United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh reached 51 for two after 10 overs in pursuit of a 248-run target against New Zealand, following a brief top-order collapse sparked by fast bowler Nathan Smith. New Zealand posted 247 for eight in their allotted 50 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat first, anchored by half-centuries from Henry Nicholls and Dean Foxcroft. In the chase, Bangladesh encountered immediate trouble in the fourth over. Smith bowled opener Tanzid Hasan for two and dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto for a first-ball duck on consecutive deliveries, leaving the hosts at 21 for two. Saif Hassan, unbeaten on 18, and wicketkeeper Litton Das, not out on 15, navigated Bangladesh through the remainder of the initial overs without further loss. The team requires another 197 runs from 40 overs to secure a victory. Earlier, Nicholls stabilised the New Zealand innings after the early loss of opener Nick Kelly, constructing a measured 68 from 83 deliveries, including nine boundaries. He shared a 73-run partnership with Will Young, who contributed 30, before falling to leg-spinner Rishad Hossain in the 28th over. Foxcroft accelerated the scoring rate in the lower middle order, striking eight boundaries to compile a brisk 59 from 58 balls. Smith provided late momentum to the innings with an unbeaten 21 off 22 deliveries. The Bangladesh bowling attack utilised a collective effort to restrict the scoring. Left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam delivered the most economical spell, conceding 27 runs and claiming two wickets across his 10 overs, which included two maidens. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain also secured two wickets each, conceding 50 and 44 runs, respectively. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz and fast bowler Nahid Rana claimed one wicket apiece, though Rana proved expensive, yielding 65 runs in his 10 overs.

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first in the opening match of the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh on Friday in Dhaka. Bangladesh brought in Shoriful Islam replacing Mustafizur Rahman, who has been suffering from an injury. This New Zealand squad is somewhat inexperienced compared to Bangladesh. However, the Bangladesh captain and coach both noted they are expecting a tough challenge from the visitors. Bangladesh XI: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (w), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam New Zealand XI: Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Tom Latham (c & w), Muhammad Abbas, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will O'Rourke, Jayden Lennox.    

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) introduced a "Captains’ Card" on Thursday, granting former national team leaders lifetime access to all board events and comprehensive medical benefits. BCB ad-hoc committee president Tamim Iqbal distributed the cards during a ceremony at a Dhaka hotel Tamim, who received his own card from former captain Shafiqul Haq Heera, said the initiative was designed to honour the historical leaders of Bangladesh cricket and alleviate the anxiety many face when visiting stadiums post-retirement.  "I am sure all the captains present here have felt a sense of insecurity at some point about whether they would be recognized, stopped, or disrespected if they went to the ground," Tamim said. "This has happened to me as well. The card is meant to remove that hesitation." Cardholders will receive the same medical services from the BCB medical department as active national players. The board will also arrange health insurance for the former captains and provide financial assistance for overseas medical treatment if necessary. The event marked a rare gathering of Bangladesh's cricketing leadership, though several prominent figures were absent. Out of the 26 men and six women who have captained Bangladesh across all formats, only Rumana Ahmed represented the women's team.  Notable absentees included former Awami League lawmakers Naimur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza. Also missing were Faruque Ahmed, Khaled Mashud, and Aminul Islam Bulbul, key figures in the elected board that the National Sports Council dissolved last week to make way for Tamim’s ad-hoc committee.  Tamim said that all former captains were invited, though he noted his attempts to reach his immediate predecessor were unsuccessful.  “I called Bulbul bhai, sent him a message, and then realized I was blocked,” Tamim said. Despite the absences and recent administrative turmoil, Tamim emphasized that the BCB will hold the cards for those who could not attend. “I do not want to talk about politics or what recently happened at the BCB,” Tamim said. “Your contribution to Bangladesh cricket is immense. Whenever you can, whenever you come to the country, please accept the card. We are all cricketers and we respect each other.”//  

Cristiano Ronaldo is set for what could be his final World Cup campaign as Portugal headline Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan and Congo. At 41, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who holds the record for most international goals in men’s football with 143, is expected to feature if fit. He has indicated the upcoming tournament will be his last and could become, alongside Lionel Messi, one of the first players to appear in six World Cups. Portugal, ranked fifth, qualified despite a setback against Ireland and will be looking to improve on their 2022 quarterfinal finish. Managed by Roberto Martinez, the squad includes Bruno Fernandes and João Neves. Their campaign begins against Congo on June 17 in Houston. Colombia, ranked 13th, return after missing the 2022 tournament, led by captain James Rodriguez, the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner. Coached by Néstor Lorenzo, they face Uzbekistan in their opener. Uzbekistan, ranked 50th, will make their World Cup debut under Fabio Cannavaro, with captain Eldor Shomurodov leading the side. Congo, back for the first time since 1974, secured qualification via a playoff win over Jamaica. Led by Chancel Mbemba and coach Sébastien Desabre, they complete a competitive group. Group K promises a mix of experience and emerging talent as Portugal pursue another shot at global glory.

Bangladesh ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said Thursday that the sudden elevation of his former teammate Tamim Iqbal to the presidency of the national cricket board provides a distinct advantage for the squad ahead of their series against New Zealand. Tamim took charge as the head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ad-hoc committee on April 7 following a period of intense administrative upheaval. The appointment created an unusual dynamic for the current roster, as Tamim captained the national side as recently as 2023 and played alongside Miraz for Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Dhaka Premier League just last year. Speaking at a press conference at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Miraz framed the transition from peer to boss as a structural benefit for the players. "Since we played cricket together, he knows us very well," Miraz said. "Because he left playing only recently, he knows what our demands are and what we prefer. This is a positive side for the players." The swift transfer of power at the BCB occurred squarely during the national team's training camp, raising external concerns about potential psychological distractions. However, Miraz insisted the squad successfully insulated itself from the administrative noise. "As professional cricketers, what happens outside does not affect our minds," Miraz said. "Our job is to perform. The way we practiced over the last three weeks was very good. We never thought about what happened outside." Tamim has already leveraged his new executive authority to enact structural changes, recently announcing significant salary and match-fee increases for domestic cricketers. Miraz confirmed the new president also held informal discussions with the national squad to offer encouragement and underscore the need to maintain their recent on-field momentum. Bangladesh will face New Zealand in the first of three ODIs on Friday at 11 a.m. local time in Mirpur. The teams will play a second match at the same venue before traveling to Chattogram for the series finale, which will be followed by a three-match Twenty20 series.    

Football star Lionel Messi has been sued by a Miami-based event promoter who claims he broke the terms of a $7 million contract by failing to play in a scheduled exhibition match last year. According to court records, Vid Music Group filed a lawsuit last month in a Miami-Dade circuit court, accusing Messi and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) of fraud and breach of contract. The company says it had secured exclusive rights to organize and promote Argentina’s friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in October, in return for ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship revenue. It claims the agreement required Messi to play at least 30 minutes in each match unless he was injured. Messi did not play in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Venezuela on October 10, instead watching from a suite at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. However, he played the following day for his club Inter Miami in an MLS match, where he scored twice in a 4-0 win over Atlanta United. He later featured in Argentina’s 6-0 victory over Puerto Rico on October 14. That match had originally been scheduled in Chicago but was moved to Florida amid low ticket sales and security concerns. The promoter alleges it suffered losses running into millions of dollars due to Messi’s absence from one match and poor attendance at the other. Messi and the AFA have not yet responded to the lawsuit.

Bayern Munich scored twice late in the match to beat Real Madrid 4-3 in a dramatic quarterfinal second leg and advance to the UEFA Champions League semifinals with a 6-4 aggregate win. Late goals from Luis Diaz in the 89th minute and Michael Olise in stoppage time sealed the victory on Wednesday, setting up a semifinal clash with holders Paris Saint-Germain. The match produced a thrilling first half, with Real Madrid taking the lead three times. Arda Guler capitalised on an early mistake by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to score in the opening minute and later added a fine free kick after Bayern had equalised through Aleksandar Pavlovic. Harry Kane levelled the score again for Bayern, taking his tally to 12 goals in this season’s competition. Vinicius Jr then set up Kylian Mbappe to restore Real’s lead before halftime. The turning point came in the 86th minute when Real Madrid were reduced to 10 men after Eduardo Camavinga received a second yellow card. Bayern took advantage, scoring twice late to secure the win. Tensions ran high after the match, with Real players protesting the red card decision. Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said his team was “very upset and angry” over the dismissal. Kane, meanwhile, expressed his satisfaction after the win, describing it as a reward for the team’s hard work and determination. In the other quarterfinal, Arsenal advanced to the semifinals after a goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon secured a 1-0 aggregate victory. Despite an underwhelming performance at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s side held on to their first-leg advantage. Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the semifinals after the Spanish side defeated Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate. #By Al Jazeera

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has dismissed concerns that the rapid leadership changes within the national cricket board are destabilising his squad, insisting the team remains strictly focused on Friday’s ODI series opener against a seemingly depleted New Zealand. The three-match ODI series begins on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Speaking at a press conference in Mirpur on Wednesday, Simmons addressed the recent administrative upheaval that saw former captain Tamim Iqbal assume the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) presidency on April 7, replacing Aminul Islam Bulbul. Veteran pacer Rubel retires from int’l cricket  Tamim marks the third BCB president Simmons has worked under since his sudden appointment in October 2024. Despite the swift boardroom turnovers occurring squarely during the team's preparation camp, the West Indian coach said the players' psychological readiness and training routines have not been compromised. He noted he has already met with Tamim twice since the transition. "Nothing in life surprises me anymore," Simmons said. "I have been through enough to understand that everything happens on a day-to-day basis. I am not surprised by anything. As a coaching group, it has not affected our work. The presidents are not coming in as the head coach. We are preparing for a series and trying to build something, and no one has tried to change what we are building." Simmons is demanding that same level of tunnel vision when evaluating the opposition. New Zealand arrive in Dhaka missing an estimated 16-17 top-tier players, as the bulk of their primary roster is currently participating in franchise tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Even fast bowler Ben Sears was recently released from the visiting squad to honour a PSL contract. Led by Tom Latham, the visiting squad lacks the star power that recently propelled the second-ranked ODI team to the Champions Trophy final and a historic series victory in India this past January. However, Simmons firmly rejected the notion that Bangladesh will be facing a secondary roster. "I don't know anything about a second-best team," Bangladesh coach said. "When a team comes representing a country, that is their best. Especially a team like New Zealand, which continuously produces players. These guys have played a massive amount of domestic cricket across all formats. They are solid, experienced cricketers. There is no reason to consider them a second-best team. International cricket doesn’t work that way."

Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, ending a career defined by dramatic high points in limited-over formats and significant struggles in the Test arena.  The 36-year-old, known for his slinging action, shared the decision on his social media accounts. He expressed his intention to continue playing domestic cricket, though he has not featured in an international match since a T20 against New Zealand in April 2021. “The national team is my emotion, but I had to say goodbye to international cricket at some point,” Rubel said. “However, I wish to continue playing in domestic tournaments.” Mustafizur, Nahid to return from PSL as BCB names unchanged squad for New Zealand ODIs Emerging from a pace-bowling talent hunt, Rubel debuted in January 2009 against Sri Lanka, becoming the first Bangladeshi bowler to take four wickets on his ODI debut. He proved most effective in the ODI format, claiming a total of 129 wickets in 104 matches.  His career-defining moment came during the 2015 World Cup in Adelaide, where his aggressive late spell against England secured Bangladesh's first-ever quarterfinal berth. He also recorded a hat-trick against New Zealand in Dhaka in 2013, taking 6-26, which remains tied for the best ODI bowling figures by a Bangladeshi player. Rubel’s performance in other formats was markedly less impactful. He took 36 wickets in 27 test matches with an average of 76.77, the highest bowling average in test history among players with more than 20 wickets. In T20 internationals, he claimed 28 wickets in as many matches while conceding nearly 9.5 runs per over.  His international tenure also included significant off-field legal issues. Rubel spent time in jail following personal allegations prior to the 2015 World Cup, eventually securing bail to travel to Australia for the tournament. Despite his stated desire to extend his domestic career, Rubel’s recent participation at that level has been minimal. He has played only one domestic match in the past two years, with his last appearance occurring approximately 15 months ago.

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa faces a defining test of his short tenure as his side travels to Bayern Munich for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinal, needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit. Kylian Mbappé’s goal in the first leg gave Madrid hope after Bayern Munich took control through Luis Díaz and Harry Kane, but history is not on the Spanish club’s side. Real Madrid have only once overturned a first-leg home defeat in European knockout history. Bayern, meanwhile, hold a strong record when protecting first-leg advantages, progressing on 30 of 31 occasions after winning away first legs, with their only exception coming in 2011 against Inter Milan. Arbeloa is expected to recall Jude Bellingham and Éder Militão to the starting XI, while Aurélien Tchouaméni is suspended. Madrid also face defensive concerns with Raúl Asencio ruled out and Ferland Mendy unlikely to start despite being included in the squad. Madrid’s domestic form has added pressure, with a recent draw leaving them nine points behind Barcelona in La Liga and early-season setbacks in cup competitions further limiting their trophy hopes. With the league title slipping away and other domestic trophies already lost, the Champions League remains Madrid’s only realistic chance of silverware this season. Elimination in Munich would leave the club without a trophy and intensify scrutiny on Arbeloa’s future, as well as on the squad’s performance under pressure.