United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh are on the driving wheel after the second day of the Mirpur Test against Ireland, who lost five wickets for 98 runs to end the day, replying to Bangladesh’s first innings of 476 powered by centuries from Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das. Hasan Murad, the left-arm spinner, bagged two wickets, while Khaled Ahmed, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one wicket each for Bangladesh. Andy Balbirnie, the Irish captain, and his opening partner, Paul Stirling, managed a good start, but they failed to carry on. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Earlier, Bangladesh posted 476 in their first innings. Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das led the batting line with centuries. Mushfiqur, who is playing his 100th Test, hit a century and joined the elite club of players who did the same. He is only the 11th batter in the history of cricket to hit a ton in the 100th Test of the career. After Mushfiqur, Litton also knocked a ton in the Mirpur Test. The right-hander hit his fifth ton of the career. In the first innings, Andy McBrine bagged six wickets for Ireland, while Matthew Humphreys, and Gavin Hoey took two wickets each. Bangladesh won the first Test of the series in Sylhet, meaning a win or even a draw will ensure the series for the Tigers.

England begins its quest to reclaim the Ashes in Australia on Friday, facing a daunting record of 13 losses and two draws in the last 15 Tests Down Under. The series, spanning seven weeks across five cities, raises key questions: Can an aging Australian side maintain its unbeaten home streak since 2010-11? Can England, led by Ben Stokes, finally secure a win on Australian soil? And can Joe Root, the world’s top-ranked Test batter, score his first Ashes century in Australia? Australia faces its own challenges. Captain Pat Cummins and pacer Josh Hazlewood are sidelined by injury, leaving Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon to lead the attack. Debutants Brendan Doggett and Scott Boland will make history as the first Indigenous players in the same Australian Test XI. Allrounder Cameron Green is fit to bowl, while Jake Weatherald, 31, earns his Test debut. Steve Smith will captain for the third time this year, supported by Marnus Labuschagne at No. 3. England, determined to end the drought, plans to leverage pace-friendly conditions with bowlers Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, and Gus Atkinson, alongside Stokes. Spinner Shoaib Bashir is also in the 12-man squad. Stokes acknowledges the historical challenge but emphasizes the opportunity to create new history, drawing inspiration from England’s 3-1 series victory in 2010-11. Smith, 36, is noted for his relaxed leadership style this year compared with his competitive intensity of the past. Starc described him as still fiercely competitive but learning to manage his focus beyond cricket. Squads Australia: Jack Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland. England (from): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir.

Mushfiqur Rahim, who has just became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100th Test, hit a century in the same match, and made a permanent place in the history book on Thursday morning. Mushfiqur was just one run away from his historic century at the end of day one. He faced the whole first over of the second day, but couldn't pick up that one run. In the next over, bowled by Jordan Neill, Mushfiqur softly pushed the ball to the corner to take the single, and officially joined the list of the 10 legends who have scored centuries in their 100th Test. Mushfiqur held his nerve well and reached the milestone facing his eighth delivery on the day. Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat in Mushfiqur’s landmark match, where he became the first Bangladeshi to reach the 100-Test milestone. The hosts made a steady start as openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam put on 52 for the first wicket. Both settled in, but neither managed to convert their starts. Ireland made their early breakthroughs through Andy McBrine, who removed Shadman for 35 before accounting for Mahmudul on 34. Before Bangladesh crossed 100, Ireland also claimed the wicket of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. The innings then stabilised through a 107-run fourth-wicket stand between Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur. Mominul looked composed but eventually departed for 63, again to McBrine. Mushfiqur and Litton Das then tightened Bangladesh’s grip with an unbroken 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket. At stumps on day one, Bangladesh stood at 292 for 4, with Mushfiqur on the brink of a historic century at 99 not out and Litton unbeaten on 47.

A rare century opening stand between Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra laid the foundation for New Zealand’s five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second ODI on Wednesday. The win gives New Zealand a decisive 2-0 lead in the three-match series, securing their 11th straight series triumph on home soil ahead of Saturday’s finale. Batting first after losing the toss, West Indies posted 247-9 in the rain-reduced 34-over contest, thanks largely to a brilliant hundred from captain Shai Hope. His 109 off 67 balls not only powered the innings but also pushed him past the 6,000-run milestone in ODI cricket. With the knock—his first ODI century against New Zealand—Hope has now scored centuries against every Test-playing nation, becoming the second-fastest West Indian after Viv Richards to reach 6,000 runs. Still, Hope said his effort fell short: “I got 109, but it wasn’t enough. I felt I needed 120 or 130 for us to win.” New Zealand’s chase was anchored by Conway’s fluent 90 off 84 balls and Ravindra’s brisk 56 off 46. Their 106-run stand—coming from 100 deliveries—was New Zealand’s first hundred-run opening partnership in 73 matches and over five years. Mushfiqur stands one run away from a century in his 100th Test Tom Latham chipped in with 39 off 29 balls, and Mitchell Santner struck a rapid 34 from just 15 deliveries to see New Zealand home with three balls to spare. The hosts needed eight runs from the final over, helped along when Jayden Seales bowled a no-ball that went for four. Earlier, Hope had raced to 90 from 62 balls but spent nearly three overs stuck on that score as partners fell around him. After Shamar Springer was dismissed first ball of the last over, Hope found himself off strike with West Indies on 235-9. Seales managed a quick single, allowing Hope to smash Kyle Jamieson for six to reach his century, featuring 13 boundaries and four sixes. Play began three hours late due to rain, with humid conditions causing substantial swing early on. Batting remained tricky whenever bowlers maintained a full length and denied width. Source: AP 

For nearly two hours on Tuesday, Haiti’s daily hardships seemed to slip into the background as the nation came together to witness its football team clinch a long-awaited World Cup berth — the first since 1974. The country’s ongoing crises — rampant violence, widespread hunger and deepening homelessness — were momentarily forgotten after Louicius Deedson struck early in the ninth minute, followed by a well-timed header from Ruben Providence just before halftime. The 2-0 victory over Nicaragua secured only the second World Cup qualification in Haiti’s history. Excited cries of “Grenadye, alaso!” echoed through streets, homes, and temporary shelters as supporters urged the Grenadiers to keep pressing forward. For Haitians, this wasn’t just a crucial win — it was a statement of resilience. “This is more than a football match. It represents hope and unity while our country faces so many difficulties,” said Pierre Jean-Jacques, a 25-year-old mechanic who watched from home. His heart thumped throughout the game, he said, before joining thousands who celebrated late into the night in streets normally deserted out of fear of shootings or kidnappings. “This win gives us a rare moment of happiness,” he added. “I feel proud — it makes me believe we can rise again.” The triumph also coincided with the 222nd anniversary of the Battle of Vertières, a defining moment that propelled Haiti to become the world’s first Black republic. “There could not have been a more meaningful date for our team to make history,” said 18-year-old Vladimir Dorvale, walking with a Haitian flag draped around his shoulders. Teams which have qualified for the 2026 World Cup Haiti’s path to qualification was far from easy. The team played all home fixtures in Curaçao because conditions in Port-au-Prince remain too dangerous — armed groups now control as much as 90% of the capital. Coach Sébastien Migné even had to supervise some players remotely, as repeated violence forced airport closures and prevented him from traveling. When Deedson scored the first goal, gunfire rang out in the neighborhood of student André Michaud, who was watching the match at a nearby bar due to a blackout. Startled at first, he soon realized the shots were celebratory. “I’ve always rooted for Brazil or Argentina,” he said. “Now I finally get to cheer for my own country. I believe Haiti can go far.” Even heavy rain couldn’t stop jubilant crowds from parading through narrow streets, singing “Haiti has qualified! We don’t have a state!” — a pointed remark about the nation’s political chaos. Large gatherings also filled the streets of Pétionville, where brief gunfire only fueled the cheers of fans accustomed to living in danger. Forward Duckens Nazon shared a hopeful message online: “Enjoy this moment. This is only the beginning. Many doubted us, but we never doubted ourselves.” Source: AP 

Real Madrid defender Éder Militão sustained an injury to his right leg while playing for Brazil, the club said Wednesday. Madrid said medical tests showed that Militão had hurt an abductor muscle during Brazil's friendly against Tunisia on Tuesday. Militão had to be replaced in the second half of the 1-1 draw. The club said “further updates will follow" on Militão's recovery. Madrid, which plays Elche in the Spanish league on Sunday, has a three-point lead over Barcelona after 12 rounds.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has congratulated the Bangladesh national football team on their impressive 1-0 win over India in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, noting that the victory has made every Bangladeshi proud. "This victory has made every Bangladeshi proud of. This is not just a victory in a football match; it is an inspiration for millions of young people who see sports as a source of positive energy,” he said in his message on Wednesday. Prof Yunus said sports play an important role in nation-building, and such a victory against a strong opponent like India is a significant step forward in this regard. Morsalin’s goal ends 22-year wait, Hamza Era's first win comes over India Sheikh Morsalin scripted the night to remember in Dhaka as Bangladesh defeated India 1-0 on Tuesday, ending a 22-year wait for a competitive victory over their regional rivals and securing their first win of the Asian Cup qualifiers. It also marked the team's first victory in what may come to be known as the 'Hamza Era', and may have ensured that they end their campaign as third in the group, above their much larger neighbours. The Chief Adviser expressed hope that this victory would help Bangladesh football regain its glory days. He also said that since taking office in 2024, the interim government has been providing all-out support to football and expressed hope that future governments will continue this trend.

Bangladesh cricket star Mushfiqur Rahim is poised to enter the record books. He closed the opening day of the Mirpur Test against Ireland unbeaten on 99, needing just one more run to become only the 11th man in history to score a century in his 100th Test. Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat in Mushfiqur’s landmark match, where he became the first Bangladeshi to reach the 100-Test milestone. The hosts made a steady start as openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam put on 52 for the first wicket. Both settled in, but neither managed to convert their starts. Ireland made their early breakthroughs through Andy McBrine, who removed Shadman for 35 before accounting for Mahmudul on 34. Before Bangladesh crossed 100, Ireland also claimed the wicket of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. The innings then stabilised through a 107-run fourth-wicket stand between Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur. Mominul looked composed but eventually departed for 63, again to McBrine. Mushfiqur and Litton Das then tightened Bangladesh’s grip with an unbroken 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket. At stumps, Bangladesh stood at 292 for 4, with Mushfiqur on the brink of a historic century at 99 not out and Litton unbeaten on 47.  

Bangladesh opted to bat after winning the toss in the second Test against Ireland in Mirpur on Wednesday. This Test is a landmark occasion as Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi to play 100 Test matches. The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium — where Mushfiqur has scored ample runs, turned celebratory as the 38-year-old walked out for his milestone appearance. Nearly two decades have passed since his teenage debut at Lord’s, and his longevity mirrors Bangladesh’s own Test journey across 155 matches. Conditions were expected to favor batting early, prompting Bangladesh’s decision to take first strike. The hosts stuck with the same top order, while left-arm spinner Hasan Murad kept his place after his impressive performance in Sylhet. Tigers clinch dominant innings victory over Ireland in Sylhet Ireland made one change, bringing in leg-spinner Gavin Hoey for Craig Young, anticipating helpful conditions for spin from the second day onward. Captain Andy Balbirnie said his team would “push hard to spoil the Mushfiqur celebrations.” Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Murad Ireland:Andy Balbirnie (capt), Paul Stirling, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Stephen Doheny, Andy McBrine, Jordan Neill, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey.

Mushfiqur Rahim walked into his 100th Test on Wednesday morning to a warm, emotional tribute at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, telling teammates and fans that he remains committed to giving “one hundred percent” to Bangladesh cricket — just as he has since his debut as a teenager. Speaking during a brief ceremony before the second Test against Ireland, Mushfiqur thanked “Allah for such a wonderful opportunity” and paid heartfelt tribute to the people who carried him through nearly two decades of international cricket. “I want to thank my family, my parents, and especially my wife, who has spent many sleepless nights,” he said. “My teammates, my coaches, my friends and all the fans — I am grateful. I wish the best for Bangladesh cricket, and I promise I will continue to give one hundred percent for the team as I always try to do.” He also thanked Ireland for being part of the occasion. The morning began with a guard of honor from teammates as Mushfiqur entered the ground wearing a special commemorative cap presented by former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar — the same man who handed him his debut cap 19 years ago at Lord’s. Former skipper Akram Khan also gifted him a special memento, while the BCB president and senior board officials presented him with a crest. Mushfiqur Rahim's 163 puts Bangladesh in control of 1st cricket test against Sri Lanka Najmul Hossain Shanto and Habibul Bashar handed over a jersey signed by members of his first and 100th Test squads. Bangladesh captain Najmul offered a personal tribute, calling the milestone “a proud moment” not only for Mushfiqur but for the entire team. “We have followed you since childhood and been inspired by you,” he said. “What matters to me most is that you always play for the team. You think of the team before yourself. I hope you continue the hard work you do on and off the field,” Najmul added. As Mushfiqur stood alongside match officials, support staff and family members, presenter Athar Ali Khan guided the ceremony with his trademark warmth. “I will keep giving my best for Bangladesh,” Mushfiqur added, once again.