World Cup, Test Championship promise an exciting year ahead

The 2019 Cricket World Cup

Undoubtedly, the mega event in the UK will be the highlight of the 2019 cricketing calendar. Cut down to ten teams, the World Cup 2019 promises to be a short, but sweet affair.

Windies and Afghanistan had to battle it out in the Qualifiers to seal their spots in the 10-team line-up. While legends are picking out their favourites, the ECB looks at hosting the event as an opportunity to develop the game in the country given that it will be played in 11 venues across 10 cities. With 700,000 tickets on sale, and most of them sold out, the ECB has reportedly received 2.9 million applications for the same.

The World Cup will be played between May 30 and July 14, where although defending champions, Australia, will be aiming a record sixth title, hosts England go in as favourites.

The World Cup will also draw curtains on some illustrious ODI careers. MS Dhoni, for one, who led India to the title in 2011, is touted to call it a day post the tournament. Among others include veterans Dale Steyn, Lasith Malinga, Mashrafe Mortaza, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Shoaib Malik and Marlon Samuels.

Banned duo return to the international circuit

Australia will be boosted by the return of David Warner and Steven Smith after the pair served their one-year bans for ball tampering. The incident that took place in Cape Town in March derailed Australian cricket to monumental degrees, with the national team losing the support and faith of the general public. The loss of the pair – along with Cameron Bancroft who copped a nine-month ban – hurt Australia’s top order, which has failed to get going in their absence.

Although their transition into the international arena will be one full of different challenges, their ability with the bat, and going by the form that they have been across global T20 leagues and club cricket, will boost Australia’s top order. They will certainly not be welcomed back with open arms by the public, especially overseas, but if they can strengthen Australia’s batting and influence fortunes of a team that has arguably seen its lowest phase through the year, the path to redemption might be a shorter one.

General elections, World Cup to influence IPL 2019

The 2019 general elections in India will have a directly proportional impact on the twelfth edition of the Indian Premier League. Based on the dates of the elections, the BCCI will have to make a decision of hosting the tournament in India, or having it outside the country. It could also be the case of hosting a few games in India, before moving to the UAE at a later stage. With a mandatory 15-day gap between the end of the IPL and India’s next international assignment, as per the Lodha reforms, the IPL will be held from March 29 to May 19. With the World Cup set to begin later in May, some of the teams may be tempted to rest their mainstay players to avoid the possibility of injuries and fatigue.

World Cup, first, then the Ashes

England will hope to regain the Ashes on home turf after having conceded the urn in 2017 4-0 to Australia. In what will be a highly anticipated summer for England, with the World Cup and a historic four-day Test against Ireland, the Ashes, that begins on August 1, will cap off an electric season for them, with ticket allocation for the Tests to be made available by a public ballot citing high demand. What would add to the anticipation will also be the possibility of watching Warner and Smith – arch-rivals England, the local crowds, or the Barmy Army won’t pass off a chance to be on to the pair.

It could also be veteran pacer James Anderson’s swansong. In all probability, he will call it a day post the five-Test series, capping off a stellar career, that he will end as the most successful Test bowler.

The Test Championship

The league competition for Test cricket will finally make its way to being. It is a tournament that will be contested by the top nine teams over two-year cycles, in 27 series, the first of which begins in July 2019 when the league phase kicks off. It was an idea that came into conception in order to add further context and significance to bilateral series.

Points being awarded for individual matches, as opposed to series, will make every game significant. Yet, the details are still blurry as to how it’ll be possible given the difference in the number of Tests played in respective series’. Home and away Tests will be treated on even keel, which can be a disadvantage for teams who will play overseas in majority.

The biggest killjoy, though, as one may anticipate, is the India will still not play Pakistan in a bilateral series. Not in the first cycle, at least. But the biggest reason for joy is that Ireland and Afghanistan have been included in the FTP for the first time. Afghanistan will play 11 Tests from now to 2023, while Ireland will play 12, although both aren’t part of the inaugural Test Championship. The tournament will begin with India taking on Windies.

Building towards 2020

The main focus around women’s cricket in 2019 will be sprucing up resources for the World T20 in 2020. After having had the WWT20, as a standalone tournament for the first time in November, the women will engage in battle once again just 15 months after. While no global tournament in women’s cricket is scheduled for the year, the teams will be building up for the one next year.

Associates’ 50-over structural overhaul

The World Cricket League had to finally make way for a new CWC League system for the Associates after having been in play for a decade, which will commence after the 2019 World Cup. The new structure in conjuncture with the boards of the Associate, will ensure that the 19 Associates will not just be engaged in as much international cricket as possible, but also easy on the pockets.

Seven of the top-eight Associates will engage in trilateral series’, with the winner standing a chance of either replacing, or joining, the Netherlands in the CWC Super League, that currently comprises of them and the 12 Full Members.

Oikyafront to formally urge EC to hold fresh polls

Major political opponent Jatiya Oikyafront will submit a memorandum to the Election Commission demanding a fresh national election under a nonpartisan administration.

“All the Oikyafront candidates will submit the memorandum to the commission within a day or two,” said the alliance chief Dr Kamal Hossain while talking to reporters after a meeting of Oikyafront steering committee on Monday.

The eminent jurist and also the president of Gonoforum said, “The Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina and their subordinate chief election commissioner have shown how to destroy the electoral process.”

Earlier, the alliance rejected the results of the 11th parliamentary polls citing widespread irregularities.

BNP, the major component of the alliance managed only two seats while Dr Kamal’s Gonoforum two more in the election won by the ruling Awami League by a landslide.

Textbook festival on across the country

The Textbook Festival was kicked off across the country on Tuesday morning.

On the day, new free textbooks are being distributed among the students of school and madrasah.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid began the handing over of newly printed books among students at Azimpur Government Girls’ School and College around 9:30 am, reports news agency UNB.

Later around 11 am, Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman Fizar started distributing textbooks to pre-primary and primary students at Dhaka University’s central playground, the news outlet said.

Earlier on December 24, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the distribution of free textbooks.

This year, a total of 35,21,97,822 copies of textbooks for the students of primary and secondary schools, Ebtedai and Dakhil madrasas and technical institutes were printed, according to officials of National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).

Over 9.88 crore copies are for primary schools and 18 crores are for secondary ones.

Cooperation best for both China and US, Xi tells Trump

History shows that cooperation is the best choice for both China and the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump in a congratulatory message on Tuesday to mark 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The two countries agreed last month to a 90-day temporary ceasefire in their bitter trade war to give them time to hold fresh talks to try and end a dispute that has seen them level increasingly severe tariffs on each others’ goods.

In his message to Trump, Xi said China-U.S. relations have experienced ups and downs but have made historic progress over the past four decades, state news agency Xinhua said.

This has brought huge benefits to the two peoples and has contributed greatly to world peace, stability and prosperity, Xi added.

“History has proved that cooperation is the best choice for both sides,” Xi said.

Sino-U.S. relations are in an important stage, he added.

“I attach great importance to the development of China-U.S. relations and am willing to work with President Trump to summarize the experience of the development of China-U.S. relations and implement the consensus we have reached in a joint effort to advance China-U.S. relations featuring coordination, cooperation and stability so as to better benefit the two peoples as well as the people of the rest of the world,” he said.

Trump sent his own congratulatory message in return, saying it was his priority to promote cooperative and constructive U.S.-China relations, Xinhua added.

Xi and Trump also spoke by telephone over the weekend. Trump said he had a “long and very good call” with Xi and that a possible trade deal between the United States and China was progressing well.

China and the United States have made plans for face-to-face consultations over trade in January, China’s Commerce Ministry said last week.

Xinhua, in a commentary, said it was only natural the two countries would have disagreements and encounter problems, considering their “different social systems, development paths and historical and cultural backgrounds”.

“At a time when the world is undergoing unprecedentedly profound changes and is fraught with risks and uncertainties, the global community expects even closer collaboration between the two largest economies,” it said.

This year marks a series of sensitive anniversaries for China, including, in June, 30 years since the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in and around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.

On Wednesday, Xi will make his first public appearance at an anniversary-related event, giving a speech about self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its sacred territory, on the 40th anniversary of a key policy statement that led to a thaw in relations with the island.

Car crashes into New Year’s crowd in Tokyo, eight injured

A car plowed into crowds celebrating New Year’s Day early on Tuesday in a suspected terror attack, leaving eight people injured, including one who was unconscious.

A police spokesman said one suspect, in his 20s, had been detained and that he had described the incident as an “act of terror”. The spokesman declined to elaborate.

The incident happened shortly after midnight local time on Monday in a popular tourist area of Harajuku, near Meiji Shrine, in central Tokyo.

“I can’t believe it, this is a place I’m familiar with, so it’s very shocking,” said Tatsuhiro Yaegashi, a 27-year-old worker in the area.

New lawmakers to take oath on January 3

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has announced that the the oath-taking ceremony of new members of parliament will be held on January 3.

The information minister made the announcement during a Secretariat Reporters Forum discussion at the Secretariat Media Centre on Tuesday.

“The new MPs will take their oaths of office on Jan 3. A gazette will be released before then.”

“We, the Grand Alliance tried to work for the people. This is why the Grand Alliance has won by a massive vote margin,” he said.

With BNP refusing to participate in the oath-taking, it remains to be seen that if their party and alliance elects will be joining the ceremony on that day.

The term of the prevailing Sheikh Hasina administration will end January 28. A new government is expected to be formed within this window.

Cabinet approves draft law increasing defense chief’s tenure

The Cabinet on Monday approved a draft law increasing the tenure of defence chiefs from three years to four years.

The approval was given at the regular weekly meeting of the Cabinet held at the Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The Cabinet Secretary said the meeting also approved the draft of the Speech to be delivered by the President at the first session of 2017 of the 10th national parliament.

Ministers and state ministers, and secretaries concerned were present.

The draft of ‘The Defence-Forces Chiefs (Appointment, Retirement and Remuneration and Allowances) Bill, 2016’ suggest a provision of maximum four-year tenure of the concerned force’s chiefs from the date of their appointment.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said the draft law has been proposed in line with sections 61, 62 and 63 of the constitution.

As per these sections, it is mandatory for the government to formulate a law regarding appointment, retirement and remunerations of the chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force as it has not been framed for the last 45 years, Shafiul said.

Shafiul said the proposed draft law will replace the existing Joint Services Instructions-JSI under which the President has been appointing the chiefs of the three services while all other facilities and allowances are determined so far under the JSI.

As per the proposed Defence Forces Chief (recruitment, retirement and wages) Act – 2016, the tenure of the post will be four years with the provision of no reappointment.

Their salary has also been fixed at Tk 86,000 each which is equal to a senior secretary to cabinet secretary, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told journalists at a press conference after the meeting.

About remuneration and allowances of the three services’ chiefs, Shafiul Alam said they will get an amount of fixed salary equivalent to that of the Cabinet Secretary, which is currently a consolidated amount of Tk 86,000 per month.

Besides, the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force will get other defense allowance, outfit allowance, special residential facility and all-time transport facilities as well as other facilities like civil servants of the republic, he said.

After their retirement, Shafiul Alam said, the chiefs of the three services could not get re-appointment to any of the civil or military positions of the republic. However, they could be appointed to any of the constitutional posts of the country or in any such posts on contract basis.

The Cabinet also approved in principle the draft of the ‘Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Bill, 2016’ making some minor changes in the existing law after translating it in Bangla.

Under the proposed law, he said, a Managing Board will run the Institute with its Director General as the chief of the institute. The Board will sit after every four months in a meeting.

The Cabinet meeting also approved in principle the draft of the ‘Seed Bill, 2016’ under which the National Seed Board will be formed with the Agriculture Secretary as its chairman while a seed certifying agency will be formed which will issue certificates to the seed dealers.

The day’s Cabinet meeting also gave nod to the ‘Bangladesh Film and Television Institute (amendment) Bill, 2016’ after making some changes to the existing law with a proposal for increasing the number of members in the Institute.

As per the proposed law, the institute will be able to offer postgraduate diplomas.

Alam said the Cabinet also approved a draft for renewing and re-signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Mode of Operation (MoO) for establishing and operating border haats along Bangladesh-India border.

Under the fresh proposal, he said new border haats would be established in six new locations while the tenure of the border haats would be for five years from the existing three years.

Shafiul said the maximum number of sellers in each border haat has been raised to 50 from the existing 25 while the ceiling for purchase of products and commodities has been raised to $200 from the existing $100.

Approval has already been given to set up two more border haats at Botuli under Juri upazila in Moulvibazar while another at Kumraghat in Komolganj upazila in Moulvibazar.

Besides, four more border haats will be set up along the Meghalaya border.

The Cabinet also adopted separate condolence motions at the demise of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayaram Jayalalitha and PM’s Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil.

Thwart violence with iron fist: CEC to law enforcers

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda has called upon the members of the law enforcing agencies to quell any kind of violence on election day with an iron fist.

The CEC came up with the call while addressing a press briefing at the Nirbachan Bhaban on Saturday afternoon.

Warning the law enforcers against any slack of duty, the CE said, “If we find any negligence or insincerity during polls-time duty, we will take legal action against them after investigation.”

“All involved with the 11th national elections have been instructed to work neutrally so that the election does not become questionable,” he added.

Furthermore, the CEC directed the law enforcers saying, “Don’t harass the poling agents if there is no specific allegation against them.”

Meanwhile, the Election Commission have started distributing election materials, including ballot papers and ballot boxes to polling centres throughout Bangladesh.

“The election materials are being distributed since 10am Saturday, said EC Joint Secretary (Public Relations) SM Asaduzzaman.

“Everything will be sent to all the polling centres within the day across the country,” he added.

On the other hand, Army chief General Aziz Ahmed has claimed the election environment in the country ahead of Sunday’s national election is very ‘calm and peaceful’.

“We haven’t seen such a calm and peaceful atmosphere in 47 years,” the General told reporters near Azimpur Government Girls School and College in the city a day before the 11th national election.

Election has turned into a mockery: Fakhrul

BNP general secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that the 11th national polls has turned into a mockery as there is no democracy in the country.

The BNP general secretary came up with the allegation while talking to reporters from UNB on Thursday.

Expressing strong doubt about credible polls tomorrow, Mirza Fakhrul said, “It is not easy to revive the “dead democracy as people have lost their confidence in the country’s election system.”

Mentioning the attacks on Oikyafront candidates and activists, the BNP leader accused Awami League of obstructing BNP’s election campaign.

Mirza Fakhrul also termed the annulment of the candidacies of several BNP candidates as part of a “conspiracy”.

“The Oikyafront had joined the election taking adequate preparations and fielded candidates in 300 seats. Among them, the candidatures of 30-35 candidates were cancelled as part of a conspiracy,” said Fakhrul.

“General voters have got scared in every constituency due to violence, state-sponsored terrorism and Awami terrorism,” he added.

“Now we’ve no expectation over the election. This election has become a complete mockery as what we’re watching every day in controlled news media. The state, the government and the Election Commission are working together to turn it into a mockery,” he said.

Mentioning that the Oikyafront was denied to hold a pre-election rally in capital Dhaka on December 27 by police, Fakhrul said, “A reign of terror has been established in most constituencies of Dhaka. No civilised person can face such terror acts.”

“Democracy is now totally dead in the country. It’s not easy to revive it,” said Fakhrul.

However, the BNP general secretary express his wish to see Bangladesh turn into a democratic country in the coming years.

Md. Shahjahan Kabir, who is known as the pioneer poet of Jhalakathi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLodUCxfmE&t=49s
Md. Shahjahan Kabir, who is known as the pioneer poet of Jhalakathi. Bangladesh gave a speech on the behalf of Alhaj Amir Hossain Amu, in the 11th parliamentary elections. মোঃ শাহজাহান কবির যিনি ঝালকাঠির পথিক কবি নামে পরিচিত। বাংলাদেশ ১১তম জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচন এ আলহাজ্ব আমীর হোসেন আমু ভাইর পক্ষে ভাষন দেন।

Proud to be Bangabandhu’s daughter, PM says in last day at office before election

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday, during her last official day at office ahead of the national election, vowed to build a Bangladesh where there will be no disparity between the poor and the rich if Awami League is elected to power again.

“We want to reduce the income disparity in such a way where everybody will be able to lead a better life,” the premier said at an event organized to mark her last day at office.

The employees of all sections of the PMO attended the programme.

Terming herself as ‘father’s daughter’, the Awami League president Sheikh Hasina said she never thought of enjoying the post of the Prime Minister but it was a duty of her to find a way to devote herself to the welfare of the people.

The PM added that she is very proud to be the daughter of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She asked the PMO officials to perform their duties properly as they are the employees of the republic and their salaries and wages come from the tax money of the mass people. “It’s your duty to serve the common people and do the welfare of them.”

Putting emphasis on continuation of the government, the Prime Minister said the government has been able to do a lot of works in the last 10 years and there are many works to do.

“It depends on the people of the country, if they vote us to power in the coming December 30 election we’ll be able to finish those. Otherwise, the people of the country will choose their fate. I have no desire in life and thus I have no regrets,” she said in her message. I have no resentment or regret because I have no desire in my life,” she said.

In the last 10 years the government has been able to change the scenario of rural Bangladesh through providing them with urban-like facilities, she added.

She briefly described various development programmes for the government employees, including salary hike, accommodations and others.

Principal secretary M Nojibur Rahman moderated the programme where SDG affairs chief coordinator M Abul Kalam Azad, PM’s military secretary Major Gen Mia Md Jainul Abedin, PMO secretary Sajjadul Hsassan, PMO director general Begum Nasrin Afroze and PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim also spoke at the programme.

On shutdown, Trump vows to wait as long as it takes for wall funding

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he is prepared to wait as long as it takes to get $5 billion from taxpayers for his U.S.-Mexico border wall, a demand that has triggered a partial shutdown of the federal government that is now in its fifth day.

With no immediate end to the shutdown in sight, Trump made his remarks during a surprise visit to Iraq and blamed the shutdown on Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who was expected to become speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 3.

Trump had previously said he was prepared for a lengthy shutdown and when asked on Wednesday how long he would wait to get what he wants, he said, “Whatever it takes.”

“Nancy is calling the shots,” said the Republican president, suggesting that her opposition to his demand for wall funding had to do with Pelosi’s need for votes to become speaker.

Pelosi largely locked up the speakership weeks ago.

“The American public is demanding a wall,” Trump said while on the ground at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.

During a televised Dec. 11 meeting with Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Trump had said he would be “proud to shut down the government for border security” but has since shifted the blame to Democrats.

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly promised Mexico would pay for his proposed wall. After Mexico repeatedly refused to do so, he began seeking U.S. taxpayer funding for the wall, which he sees as vital to controlling illegal immigration.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll in late November found that improved border security was a top-three priority for only about 31 percent of Americans surveyed.

Even with both chambers of Congress and the White House under Republican control for the past two years, former real estate developer Trump has not gained full funding for his wall.

Democrats and some Republicans view it as a costly, unneeded and ineffective project, but some Republicans support the idea and back Trump’s demand for $5 billion in partial funding.

“His resolve is very firm,” Representative Mark Meadows, a conservative Republican, told CNN.

Following weeks of failed talks between Trump and congressional leaders, parts of the U.S. government shut down on Saturday, affecting about 800,000 employees of the Departments of Homeland Security, Transportation and other agencies.

Most of the federal government, which directly employs almost 4 million people, is unaffected. The Defense Department and other key agencies are fully funded through Sept. 30.

Congress was scheduled to reconvene after a holiday break on Thursday and resume debate on the matter.

UK couple die within hours of each other in Australia

Thousands of pounds has been raised to help the families of a British couple who died within hours of each other in Australia.

Former Market Drayton Town footballer Jason Francis, 29, was hit by a car near the home he shared with partner Alice Robinson in Scarborough, Perth.

Ms Robinson, who was said to have been “heartbroken”, was later found dead.

More than 32,000 Australian dollars (£17,938) has been donated since Christmas Eve.

A Go Fund Me Page said this would help their relatives with any costs that might be incurred in sending the couple’s bodies home.

Mr Francis had been on a day out with friends from Cottesloe Rugby Club, before getting a taxi home on Saturday evening.

Western Australia Police said a white VW Jetta, driven by an 18-year-old man, hit a male pedestrian on Stanley Street in Scarborough.

The force confirmed it was also investigating the death of a woman, and was preparing a report for the coroner.

Sam Diamond, president of the rugby club, which Mr Francis joined at the beginning of the year after moving to the area, said of the couple: “They were two of the finest people you could meet.

“They well and truly ingrained themselves in our club.”

He said he understood Ms Robinson had gone outside the couple’s home to investigate when she saw the flashing emergency lights.

“She was told by first responders that it was Jason they were working on,” he said.

“We don’t know what happened to her after this. I know the police have launched an inquiry into it.

“She has gone missing after notifying some of our friends of what’s happened (to Mr Francis) and hasn’t been found until the next morning.”

He described Ms Robinson, who worked for a digital marketing company but was also a talented artist, as having “an infectious laugh” and being “very bubbly”.

‘Fantastic people’

Mr Diamond added: “Jason was the sort of person that’s always got the time of day for everyone. Loved talking, loved working out, loved staying fit and healthy.

“They were just genuine, down-to-earth, fantastic people.”

He said the mothers of both Mr Francis, who was in the process of becoming a firefighter, and Ms Robinson had expressed their appreciation for the funds raised.

A number of Shropshire sports clubs paid tribute to Mr Francis, including the captain of Market Drayton Town FC.

Paul McMullen said: “You young man were such a fine piece of our puzzle at MDTFC during our success and it was a pleasure to be part of it playing alongside of you.”

Vote and be a part of prosperity: Saima Wazed to youth

Autism and mental health expert Saima Wazed Hossain has called upon the young voters of Bangladesh to cast their vote in the upcoming 11th parliamentary election and be a part of prosperity.

“Be involved, be engaged. Anyone can complain, but not everyone can change,” said Saima Wazed, daughter of the incumbent Prime Minister.

She came up with the call on Wednesday during a discussion for youth on the election manifesto of Bangladesh Awami League arranged by the Centre for Research and Information (CRI) and #IamBangladesh.

The discussion was titled ‘Youth power, prosperity of Bangladesh’ which was attended by young people from all over the country – from students to professionals.

Former governor of Bangladesh Bank Atiur Rahman, academic and writer Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, former president of BGMEA Atiqul Islam, State Minister for Information Tarana Halim, and cricketer Mehidy Hasan Miraz were the other speakers at the event moderated by CRI’s Senior Analyst Shah Ali Farhad.

Stating that she had cast her vote when she became eligible at the age of 18, Saima Wazed said, “I would say participate – participate and get involved in all sectors.”

Saima Wazed, the WHO expert on mental health, said she was happy to see the disability issue in the election manifesto.

“I read the manifesto just yesterday to prepare for the programme. Very few countries could say that they have given importance to the issue of disability. This is a big achievement,” said Saima Wazed.

Notably, as many as 21.5 million young people have become eligible to vote over the last decade and may decide the outcome of the 11th parliamentary elections slated for December 30.