attract and retain high-caliber coaching talent. Apart from that, the board feels that by giving such facilities to Gambhir and his assistants, they will only focus on the team's performance. Multiple sources told Ascendants that the BCCI's contract with Gautam Gambhir also mentions performance-based bonuses. The bonuses are linked to the team's success in major tournaments like the 2025 Champions Trophy, 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ODI World Cup. The contract states that if India under Gambhir can win any of these tournaments, then they will get a huge bonus. With India winning the Champions Trophy, the BCCI may soon announce bonuses for Gambhir and his support staff.

Cricket analysts have praised Gambhir's tactical skills, especially in developing young talents and keeping players' nerves in big matches. An example of tactical skills can be mentioned in the Champions Trophy.

India has played all its matches in Dubai and most of them have been played on used wickets. A few days before the start of the Champions Trophy, many matches of the International League T20 have also been played in Dubai.

Because of this, Gambhir felt that as the day progresses, the pitch there will slow down and will hold spin well. So, he dropped batsman Yashaswi Jaiswal from the preliminary team and included the mysterious spinner Varun Chakravarty in the final squad. It was that Varun who became Gambhir's trump card in the latter part of the tournament and contributed greatly to India winning the title. Indian players will be immersed in the IPL for the next two months. After that, Gambhir's big assignment is the tour of England. The Indian national team will play five Tests there between June and August. Before that, the 'A' team will also tour England. According to a report in the Times of India, Gambhir will go to England with the 'A' team to build a strong reserve bench for the national team. No Indian coach has ever been seen planning like this in the past.

He will no longer play in the Bangladesh jersey.

A while ago, Mahmudullah announced that he would no longer play for Bangladesh. That is why it is worth recalling the highest-scoring innings of his ODI career.

Mahmudullah

The discussion started a few days ago with Rachin Rabindra. One of the 'Gen-G' Fabulous Four, Rabindra has scored five centuries in ODIs so far, all five in global tournaments. That too in just 14 innings. Now Mahmudullah's name is coming into a similar discussion. Mahmudullah also has four of his four ODI centuries in ICC tournaments!

You must understand the reason for such a sudden discussion. A while ago, Mahmudullah announced in a post on Facebook that he would never play in the Bangladesh jersey again.

He dramatically bid farewell to Test cricket during the Zimbabwe tour in 2021. He retired from international T20s at the end of the series against India last year. He was playing only ODIs in the Bangladesh jersey. Today, as he bid farewell to this version too, he is now a former Bangladesh cricketer. That is why we would like to remind you once again of the highest-scoring innings of his ODI career.

Mahmudullah

Since all four of his four centuries were in ICC events, his highest four innings in ODIs goes without saying. Three centuries in the ODI World Cup, one in the Champions Trophy. Here too, the experience is bittersweet. Because, two of his centuries have made Bangladesh win, in two he had to be on the losing team.

103

March 9, 2015, Adelaide

That innings a decade ago is special not only for Mahmudullah, but also in the history of Bangladesh's ODIs. It was the first century by any Bangladesh batsman in the World Cup. Thanks to his century against England at the Adelaide Oval, Bangladesh scored 275 runs. Later, thanks to the skill of the bowlers, they won the match by 15 runs and made it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time. After falling to 99 for 4 wickets, the way Mahmudullah handled the English bowling attack consisting of Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali sent a great message on the world stage.

128*

March 13, 2015, Hamilton

Mahmudullah scored the highest-scoring innings of his ODI career in the very next match. Bangladesh had to play this match against New Zealand with confidence after eliminating England and entering the quarter-finals. Shakib Al Hasan led Bangladesh that day as captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was rested. Despite raising the possibility of winning, Bangladesh ultimately lost the match by 3 wickets. But Mahmudullah's unbeaten 128 runs on a bowling-friendly wicket was worth remembering. He played bowlers like Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Daniel Vettori with ease. He hit 12 fours and 3 sixes.

102*

9 June 2017, Cardiff

Considering the circumstances, this innings by Mahmudullah may have to be put above all. It was thanks to his unbeaten 102 runs that Bangladesh was able to write the most glorious story in the global tournament. Later, Bangladesh reached the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy for the first time after Australia lost to England. Mahmudullah created a fairy tale with Shakib Al Hasan that day against New Zealand in Cardiff. Chasing the target of 266 runs set by the Kiwis, the first four batsmen were out for 33 runs. Then came his epic partnership of 224 runs with Shakib, which is the second highest for any wicket in the history of the tournament. Even though Shakib was out 8 runs away from victory, Mahmudullah did the rest of the work with Mosaddek effortlessly.

111

October 24, 2023, Mumbai

You must remember Mahmudullah's leap after completing a century against South Africa at Wankhede in Mumbai! It was immediately confirmed that Mahmudullah's innings of 111 runs would only be a personal achievement. While overcoming the mountain of 382 runs scored by the Proteas, this innings only reduced the margin of defeat for Bangladesh. But going to the World Cup after being dropped from the team was a big achievement for Mahmudullah. Even knowing that the team's defeat was certain, he could not help but celebrate.

এবার মাহমুদউল্লাহ বিদায়ের ঘোষণা

মুশফিকুর রহিম ওয়ানডে থেকে অবসরের ঘোষণা দেওয়ার পর এবার আন্তর্জাতিক ক্রিকেট ছেড়ে দেওয়ার কথা জানালেন মাহমুদউল্লাহ।

ওয়ানডে ক্রিকেট থেকে মুশফিকুর রহিমের বিদায়ের রেশ মিলিয়ে না যেতেই দেশের ক্রিকেটে আরেকটি প্রস্থান-পর্ব। এবার অবসরের ঘোষণা দিলেন মাহমুদউল্লাহ। টেস্ট ও টি-টোয়েন্টি ছেড়ে দিয়েছিলেন তিনি আগেই। এবার ওয়ানডে দিয়ে শেষ হলো আন্তর্জাতিক ক্রিকেটে তার অধ্যায়।

সামাজিক মাধ্যমে বুধবার রাতে নিজের সিদ্ধান্তের কথা জানান ৩৯ বছর বয়সী এই ক্রিকেটার।"সকল প্রশংসা কেবল সর্বশক্তিমান আল্লাহর। আন্তর্জাতিক ক্রিকেট থেকে অবসরের সিদ্ধান্ত নিয়েছি আমি।"

"আমার সব সতীর্থ ও কোচকে ধন্যবাদ জানাতে চাই আমি, বিশেষ ধন্যবাদ ভক্তদের, যারা সবসময় আমার পাশে ছিলেন।"বিদায় বেলায় বাবা-মা ও স্ত্রীর পরিবারকে ধন্যবাদ জানিয়েছেন তিনি। ছেলেবেলা থেকেই 'কোচ ও মেন্টর' হয়ে পাশে থাকার জন্য কৃতজ্ঞতা জানিয়েছেন বড় ভাই এমদাদ উল্লাহর প্রতি।

তার বিদায়ী বার্তায় আছে স্ত্রী-সন্তানদের কথাও।

"...সবশেষে, ধন্যবাদ আমার স্ত্রী ও সন্তানদের, যে কোনো পরিস্থিতিতে সবসময় যারা আমার 'সাপোর্ট সিস্টেম' হয়ে ছিল। আমি জানি, রাইদ ( মাহমুদউল্লাহর ছেলে) আমাকে লাল-সবুজের জার্সিতে মিস করবে।"

এবারের চ্যাম্পিয়ন্স ট্রফির আগে দারুণ ফর্মে ছিলেন মাহমুদউল্লাহ। ফিফটি করেছিলেন টানা চার ম্যাচে। চ্যাম্পিয়ন্স ট্রফিতে প্রথম ম্যাচটি খেলতে পারেননি চোটের কারণে। দ্বিতীয় ম্যাচে মাঠে নেমে ৪ রান করে তিনি আউট হয়ে যান বাজে শটে। 

চ্যাম্পিয়ন্স ট্রফির পর মুশফিকের সঙ্গে মাহমুদউল্লাহর ভবিষ্যৎ নিয়েও নানা প্রশ্ন উঠছিল। আগামী ওয়ানডে বিশ্বকাপ আড়াই বছর পর। ততদিনে তার বয়স থাকবে ৪২-এর কাছাকাছি।সম্প্রতি বিসিবির ক্রিকেট পরিচালনা বিভাগের প্রধান নাজমুল আবেদীনের সঙ্গে তার আলোচনা হয়েছে বলেও জানা গিয়েছিল। গত সোমবার বিসিবির এই বছরের কেন্দ্রীয় চুক্তি ঘোষণার সময় জানানো হয়, তিনি নিজে থেকেই বোর্ডকে অনুরোধ করেছিলেন চুক্তিতে না রাখতে। তার ভবিষ্যৎ অনেকটা পরিষ্কার হয়ে যায় তখনই। সেটিরই ধারাবাহিকতা এই আনুষ্ঠানিক বিদায়।

তবে বিদায়টা যে মনের মতো হয়নি, তার বিদায়ী বার্তার শেষদিকে।

"সবকিছুর সমাপ্তি সবসময় নিখুঁত হয় না। তবে 'হ্যাঁ' বলতে হয় এবং সামনে এগিয়ে যেতে হয়। শান্তি... আলহামদুলিল্লাহ।" "আমার দল ও বাংলাদেশের ক্রিকেটের জন্য শুভকামনা।"

যে সংস্করণ সবার শেষে ছাড়লেন, সেই ওয়ানডে দিয়ে আন্তর্জাতিক ক্রিকেটে তার পথচলা শুরু হয়েছিল। ২০০৭ বিশ্বকাপের পর শ্রীলঙ্কা সফরে অভিষেক হয় তার। দলে নিয়মিত হয়ে ওঠেন ২০০৮ সালে। বেশির ভাগ সময় ব্যাট করতেন ছয়-সাত-আট নম্বরে। বড় ইনিংস খেলার সুযোগ ততটা পেতেন না। তবে অবদান রাখতেন নিয়মিত। সঙ্গে কার্যকর অফ স্পিন মিলিয়ে দলের ভারসাম্যের জন্য গুরুত্বপূর্ণ হয়ে ওঠেন।

প্রথমবার ওপরের দিকে ব্যাট করার সুযোগ পান ২০১১ সালে। বিশ্বকাপের ঠিক পর মিরপুরে অস্ট্রেলিয়ার বিপক্ষে তিন ম্যাচের ওয়ানডে সিরিজের শেষ ম্যাচে চার নম্বরে নেমে ৬১ বলে অপরাজিত ৬৮ রানের ইনিংস খেলেন। তবে পরে আবার তাকে নামিয়ে দেওয়া হয় নিচের দিকে। একটা সময় 'ফিনিশারের' ভূমিকায় দলের ভরসা হয়ে ওঠেন তিনি।  ২০১৫ বিশ্বকাপের আগে জিম্বাবুয়ের বিপক্ষে সিরিজে আবার চারে তুলে আনা হয় তাকে। সেই সিরিজে ভালো করার পর বিশ্বকাপেও তাকে চারেই রাখা। তার ক্যারিয়ের স্মরণীয়তম সময়টি আসে তখনই। অ্যাডিলেইডে যে ম্যাচ জিতে কোয়ার্টার-ফাইনাল নিশ্চিত বাংলাদেশ, সেই ম্যাচেই তিনি খেলেন ১০৩ রানের ইনিংস। বিশ্বকাপে বাংলাদেশের প্রথম সেঞ্চুরির কীর্তি সেটি। পরের মাচে তার ব্যাট থেকে আরেকটি শতরান আসে নিউ জিল্যান্ডের বিপক্ষে ম্যাচে। 

খুব লম্বা সময় অবশ্য ব্যাটিং অর্ডারে তিন-চারে থাকতে পারেননি। আবার তাকে ছয়-সাতে পাঠিয় দেওয়া হয়। ২০১৭ চ্যাম্পিয়ন্স ট্রফিতে কার্ডিফে নিউ জিল্যান্ডের বিপক্ষে বিপর্যয়ের মধ্যে দুর্দান্ত সেঞ্চুরি ও সাকিব আল হাসানের সঙ্গে রেকর্ড জুটি গড়ে দলকে অবিস্মরণীয় এক জয় এনে দেন তিনি। ওই ম্যাচ জিতে প্রথমবার আইসিসি আসরের সেমি-ফাইনালে খেলার যোগ্যতা অর্জন করে বাংলাদেশ। দলের অবিচ্ছেদ্য অংশ হয়ে ছিলেন তিনি আরও অনেক দিন। তবে দুঃসময়ও হানা দেয় একসময়। ২০২৩ সালে ইংল্যান্ডের বিপক্ষে সিরিজের পর জায়গা হারান দলে। ওই বছরের বিশ্বকাপের আগে আবার ফিরে আসেন দলে। বাংলাদেশের চরম হতাশার বিশ্বকাপে ব্যক্তিগতভাবে তিনি ছিলেন সফল। সাত ইনিংসে ৫৪.৬৬ গড়ে রান করেন ৩২৮। একটি সেঞ্চুরি করেন দক্ষিণ আফ্রিকার বিপক্ষে। পরের বছর আবার তার পারফরম্যান্সে ভাটার টান পড়ে। জায়গা নিয়ে প্রশ্ন ওঠে। তিনি জবাব দেন টানা চার ফিফটিতে। দবে শেষ পর্যন্ত এই দফায় আর ততটা দীর্ঘ হলো না পথচলা। ২৩৯ ওয়ানডে খেলে চার সেঞ্চুরি ও ৩২ ফিফটিতে ৫ হাজার ৬৮৯ রান নিয়ে শেষ হলো তার ক্যারিয়ার, ব্যাটিং গড় ৩৬.৪৬। হাত ঘুরিয়ে উইকেট নিয়েছেন ৮২টি।

৫০ টেস্ট খেলে ২০২১ সালে টেস্ট থেকে বিদায় নেন তিনি। গত অক্টোবরে ভারত সফর দিয়ে ইতি টানেন ১৪১ ম্যাচের টি-টোয়েন্টি ক্যারিয়ারের। এবার ওয়ানডের বিদায় দিয়ে আন্তর্জাতিক অধ্যায়ের সমাপ্তি।