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Minhajul Abedin, the batter in question, appeared to not make his ground despite having the time to do so

Mohammad Isam09-Apr-2025The BCB’s anti-corruption officials and the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League’s technical committee are looking into a controversial stumping incident from a match between Gulshan Cricket Club and Shinepukur Cricket Club at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday.The incident took place in the dying moments of the game, when Shinepukur batter Minhajul Abedin was out stumped even though he had enough time to make his ground. Minhajul stepped out against offspinner Naeem Islam. The ball was delivered wide. Mihajul withdrew from his shot. Wicketkeeper Alif Hasan collected the ball wide of the stumps, and failed to break the stumps with his first attempt. Minhajul stood still, bat grounded just outside the crease. He even seemed to pull the bat further away from the crease. Alif broke the stumps on his second attempt.On Thursday, the BCB said in a statement* that it had “taken note of the concerns”.”The BCB Anti-Corruption Unit and the League’s Technical Committee have promptly initiated an investigation into the alleged irregularities associated with the match,” the BCB’s statement said. “The BCB remains committed to ensuring fairness and discipline in all cricketing activities under its jurisdiction and will take the necessary actions based on the findings of the investigation.”The timing of the dismissal raised eyebrows. Shinepukur, battling for survival in the tournament with just two points in nine outings, needed just six runs in seven overs to beat Gulshan, who were on 11 points. Minhajul’s dismissal ended their innings on 173, and they lost by five runs.On-air commentator Mazhar Uddin Omi expressed astonishment, saying, “This is shocking, I have never seen anything like this before.”On Wednesday, the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM), the BCB body that organises the league, had said that it had informed the board’s anti-corruption body about the incident, and were waiting for the umpires’ report on the incident.”We saw the footage. It was the last dismissal of the day. This sort of thing is usually the match referee’s responsibility,” CCDM’s league coordinator Sabbir Ahmed said. “We are aware of the TV umpire sitting next to him also, so they must have studied the footage. They are supposed to give a report on the incident.”The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League is Bangladesh’s premier List A competition, on top of the Dhaka league pyramid. The last round of this season’s competition concludes next week, before the top six teams battle for the title in the super league. The bottom three teams will fight for survival, as two teams are relegated every season.

Arsenal chiefs are currently attempting to get a few players off Mikel Arteta’s books right now after a summer of serious spending.

The Gunners have maintained their real interest in Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze following extensive talks with his representatives (Fabrizio Romano), amid serious competition from Tottenham, and Arteta has confirmed that they’re still looking to strengthen before the transfer deadline on September 1.

However, the Spaniard is also clear that Arsenal need to sell.

“Let’s see what happens, in terms of where the squad is in the next few weeks,” said Arteta last week.

“But we are actively looking at options. As well, there are a few players that, maybe, they have to leave as well. So, we will be open to see what happens.”

Arsenal have enjoyed a very productive summer window, investing north of £200 million on six major signings in Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and star striker Viktor Gyokeres.

To balance out the squad, reports claim that Fabio Vieira, Karl Hein, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all players who could leave Arsenal in the next fortnight, while uncertainty also surrounds the future of defender Jakub Kiwior.

The Poland international impressed alongside William Saliba towards the back end of 2024/2025 when Gabriel was out injured, but he isn’t exactly guaranteed consistent playing time, with Kiwior reportedly open to exploring opportunities away from Arsenal.

Several clubs are apparently keen on signing the defender, as reported by Fabrizio Romano earlier this month.

Now, according to a fresh update from TUTTOmercatoWEB, AC Milan are one of the sides considering a potential deal.

Mikel Arteta stance on selling Jakub Kiwior as Milan open talks

TMW report that the Rossoneri have opened discussions with Arsenal over Kiwior, who the north Londoners value up to £26 million.

Arsenal are also unwilling to agree any kind of loan for the 25-year-old, which makes this operation a pretty pricey one from Milan’s perspective, while it is also believed that Kiwior is considered an important player by Arteta – so he’s not keen on letting the ex-Spezia man return to Italy.

While the player wants to feature more regularly, whether that be at the Emirates Stadium or a new club, none of his suitors are prepared to meet Arsenal’s demands right now – including Crystal Palace – who also made a recent approach for him.

This isn’t the first time Kiwior has attracted interest from Serie A, as it has been a reoccurring theme ever since he joined Arsenal over two years ago.

“The interest in Jakub Kiwior from Italy is not surprising, He is a sensational talent, who can play across multiple positions,” said podcaster Adam Keys on X in 2023.

“Arsenal should, and most likely will, be shunning any offers that come through. He will get plenty of minutes here, and the potential is sky high.”

“The most frustrating thing is that it’s always an issue depending on where you are in the world and the style of cricket that’s played”

Vithushan Ehantharajah04-Dec-2024

Ben Stokes has asked the ICC to revisit its over-rate thresholds and criticised them for not engaging with players, after both New Zealand and England copped over-rate penalties from their first Test in Christchurch.Both teams were docked three World Test Championship (WTC) points with 15% match fee fines across the board last week at Hagley Oval. New Zealand now face a stiffer task to make the WTC final next year, dropping from fourth to fifth in the table. England are sixth in the WTC, in part because of over-rate fines that have seen them docked 22 points in the 2023-25 cycle, and had lost 19 of the 28 points gained during the 2023 Ashes on similar grounds.At the end of the first Test, Stokes was seen having a long conversation with match referee David Boon, who imposed the sanctions. Having initially voiced his displeasure at the punishment on his Instagram, Stokes used a media opportunity on Wednesday at Basin Reserve to elaborate on his grievances ahead of the second Test – some of them backdated to the Lord’s Test against Australia in 2023.Related

The problem with Ben Stokes' problem with over-rates penalties

Stokes baffled by England's slow over-rate sanctions

“The most frustrating thing, from both teams’ points of view, is that the game finished early, there was a result,” Stokes said. “But I think the frustration actually stems back to last year in the Ashes where it was the first time I really brought it up to the match referee and the umpires.”I guess the most frustrating thing is that it’s always an issue depending on where you are in the world and the style of cricket that’s played. There’s never an over-rate issue in Asia because of how much spin is played.”There’s so many tactical decisions that you need to make, whether that be chatting with the bowler or field changes. As a captain, I like to change things quite a lot and the field could be completely different six balls in an over. But that’s not taken into consideration. And getting told to just ‘hurry up’ isn’t going to fix it, because we’re out there playing a game.”The times and the rules are the same wherever you go in the world. From a player’s point of view – and I’m not the only one who shares this opinion – we would like to have a lot more communication with the ICC around this.”The point regarding the different speeds of play based on conditions and bowlers predominantly used is a sound one. But it should be noted that offspinner Shoaib Bashir bowled 20 of England’s 91 overs in the first innings of the first Test.Stokes was particularly irked that having relayed his thoughts on the need for a more flexible over-rate framework – particularly to mitigate for in-game tactics – to match referee Andy Pycroft at the end of the Lord’s Test, he has yet to hear back from the ICC. This despite being told a dialogue would be forthcoming.Stokes revealed that he has not signed an over-rate chargesheet – the document from the match referee confirming a team is going to incur a penalty – since Lord’s as a mild form of protest.That being said, he accepted the charges levelled in Christchurch by standing umpires Ahsan Raza and Rod Tucker, third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth official Kim Cotton, as did New Zealand skipper Tom Latham.”The two conversations I’ve had with the match referees have actually been very good and the match referees have handled it very, very well and been very understanding from a player’s point of view,” Stokes said. “But it’s been over a year now since I made some comments around the over rates and still to this day we’re yet to hear any response back from anyone at the ICC around that.”I’ve not signed an over-rate sheet since Lord’s in the Ashes just until we hear some communication back from the ICC that we’re still waiting for. Captains have to sign over-rate sheets and fines and stuff, but I have said ‘no’ until I have the conversations. But they still take the fines off you anyway.”Jacob Oram, the New Zealand assistant coach, was on the same page as Stokes but was more focussed on learning lessons.New Zealand’s hopes of making the WTC final have been badly hit because of the sanction•Joe Allison/Getty Images

“There are results in most Test matches now and runs are being scored at a frenetic pace and wickets are falling all over the place, there is a lot of entertainment,” Oram said on Wednesday. “If you bowl 90 overs or 85 overs, there is a lot of stuff going on and I think we need to find a balance and getting some understanding.”It’s a lesson we’re going to have to take on the chin and learn from. It just comes down to hustle, making sure guys are providing that energy and bowlers are doing their job and everyone is getting into position as quickly as they can.”Stokes did have sympathy with match-going fans who end up feeling shortchanged when a full 90 overs are not bowled in a day. In England, where tickets are particularly expensive, over-rates have been a talking point among a section of supporters.”You totally understand why there is frustration from the fans about not getting their full allocation of a day’s play,” he said. “But again, we’re trying. We’re out there to play a game that we try and win and there’s a lot that goes into that. We’re not purposely bowling over rates slower than the rules say.”

England 291 (Duckett 114, Sajid 7-111) and 36 for 2 need a further 261 to beat Pakistan 366 and 221 (Salman 63, Bashir 4-66)With a twinkle in his eye and a twirl of his moustache, Sajid Khan helped turn the Multan rematch Pakistan’s way. A first-innings seven-for was followed up by crucial lower-order runs to help set England a daunting target of 297 to win the second Test. Sajid then struck with his third ball to remove Ben Duckett, England’s centurion on day two and a key man in their hopes of a successful chase.Sajid may be an unassuming offspinner on paper, and something of an afterthought in selection – he described himself as “always the first to be kicked out” after taking four England wickets during the second evening to put his side on top. But with his shaved head, luxuriant facial hair and colourful celebrations he has brought some much-needed character to Pakistan’s attempts to break a winless run at home that stretches back to 2021.Having claimed three of the four England wickets to fall during the first hour on day three, securing a 75-run lead for Pakistan and personal figures of 7 for 111 – the best for an innings in Tests at Multan – Sajid came to the crease during the evening session with the scoreboard reading 156 for 8. England were eyeing up a chase in the region of 230-240, only for Sajid to join Salman Agha in putting on a bristling stand of 65, by far the highest of a day on which 16 wickets fell and the spinners prospered.Salman did the bulk of the scoring, making his third 50-plus score of the series to steer the target up towards 300, and England’s pain in the field was only increased by the knowledge that he could have been dismissed twice in single-figures. Brydon Carse was the unlucky bowler, as two chances went down in the space of three balls: Jamie Smith failing to hold a regulation nick behind the stumps before Joe Root shelled another to his right, the fact he was wearing a helmet and standing in close only partial mitigation.Pakistan’s recent issues in the third innings have been well-documented, failing to capitalise on positions of varying promise against Australia and Bangladesh, and it seemed as if they were primed for another stumble after losing three wickets to Shoaib Bashir to be 43 for 3 at lunch. Saud Shakeel helped steady things, although he too had a life off Carse as Root couldn’t get his hands up to a flashed cut at slip.When Shakeel was trapped lbw by Jack Leach, the first of three wickets to fall in the space of five overs after tea, England had hopes of wrapping up the innings quickly. But Salman immediately countered, hitting three fours from his next seven balls and going on to his half-century by lofting Leach clean over long-off for six. The ninth-wicket pair took less than eight overs to raise the 50 stand, as England’s target rose rapidly – eventually leaving them needing the second-highest successful chase in Pakistan, and by far their highest overall in Asia.Salman Agha made a vital contribution as Pakistan’s lead grew•Getty Images

Sajid survived being caught at long-on, when Duckett was forced to throw the ball back in as he crossed the rope, then overturned being given out lbw to a Matt Potts full toss when UltraEdge detected an inside edge; he might have been out on 20, but with the DRS momentarily down, England couldn’t review for caught behind.Carse eventually broke through when Salman spliced a pull to midwicket, belated reward for the fast bowler’s perseverance and skill in demanding conditions, and Potts bounced out Sajid. But the spinner took centre stage again with the ball in hand, eyes bulging like a cartoon supervillain after Duckett had top-edged a sweep straight up to depart for a two-ball duck in the first over of the chase.Noman Ali then produced a beautifully flighted delivery to have Zak Crawley stumped by a distance, the opener collapsing to his knees even as he turned to see Mohammad Rizwan break the bails, as England slipped to 11 for 2. Ollie Pope and Root saw them through to the close but there was plenty of work still to be done on a pitch that has increasingly taken spin if England are to extend their winning run in Pakistan.It was all a far cry from the first Test at this ground, when only 13 wickets fell across the first three days – the count now up to 32 at the same stage in the pitch second’s incarnation.England’s prospects had been undermined by the four-wicket burst from Sajid on the second evening, and he did not have to wait long for his second Test five-for when play resumed. Carse holed out to long-on before Potts got in a tangle trying to work off his pads to be bowled between his legs. Noman then claimed his 50th wicket in Tests as Smith, looking to hit out in the company of the tail, could only miscue high to long-off.A last-wicket stand of 29 between Leach and Bashir cut into the lead, before Sajid’s seventh brought the innings to a close. It was then Pakistan’s turns to get the jitters, as the top three all departed in the space of 15 overs before lunch.Bashir had not enjoyed much success on tour to date but rose to the occasion after being thrown the new ball by Ben Stokes. His third over produced the breakthrough, with Abdullah Shafique adjudged to have feathered a catch behind down the leg side – although it took some lengthy deliberations by the third umpire, Sharfuddoula, after England had gone to the DRS. Shafique’s dismissal brought an end to Pakistan’s opening stand at 9 – the ninth time in ten innings that he and Saim Ayub have failed to reach double-figures together.Shan Masood did not last long, squared up by one that ripped away off a length to hit the splice for a sharp catch to Pope, in close under the helmet at second slip. There was turn and bounce aplenty for England’s spinners and with the final delivery before the break, Bashir dislodged Ayub, who propped forward to provide a simpler chance to Pope.Pakistan needed solidity and they got it in the form of three dogged stands in the 30s featuring Shakeel. The debutant Kamran Ghulam provided further signs of his ability, following his first-innings hundred, before being trapped plumb lbw by Leach. Rizwan then resumed his battle with Carse, eventually falling to him for the third innings in a row after England got the ball to reverse swing. Whether they can reverse the course of this Test may depend on keeping Sajid from top billing on day four.

Chelsea have made a proposal to sign an “insane” attacker who’s England’s “biggest talent”, and BlueCo have now received a response, it has been revealed.

Blues looking to reshuffle attacking options

The Blues have been very busy in the opening stages of the summer transfer window, having already confirmed the arrivals of the likes of Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro, which means they may need to offload some current players to create space in the squad.

Fabrizio Romano has now revealed the west Londoners may have the opportunity to sell one of their wingers to a rival club, with the transfer expert stating that Arsenal are making moves to secure Noni Madueke’s signature.

Having already agreed personal terms on a move across the capital, it is clear Madueke is keen on joining the Gunners, which means the last remaining hurdle is for the two clubs to agree a suitable fee.

HandofArsenal have now revealed that Chelsea have floated the idea of signing Max Dowman in preliminary talks over the deal to sell Madueke (via Sports Mole), but BlueCo did not receive the response they would’ve been hoping for.

The Blues’ proposal to sign Dowman has been knocked back by Arsenal, given that he is very highly regarded by the north Londoners, meaning the deal to offload Madueke will need to be of a different nature.

Bigger talent than Gittens: Chelsea expected to bid big for £85m superstar

Despite signing João Pedro and Jamie Gittens in the last week, Chelsea are now expected to bid £50m+ for a Premier League “superstar”.

Jul 7, 2025

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed the winger is valued at around £52m by the Blues, meaning they could be in line to pocket a tidy fee for his services.

"Insane" Dowman could be England's "biggest talent"

Although he is still only 15-years-old, the teenager has been tipped to go on and have a very successful career, with Arsenal insider Will Balsam dubbing him the “biggest talent in England”.

Scout Ben Mattinson has also been left extremely impressed by the young attacking midfielder’s performances at youth level, claiming he could go on to make his Premier League debut in the near future.

As such, it is disappointing that Arsenal have no interest in letting Dowman leave this summer, but it is good news that Chelsea could be set to receive a big fee for Madueke, with Enzo Maresca well-stocked in attacking areas and definitely in a position to sanction the winger’s departure.