Sports
Walton First Division Women's Chess League begins
The Walton First Division Women's Chess League 2023, organised by the Bangladesh Chess Federation (BCF), began Wednesday in the capital.
Eight teams are taking part in this year's competition.
In the first round at the BCF hall room today, holders Bangladesh Navy, runners-up Bangladesh Police, Shahin Chess Club and Uttara Central Chess Club won their matches.
Navy beat Basir Memorial Chess Academy by 4-0 points.
Wadfa Ahmed, WCM Ahmed Walijah, Kazi Zarin Tasnim and Warsia Khusbu of Navy won against Rashma Alam, Sanjeedah Khanam Mitul, Monika Kundu and Dibbayangana Biswas of Basir Memorial Chess Academy.
Police beat Basir Memorial Chess Club by 4-0 points; Shahin Chess Club beat Sheikh Russel Chess Club by 4-0 points. Uttara Central Chess Club beat Team Barisal by 2.5-1.5 points.
The second round matches will begin Thursday at 3pm.
Basir Memorial Chess Academy will play Sheikh Russel Chess Club, Barisal will face Shahin Chess Club, Police will play Uttara Central Chess Club, and Navy will face Basir Memorial Chess Club.
The champions will receive a prize of Tk25,000.00, runners-up Tk15,000.00, and second runners-up Tk10,000.
Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil retires at 34
Former Germany midfielder Mesut Özil, who won the World Cup in 2014, retired from soccer Wednesday at the age of 34.
Özil said injuries played a role in his decision.
"I've had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity," Özil wrote on social media. "But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it's become more and more clear that it's time to leave the big stage of football."
His immediate retirement brings an early end to his season with Turkish club Istanbul Basaksehir, where he made only seven appearances for the team.
Özil won the Spanish league title with Real Madrid in 2012 and the FA Cup four times with Arsenal. His international career ended abruptly in 2018 when he quit the Germany squad citing "racism and disrespect."
That followed anti-Turkish comments from German politicians and abuse from some fans toward Özil, who has Turkish heritage, amid criticism of his decision to pose for a picture with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the run-up to the 2018 World Cup.
Özil started his career in Germany with hometown club Schalke before a good spell at Werder Bremen earned him a spot on the German national team. Standout performances for Germany at the 2010 World Cup were followed by a move to Madrid. He then had an eight-year stint with Arsenal.
Özil moved Turkish club Fenerbahce in 2021 after his relationship with Arsenal broke down. He was left out of the Arsenal squad for months before his departure following a rift with manager Mikel Arteta. The club also distanced itself from Özil for posting his support for Muslims in the Xinjiang province of China, comments which led to an Arsenal game being pulled from Chinese television.
Bangladesh vs Ireland: Tigers call up two uncapped players to T20 squad
Bangladesh has included two uncapped players in their squad for the upcoming three-match T20 series against Ireland, starting on March 27 in Chattogram.
The new players are leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali Anik.
Rishad has played 14 T20s, taking six wickets, and his inclusion has come as a surprise as he did not have the opportunity to prove himself at the highest level of cricket. Despite showing promise, like many other leg-spinners in the country, he did not get enough chances in domestic cricket.
Jaker scored 587 runs in 49 T20s; he has three fifties. He has some good innings in List A and first-class cricket as well.
Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam has made a comeback. To make way for the new players, the Bangladesh management dropped Afif Hossain, Tanvir Islam, and Rejaur Rahman Raja.
The second and third matches of the series will be played on March 29 and 31, respectively, at the same venue. After the T20s, both teams will play a Test in Dhaka.
Bangladesh squad for Ireland T20s
Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Litton Das, Rony Talukdar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Rishad Hossain, and Jaker Ali Anik
SAFF U-17 Women's Champs: Russia start first- ever campaign beating Bangladesh 3-0
Russia started their first- ever campaign in Bangladesh in style beating hosts Bangladesh by 3-0 goal in their first appearance in the five-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-17 Women's Championship' 2023 at the
Bir Shrestha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here Wednesday afternoon.
Russia, the hosts of the 2018 FIFA Men's World Cup, currently 26th in FIFA women's world ranking earned a deserving victory in the day's match over the 140th FIFA women's ranked Bangladesh
In their first appearance against an European side, Bangladesh women' s never settled down in the match against their physically and technically superior rivals Russia and suffered a big defeat.
In the day's match, captain Elena Golik opened the Russian account in the very 5th minute of the match (1-0) and she again doubled the margin in the 45th minute (2-0) to dominate the first half by 2-0 goal.
Anastasia Karataeva scored the 3rd goal for Russia in the 62nd minute (3-0) in their 3-0 victory over the home side.
Bangladesh, which made a flying start in the regional soccer meet with an emphatic 8-1 goal victory over Bhutan last Monday, will play India on March 24 at 7:15 pm and Nepal on March 28 at 3:15 pm in remaining matches.
Earlier in the tournament opener, India, riding on hattrick by Shilji Shaji, made a good start outplaying Nepal by 4-1 goal Monday afternoon.
Five countries, four from South Asia --- India, Nepal, Bhutan and hosts Bangladesh, alongwith European side Russia --are taking part in the nine-day meet, organized by SAFF, under the supervision of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in collaboration with UEFA.
After the league basis matches, the highest points holder team will be the champions.
BAN vs IRE 3rd ODI 2023: Preview of Series Deciding Match
The Bangladesh team scored a huge record-breaking run in the first two matches of the three-match ODI series against Ireland. Bangladesh broke their own record of the highest runs in the past by scoring 338 runs in the first match. In the next match, Tamim Iqbal's team surpassed the record of the previous match by scoring 349 runs. However, the second match of the 2023 BAN vs IRE ODI Series was washed away by rain, and it was a no result. Now Bangladesh will start the last match on March 23 with an aim to win the series, while Ireland will try to level the series by winning it.
Bangladesh vs Ireland ODI Series Overview 2023
Ireland could not even fight against the power of Bangladeshi batsmen-bowlers in the first game. Tamim Iqbal's team won the biggest victory in their ODI history by playing a 'perfect' match. Tamim Iqbal's team defeated Ireland by a huge margin of 183 runs in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
It is Bangladesh's biggest win in terms of runs in 407 ODIs played in 37 years. The previous biggest win by runs was against Zimbabwe. In 2020, Bangladesh, led by Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, beat Zimbabwe by 169 runs on March 1 at this ground in Sylhet.
Bangladesh lost the toss and chose to bat first in the first match. Although the start was not good, Shakib and the man of the match, Hridoy, played a great inning with an excellent partnership for the fourth wicket. Later, Mushfiqur Rahim stormed with the bat. Bangladesh scored 338 runs for 8 wickets with the bat of these three, which was the highest collection in their ODI history. In response, Ireland's innings ended with 155 runs in 30.5 overs in the face of the bowling of Ebadot, Nasum, and Taskin.
Read More: Mushfiq’s Record-Breaking Fastest ODI Century
Two openers, Tamim Iqbal and Litton Das, started cautiously after losing the toss in the second match. From the start, Bangladesh indicated a big collection. Tamim Iqbal returned to the pavilion from being run out for 23 runs, but Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto picked up the fifties in the second ODI of the series against Ireland. But the end was entertained by Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy’s batting. Musfiqur picked his ninth ODI hundred in 60 balls and became the fastest ODI century record holder for Bangladesh.
However, Mushfiqur Rahim's fastest century and Bangladesh’s highest collection in their history in ODIs was declared abandoned at around 8:30. The cut-off time of the match was 9:33 PM. But it was raining in the field for an hour.
Towhid became the first Bangladeshi batsman to miss fifty for 1 run in the first two matches. Mushfiqur needed 9 runs in the last over to become Bangladesh's fastest centurion. Mushfiqur took two runs after getting a strike from the third ball. Next ball, he scooped a low full toss outside the off stump for a boundary. The record of the fastest ODI century for the country was achieved with 2 and 1 runs in the last two balls of the innings, respectively. Graham Hume took three wickets for Ireland in the second match.
Read More: Bangladesh Make Two Changes to Squad for Third ODI Against Ireland
Beximco XBC Fight Night: Ruqsana clinches debut win, Sura Krishna remains undefeated
Tuesday’s (March 21, 2023) professional boxing ‘Fight Night’ at InterContinental Dhaka had everything – from Bangladeshi-origin UK boxer Ruqsana Begum’s debut win against Tanjila in a 10-round thriller to Sura Krishna Chakma’s nerve-wracking second-round knockout punch against Thai boxer Ponlawat Nanchinda.
With her debut win, Ruqsana also secured the WBU Female Intercontinental Championship Belt, marking the first time female boxers competed for a championship belt in Bangladesh.
During the 10-round thriller, Ruqsana’s professional boxing experience faced off against Tanjila’s aggressive fighting. However, it was Ruqsana — a former kickboxing world champion — who pulled-off the narrow win in the flyweight category.
The professional boxing event was organized by Xcel Sports Management and Promotions.
Also Read: 'Beximco XBC Fight Night' on March 21
A total of 14 participants from Bangladesh, England, France, India, and Thailand competed in the ring across seven different categories, including featherweight, light heavyweight, bantamweight, cruiserweight, flyweight, and welterweight.
In the lightweight category, Bangladeshi professional boxer Sura Krishna Chakma came head-to-head against Thailand’s Ponlawat Nanchinda.
Mushfiq’s Record-Breaking Fastest ODI Century
In the second ODI against Ireland on Monday (March 20, 2023), Mushfiqur Rahim set a record-breaking milestone for himself while helping Bangladesh earn their record total run in ODI. Mushfiq scored a hundred from 60 balls, making him the owner of the fastest century ODI by a Bangladeshi batter.
Mushfiq Broke Shakib's 63-Ball Fastest Century Record
After having a great performance in the first ODI, Mushfiq continued this in the second match too. Mushfiqur achieved the remarkable feat of 7000 runs in ODI in the second game of the three-match ODI series against Ireland. He took the 9th century of his ODI career from 60 balls with one run in the last ball of Bangladesh's innings. Earlier in this edition, Mushfiqur's last century was against Sri Lanka in Mirpur in May 2021.
Mushfiqur started the second ODI with 6945 runs in 228 innings in 243 matches. He just needed 55 runs to reach the 7000 runs milestone. While he was on 52 off 34 balls, Mushfiqur hit 7,000 runs after hitting Curtis Kampfer on his knees for a four over mid-off. With that four, he met this milestone in the 229th inning in 244 matches.
Read More: Bangladesh Make Two Changes to Squad for Third ODI Against Ireland
On his way to a half-century from 33 balls, Mushfiqur scored 32 runs on the boundary, and he hit 5 fours and 2 sixes. However, Mushfiqur had previously scored fifty from 32 balls against Pakistan in the 2014 Asia Cup, which was the highest strike rate in his ODI career.
Independence Day Water Polo: Army crowned champions beating Navy 5-1
Bangladesh Army emerged as champions in the Independence Day Water Polo Competition beating Bangladesh Navy by 5-1 goals in the final at the Syed Nazrul Islam National Swimming Complex in Mirpur on Tuesday.
Bangladesh Police finished 3rd in the four-team meet beating Bangladesh Air Force by 2-1 goals.
Humayan of the Bangladesh Army was adjudged the best player and highest scorer of the meet.
Commanding Officer of BN Base Haji Mohsin Captain SM Mesbahuddin was the chief guest in the final and later he distributed the prizes.
General Secretary of Bangladesh Swimming Federation (BSF) MB Saif presided over the closing function, organized by BSF.
Prime Bank, Rupganj, and Sheikh Jamal win Dhaka League matches
In the latest round of matches in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League on Tuesday, Prime Bank Cricket Club, Legends of Rupganj, and SK. Jamal Dhanmondi Club emerged victorious.
The day saw some good batting and bowling performances. Tanzid Hasan Tamim of Brothers Union was the best batter of the day playing a scintillating knock of 142 runs, but unfortunately, his team ended up on the losing side.
Robiul Haque of City Club and Rubel Hossain of Prime Bank were the best bowlers of the day taking four wickets each for their teams.
Prime Bank Cricket Club put on a dominant performance against Shinepukur Cricket Club at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. After winning the toss, Prime Bank opted to bat first and managed to post a formidable total of 295/8 in their allotted 50 overs. Md Mithun was the top scorer for Prime Bank with a brilliant knock of 93 off 97 balls, while Adil Amin contributed 64 runs. Farhad Reza of Shinepukur took 3 wickets for 31 runs in his 5 overs.
In reply, Shinepukur Cricket Club were unable to chase down the target and were bundled out for 217/10 in 45.1 overs, falling short by 78 runs. Sangeeth Malindu Cooray was the top scorer for Shinepukur with 49 off 79 balls, while Rubel Hossain of Prime Bank was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 36 runs in his 8 overs.
Meanwhile, at the BKSP-3 Ground in Savar, the Legends of Rupganj secured a thrilling victory over Brothers Union. After winning the toss, the Legends of Rupganj elected to field, and Brothers Union posted a formidable total of 299/5 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to a scintillating century from Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who scored 142 runs. Chirag Jani picked up two wickets for the Legends of Rupganj.
While responding, the Legends of Rupganj chased down the target with just eight balls to spare, reaching 302/7 in 48.4 overs, thanks to a brilliant knock of 94 runs from Chirag Jani and a quickfire 66 runs from Parvez Hossain Emon. Sabbir Hossen and Rahatul Ferdous picked up three wickets each for Brothers Union.
Finally, at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, SK. Jamal Dhanmondi Club won a rain-curtailed encounter against City Club by 5 runs in the VJD method. After winning the toss, SK. Jamal Dhanmondi Club opted to bat and managed to score 228/10 in 49.4 overs, with Saif Hassan and Shykat Ali scoring half-centuries for them. Robiul Hoque of City Club took 4 wickets for 36 runs in his 9 overs.
In reply, City Club could only manage 162/8 in 32 overs, falling short by 5 runs. Tawfiq Khan Tushar top-scored for City Club with 42 off 43 balls, while Shafiqul Isalm of SK. Jamal Dhanmondi Club took 3 wickets for 37 runs in his 7 overs.
Bangladesh Make Two Changes to Squad for Third ODI Against Ireland
Bangladesh has made two changes to its squad for the third and final ODI of the three-match series against Ireland in Sylhet on March 23.
Left-handed middle-order batter Aiff Hossain and left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam have been removed from the side.
Chief selector Minhajul Abedin stated that they made the change because a 16-member team is not required for only one match. He added that the two players are expected to participate in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is still with the team. He suffered an eye injury before the series and is yet to recover fully.
Bangladesh won the first match of the series by 183 runs, and in the second match, they scored 349 - their highest-ever total in ODIs. Unfortunately, the match was abandoned due to heavy rain.
If Bangladesh beats Ireland in the third match on Thursday, they have a chance to win the series.
After the ODI series, both the teams will fly to Chattogram for a three-match T20I series ahead of the only Test in Dhaka.
Bangladesh squad for 3rd and final ODI:
Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Rony Talukdar