Sports
BPL Football: Bashundhara Kings, Sheikh Russell KC win
Star-studded Bashundhara Kings and Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra won their respective matches in the eleven-team Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football at two separate venues across the country on Friday.
Coming from behind, league champions Bashundhara Kings maintained their winning run in the league beating Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra by 3-1 goals at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj Friday afternoon.
Burundi defender Selemani put the freedom fighters team Muktijoddha ahead in the 10th minute (1-0).
Read: Bangladesh Championship League: BFF Elite Academy beat Wari Club 2-1
Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes struck twice in the 36th and 45+1 minutes (2-1) while medio Matin Miah netted the other goal for the Kings in the 88th minute (3-1).
In the day's other match, Independence Cup runners-up Sheikh Russell KC beat traditional Dhaka Mohammedan SC by 2-0 goals at their home ground --Bashundhara Sports Complex in Dhaka Friday afternoon.
Nigerian forward Sunday Udoh scored both the goals for Sheikh Russel KC in the 30th and 90+1 minutes.
Earlier, Sheikh Russell KC made a frustrating start after conceding 1-2 goals defeat against Bangladesh Police FC while Mohammedan SC made a good start in the league beating Muktijoddha Sangsad KC by 2-0 goals.
Bayern Munich back in Qatar amid sponsorship uncertainty
The Bayern Munich team flew to Qatar on Friday for its winter training camp amid uncertainty over the club’s contentious sponsorship agreement with the Persian Gulf country.
State-owned Qatar Airways’ lucrative advertising deal is due to expire at the end of the season and there is pressure on the Bavarian powerhouse from its own fans not to extend it. Many Bayern supporters feel it’s damaging to the club’s reputation to take money from a country associated with human rights abuses.
The issue has long been a source of contention between Bayern and its own fans, who have consistently campaigned against the sponsorship agreement. Members of the Bayern ultra-fan groups, Munich’s Red Pride and Club. No. 12, displayed banners at games condemning what they say is the “sports washing” of human rights abuses in Qatar through Bayern’s publicity for the sheikhdom.
“We continue to stand by our position that we’re absolutely against an extension of the sponsorship agreement,” Alexander Salzweger from Club No. 12 told The Associated Press this week. “In contrast to previous years, it’s no longer about an early termination, which would have been more than complicated, but not extending the sponsorship.”
Bayern did not respond to requests for comment.
Fans previously called on Bayern to prematurely end the sponsorship deal. The club’s 2021 AGM ended in tumult and anger when members booed the club’s directors for refusing to discuss the issue.
Bayern president Herbert Hainer apologized at the following AGM last November when he said he made “mistakes” in not allowing a discussion at the previous meeting.
Read more: Bayern Munich vs Barcelona 2022: Match preview, lineups, predictions, where to watch
Club No. 12 organized a public meeting in Munich in 2020 titled “Qatar, human rights and FC Bayern” featuring two migrant workers who spoke of their experiences constructing stadiums for the World Cup. Bayern was invited to send a representative but did not respond to organizers.
The team plays with Qatar Airways on the sleeves of the players’ jerseys. The club receives 10 million euros ($10.5 million) a year from its five-year deal with the Qatari carrier. That arrangement was signed in 2018, replacing Bayern’s previous sponsorship deal with Doha Airport.
The club has been holding mid-season training camps in the Persian Gulf country since 2011, though plans to train there in 2022 and 2021 were scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn said in November that the club was deferring its decision on whether to extend its deal with Qatar Airways.
“We will continue to discuss the issue intensively after the World Cup and find a solution for FC Bayern,” Kahn told members at the AGM.
Read more: Barcelona set to sign striker Lewandowski from Bayern Munich
There has been no news on the issue from the club since.
BPL 2023: Sylhet Strikers make a flying start winning a low-scoring match
Sylhet Strikers won the first match of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) beating Chattogram Challengers by eight wickets on Friday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The match was scheduled to take place at 2:30 pm, but it kicked off a half hour earlier - a further testament to the subpar management of the BPL.
Sylhet won the toss and sent Chattogrma to bat first.
Chattogram had a disappointing start as Mehedi Maruf was run out for 11 in the 3rd over and Darwish Rasooli, their Afghan recruit, was out for a mere 3 runs in the 4th. Their hopes of a major score were pinned on Al-Amin, but he too fell for just 18 runs. Skipper Shuvagata Hom's single run only added to their woes, further worsening the situation.
But, Afif Hossain got the innings back on track with 25 runs off 23 balls with 3 fours. Unmukt Chand couldn't make a big score as he was out for 5 runs.
Mrittunjoy Chowdhury added 3 runs while Nihaduzzaman scored 8 runs before getting out. Malinda Pushpakumara and Mehedi Hasan Rana remained unbeaten and added 6 and 2 runs respectively. At the end of 20 overs, Chattogram Challengers made 89 runs for the loss of 9 wickets.
For Sylhet, Rejaur Rahman Raja bagged four wickets conceding only 14 runs in four overs.
Also Read: Asia Cup Cricket: Bangladesh grouped with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan
In reply, Sylhet Strikers had to do better on a difficult Mirpur surface to take the lead. They started well, with Najmul Hossain Shanto making 43 runs off 41 balls.
Colin Ackermann was out for 1 run but Zakir Hasan made a quick 27 runs off 21 balls to set up a winning total. Mushfiqur Rahim remained not out on 6 runs as Sylhet Strikers achieved their target in 12.3 overs.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the former Bangladesh captain, made a return to competitive cricket after an eight-month hiatus, captaining the Sylhet Strikers in this edition of the BPL.
Asia Cup Cricket: Bangladesh grouped with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan
Bangladesh has been grouped with defending champion Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. Two arch-rivals India and Pakistan have been put in the same group with a qualifier team in the six-nation Asia Cup Cricket 2023 scheduled for September.
President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Jay Shah confirmed it while announcing the cricket calendar of the council for the year 2023 and 2024 on Thursday.
The ACC boss said that the ensuing Asia Cup will be played in 50-over format in September this year, though the itinerary and the host country have not been announced yet.
Pakistan is the original host of the Asia Cup this year but the BCCI is not keen on playing there owing to political tension between the two countries.
The Asia Cup 2023 will be a six-team affair involving India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and a qualifier team.
Sri Lanka are the defending Asia Cup champions after beating Pakistan in the final of the last tournament played in T20 format ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.
With India set to host the ODI World Cup later this year and the focus of all the participating teams being on the 50-over format, so this year’s Asia Cup will be held in ODI format.
Read more: India reclaim Women's Asia Cup crown
Sheikh Russel Youth Rapid Chess begins Friday
The first Sheikh Russel Youth Rapid Chess Championship 2023 organised by Sheikh Russel Chess Academy under the supervision of the Bangladesh Chess Federation will start Friday at 10am.
Only players aged below 20 can participate in this day-long competition at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall room of the National Sports Council in Dhaka.
The prize distribution ceremony of the championship will also be held on the same day in the afternoon.
KM Shahidullah, secretary general of Sheikh Russel Jatiya Shishu Kishore Parishad and vice-president of the Bangladesh Chess Federation, will be the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony.
Syed Shahab Uddin Shamim, general secretary of the Bangladesh Chess Federation and president of World Chess Federation (FIDE) Zone 3.2, will also be present.
The competition will be held on a seven-round Swiss league system. The winners of this competition will get cash prize money of Tk20,000 in total.
Read more: Bangabandhu 47th National Chess Championship begins on Thursday
Amidst poor management allegations, BPL kicks off tomorrow
The press conference for revealing the title sponsor of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2023 was scheduled to be held at 12 pm today. But it took place an hour later.
Unfortunately, this was not a one-off incident but one of many examples of BPL's less-than-desirable management.
The highly-anticipated premier domestic cricket tournament in Bangladesh is set to begin tomorrow, with Chattogram Challengers facing Sylhet Strikers at 2:30 pm at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh Test and T20 Captain Shakib Al Hasan fiercely criticized the governing body of BPL on Wednesday, saying that he could resolve all of the existing issues if he were appointed the BPL CEO.
A day later, the CEO of BCB, Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, was asked for his opinion concerning Shakib's comment. Nizam Uddin's response only served to highlight the chaotic state of affairs in the management of BPL, demonstrating his sense of helplessness.
“If he was aware of the situation, he would not have said it,” Nizam Uddin said regarding Shakib’s comments.
Former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza today supported Shakib's assertions regarding the mismanagement in BPL, acknowledging that Shakib was right.
Read more: BPL 2023: Icon Players, Complete schedule – Dates, Venues & Match Time
“It would have been beneficial for Bangladesh if it (BPL) was more organized,” Mashrafe said. “And we also failed to create a better market value for BPL.”
He also expressed his displeasure over the fact that five to six teams have to share a single venue for practice during BPL. He noted that this demonstrates that the BPL is still falling short of creating an adequate ecosystem to be deemed one of the top leagues in the world.
Mohammad Salahuddin, the highly acclaimed coach of the record-breaking BPL team Comilla Victorians, has echoed Shakib's sentiments, stressing the need for the BCB to work towards increasing the quality of BPL’s management.
Despite the availability of DRS in more recently established leagues, the BPL yet again failed to acquire this service. Nizam Uddin, the CEO, provided no logical justification for their stymied progress.
“We have many limitations,” he said again and again at the press conference that revealed the title sponsor. “We have the necessary equipment to run DRS, but we lack the resources necessary to use it effectively.”
The CEO of BCB remained tight-lipped when asked about the expected revenue from this year's BPL. He was unwilling to share the amount that the organization had agreed to sell the broadcasting rights for — to a relatively unknown group.
Despite that, media personnel continued to press him on the matter, alluding that BCB's lack of transparency was at fault.
“Sponsors have a confidentiality agreement with us, and for that reason, we cannot publicly disclose it,” Nizam Uddin said. “However, I can assure you that after a brief discussion, I will share it with you.”
Read more: BPL 2023: Ticket prices for first phase revealed
A total of seven teams are participating in this year’s BPL, and they will compete in 46 matches at three different venues in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.
Khawaja and Smith hit milestones at SCG against South Africa
Usman Khawaja made his highest test score, Steve Smith scored a milestone century and Australia reached a commanding 475-4 when rain forced an early end to the second day of the third and final test against South Africa.
Khawaja made an unbeaten 195 off 368 balls, with 19 boundaries and a six, and had earlier Thursday shared an epic 209-run partnership with Steve Smith, who made his 30th test century and also became Australia fourth-highest run scorer in tests in front of his home Sydney Cricket Ground fans.
Marnus Labuschagne (79) and Travis Head (70) both scored half-centuries as Australia dominated a placid South Africa attack and placed themselves in a strong position to still force a result in a game that has had frequent bad light and rain delays.
Khawaja raised his third consecutive SCG hundred before lunch Thursday and then pushed past his previous highest test score of 174 — against New Zealand at Brisbane in 2015 — to close in on his maiden double-century.
“It was a great innings, I thought he played exceptionally well from ball one," Smith said on Khawaja's landmark innings. "He was nice and patient when he needed to be and played the spin well. Hopefully he can get two or even three hundred tomorrow potentially.”
Khawaja was given a life on 119 when he offered a sharp shin-height chance which Anrich Nortje missed at gully after losing sight of the ball.
Read more: Australia crushes South Africa inside 2 days in 1st test
Earlier, Smith made 104 to join former Australia opening batter Matt Hayden on 30 test centuries. Only Ricky Ponting (41) and Steve Waugh (32) have more among Australian men’s test players.
It was Smith’s fourth century at his home ground and came from 190 balls, with 11 boundaries and two sixes with the former captain receiving a prolonged standing ovation from the 27,663 SCG crowd.
“I didn't feel great my first 60-70 balls but after that things started to click and I started felt a lot better," Smith said about his cautious start Thursday. ”Pleased I was able to get through that initial period and give myself a chance."
Next over Smith chipped a simple return catch to Keshav Maharaj (1-108) in what was the only blemish in an otherwise flawless four-hour innings.
“It was a sign of relief more than anything else," said Maharaj about his first wicket in a tough series for the spinner. "Everyone wants wickets when you're a bowler, it's like a batter who always wants runs, so to get the wicket was a nice sort of relief for me.”
On the way to his latest ton Smith passed Hayden (8,625 runs) and Michael Clarke (8,643) for career runs and is now the fourth-highest Australian test run scorer with 8,647 runs, behind Ponting (13,378), Allan Border (11,174) and Waugh (10,927). Smith averages over 60 runs an innings across his 92 tests.
“I don't play for that kind of stuff but it was cool to look up and see my name amongst those great players, so it was pretty special.”
After twin centuries in a triumphant return to test cricket against England last year, Khawaja had earlier completed his 13th hundred off 206 balls, with nine boundaries as he and Smith serenely accumulated runs after resuming the day at 147-2.
Khawaja made 137 and 101 not out against England in the test here last year to firmly re-establish himself in Australia’s batting lineup after being dropped during the 2019 Ashes series.
Khawaja and Head combined for a brisk 112 run partnership before Head holed out in the deep off Rabada (1-119).
Read more: South Africa Clinch Test Series with a Dominant Victory Over India in the Third Test
Shortly after play commenced Wednesday, Australia team management advised that batter Matt Renshaw — in the team for the injured Cameron Green — had reported feeling unwell shortly before the match and had subsequently returned a positive test for COVID-19 but would still take part in the match.
Renshaw, in his first test since 2018, was separated from the remainder of his teammates and moved into another changing room at the SCG. He batted as expected at No. 6 and was five not out at the end of the day's play.
International Cricket Council regulations state Renshaw is permitted to play in the match as long he feels well enough, with the option for a like-for-like substitute if he was unable to play.
Australia has already won the series after two crushing defeats in the first two tests at Brisbane and Melbourne.
A win for Australia in this third test would confirm its place in the world test championship final to be played at Lord’s in England in June this year.
What can Ronaldo expect from Saudi Pro League soccer?
As Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to point out, he has spent his storied career playing for the “most important” clubs in Europe.
That also meant playing in the most popular leagues in the world in England, Spain and Italy for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
His move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, however, signals a step into the unknown.
The Saudi Pro League is unlikely to have been on the radar of the majority of his loyal following, but it is where the next and likely last chapter of his career will be played out after signing a 2 1-2 -year contract with Al Nassr.
He will also hope to compete in the Asian Champions League next season if his new club qualifies for the biggest competition in Asian soccer.
“In Europe my work is done,” Ronaldo said when presented by Al Nassr in Riyadh on Tuesday.
But what can the 37-year-old five-time Champions League winner expect from Saudi soccer?
“I know the league is very competitive. People don’t know that, but I know because I saw many games,” he said.
He joins a team that is aiming to become Saudi champions for the 10th time, having last won the title in 2019.
Read more: Ronaldo joins Saudi Club Al Nassr: End of an Era in European Football
The Saudi Pro League, in its current guise, was established in 2008, but the competition dates to 1976. Current champion Al Hilal is the most successful team, having won 18 titles and four Asian Champions Leagues.
Like Al Nassr, it is also based in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and was linked with a move for Ronaldo. While Saudi soccer may not be widely watched in the western world, it is hugely popular in Arabic countries.
More than 1.25 million spectators attended matches in the 2021-22 season, according to official statistics, with a television audience of more than 215 million during that campaign.
And Ronaldo is not the only international player to make his way to Saudi Arabia, with Brazilian former Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo already at Al Nassr, as well as ex-Arsenal and Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina.
Former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo plays for Al Hilal.
Ever Banega, who has played for Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Inter Milan and Sevilla, is now at Al Shabab.
Statistics produced last year stated the league of 16 teams has 128 international players.
But none as big as Ronaldo.
“Cristiano is one of the best players in the world. In the history of football he is a legend,” Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia said on Tuesday. “It is an honor for sure for me, but also for Al Nassr to welcome Cristiano."
Read more: Ronaldo's career at Manchester United may be over
Saudi officials and fans will hope Ronaldo’s arrival prompts more elite players to follow in his footsteps — and that could be his lasting legacy beyond whatever trophies he wins in his time in the country.
Ronaldo arrives in Saudi, says he’s come to South Africa
Cristiano Ronaldo has just completed a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, but made a slip up during his official presentation in Riyadh on Tuesday when mistakenly saying he had “come to South Africa.”
Perhaps the Portugal great was disorientated by the whirlwind nature of his arrival at his new club, which saw him fly out to Saudi on Monday night, before undergoing a medical the next morning and then being greeted by thousands of cheering fans at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium.
“For me it is not the end of my career to come to South Africa,” Ronaldo said at a news conference before stepping out on the field at the 25,000 capacity stadium. “I really don’t worry about what people say. I took my decision and I have responsibility to change that, but for me I’m really, really happy to be here.”
After what was clearly a slip of the tongue, Ronaldo went on to outline his reasons for joining Al Nassr and said he had turned down “many clubs” around the world to complete one of the most surprising moves in soccer history.
Read more: Ronaldo joins Saudi Club Al Nassr: End of an Era in European Football
“I want to give a different vision of this country and football. This is why I took this opportunity,” he said. “I know the league is very competitive. People don’t know that, but I know because I saw many games,”
Ronaldo has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to play in the Saudi Pro League and will reportedly earn up to $200 million a year.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward also said is ready to play straight away with Al Nassr facing Al Ta’ee on Thursday.
However, the 37-year-old Ronaldo was handed a two-match suspension by the English Football Association in November for knocking a mobile phone out of the hand of a supporter after a game against Everton last April.
Read more: Ronaldo offered $225 million from Saudi club Al Nassr after Manchester United exit
He had already left United by the time of the ruling, but the FA said the suspension would be transferred to any new club.
National Handball: Mymensingh, Panchagarh, Gopalganj, Jashore top groups
Mymensingh, Panchagarh, Gopalganj and Jashore DSAs topped their groups to reach the knockout stage of the Exim Bank 33rd National Men's Handball Championship after their wins at the Shaheed Captain M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium Wednesday.
Mymensingh topped their group, defeating Chuadanga 26-22 after leading the first half 12-11.
Read more: National Handball: Eight 2nd round matches held on Tuesday
Panchagarh won their group after beating Sunamganj 29-18 after dominating the first half 18-12.
Gopalganj won their group, outplaying Rajshahi 30-17 after leading the first half 19-11. Earlier, they defeated Bogura 26-5 in their day's first match after dominating the first half 13-3.
Jashore topped their group, beating Faridpur 27-25 after crushing Sherpur 36-6 in their day's first match after leading the first half 20-5.
In the day's other matches, Rajshahi beat Bagerhat 25-12, Faridpur outplayed Madaripur 32-7, and Barguna defeated Feni 21-17; Bagerhat overpowered Bogura 21-20.
Read more: National Handball: Dhaka, Chattogram, Bandarban, Kushtia top groups