Bangladesh Cricket: A Year of Highs and Lows

The year 2025 proved to be a rollercoaster for Bangladesh cricket, marked by moments of brilliance interspersed with disappointment and controversy. From record-breaking wins and losses in T20 cricket to historic milestones in the Test arena, the national team experienced a season of extremes. Meanwhile, domestic cricket, club affairs, and women’s cricket were embroiled in disputes, and the season was overshadowed by tragic incidents on the field.

National Team Performance

Bangladesh played a record 30 T20 internationals in 2025, winning 15 and losing 14. Success in bilateral series provided some relief, but struggles in multinational tournaments persisted. The batting order faced constant instability, with middle-order collapses and frequent changes in batting positions. Despite the challenges, there were standout performances: leg-spinner Rishad Hossain claimed the most wickets in ODIs (17) and T20s (33), while Litton Das emerged as the leading T20 run-scorer (2,665), surpassing veteran Shakib Al Hasan. In Test cricket, Taijul Islam took 33 wickets and became the first Bangladeshi bowler to reach 250 Test wickets, while Najmul Hossain scored the most Test runs (532). In ODIs, Towhid Hridoy topped the run charts with 388 runs, and Tanzid Hasan led T20 scoring with 775 runs. Bangladesh’s batters hit 206 sixes in T20s alone.

ODI performance remained disappointing, with seven defeats in 11 matches leaving Bangladesh ranked tenth in the ICC standings. The Champions Trophy exposed persistent inconsistencies in the batting line-up.

Test cricket offered a rare source of optimism, with three wins in six matches. Mushfiqur Rahim played his 100th Test and scored a century, while Taijul Islam’s landmark 250 wickets added a historic dimension to the season.

Administrative Turmoil and Club Cricket Disputes

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) politics remained turbulent. Following a leadership change in 2024, the controversial November elections saw cancelled councillorships, resignations, and boycotts by 43 clubs. Notably, eight teams abstained from the First Division Cricket League, citing illegitimacy in BCB’s election process.

Women’s Cricket Controversy

In November, pacer Jahanara Alam accused former women’s team manager Manjurul Islam of sexual harassment and undue mental pressure, highlighting systemic challenges in women’s cricket. A five-member investigative committee has been formed, though its report remains pending.

BPL Unrest and On-Field Tragedies

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) again faced controversy. Nine players were barred from participation due to corruption concerns, and disputes over team ownership, particularly in Chittagong, delayed the tournament.

Tragically, the season witnessed two deaths on the field. Mahbub Ali Zaki, assistant coach of Dhaka Capitals, and physiotherapist Hasan Ahmed of Barishal died due to heart conditions. National captain Tamim Iqbal also suffered a cardiac incident during a Dhaka Premier League match but recovered after treatment in Bangladesh and Singapore.

Overall, 2025 highlighted Bangladesh cricket’s resilience amidst crises, delivering moments of pride but underscoring persistent structural, administrative, and on-field challenges.