Sports
BPL teams ramp up preparations as opening day approaches
The new season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is just around the corner, and the teams have already started gearing up for the biggest domestic cricketing event, commencing on January 19 in Dhaka.
A total of seven teams are participating in this year’s BPL. There was speculation of increasing the number of the teams, but that did not materialize.
While the shadow of past mismanagement allegations lingers, a beacon of hope shines – the BPL will have the Decision Review System (DRS) from the get-go, promising fairer on-field battles.
Durdanto Dhaka, a newcomer to the event, started their preparation on Sunday. Khaled Mahmud, their head coach, conducted the first practice session. Comilla Victorians, the BPL giants, also held their practice session on Sunday.
“Our main goal is to secure a place in the last four,” Khaled Mahmud said. “And to win the title, you will also need the favor of your luck.”
He also said that his team doesn't have the big stars this time, but he is taking it as a big challenge. “It’s anybody’s game,” he said. “Taskin (Ahmed), and Shoriful (Islam) are in our team. If they can perform well, we can challenge any team.”
To accommodate all participants, BPL teams are practicing at different venues this year, as the BCB academy ground alone wouldn't suffice. BKSP, a ground more than one and a half hours drive away, is also a venue for practice for a team.
BPL will kick off in Dhaka, then it will travel to Sylhet before coming back to Dhaka and then traveling to Chattogram. The final phase will be played in Dhaka again.
In the league phase, every team will take on each other in two matches. After that, the top two teams will take on each other in the first Qualifier match. Winners will advance to the final, and the loser will take on the winner of the Eliminator, which will be played between the top third and fourth teams, in the Qualifier 2. The final of this year's BPL will take place on March 1 in Dhaka's Mirpur.
BSJA Media Cup Cricket begins Sunday at Outer Stadium
The Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA) Media Cup Cricket Tournament '24, exclusively for the journalists, begins Sunday ( Jan 14) morning at the Outer Stadium here.
BCB Director Tanveer Ahmed Titu and former national skipper Mohammad Ashraful will inaugurate tournament Sunday morning, Powered by Bashundhara Group.
Thirty two teams from different newspapers, news agencies and electronics media, split into eight groups, will participate in the tournament on a knock basis competitions.
Bangladesh Television will face The Business Standard at 9:am while DBC Television will meet Bangladesh Protidin also at 9: am in two opening day's matches.
The tournament's draw, jersey and trophy unveiling ceremony was held on Saturday (Jan 13) at the Dutch-Bangla auditorium of Bangladesh Olympic Association.
Two former captains of national cricket team cum national cricket selectors Minhajul Abedin Nannu and Habibul Bashar Sumon were present on the occasion.
BSJA general secretary Anisur Rahman, tournament committee chairman Raihan Al Mugni and tournament's member secretary Rabiul Islam were also present on the occasion.
BPL Football: Sheikh Russel KC suffer season's first defeat against Police FC
Former champions Sheikh Russel KC tasted their first defeat of the season in their 3rd match of the 10-team ABG Bashundhara Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football after conceding 0-1 goal defeat against Bangladesh Police FC at their home venue --Bashundhara Kings Arena-- on Saturday.
After a barren first half, Venezuela forward Edward scored a match winning goal for Police FC in the 65th minute of the match (1-0). Later, he was adjudged the best player of the match.
On completion of the 3rd round matches on Saturday, Police FC advanced to the 3rd slot securing six points with two wins and one loss while Sheikh Russel KC went down to the 4th place collecting four points with one win, one draw and a defeat.
Defending champions Bashundhara Kings maintained the all win record to dominate the league comfortably securing nine points while Dhaka Mohammedan SC followed them also with unbeaten run securing seven points with two wins and a draw.
In the other 3rd round matches held on Friday, Bashundhara Kings outplayed Fortis SC 3-1, Dhaka Mohammedan SC crushed Brothers Union 5-1, Dhaka Abahani Ltd tasted the first win beating Sheikh Jamal DC 1-0 while Rahmatganj MFS played 1-1 draw with Chittagong Abahani Ltd.
The 4th round matches will be held next Friday and Saturday.
Nazmul hints at one-year extension as BCB president
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president and newly appointed Sports Minister Nazmul Hasan has dropped hints of retaining his BCB post for at least another year.
Having taken oath as minister on Thursday evening, Nazmul said, “Just became the minister. Let's focus on the ministry first. Since it's about sports, it shouldn't be a problem for me.”
He acknowledged the contrasting challenges of the two roles, emphasizing the need to uplift other sports alongside cricket. “There are challenges, but I believe it's possible,” he asserted.
On relinquishing the BCB presidency, Nazmul confirmed that his current term would be his last. “At least this year (I have to be the president),” he said, citing his membership in various ICC committees, which he implied required him to hold the BCB post for a while longer.
Nazmul currently sits on the ICC Nominations Committee and the HR & Remuneration Committee.
He holds the record for the longest tenure as BCB president, leading the organisation for over a decade and shaping its direction since 2012.
With Nazmul's throne firmly in place, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, a parliamentarian and cricket legend, waits in the wings for another year, hoping for a shot at the BCB crown, which has been widely speculated.
ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup'24 begins Jan 19 in new format without quarterfinals
The ensuing 16-team ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup'24, a 50-over-a-side IYouth Cricket World Cup, organized by the International Cricket Cricket council (ICC), beginning in South Africa on January 19 in a new format without quarterfinals.
Hosts South Africa will play West Indies at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom while Ireland will face Unites States at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.in two opening day's fixture on January 19.Bangladesh team, the champions of 2020, now already in South Africa to conduct pre-event camp in Potchefstroom, will start their U-19 World Cup mission taking on their giant neighbor and holders India in Bloemfontein on January 20.
Bangladesh, which was placed in Group A with India, United States and Ireland, will play Ireland on January 22 at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein and United States on January 26 at the same venue
in the remaining group matches.
The Under -19 Cricket World Cup was introduced in 1988 an biennial tournament where India won the title for a record five times, Australia clinched the title thrice, Pakistan twice while Bangladesh, England, South Africa and West Indies won the title once each.
The upcoming tournament will be held on new format without any quarterfinal.
Initially, all the participating 16 teams spilt into four groups -- Group A,B,C,D--will face each other within the group on league basis matches.
Later, the top three teams from each group will advance to the 12-team Super Six stage.
The fourth-placed teams in Group A and D will face each other while the fourth-placed teams in Group B and C will face each other in a classification match to decide positions.In the super-six stage, top three teams from Group A and D will be included in a six-team group while top three teams from Group B and C will be put in another group.
Each team will carry forward the number of points, wins, NRR they have earned against their fellow super-six qualifying teams.
Each team will play two matches in the super-six stage against the opponents from from other group (i.e. the AI team will play only D2 and D3 teams in the super-six stage while A2 team will play only D1 and D3 teams).
The top two teams from each of the two super-six group will qualify for the semi-finals and later two winning semifinalists will play in the final.
Left-arm spinner Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, who led the Bangladesh team to win the first ever Under-19 Asia Cup crown recently, will also lead the team in the ICC Under -19 World Cup in South Africa.
Bangladesh U-19 team : Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (Captain), Ashiqur Rahaman Shibli, Jishan Alam, Chowdhury, Md Rizwan, Adil Bin Siddik, Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Boranno, Ariful Islam, Shihab James, Ahrar Amin (Vice Captain), Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Rafi Uzzaman Rafi, Rohanat Doullah Borson, Iqbal Hasan Emon, Wasi Siddiquee, Maruf Mridha
Olympics Shooting : Robiul Islam narrowly misses chance to qualify for Paris Olympics
Bangladeshi shooter Robiul Islam narrowly missed the chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics directly as he failed to reach the final round of the Asian Shooting Championship now being held in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The Paris Olympics will be held in July–August this year.
Olympics Shooting: Baki eliminated from 10-meter Air Rifles
Earlier, Bangladeshi-famous archer Roman Shana directly qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.
Robiul Islam took part in the men's 10-metre air rifle shooting competition of the Asian Shooting Championship, also a qualifying meet for the Paris Olympics, and scored 628.0 to miss the chance.
Indonesian shooter Fathu scored 628.3 to qualify for the eight-man final round of the Asian Shooting Championship, and later he qualified for the Olympics directly alongside China, Korea, and Indian shooters.
Although Rabiul Islam failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics directly, he has a chance to participate in the Paris Olympic Games as the Bangladesh Olympic Association applied to the IOC for the wild card for him along with another shooter, Shyera Arefin.
Apart from Robiul Islam, the other Bangladeshi rifle shooters also perform frustrating shows in the ongoing Asian Shooting Championship.
Zidan Hossain of Bangladesh finished 21st, scoring 625.4, while Sharar Arnob finished 32nd, scoring 623.3, in the men's competition.
In the women's group, Shyera Arefin finished 18th, scoring 626.8, Chowdhury Zafira finished 27th, scoring 625.1, and Kamrun Nahar Koly finished 34th, scoring 624.0.
BFF President Kazi Salahuddin returns home from hospital after 25 days
President of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Kazi M Salahuddin returned home Tuesday (January 9) evening from hospital after about 26 days and now comfortably settled at his residence.
The BFF and SAFF resident Kazi Salahuddin successfully underwent coronary artery bypass surgery on December 28 at the Evercare Hospital in the capital.
After a long six-hour surgery, a 70-year old Kazi Salahuddin has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for postoperative monitoring as a routine case and later shifted to cabin from ICU after one week last Thursday.
After observing his health conditions for another five days, the doctor in charge permitted him to go home on Tuesday.
He was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital on December 16.
His recovery has been steady and positive, with the medical team expressing their satisfaction with his progress. He is enthusiastic about returning to Bangladesh Football Federation.
He extends his heartfelt gratitude for the support and well-wishes he has received from the football fraternity, his colleagues in and around the world. He is also immensely thankful for the excellent care provided by his medical team.
Bangladesh Football Federation appreciates the cooperation of the media and the public in respecting the BFF President’s need for a private and secure environment as he continues to recover.
12th National Election: 17 sports personalities including Shakib, Mashrafe elected
Some 17 former and current sportsmen, sports organisers and sports related persons were elected parliament members in the just concluded 12th National Election 2024, including National Cricket Team Captain Shakib Al Hasan and former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.
Sixteen parliament members out of 17, were elected from ruling Awami League, while former BCB President and Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud was elected as a Jatiya Party candidate.
World famed allrounder Shakib Al Hasan elected for the first time from Magura-1 constituency as a Ruling Awami League candidate, polling 1,85, 388 votes, while his nearest rival Kazi Rezaul Hasan of Bangladesh Congress got 5,973 votes.
Former captain of Bangladesh National Cricket team Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was elected parliament member from Narail-2 constituency for the second consecutive time, securing 1,89,102 votes beating Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of Workers Party, who polled 4,041 votes.
President of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Nazmul Hassan Papon, was elected from Kishoreganj-6 constituency polling 1, 98, 155 votes, while his nearest rival M Rubel Hossain of Bangladesh Islamic Front got 3,206 votes.
Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, who was also a former BCB President, was elected from Cumilla-10 constituency, polling 2,32,699 votes, while his nearest rival Jonaki Humayun of JP got 8,548 votes
Former BCB President and deputy minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury was elected from Dhaka-9 constituency securing 90,396 votes while his nearest rival Kazi Abul Khair of JP got 2,794 votes.
Former BCB President and Minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mamhud elected from Chattogram -5 constituency as a Jatiya Party candidate securing 50, 977 votes while his nearest rival and Independent candidate M Shahjahan Chowdhury got 36251 votes.
Senior vice president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and former star footballer Abdus Salam Murshedy was elected from Khulna-4 constituency polling 85,194 votes while his nearest rival and Independent candidate SM Mortuza Rashidi Dara got 60,893 votes
BFF Vice President Kazi Nabil Ahmed was elected from Jessore-3 constituency, securing 1,21,720 votes, while his nearest rival and Independent candidate Muhit Kumar Nath got 64511 votes.
Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs and former BFF Vice President Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing was elected from Bandarban constituency polling 1,72,671 votes, while his nearest rival ATM Shahidul Islam of JP got 10631 votes.
BCB Director Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel was elected from Moulvibazar-2 constituency, polling 72,718 votes, while his nearest Independent AKM Shafi Ahmed Salman got 15,552 votes.
Vice President of Bangladesh Athletics Federation and President of Lakshmipur Football Association Noor Uddin Chowdhury Noyon was elected from Lakshmipur-2 constituency securing 1,30,211 votes, while his nearest rival and Independent candidate Selina Islam got 9028 votes.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs and President of Bangladesh Tennis Federation M Shariar Alam was elected from Rajshahi-6 constituency, polling 1,01,599 votes, while his nearest rival and Independent candidate M Rahenul Haque got 74,278 votes.
Besides, Chairman of Dhaka Abahani Ltd Salman F Rahman (Dhaka 1), Dhaka Abahani Director Nasrul Hamid Bipu (Dhaka 3) and Chairman of Chittagong Abahani Ltd MA Latif (Ctg 11) were also elected as Awami League candidates.
Minister for Road Transport and Bridges and General Secretary of Ruling Awami League Obaidul Quader, also a former State Minister for Youth and Sports, elected from Noakhai 5 constituency polling 1,81, 281 votes while his rival Khawja Tanveer Ahmed of JP got 9,702 votes.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel elected from Gazipur-2-constituency, securing 1,04,477 votes, to beat Independent candidate Kazi Alimuddin, who bagged 84,129 votes.
But, three sportsmen and sports related persons suffered all defeats as independent candidates.
They are: :Former State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarkar (Natore 2), former Deputy Minister for Youth Sports and former national footballer Arif Khan Joy (Netrokona 2) and former BFF member and the top official Chittagong Abahani Ltd Shamsul Haque Chowdhury ( Ctg 12) conceded defeats.
BPL T20 Fixtures 2024: Players, Complete schedule – Dates, Venues & Match Time
Excitement is building among fans, as the Twenty20 cricket league season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024 approaches on Friday, January 19. The 10th edition of the BPL is set to kick off featuring an exciting clash between defending champions Comilla Victorians and Durdanto Dhaka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Star-studded lineups have always been a hallmark of the BPL, and this year is no exception. Here is a thorough coverage of the BPL 2024 competition, including the venues, schedule, and important players for each team.
Bangladesh Premier League 2024 at a Glance
Opening Match: January 19, 2024
Final Match: 1 March, 2024
Duration: 42 days
Cricket Format: T20
Tournament Format: Double round-robin and playoffs
Number of Teams: 7
Total Match: 46
Venues: Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, and Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet.
Read more: Bangladesh Men’s T20I Cricket in 2023: Performance Analysis
BPL 2024: Complete Schedule of Twenty20 Cricket League
Table: Schedule of BPL 2024
Phase
Date
Match
Venue
Time
Phase 1 (Dhaka)
Jan 19, Fri
Durdanta Dhaka vs Comilla Victorians
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
02:00 PM
Sylhet Strikers vs Chattogram Challengers
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
07:00 PM
Jan 20, Sat
Rangpur Riders vs Fortune Barishal
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Khulna Tigers vs Chattogram Challengers
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Jan 22, Mon
Durdanto Dhaka vs Chattogram Challengers
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Fortune Barishal vs Khulna Tigers
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Jan 23, Tue
Rangpur Riders vs Sylhet Strikers
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Comilla Victorians vs Fortune Barishal
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Phase 2 (Sylhet)
Jan 26, Fri
Khulna Tigers vs Rangpur Riders
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
02:00 PM
Sylhet Strikers vs Comilla Victorians
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
07:00 PM
Jan 27, Sat
Fortune Barishal vs Chattogram Challengers
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Durdanto Dhaka vs Rangpur Riders
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Jan 29, Mon
Sylhet Strikers vs Chattogram Challengers
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Durdanto Dhaka vs Khulna Tigers
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Jan 30, Tue
Comilla Victorians vs Rangpur Riders
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Sylhet Strikers vs Fortune Barishal
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Feb 02, Fri
Sylhet Strikers vs Durdanto Dhaka
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
02:00 PM
Chattogram Challengers vs Comilla Victorians
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
07:00 PM
Feb 03, Sat
Fortune Barishal vs Khulna Tigers
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Sylhet Strikers vs Rangpur Riders
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Phase 3 (Dhaka)
Feb 06, Tue
Rangpur Riders vs Durdanto Dhaka
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Chattogram Challengers vs Fortune Barishal
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Feb 07, Wed
Comilla Victorians vs Khulna Tigers
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Durdanto Dhaka vs Sylhet Strikers
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Feb 09, Fri
Khulna Tigers vs Sylhet Strikers
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
02:00 PM
Durdanto Dhaka vs Comilla Victorians
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
07:00 PM
Feb 10, Sat
Chattogram Challengers vs Rangpur Riders
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Durdanto Dhaka vs Fortune Barishal
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Phase 4 (Chattogram)
Feb 13, Tue
Chattogram Challengers vs Comilla Victorians
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Khulna Tigers vs Rangpur Riders
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Feb 14, Wed
Durdanto Dhaka vs Fortune Barishal
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Comilla Victorians Vs Khulna Tigers
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Feb 16, Fri
Durdanto Dhaka vs Khulna Tigers
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
02:00 PM
Chattogram Challengers vs Rangpure Riders
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
07:00 PM
Feb 17, Sat
Fortune Barishal vs Sylhet Strikers
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Chattogram Challengers vs Durdanto Dhaka
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Feb 19, Mon
Comilla Victorians vs Sylhet Strikers
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Fortune Barishal vs Rangpur Riders
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Feb 20, Tue
Chattogram Challengers vs Khulna Tigers
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Comilla Victorians vs Rangpur Riders
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Phase 5 (Dhaka)
Feb 21, Wed
Comilla Victorians vs Fortune Barishal
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Khulna Tigers vs Sylhet Strikers
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Eliminator
Feb 25, Sun
3rd placed team vs 4th placed team
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
01:30 PM
Qualifier 1
1st placed team vs 2nd placed team
Sher-E-Bangla-National Cricket Stadium
06:30 PM
Qualifier 2
Feb 27, Tue
Loser Of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator
Sher-E-Bangla-National Cricket Stadium
06: 30 PM
Final
Mar 01, Fri
Winner of Q1 vs Winner of Q2
Sher-E-Bangla-National Cricket Stadium
07:00 Pm
Read more: Bangladesh Men’s Test Cricket in 2023: Performance Analysis
How to Watch BPL 2024 Live?
It is always fun to watch the matches of the much-liked local cricket competition, such as the BPL live direct from stadiums. However, fans can also watch BPL matches live on TV or online.
Cricket enthusiasts would have the opportunity to watch the thrilling matches of BPL 2024 via T Sports TV as well as the T Sports app. T Sports and GTV would continue to carry the tradition of airing Bangladesh matches.
BPL 2024 Key Players
This year's Bangladesh Premier League is expected to include some prominent players from franchise leagues across the globe. Let's take a look at some of the key players anticipated to join the competition.
Andre Russell
Andre Russell would feature in the T20 matches of 2024 BPL. He will play for the same team, Comilla Victorians, who won the title last year. Fans are eager to see him hit big sixes, and be a match-winner for the side.
Sunil Narine
Veteran franchise spinner Sunil Narine would also take part, playing for Comilla Victorians. Being a renowned player all over the globe, Sunil is vital for his lethal unorthodox bowling, and explosive with the bat.
Nicholas Pooran
Another West Indian, Nicholas Pooran would also play the BPL 2024. He will play for the Rangpur Riders. He is known for hitting big sixes. Besides, Nicholas can turn a difficult match towards a win.
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan, a formidable Leg Spinner from Afghanistan, would look forward to playing for the Comilla Victorians. Rashid was retained by the franchise owner after he played a crucial role in winning the title last year.
Moeen Ali
BPL 2024’s another attraction is Moeen Ali. He is featured in all the franchise cricket including T20. He is handy with both bat and bowl. This marquee player is also a regular face in the biggest franchise league in the world, IPL (Indian Premier League).
Babar Azam
Babar Azam, a superstar cricketer of Pakistan, will participate in the BPL 2024. He was not picked up from the draft. He was signed up directly by the franchise owner, to play for Rangpur Riders.
Babar refused an alluring offer of half a million dollars to play for UAE‘s franchise league, the ILT20, to play this year’s Bangladesh Premier League.
Read more: Bangladesh Cricket in 2023: Men’s ODI Series- Performance Analysis
Details about BPL 2024 Venues
Three venues located in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet will host the 2024 Bangladesh Premier League. Those are:
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium
For the 2024 season, this stadium would host 12 BPL games. 22,000 people can fit in Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. This stadium has been one of the primary BPL venues since the competition's inception. Many international cricket events were held at this stadium in addition to the BPL.
Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
22 matches of BPL 2024, including the tournament's opening and closing games, would take place at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The stadium can accommodate about 26,000 people at a time.
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium can accommodate 18,500 spectators and will host 12 BPL matches in 2024.
This stadium hosted BPL matches since 2017. Besides this, the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 and 2014 ICC Women's World Twenty20 were held at Sylhet Stadium.
Final Words
The matches of Bangladesh Premier League 2024 are expected to be fierce, featuring thrilling and skillful moments. Stars would dazzle fans with incredible performances. BPL is also a stage where new talents can flourish and showcase their talents.
Cricket fans are waiting for BPL 2024 as an exciting cricket season that will embrace the essence of the game in Bangladesh and create unforgettable memories.
Read more: Tamim gears up, keeping an eye on BPL
Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup both as player and coach for Germany, dies aged 78
Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup both as player and coach and became one of Germany's most beloved personalities with his easygoing charm, has died, news agency dpa reported Monday. He was 78.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce that my husband and our father, Franz Beckenbauer, passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, Sunday, surrounded by his family," the family said in a statement to dpa, the German news agency. "We ask that we be allowed to grieve in peace and be spared any questions."
The statement did not provide a cause of death. The former Bayern Munich great had struggled with health problems in recent years.
Beckenbauer was one of German soccer's central figures. As a player, he reimagined the defender's role in soccer and captained West Germany to the World Cup title in 1974 after it had lost to England in the 1966 final. He was the coach when West Germany won the tournament again in 1990, a symbolic moment for a country in the midst of reunification, months after the Berlin Wall fell.
Beckenbauer's death comes just two days after the announcement that Mario Zagallo, the Brazilian who became the first person to win the World Cup as a player and coach, had died at the age of 92.
Beckenbauer was also instrumental in bringing the highly successful 2006 World Cup to Germany, though his legacy was later tainted by charges that he only succeeded in winning the hosting rights with the help of bribery. He denied the allegations.
"We did not want to bribe anyone and we didn't bribe anyone," Beckenbauer, who headed the World Cup organizing committee, wrote in his last column for daily tabloid Bild in 2016.
Beckenbauer and three other members of the committee were formally made criminal suspects that year by Swiss prosecutors who suspected fraud in the true purpose of multi-million euro (dollar) payments that connected the 2006 World Cup with FIFA. But he was eventually not indicted in 2019 for health reasons and the case ended without a judgment when the statute of limitations expired in 2020 amid delays to the court system caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Beckenbauer was in 2014 briefly suspended by FIFA's ethics committee from all football-related activity for failing to cooperate with prosecutor Michael Garcia's probe of alleged corruption in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup votes. The suspension was lifted during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when he agreed to cooperate.
The allegations damaged Beckenbauer's standing in public perception for the first time. Until then, Beckenbauer had seemingly been unable to say or do anything wrong. Germans simply loved him.
"He did everything that a German is not supposed to do," former Bayern Munich teammate Paul Breitner once said of the man popularly known as "Der Kaiser."
"He got divorced, he left his children, took off with his girlfriend, got into trouble with tax collectors, left his girlfriend again.
"But he is forgiven for everything because he's got a good heart, he's a positive person and he's always ready to help. He doesn't conceal his weaknesses, doesn't sweep his mistakes under the carpet," Breitner said.
The son of a post official from the working-class Munich district of Giesing, Beckenbauer became one of the greatest players to grace the game in a career that also included stints in the United States with the New York Cosmos in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Born on Sept. 11, 1945, months after Germany's surrender in World War II, Beckenbauer studied to become an insurance salesman but he signed his first professional contract with Bayern when he was 18.
"You are not born to become a world star in Giesing. Football for me was a deliverance. Looking back, I can say: Everything went according to how I'd imagined my life. I had a perfect life," Beckenbauer told the Sueddeutsche newspaper magazine in 2010.
Beckenbauer personalized the position of "libero," the free-roaming nominal defender who often moved forward to threaten the opponent's goal, a role now virtually disappeared from modern football and rarely seen before his days.
An elegant, cool player with vision, Beckenbauer defined as captain the Bayern Munich side that won three successive European Cup titles from 1974 to 1976.
In his first World Cup as player in 1966, West Germany lost the final to host England as Beckenbauer chased Bobby Charlton around the field having been given the task of marking the England standout.
Four years later, with his arm strapped to his body because of a shoulder injury, Germany lost a memorable semifinal to Italy.
Finally, in 1974 at home, Beckenbauer captained West Germany to the title.
Beckenbauer left Bayern for New York in 1977 and later recalled fondly the time spent in the United States.
"From Munich-Giesing to New York City, that was a huge step," Beckenbauer said.
Beckenbauer said the decisive step in luring him to the Cosmos was the helicopter ride the club officials gave him from the roof of the Pan Am Building across Manhattan to the Giants stadium in New Jersey.
"That was then the most modern stadium in the world, with VIP boxes. We didn't have that in Europe. As we flew over the stadium, I told them, 'Fine, stop it, I am coming.'"
In that 2010 interview, Beckenbauer also recalled visits to famed nightclub Studio 54 with fellow Cosmos stars Pele and Carlos Alberto.
Beckenbauer missed the 1978 World Cup because the Germans decided not to invite players playing abroad. He returned to Germany in 1980, spent two seasons with Hamburger SV — and won another Bundesliga championship, his fifth — before returning for a final season at the Cosmos.
Although he had never coached before, Beckenbauer was hired to revive West Germany in 1984 after a flop at the European Championship.
West Germany made it to the final of the 1986 World Cup, losing to Diego Maradona's Argentina in Mexico City. Although West Germany failed to win the 1988 Euros title at home, it went to the final of the 1990 World Cup and defeated Argentina in the final in Rome, another highlight in the year after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The penalty goal came from Andreas Brehme, a defender Beckenbauer had once told to "play the piano, pay the flute but not football."
While his team celebrated, Beckenbauer cut a lonely figure walking and reflecting at the Olympic Stadium.
Later, at the news conference, he said he was "sorry for the rest of the world" because a united Germany would be unbeatable for years to come. But Germany had to wait 24 years before winning another World Cup title.
Once he left for New York, Beckenbauer never had a home in Munich. He lived just across the border in the Austrian Alpine resort of Kitzbuehel, where taxes were lower.
Beckenbauer was a voracious traveler and personally visited all 31 countries who had qualified for the World Cup in Germany in 2006.
Beckenbauer said he got the urge to travel as a child by collecting pictures for a sticker album. "There were photos from Africa, America. It got me interested ... but I never thought I'd experience it personally."
"There are many who travel but who see nothing because they are too busy. I was always curious."
Beckenbauer retired from the West Germany job after coaching the team to the 1990 World Cup triumph. The Berlin Wall had fallen the year before and Germany was in the process of reunifying after the Cold War. The final was the last tournament game played by a West Germany-only team.
He didn't have much success at coaching Marseille, but won the Bundesliga title with Bayern in 1994 and the UEFA Cup in 1996, both after taking over as coach late in the season. He later became Bayern's president, until leaving most functions when he turned 65 in 2010.
Beckenbauer's legal issues around the 2006 World Cup continued into his retirement, but he remained a much-loved figure in German soccer and society.