United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), during its 15th board meeting held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Wednesday, made a series of pivotal decisions, including the cancellation of several directorships and the acceptance of three resignations from board members. Following constitutional guidelines, the board moved to vacate the directorships of eleven members due to their absence from three or more consecutive meetings. Those affected include Nazmul Hassan Papon, Manzur Kader, AJM Nasir Uddin, Sheikh Sohel, Advocate Anwarul Islam, Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel, Muhammed Ismail Haider Mallick, Tanvir Ahmed (Titu), Obeid Rashid Nizam, Gazi Golam Murtoza, and Nazib Ahmed. In addition, the board formally accepted the resignations of three directors: A.M. Naimur Rahman Durjoy, Khaled Mahmud Shujon, and Md. Enayet Husain Siraj, marking further shifts in the organization’s leadership. To adapt to the changing needs of the sport and ensure continued organizational efficiency, the BCB has established a Constitution Amendment Committee, led by BCB Director Nazmul Abedeen. The committee’s role is to review the current BCB Constitution, propose necessary amendments, and ensure alignment with the board’s long-term strategic goals. In a bid to support athlete performance, the board also approved the construction of three fully equipped, modern gym facilities at the Test venues in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet. These new training centers are intended to enhance the physical conditioning of national athletes. Furthermore, the board confirmed the dates for the upcoming 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 Cricket tournament, which is set to commence on December 30, 2024, and conclude with the final match on February 7, 2025. To improve fan experience, the BCB has agreed in principle to implement a comprehensive e-ticketing system, simplifying the ticketing process for spectators and reducing on-site congestion.

Bangladesh's women's football team made history Wednesday, securing their second consecutive South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship title with a 2-1 victory over host nation Nepal at Kathmandu’s Dashrath Rangasala Stadium. In a repeat of their 2022 triumph, Bangladesh once again defeated Nepal in the final, cementing their unbeaten streak in the seven-nation tournament. After a tense, scoreless first half, Bangladesh’s Monika Chakma broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, seizing an opportunity from a crowded goalmouth to put Bangladesh ahead 1-0. Nepal quickly responded, with Amisha Karki equalizing in the 56th minute, thrilling the home crowd of around 20,000 fans. Karki’s precise shot, set up by a pass from Preeti Rai, slipped past two defenders and Bangladesh’s goalkeeper to level the score. SAFF Women's Football: Bangladesh to play hosts Nepal in final Wednesday The decisive moment came in the 81st minute when Ritu Porna Chakma netted the winning goal for Bangladesh with a sharp-angled shot from the left wing. Her strike, which brushed the Nepalese goalkeeper's hand before finding the back of the net, secured Bangladesh’s 2-1 victory. In addition to their championship win, Bangladesh earned several individual honors. Goalkeeper Rupna Chakma won the Best Goalkeeper award for the second consecutive time, while Ritu Porna Chakma was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Bhutan’s Deki Lhazom claimed the top scorer title with eight goals, and Bhutan was awarded the Fair Play Trophy. Bangladesh dominated throughout the tournament, including a resounding 7-1 victory over Bhutan in the semifinals to maintain their perfect record. This echoed their 8-0 win over Bhutan in the 2022 SAFF Women’s Championship. Bangladesh’s journey to the final was marked by a statement victory over five-time champions India in the group stage, defeating them 3-1. Shamsunnahar Jr. saved Bangladesh from an early exit, scoring a critical equalizer in added time (90+1) during a 1-1 draw with Pakistan. Tohura’s hat-trick powers Bangladesh into SAFF Women’s Championship final with 7-1 win Over Bhutan Nepal, appearing in the SAFF Women’s final for the sixth time, defeated India in a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout in the semifinals but ultimately fell short of claiming their first title, settling for the runner-up position once again. The victorious Bangladesh team is scheduled to return home on Thursday at 2:15 pm.

South Africa continued to dominate Bangladesh in the Chattogram Test as they bagged four quick wickets to reduce the hosts to 38 for four at the end of day two. Bangladesh are trailing by 537 runs with six wickets in hand. Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten for 6 and 4, respectively. Kagiso Rabada took two wickets, with one in the first over when Shadman Islam edged a ball going down the legside to the wicketkeeper. Dane Paterson and Keshav Maharaj took one wicket each. Keshav removed the nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud with a sharp turn to the stumps. Earlier, South Africa ended their first innings on 575 for six wickets, with three batters scoring their maiden tonnes in Tests. Bangladesh used all of their bowling weapons but yielded little on a surface known for its batting-friendly nature. Tony De Zorzi hit 177, the best by any South African batter in this match. Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder also reached the magical figures. For Bangladesh, Taijul Islam bagged five wickets. And Nahid Rana took the other one. With this, Taijul registered his second five-for in this Test. Bangladesh lost the first match of the series in Mirpur by seven wickets, meaning a win or draw will seal the series for the tourists. This series is part of the ongoing cycle of the ICC Test Championship. South Africa began this Test as the fifth team on the points table, while Bangladesh are on the eighth.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has announced a 16-member partial national football team to play two FIFA International Friendlies against the Maldives, dropping captain Jamal Bhuyan.  The Head Coach of Bangladesh National Football Team, Javier Cabrera, announced the squad on Wednesday to play FIFA International Friendlies in the next FIFA window in November. Hosts Bangladesh will face the touring Maldives national side on November 13 and 16 at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka. Bangladesh's training camp will start on November 1.  The full national squad, including the bootets of the BPL champion Bashundhara Kings, now in Bhutan to play in the AFC Challenge League, will be announced in the early next month, soon after the return of the Kings from Bhutan. Member of Bangladesh team (partial) Goal Keeper: Mitul Marma, Sujon Hossain Defender-Murad Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Shakil Ahad Topu, Rahmat Mia, Shakil Hossain, Isa Faysal, and Taj Uddin. Midfielders: Mohammad Hridoy, Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee, Papon Singh, and Didarul AlamForward: Shahriar Emon, Arman Foysal Akash, and Mirajul Islam.

Jürgen Klopp has defended his decision to head up Red Bull's group of soccer clubs, saying he “didn't want to step on anybody's toes” after his decision prompted a backlash from fans of his former teams in Germany. Klopp is taking over as the drinks company's head of global soccer from January in what was widely seen as a surprise move. It will be his first job after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season. “I didn't want to step on anybody's toes, definitely not, and personally I love all of my ex-clubs,” Klopp said in an interview released Wednesday on a podcast hosted by former Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos. Klopp suggested any decision he made to coach another club would also have disappointed some fans. “I really don't know what exactly I could have done for everyone to be happy," he said. Red Bull, and especially its Leipzig team, are widely resented by many German soccer fans, who see the drinks company as an unwelcome corporate presence trying to buy success. Fans at Klopp's former clubs like Borussia Dortmund have criticized the move, and Mainz fans held up banners this month expressing their disappointment and questioning whether he was “crazy.” Klopp spent 18 years at Mainz as a player and coach before joining Dortmund in 2008, where he went on to lead the club to two Bundesliga titles and the Champions League final. Klopp said he had never viewed Red Bull's involvement in soccer “so critically,” and suggested it played an important role in bringing high-level club soccer back to the former East Germany with the Leipzig project. Klopp previously said he planned to take a “long break” from soccer after leaving Liverpool, where he coached his last game in May after nine years with the club. “I'm 57 so I can still work for a couple more years but I don't really see myself on the sideline (as a coach) for the time being,” he said. “But it was always clear that I wasn't going to do nothing at all. And then this story with Red Bull came into the picture, and for me it's outstanding.” Klopp said he saw his Red Bull role primarily as an “adviser” working together with coaches at the clubs backed by the drinks giant. “I always had the feeling that the coach is very, very often the loneliest person at the club,” he said.

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions Bashundhara Kings suffered 2nd consecutive defeat in the AFC Challenge League 2024-25) losing to Kolkata East Bengal Club by O-4 goals in chilly weather at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, Tuesday night. Bangladesh champions Kings started the Group A campaign losing to Nejmeh FC of Lebanon by 0-1 goals while Kolkata East Bengal Club played 2-2 draw with Paro FC of Bhutan in their first match. In the day's match, Dimitrios Diamantakos put East Bengal ahead in the very first minute off a Lalchungnunga cross (1-0) while Sauvik doubled the lead in the 20th minute (2-0). Nandha scored the 3rd goal in the 26th minute (3-0) while Anwar Ali sealed the fate of the match scoring the 4th goal in the 33rd minute (4-0). In the remaining group match, Bashundhara Kings will play Paro FC of Bhutan on November 1. Bashundhara Kings: Anisur Rahman; Isaiah Ejeh, Topu Barman, Jasur Jumaev, Tariq Kazi; Kpehi Broussou Vajer Gryshyn, Miguel Ferreira; Foysal Fahim, Fernandes and Mojibur Jony.

Defending champions Bangladesh will play hosts Nepal in the final match of the seven-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women's Championship' 2024 on Wednesday in a hope to retain the regional title. The match will kick-off at 6:45 pm (Bangladesh time) at the Dashrath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu. Bangladesh clinched the first -ever SAFF Women' s football crown in 2022 in Kathmandu also beating Himalayan nation Nepal by 3-1 goal in the final. Ahead of the Wednesday's final, Bangladesh women's team made recovery session with gym exercises and swimming at the hotel on Tuesday morning to ensure fitness for the upcoming final. Bangladesh National Women’s Football Team also attended a pre-final official press conference at the match venue on Tuesday. Following the press conference, the Bangladesh team made final training session from 3 pm to 4: pm at the Army Headquarters ground in Kathmandu. The day's final training session focused on refining tactical part of the game, enhancing coordination and ensuring all players are in top form for the title deciding match. To encourage the Bangladesh women's team, newly elected Executive Committee Members of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF)--—Iqbal Hossain, Golam Gaus, Tipu Sultan, and Kamrul Hasan Hilton—already reached Kathmandu. Addressing the media on Tuesday, Bangladesh defender Afeida Khandaker said, " Last time we clinched the title, this time we will give our all efforts to retain the title playing a good footbal.” Replying to a question, Afeida said, " We have no extra pressure over home crowd, we will consider Nepalese fans as our supporters". Earlier, a brilliant hattrick by Tohura Khatun guided holders Bangladesh to the final of the (SAFF) Women's Championship' 2024 with unbeaten record crushing Bhutan by 7-1 goals in the first semifinal last Sunday. With the feat, Bangladesh women's team not only maintained their unbeaten record against Bhutan, but also earned 2nd massive victory in two consecutive matches in the SAFF women's meet after crushing them by 8-0 goals in the last SAFF Women's Championship in 2022,also in Kathmandu Earlier, Bangladesh smartly booked a seat for the semifinal as the Group A champions with unbeaten run shocking five times champions India by 3-1 goal after staying in the semifinal race playing 1-1 draw with Pakistan by a Shamsunnahar Jr's equalizing goal in the added time (90+1 minute) Nepal reached the final for the 2nd successive time eliminating five times Champions India by 4-2 goals in tie breaker as the 2nd semifinal match between them ended in 1-1 goals.

South Africa are commanding the Chattogram Test with two centuries from Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs against Bangladesh on Tuesday. South Africa were at 307 for two wickets at the end of day one, with de Zorzi remaining unbeaten for 141, with ten fours and three sixes to his name. Both de Zorzi and Stubbs hit a ton in a Test match for the first time. They put up a 201-run stand in the second wicket after Taijul Islam removed South Africa’s stand-in captain, Aiden Markram, for 33. Taijul scalped both the wickets South Africa lost in this match so far. South Africa opt to bat first in Chattogram Test vs Bangladesh He first removed Markram, then struck again, scalping Stubbs for 106. Markram went for a big shot but could not connect the ball well. Mominul Haque took a catch at the mid-on to remove him. And Stubbs tried to play to the leg area off a low delivery of Taijul, which eventually hit his stumps. South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first on the surface known for its friendly behaviour with the batters. Bangladesh are playing this match with two pacers and two spinners. The hosts omitted Nayeem Hasan to include pace-bowler Nahid Rana. Jaker Ali Anik and Litton Das were also sidelined for this. While Jaker has been suffering from a concussion, Litton caught a fever. To replace them, Bangladesh called up Zakir Hasan and debutant Mahidul Islam Ankan. South Africa won the first Test of this two-match series, and a win or draw in Chattogram will seal the series for them. This series is a part of the ICC Test Championship’s current cycle.

Spanish midfielders Rodri and Aitana Bonmatí won the men's and women's Ballon d'Or award on Monday as the world's best soccer players, while Real Madrid snubbed the star-studded ceremony in Paris in apparent protest. The 28-year-old Rodri won the prestigious award for the first time after helping Manchester City win the Premier League and being a key player in Spain’s European Championship triumph. He succeeded eight-time winner Lionel Messi of Argentina and beat Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior into second place, a result which greatly displeased the Spanish club. Madrid and its players stayed away from the ceremony, then vented their feelings on social media. Rodri showed his emotion when his name was read out by former winner George Weah, putting his hands over his face. “Incredible night for me,” said Rodri, who is out for the season after injuring his ACL last month and arrived on crutches to the ceremony. “One of my key things is I always try to improve every game.” Known as a hard-working and unselfish player despite his abilities, Rodri was quick to deflect praise onto others. “I just want to say thank you again to the people who recognize my value in the game," he said. “When I was a kid I never thought of winning the Ballon d’Or, but in the last years I’ve been playing the highest level.” The 26-year-old Bonmatí retained her award after helping Barcelona win the Spanish league, the Spanish cup and the Champions League. Bonmatí joined Barca teammate Alexia Putellas in winning two titles since the women’s trophy was first awarded in 2018. She beat her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen of Norway and Salma Paralluelo of Spain as Barcelona completed a 1-2-3. “It’s a pleasure to be here again,” said Bonmatí, who received the award from Oscar winner Natalie Portman. “Thanks to my teammates and the clubs who make me a better football player every year.” Even though attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham was third and Dani Carvajal finished fourth in the voting, and coach Carlo Ancelotti won the coach of the year award, no one from Madrid attended the gala in central Paris. Ancelotti posted a message on X instead as did Vinícius, who was considered by many to be the favorite for the award, even though Rodri also had an outstanding season. “I’ll do it 10x if needed,” Vinicius wrote in Portuguese. “They are not ready.” Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga made it clear what he thought of the vote, calling it “football politics.” “My brother you are the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise,” the France international wrote on X along with a photo of him and Vinicius celebrating together. “Love you my bro.” Former Madrid star Karim Benzema, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2022, posted a supportive message in French on Instagram, along with the words “Trop Fort” ("Too Strong"). Neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo — winners of the prestigious individual award a combined 13 times — were in the running for this year’s prize — the first time that's happened since 2003. While Rodri is not a flamboyant player or a prolific scorer like Messi and Ronaldo, he had a huge influence on City’s team with his ability to protect the defense and distribute passes cleanly from the back. “I try to be a leader and try to improve every day from the best,” Rodri said. City looked unbeatable at times with him in the side, while his excellent technical ability enabled him to slot smoothly into the quick-passing style made so effective by Spain at Euro 2024. He is the first City player to win the award. “He is a player completely without ego, whose performance level over a very long period of time has been exceptional,” City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain said. “The consistency he has shown is the result of hard work and dedication." Bonmatí scored 19 goals for the second straight season for Barca and this year has netted five in five games for Spain, taking her international tally to 26. The Ballon d’Or was created by France Football magazine and has been awarded since 1956 for the men, and since 2018 for the women. It is voted for by journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings. Each journalist, one per country, selects 10 players in ranked order, with points attributed to each position. The winner is the player who receives the most points. Unlike FIFA’s awards for the best players each year, fans aren’t part of the voting system. Yamal’s trophy and other awards On a good night for Spain and Barca players, teen prodigy Lamine Yamal — the youngest-ever scorer at a European Championship — won the Kopa award for best Under-21 player and Barca won the best women’s team award. Absent Real Madrid was voted the best men’s team. Former PSG forward Kylian Mbappé and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane shared the Gerd Mueller award for most club and country goals last season with 52. Mbappé joined Madrid during the offseason. Argentina’s penalty-saving specialist Emiliano Martínez retained the Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper. Ancelotti and Olympic-winning coach Emma Hayes won the Johan Cruyff award for best men’s and women’s coach. Spain forward Jenni Hermoso, who has fought sexism in Spanish soccer after she was kissed on the lips at last year’s Women’s World Cup final by former federation president Luis Rubiales, collected the Socrates award for humanitarian work. A special award was given by France Football to the wife and son of late Germany great Franz Beckenbauer.

England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith will miss the team's test tour of the New Zealand over November and December because he will be on paternity leave for the birth of his first child. Jordan Cox will take the gloves for the tour and looks set to win his first test cap during the three-match series. Batting allrounder Jacob Bethell, 21, was called up to a test squad for the first time, having made his international debut in the summer in T20 and ODI matches against Australia. The 16-man squad will be captained by Ben Stokes and play tests in Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton. The first test in Christchurch starts Nov. 28. England is coming off a 2-1 series loss in Pakistan. ___ Squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.