Shakib Al Hasan and Afghanistan team [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @MAsgharAfghan/x]
Bangladesh and Afghanistan cricket boards revealed their respective squads for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The BCCI confirmed its new secretary and also unveiled the launch date of the highly-awaited IPL 2025 season. In Bangladesh, Litton Das belted a belligerent century after his Champions Trophy snub.
Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Sunday, January 12.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman Dropped As Afghanistan Announce CT Squad
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced Afghanistan’s 15-player squad for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Hashmatullah Shahidi will continue to lead a star-studded team, which also features the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and blistering opening batters Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Additionally, Darwish Rasooli, Nangyal Kharoti and Bilal Sami were among the three reserved players picked for the competition. As it turned out, ace spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman failed to make a cut in the 15-member line-up. Afghanistan’s first match of the 2025 Champions Trophy will be played against South Africa on February 21.
Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das Dropped From Bangladesh’s CT Line-Up
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also announced its 15-player squad for the impending eight-team event in Pakistan and in the UAE. Senior man Shakib Al Hasan and blistering wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das were the notable omissions from the team. The team itself features several other veterans in the form of Mustafizur Rahman, Mahmudullah, senior wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim and Soumya Sarkar.
It is worth noting that Shakib Al Hasan has been barred from bowling by the ICC after he was reported for having a suspect bowling action. The Bangladesh team will commence their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a match against India on February 20.
Litton Das Whacks BPL Century On The Day Of CT Snub
Dhaka Capitals opener Litton Das whacked an unbeaten century against Durbar Rajshahi in match number 18 of the BPL 2024-25 season at the Sylhet Stadium, on the day of his exclusion from Bangladesh’s Champions Trophy 2025 line-up.
Das clobbered 125* runs from just 55 balls with 10 boundaries and nine sixes in his raging knock to catapult the Capitals to a monumental 254-1 from 20 overs. The blistering opening batter shared 241 runs alongside opening partner and fellow centurion Tanzid Hasan, before Dhaka Capitals bowlers wrapped up Rajshahi for 105 to claim a huge 149-run win.
BCCI Announce Jay Shah’s Replacement
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named former cricketer Devajit Saikia as its new secretary. Saikia was announced as Jay Shah’s replacement, considering the latter left the position vacant to become the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Devajit Saikia was the lone nominee for the respective post. He has previously served the BCCI as joint secretary. Saikia played four first-class matches during his playing days between the years 1990 and 1991.
IPL 2025 Launch Date Confirmed By BCCI
The IPL 2025 season is set to launch on March 21, as confirmed by the BCCI on January 12. Rajiv Shukla, BCCI vice-president, confirmed the same while speaking with the reporters. The T20 carnival, set to host 74 high-octane matches over the course of two months, will conclude on May 25 with the final.
The BCCI is yet to unveil the itinerary of the tournament. However, certain reports indicate that the grand finale will be hosted by the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.