Bangladesh Cricket in 2025: A year of individual brilliances
However, their performance in ODIs was far from stellar. While Bangladesh won a series against the West Indies, they faltered in other series, losing to both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
The year 2025 in Bangladesh cricket was marked by a combination of achievement and individual brilliance. While the men's team struggled with consistency, several players reached historic milestones.
The women's team achieved a significant feat, while the Under-19 side showed promise but faltered at a key moment.
Mixed results on the field
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Bangladesh's men's cricket team had a year of ups and downs, with several solid performances tempered by inconsistencies. The year began with a hard-
fought victory over Pakistan, but the team later suffered a setback by losing a series to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In T20s, Bangladesh showed resilience, winning five out of eight series, including crucial victories against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
However, their performance in ODIs was far from stellar. While Bangladesh won a series against the West Indies, they faltered in other series, losing to both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
The team's struggles continued in Test cricket, where despite playing three series, they only managed to win against Ireland. They drew against Zimbabwe, and also losing a series to Sri Lanka. This lack of consistency was a major concern throughout the year.
Bangladesh's women's team achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the 2025 ODI World Cup. However, their performance in the tournament was
disappointing, with just one win over Pakistan in the group stage.
The Under-19 team also had a solid start to the year, winning several bilateral series. However, they fell short of defending their Asia Cup title, losing their grip on what could have been a hat-trick of trophies in the regional tournament.
Records and Milestones: Individual Brilliance
Despite the team's mixed results, 2025 saw several historic individual performances.
Taijul Islam made history by becoming Bangladesh's highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan's 246 Test wickets. Taijul also reached the 250-wicket milestone as first Bangladeshi bowler with a four- wicket haul against Ireland in November.
Liton Das set a new benchmark in T20Is, breaking Shakib's record for the most runs by a Bangladeshi batter in T20Is. Liton's total of 2655 runs eclipsed
Shakib's 2551 runs.
Mustafizur Rahman overtook Shakib Al Hasan to become Bangladesh's highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup, with 158 wickets, going past Shakib's previous
record of 149.
Mushfiqur Rahim achieved a remarkable feat by scoring a century in his 100th Test match, making him the first Bangladeshi player to do so. His 106 in the
first innings against Ireland, along with an unbeaten 53 in the second innings, further cemented his place in the annals of Bangladeshi cricket.
While 11 batters have scored centuries in their 100th Test, Mushfiqur is the second to score 50 in both innings. Ricky Ponting scored centuries in both innings.
Galore of Centuries and Sixes
Bangladesh's batting line-up had a stellar year, accumulating 11 centuries in 2025, with nine coming in Tests. This was the joint-highest number of centuries for Bangladesh in a calendar year, equalling the record set in 2014.
The team smashed 298 sixes across all formats. This included 206 sixes in T20Is - a first for Bangladesh in any calendar year to hit over 200 sixes in the shortest format.
The fall of Bangladesh's ODI Reputation
One of the most significant disappointments of 2025 was Bangladesh's struggles in ODIs. A format once considered their strength, Bangladesh's ODI reputation took a nosedive after a series of losses. The team faced setbacks against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan before finally securing a series win
against the West Indies - their first ODI series victory in over a year and a half.
Changes in BCB Leadership
Bangladesh first Test centurion Aminul Islam Bulbul was made BCB president in May and thereafter he became elected president through an election. Faruque Ahmed whom Bubul replaced as BCB president also took part in the election and became vice president.
An effort to eradicate corruption from BPL
Although the investigation report on last season's BPL fixing was not been published, the BCB has not put several suspected cricketers in the auction of
this year's BPL. Like last time, the BCB has been in a dilemma while organizing the BPL at short notice. The day before the start of the BPL, the owners of Chattogram Royals informed that it was not possible for them to run the franchise. Later, the BCB took over the responsibility of the team.
Tamim Iqbal's heart attack and tragic deaths
2025 was also a year marked by health scares and tragic losses. On 24 March, the cricketing world was stunned as former captain Tamim Iqbal suffered a
heart attack during a Dhaka Premier League match. Tamim, who was playing for Mohammedan, was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital and received treatment. Thankfully, he recovered and is now doing well.
However, the cricket fraternity was struck by further tragedy later in the year. Mahbub Ali Zaki, assistant coach of the BPL team Dhaka Capitals, fell ill on the field and passed away shortly after just at the far end of the year. In October, Hasan Ahmed, the physiotherapist for the national cricket team in Barisal, also fell ill during a match and tragically passed away.
Bangladesh's performance by numbers:
Bangladesh Men's team performance Tests: 6 matches, won 3, lost 2 and drew 1 ODI: 11 matches, won 3, lost 7 and tie 1 T20I: 30 matches, won 15, lost 14, no result 1
Bangladesh Women's team performance ODI: 15 matches, won 5, lost 9, no result 1 T20I: 3 matches, won 0, lost 3
Highest Runs:
Test: Najmul Hossain Shanto 532 runs ODI: Towhid Hridoy 388 runs T20I: Tanzid Hasan Tamim 775 runs
Highest Wickets:
Test: Taijul Islam 33 wickest ODI: Rishad Hossain 17 wickets T20: Rishad Hossain 33 wickets
