Bangladesh's teenage cricketer dies after battle with blood cancer

Mehedi Hasan Hridoy, an emerging cricketer from the Chattogram Division Under-18 team, passed away on Saturday while being transported to Dhaka by ambulance for medical treatment.

Hridoy, who was battling acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a form of blood cancer, died before reaching the hospital.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had been providing financial assistance to support his medical treatment. On July 2, State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque presented a cheque of Tk 500,000 to Hridoy's father, Abul Kashem, at the BCB office.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports also awarded Hridoy a grant of Tk 500,000 to aid his fight against the illness.

Hridoy's untimely death has sent shockwaves through Bangladesh's cricket fraternity, with the BCB extending its support to his grieving family.

"The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expresses profound sadness at the passing of young cricketer Mehedi Hasan Hridoy, who passed away in Dhaka today after battling leukaemia," the BCB said in a statement.

"Hridoy represented the Chattogram Division Under-18 team and was regarded as a promising left-arm pace bowler with a bright future ahead of him."

"The BCB extends its heartfelt condolences to Hridoy's family and loved ones during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace, and may his family find strength and comfort in this time of grief."

BCB mourns passing of former director Mahmood Jamal

The BCB is also mourning the death of one of its former directors, Mahmood Jamal. Jamal, 74, was also a sports organiser who passed away due to a cardiac arrest in Rajshahi on October 24. He served as general secretary of the Rajshahi Divisional Sports Association and was also an executive member of the Bangladesh Olympic Association. He served two stints as BCB director, first in 2005 and again in 2008. The BCB extended its deepest condolences to Jamal's bereaved family.