United News of Bangladesh

The Kool-BSJA Media Cup Football Tournament 2025, an yearly football meet for the journalists, organized by Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), begins on Monday at the Paltan Maidan here. Thirty two teams from different media houses, split into eight groups, will compete in the Knock out basis tournament. Eight matches will be held on the opening day (Monday) from 8:30 am to 12 noon. Convener of the tournament committee Raihan Al Mugni disclosed the details of the tournament at a press conference at the Dutch Bangla Auditorium of Bangladesh Olympics Association (BOA) on Saturday. The ceremonial draw of the tournament was held during the day’s press conference where the tournament's jersey and trophy were also unveiled.  New Zealand A fightback after Heaphy and Carter lay platform The press conference, chaired by BSJA president Arifur Rahman Babu, also addressed by Head of the Marketing of the meet’s sponsor Square Toiletries Dr. Jesmin Zaman, former national footballer cum head coach of the BPL champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC Alfaz Ahmed and BSJA general secretary SM Sumon. BSJA joint secretary Arafat Zubair conducted the day’s ceremonial draw of the participating teams.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hinted that Cristiano Ronaldo may still play in the upcoming Club World Cup, despite his current club, Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia, not qualifying for the tournament. Infantino, speaking to popular streamer IShowSpeed, revealed that discussions are underway that could see Ronaldo join one of the 32 participating teams for the inaugural edition of the tournament, which kicks off next month in the United States. “Cristiano Ronaldo might play in the Club World Cup,” Infantino said. “Some clubs are in talks, so if any club is interested in signing him, there's still time. It’ll be fun.” FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that a special transfer window is in effect for teams taking part in the tournament, sparking speculation that a club might sign the 40-year-old Portuguese forward on a short-term basis, possibly via a loan deal. While such a move would be unusual in modern football, it could be a strategic boost for FIFA, potentially raising global interest and ticket sales for the 63-match competition set across 11 U.S. cities. Questions remain about how many international fans will travel for the event. A transfer could also set the stage for a high-profile reunion between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who will feature with Inter Miami—an invitee to the tournament despite not winning the MLS Cup. Ronaldo has been loosely linked with several clubs, including Saudi side Al Hilal, Brazil's Palmeiras, and Moroccan team Wydad, though Wydad currently faces a FIFA transfer ban. FIFA's revised regulations allow participating clubs to make signings from June 1–10 and again from June 27–July 3. According to a FIFA statement, the aim is to help players with expiring contracts find opportunities to compete in the tournament.  

Shubman Gill has been named India’s new Test captain ahead of their five-match series against England, beginning June 20. The 25-year-old top-order batter replaces Rohit Sharma, who recently announced his retirement from Test cricket. His decision followed that of Virat Kohli, who also stepped away from the longest format. Sharma last captained India in the Boxing Day Test against Australia. While Jasprit Bumrah led India during parts of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy — including the opening Test in Perth and the final in Sydney — he was overlooked for the full-time captaincy due to ongoing fitness concerns and workload management, especially with a packed summer schedule in England. The first Test will be played at Headingley in Leeds. Gill, who debuted in Tests against Australia in December 2020, has played 32 matches so far, amassing 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05. He is also currently leading the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. At 25 years and 258 days old, Gill becomes the fifth-youngest player to captain India in Test cricket. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain for the England tour.

England ousted Zimbabwe cricketers at a rate on Friday that suggested their four-day test will be over with a day to spare at Trent Bridge. Despite an acclaimed fightback by Zimbabwe for much of the second day, the visitor was out for 265 and forced to follow on. At stumps, Zimbabwe was 30-2, still 270 runs away from making England bat again. A magnificent maiden test century by opener Brian Bennett kept Zimbabwe's spirit aflame, but his exit for 139 after tea sparked a collapse of six wickets for 26 runs, including Bennett in the second innings for 1. Rain won't appear to save Zimbabwe on Saturday, when clouds will return, giving England's battery ideal conditions to wrap up a big win in the first test matchup between the teams in 22 years. Centuries on Thursday by Zac Crawley, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope staked England to an intimidating 498-3 overnight on a flat pitch. The innings was declared at 565-6 after nine more overs on Friday morning. Pope added two runs to his overnight 169 until he drove at Tanaka Chavinga and nicked behind, ending the third highest of his eight hundreds. Captain Ben Stokes was bounced out, and declared when Harry Brook chopped on for 58 off 50 balls. Sam Cook, the first England debutant to bowl the first over in 32 years, was welcomed to test cricket by Bennett hitting three successive boundaries. But Cook got his maiden wicket in just his third over when Ben Curran edged to Brook at second slip. That was the only Zimbabwe wicket to fall by lunch, taken at 73-1 with Bennett and Craig Ervine cruising. Ervine, on 42, was also caught by Brook, and was the 50th test wicket for off-spinner Shoaib Bashir. He's England's youngest to the milestone at 21. Bashir also claimed Sean Williams. But soon after, Bashir left the field with a bloodied pinkie finger when he tried a caught-and-bowled against Sikandar Raza. Stokes finished bowling the over and another chance was mishandled when Joe Root at first slip dropped a sitter off Bennett on 89. An unfazed Bennett rushed to his century in the next over after hitting three straight boundaries against pacer Gus Atkinson. Angelo Mathews to retire from Tests after Bangladesh match Trent Bridge stood to applaud Bennett's maiden ton and the fastest test century by a Zimbabwean, in 97 balls. But Zimbabwe hopes of sighting the follow-on target of 416 were ruined by a double strike by Stokes in his first bowling stint in six months. He got Raza to nick behind and bowled Wessly Madhevere to have 2-3 off 2.2 overs. By tea, Zimbabwe was 210-5 and Bennett was steaming at 122 off 112 balls but running out of partners with teammate Richard Ngavara unavailable after suffering a back spasm on Thursday. Bennett was undone when he popped a Josh Tongue delivery to Pope at short leg. Bennett's 139 off 143 balls included 104 runs in boundaries. He received another standing ovation. Bashir returned to help wrap up the extra-short tail and took 3-62. Forced to follow on with 10 overs left in the day, Zimbabwe's first-innings leaders were both removed for the second time in the day; Bennett by Atkinson leg before on 1 and Ervine caught at short leg on 2.

Sri Lanka’s veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews has announced he will retire from Test cricket following the first match of the upcoming home series against Bangladesh, scheduled from June 17 to 21. Mathews, 37, confirmed the decision in a statement on Friday. “The first Test match against Bangladesh in June will be my last red-ball appearance for my country,” he said tomedia. England declares on 565-6 early on Day 2 of test against Zimbabwe “Whilst I bid adieu to the Test format, as discussed with selectors I will remain available for selection for the white-ball format, if and when my country needs me,” he added Making his Test debut against Pakistan in Galle in 2009, Mathews went on to become the youngest Test captain for Sri Lanka, leading the side in England at the age of 25. Over a career spanning 16 years, he has played 118 Tests, scoring 8167 runs at an average of 44.62, including 16 centuries and 45 half-centuries. He also took 33 wickets as a batting all-rounder. “It is time for me to say goodbye to the most cherished format of the game, international Test cricket,” he wrote on social media. “I have given my everything to cricket and cricket has given me everything in return.” Soumya Sarkar ruled out of Pakistan tour; Mehidy Hasan Miraz called up Mathews thanked fans for their support through highs and lows, adding that nothing matched the pride of wearing the Sri Lankan jersey. His retirement will mark the end of an era for Sri Lankan Test cricket, with the former captain leaving behind a legacy of consistency.

New Zealand A ended Day 3 of the second unofficial Test on a strong note, reaching 277 for 4 in reply to Bangladesh A’s first innings total of 357, trailing by just 80 runs with a full day left to play at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Nick Kelly led the visitors’ fightback with an unbeaten 83, striking five fours and six sixes in a composed 140-ball knock. He found steady support from Matthew Boyle, who was not out on 44 at stumps. The duo added 101 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket, navigating through weather interruptions and Bangladesh A’s varied spin attack. Earlier, New Zealand A’s top order made significant contributions, with Curtis Heaphy (71) and Joe Carter (62) steadying the innings. Pacer Khaled Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 78 runs. Soumya Sarkar ruled out of Pakistan tour; Mehidy Hasan Miraz called up Saif Hassan provided a vital breakthrough, dismissing Carter. Khaled Ahmed took three for 78 for the hosts. Rain and bad light disrupted proceedings throughout the day, but New Zealand A maintained their momentum. Bangladesh A will look for early wickets on the final day to force a result, while the visitors will aim to surpass the hosts’ total and push for a lead.

 England declared on 565-6 before lunch on Day 2 of the one-off test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on Friday. Resuming on 498-3 after a dominant opening day in Nottingham, England quickly lost Ollie Pope for 171 after he added just two runs to his overnight unbeaten score.  Top three batters hit test centuries as England reaches 498-3 against Zimbabwe Captain Ben Stokes fell for 9 and Harry Brook raced to a 50-ball 58 before getting bowled by Blessing Muzarabani — after which England declared. Jamie Smith was 4 not out. Muzarabani had figures of 3-143 in the first innings of the four-day test. Soumya Sarkar ruled out of Pakistan tour; Mehidy Hasan Miraz called up The teams were meeting for the first time at test level in 22 years.  

The top three batters hit centuries as England posted a mammoth score of 498-3 on the first day of a one-off test against Zimbabwe on Thursday. Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley got their fifth test centuries while No. 3 batter Ollie Pope claimed his eighth ton and ended the day unbeaten on 169. Harry Brook was with him on nine. The sides met for the first time at test level in 22 years and it was a one-sided start to England’s summer of cricket. Duckett scored 140 and Crawley struck 124. Not to be left out, Joe Root became the fifth batter and first from England to reach 13,000 test runs, joining Sachin Tendulkar (India), Ricky Ponting (Australia), Jacques Kallis (South Africa) and Rahul Dravid (India). But he was out for 34 when, in a rare misjudgment, he top-edged a pull to fine leg to give tall seamer Blessing Muzarabani a wicket. Last month, Muzarabani claimed 6-72 as Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh to earn its first test victory since 2021. England overcast conditions Zimbabwe won the toss and bowled first in overcast conditions, but the home side reached 130-0 at lunch. UAE clinch historic T20I series win over Bangladesh Duckett and Crawley's opening stand of 231 came off just 41.3 overs and ended when Duckett holed out to cover off Wes Madhevere. Duckett's knock came off just 134 balls and featured 20 fours and two sixes. Crawley emerged from a poor stretch, including a dismal average of 8.66 on the tour of New Zealand, to pass 3,000 test runs. Pope blazed six fours off the first 18 balls he faced and reached 50 just after the tea break from 48 deliveries. Pope was in fine touch and on 61 by the time Crawley reached a patient-looking century off 145 balls. Crawley was out when he swept off spinner Sikandar Raza and fell leg before wicket. Stokes is back Fit-again captain Ben Stokes returned for England after lengthy rehabilitation from a hamstring tear. England seamer Sam Cook, following several successful seasons in county cricket with Essex and more than 300 wickets, made his test debut at 27 in an inexperienced attack, with Josh Tongue returning after two years for his third test. England prepares for India series with its first test against Zimbabwe in 22 years Zimbabwe brought in batting allrounder Raza, after he was on duty for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League. England plays India in a five-test series this summer before trying to win back the Ashes in Australia. Crawley and Pope's scores were timely with Jacob Bethell touted to return at No. 3 against India. He is currently playing in the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

National opening batter Soumya Sarkar has been ruled out of next week’s Pakistan tour due to injury while all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has received a fresh call-up for the three-match T20I series against the hosts. Soumya, who was part of the squad for the ongoing UAE and upcoming Pakistan tours, could not feature in any of the three T20Is against the UAE due to back pain. He has now been dropped from the squad for the Pakistan leg of the tour. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) physio Bayazid Islam Khan said Soumya needs 10 to 12 more days of rehabilitation for full recovery which makes him unavailable for the Pakistan series. Soumya suffers finger injury ahead of Champions Trophy Mehidy, who is currently in Pakistan playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Lahore Qalandars, will join the national side there after the PSL ends. The Bangladesh team is scheduled to travel from the UAE to Pakistan on May 25. The T20I matches will take place on May 28, 30 and June 1, all at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

United Arab Emirates sealed a memorable 2-1 T20I series win over Bangladesh with a commanding seven-wicket victory in the third and final match at Sharjah on Wednesday night. Chasing 163, UAE rode on a brilliant unbeaten 68 off 47 balls from Alishan Sharafu, who was named Player of the Match. His partnership with Asif Khan, who hammered 41 off 26 balls, ensured UAE cruised home with five balls to spare. This is UAE’s first-ever T20I series win against a full-member side. Earlier, Bangladesh posted 162 for 9 after being sent in to bat. The innings began brightly with Tanzid Hasan smashing 40 off just 18 deliveries. Three Bangladesh team members opt out of Pakistan tour But Bangladesh faltered after a flurry of early wickets, including a golden duck for Parvez Hossain Emon, returning to the XI after injury. Only Jaker Ali (41 off 34) and a late cameo from Hasan Mahmud (26 off 15) provided some resistance. Haider Ali was the pick of the UAE bowlers, claiming 3 for 7 in his four-over spell. Saghir Khan and Matiullah Khan chipped in with two wickets each to restrict Bangladesh below par. UAE’s chase began with the early dismissal of skipper Muhammad Waseem, but Zohaib (29), Sharafu and Asif counterattacked effectively. UAE elect to field first in third T20I vs Bangladesh Despite a few tight overs in the middle, Bangladesh’s bowlers couldn’t apply sustained pressure. A 50-run stand off 31 balls between Sharafu and Asif all but sealed the match. Bangladesh will now travel to Pakistan to play a three-match T20 series against the hosts.