Sports
BPL 2024: Sylhet phase begins Friday
The Sylhet phase of the ongoing 10th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is set to commence on Friday with a match between Khulna Tigers and Rangpur Riders.
The BPL had a two-day break after the first phase in Dhaka.
Shakib Al Hasan diagnosed with retinal condition in left eye
A total of 10 matches will be played in Sylhet until February 3. Following this, the BPL action will return to Dhaka before heading to the port city of Chattogram. The final stage of the BPL is scheduled to take place in Dhaka.
Currently, Khulna Tigers lead the points table with two wins in two matches, securing four points. Chattogram Challengers have also amassed four points with two wins in three matches.
BPL 2024: Comilla Victorians secure maiden win as Barishal fails to defend 13 in last Over
Sylhet Strikers are the sole team yet to earn a point, having lost both matches played thus far.
Mushfiqur Rahim of Fortune Barishal leads the list of batters with the most runs in this year's BPL, amassing 156 runs in three matches. Imrul Kayes and Afghanistan’s Najibullah Zadran closely follow with 118 and 117 runs, respectively.
BPL 2024: Babar, Omarzai Propel Riders to Victory in Low-Scoring Affair vs Strikers
Among the local pacers, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, and Khaled Ahmed share the top place of leading wicket-taker in the BPL so far, each having five wickets.
Shoaib Malik's BPL 2024 Campaign Abruptly Ends
Pakistan's star all-rounder, Shoaib Malik, will no longer be part of the remaining matches in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season, as confirmed by his team, Fortune Barishal.
Following Barishal's last match in the initial Dhaka phase of the BPL, Malik departed for Dubai and was initially expected to return by Thursday.
Shakib Al Hasan diagnosed with retinal condition in left eye
A source close to the Barishal team revealed that Malik expressed his desire to return on February 4th, a deviation from the initially agreed-upon Thursday return date, a request not accepted by the Barishal team.
Despite representing Barishal in three matches this season, Malik failed to make a significant impact.
Women's Tri-nation Series: Hosts Bangladesh make flying start beating Sri Lanka by 5 wickets
As Malik exits the BPL for this season, Barishal has secured the signings of two additional Pakistani players — Ahmad Shahzad and Akif Javed — who are set to join the team by Friday evening, as confirmed by the team's media department.
BPL 2024: Comilla Victorians secure maiden win as Barishal fails to defend 13 in last Over
Barishal played three matches in the first Dhaka phase, securing one victory.
Shakib Al Hasan diagnosed with retinal condition in left eye
Bangladesh Cricket Captain Shakib Al Hasan has been diagnosed with a retinal condition in his left eye.
This medical update of Shakib Al Hasan comes after the player reported visual-function concerns, said a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) media release on Wednesday.
Shakib Al Hasan named ICC Men's Player of the Month for March 2023
BCB Senior Physician Dr Debashis Chowdhury said, "Shakib has been complaining of subtle issues with his left eye. After consulting Ophthalmologists in home and abroad and after the multiple eye assessments, it was confirmed that he is suffering from Extrafoveal Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSR) of the left eye.
"It has been decided that a conservative approach will be adopted for managing the issue for now."
Shakib Al Hasan reaches 7000-run milestone in ODIs
“Extrafoveal Central Serous Chorioretinopathy is a condition that affects the retina, leading to visual disturbances.The medical team overseeing Shakib's case is optimistic about managing the condition effectively with a conservative approach,“ he said.
BCB urged the cricketing fraternity and fans to respect Shakib's privacy as he focuses on his health and recovery.
PSL: Shakib Al Hasan to join Peshawar Zalmi
Further updates on his condition will be provided in due course, the media release added.
Rezwan elected BSPA president, Samon general secretary
Razwan-uz- zaman Rajib of Channel 24 was elected as the new president and Samon Hossain of Dainik Manab Zamin was re-elected as general secretary of the Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA) for the next two years.
All the 19- member executive committee of BSPA was elected unopposed during the biennial general meeting of the association, held at the Dutch-Bangla Auditorium of BOA on Wednesday, with its president Sanat Babla in the chair.
The other office bearers and EC members are:
Vice Presidents -Kazi Shahidul Islam (Ajkaler Khabor), Sudipta Ahmed Ananda (Desh Rupantor), Joint Secretaries – Faisal Md Titumir (BBC Bangla), Rezwan Sultan Shoeb (Channel 24), Treasurer- Miah Rafiqul Islam (Sangram). Organising Secretary - M Samiur Rahman (Desh Rupantor), Office Secretary – M Masuk Miah (Amader Shomoy) and Sports & Cultural Secretary - Abu Horaira Tamim (ETV).
EC members are- Khairul Islam Shahin (Free Lancer), Talha Bin Nazrul (Free Lancer), M Anwar Ullah (Bangladesh Post), Parag Arman (ATN Bangla), Shabuddin Shahab ( Karotoa), Rashida Afzalunnessa (BSS), Abu Noman Mohammadullah (All Out Sports), Raihanuddin Russell ( Kalbela) and Sajal Kumar Mitra Richard ( Somoy TV).
BSPA life member Biman Bhattacharjee conducted the election as the chief election commissioner, while Mofakkarul Islam Dilkosh, Yeahia Munna and Ziauddin Saimoom acted as his deputies.
Women's Tri-nation Series: Hosts Bangladesh make flying start beating Sri Lanka by 5 wickets
Hosts Bangladesh made a flying start in the Tri-nation U-19 Women' s T20 Series, also involving Pakistan, beating Sri Lanka by five wickets at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday.
Sent in to bat first, Sri Lanka scored 95 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 20 overs with Rsshmi Nethranjali scoring 21 and Vishmi Gunaratne 19 runs.
Rabeya and Nishi grabbed three Lankan wickets each conceding 13 and 19 runs, respectively.
Chasing an easy target, Bangladeshi women faced no trouble to reach their ultimate goal for the loss of five wickets in 18.3 overs.
Iva Khatun scored 27 runs while Afia Era remained not out bagging 27 runs to guide Bangladesh towards victory.
Bangladesh will play their next match against Pakistan on Jan 27.
BPL 2024: Comilla Victorians secure maiden win as Barishal fails to defend 13 in last Over
The defending champions of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Comilla Victorians, clinched their first victory of the season by defeating struggling Fortune Barishal by four wickets on Tuesday.
Barishal, who lost their maiden match, had the challenging task of defending 13 runs in the last over, but right-arm pacer Khaled Ahmed couldn't seal the deal.
In a dramatic turn of events, Mushfiqur Rahim trapped Jaker Ali run-out off the first ball of the last over. Following this, Mushfiqur cautioned Khaled not to bowl at the wide angle of the crease.
The next deliveries saw Victorians scoring two, Matthew Forde hitting a six and a four consecutively off the next two balls, first of which was delivered widely, leveling the score. A single off the fifth ball secured the win.
A visibly upset Tamim Iqbal, the Barisal captain, engaged in an animated discussion with Khaled after the defeat, an outcome surely not anticipated by the latter.
The Victorians, chasing a target of 162, were led by Imrul Kayes, the left-handed batter, who scored a fifty, his second in two matches.
Despite Dunith Wellalage's three-wicket effort for Barishal, it proved insufficient for a victory.
In the earlier innings, Mushfiqur Rahim achieved his second fifty of the season, and Soumya Sarkar contributed with 42.
For the Victorians, Mustafizur Rahman secured three wickets, while Roston Chase and Matthew Forde claimed two wickets each.
Int'l Rating Chess: IM Minhaz Uddin of Navy emerges unbeaten champion
IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin of Bangladesh Navy emerged unbeaten champion in the International Open Fide Rating Chess Tournament 2024 securing 7. 5 points after the 9th and last round matches concluded at Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room on Tuesday.
After the day's last round matches, seven players earned 7 points each and their positions were decided through tie breaker.
In the tie-breaking system, GM Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh Ansar finished runner-up, IM Abu Sufian Shakil of Bangladesh Biman became 3rd, FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman of Janata Bank Officers Welfare Society finished 4th, FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia of Bangladesh Ansar became 5th, CM Sakline Mostafa Sajid of Bangladesh Police ranked 6th, FM Subrota Biswas of SAIF Sporting Club became 7th and Swarnavo Choudhury of Bangladesh Ansar became 8th.
Six players earned 6.5 points each.
In tie-breaking system, CM Md. Sajidul Haque of Janata Bank Officers Welfare Society became 9th, FM Moahmmad Javed became 10th, FM Nayem Haque of Bangladesh Biman became 11th, Tashriq Saihan Shan became 12th, CM Md Masum Hossain of Manha’s Castle became 13th. FM Mehdi Hasan Parag of Bangladesh Police became 14th.
Anata Choudhury of Titas Club became 15th, FM Sheikh Nasir Ahmed of Bangladesh Navy became 16th and Delwar Hossain of Dhaka Chess Club became 17th collecting 6 points each.
Rating categories prizes goes to Md. Sagor, Abdullah Al Raison, Mohammed Salim, Sangram Das, Md Ashraful Islam and Md Masum Sarkar,
Best female award goes to WFM Wadifa Ahmed, best cadet Aiyan Rahman, best youth WCM Nusrat Jahan Alo and best 50+ Md. Nasir Uddin.
In the day's 9th and last round matches, IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin drew with FM Subrota Biswas, GM Ziaur Rahman drew with IM Abu Sufian Shakil beat Anata Choudhury, FM Tsahsin Tajwar Zia drew with FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman, FM Mehdi Hasan Parag drew with FM Nayem Hossain, CM Sakline Mostafa Sajid beat Anata Choudhury, Swarnavo Choudhury beat CM Md Saiful Islam Chowdhury, FM Sheikh Nasir Ahmed drew with cM Mahtabuddin Ahmed, FM Mohammad Javed beat Md Rabby Salim, Tashriq Saihan Shan beat CM Md. Sariatullah.
The prize-distribution ceremony of the meet was also held after the day's matches.
Masudur Rahman Mallick, Joint Secretary of Bangladesh Chess Federation distributed prizes among winners.
Champion IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin received a prize money of Tk 45,000, runner-up GM Ziaur Rahman received Tk 30,000 and the 3rd ranked IM Abu Sufian Shakil received Tk 18,000.
In the 9th round Swiss-League system Int'l Rating Chess, a total of 131 players were participated.
Federation Cup Football: Sheikh Jamal DC assure knock out stage outplaying Rahmatganj MFS 4-1
Former Champions Sheikh Jamal Dhabmondi Club assured the knock out stage from Group A of the 35th edition of the Federation Cup Football, outplaying Rahmatganj MFS by 4-1 goals in their first appearance at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka on Tuesday.
They comfortably dominated the first half by 2–0 goals.
Local striker Foysal Ahmed Fahim struck twice for Sheikh Jamal DC in the 32nd and 90+3 minutes, Nigerian forward Augustine Dimgba and local forward Sazzad Hossain netted the remaining two goals in the 19th and 86th minutes respectively.
Gambian forward Dawda Ceesay scored the consolation goal for the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj in the 90+2 minute from a penalty.
Another former champion Sheikh Russel KC made a frustrating start in a Group C of the Federation Cup, losing to Fortis FC by 1-3 goals at the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj Tuesday afternoon.
Gambian striker Omar Babou struck twice in the 10th (penalty) and 72nd minutes while Hakim Bappy netted the other goal for Fortis FC in the 51st minute.
Burundi forward Landy scored the lone goal for Sheikh Russel KC in the 69th minute.
In the next Federation Cup matches, Dhaka Abahani Ltd will face Chittagong Abahani Ltd at the Basundhara Kings Arena, while holders Dhaka Mohammedan SC will play Brothers Union Club at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj on Tuesday (Jan 30).
BPL 2024: Babar, Omarzai Propel Riders to Victory in Low-Scoring Affair vs Strikers
Pakistan's star batter, Babar Azam, and Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai orchestrated a stunning seventh-wicket partnership, contributing 87 runs to guide Rangpur Riders to their first win of the new season of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Tuesday (January 23, 2024).
In pursuit of a below-par target of 121 runs, the Riders found themselves in a precarious position, losing six wickets for just 39 runs. The prospect of defeat loomed large at that juncture.
Dushan Hemantha, a Sri Lankan spinner, took three wickets conceding 20 runs in four overs. All of his three wickets were notched up in a single over.
Read more: ICC U-19 World Cup: Bangladesh taste first victory beating Ireland by six wickets
While a defeat seemed a matter of time for the Riders, Babar, making his first appearance in this BPL season, and Omarzai had different intentions. They forged an unbeaten partnership of 87 runs, steering the Riders to a remarkable comeback victory.
Both Babar and Omarzai remained not out, scoring 56 and 47, respectively. The Riders reached the target with four wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare.
In the first innings, Sylhet Strikers batted first and were held to 120 for eight wickets. Benny Howell and Ben Cutting top-scored with 37 each, but the remaining batters struggled against the Riders' formidable bowling attack.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the Strikers' captain, opted to promote himself to number three, seemingly considering his limited bowling capacity due to fitness concerns. However, the plan backfired as he departed after contributing only six runs.
Mahedi Hasan and Ripon Mondal claimed two wickets each for the Riders.
Shakib Al Hasan, a key player for the Riders, was absent from the match as he is currently seeking medical attention in Singapore for an eye issue that has persisted since the World Cup 2023. His return date for this year's BPL remains uncertain.
Read more: BPL 2024: Chattogram Challengers, Khulna Tigers secure convincing wins
Int'l Rating Chess: IM Minhaz Uddin takes solo lead securing 7 points
IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin of Bangladesh Navy took solo lead in the International Open Fide Rating Chess Tournament securing 7 points after the 8th or penultimate round matches held at Bangladesh Chess Federation Hall-Room on Monday.
Five players are sharing the 2nd position collecting 6.5 points each.
They are: GM Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh Ansar, IM Abu Sufian Shakil of Bangladesh Biman, FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia of Bangladesh Ansar, FM Subrota Biswas of SAIF Sporting Club and FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman of Janata Bank Officers Welfare Society.
Six other players are sharing the 3rd slot with 6 points each.
They are: FM Mehdi Hasan Parag of Bangladesh Police, FM Nayem Haque of Bangladesh Biman, Anata Choudhury of Titas Club, CM Sakline Mostafa Sajid of Bangladesh Biman, CM Md. Saiful Islam Chowdhury of Sylhet and Swarnavo Choudhury of Rupali Bank Krira Parishad.
Twelve players earned 5.5 points each.
They are: FM Sheikh Nasir Ahmed, FM Mohammad Javed, CM Shafiq Ahmed, CM Md. Sajidul Haque, CM Md. Masum Hossain, CM Mahtabuddin Ahmed, CM Md. Sariatullah, WFM Noshin Anjum, Md. Rabby Salim, Sk. Rashedul Hasan, Tashriq Saihan Shan and Md Masum Sarkar.
In the day's 8th round matches, IM Mohammad Minhaz Uddin beat CM Md. Saiful Islam Chowdhury, GM Ziaur Rahman drew with FM Tahsin Tajwar Zia, IM Abu Sufian Shakil beat Anata Choudhury, FM Subrota Biswas beat FM Sheikh Nasir Ahmed, FM Syed Mahfuzur Rahman beat FM Mohammad Javed, FM Mehdi Hasan Parag beat Md. Sagor, CM Sakline Mostafa Sajid beat CM Md Abzid Rahman, FM Nayem Haque beat CM Sohel Chowdhury, Swarnavo Choudhury beat Mohammed Salim, CM Md. Sariatullah drew with CM Md. Sajidul Haque, Sk. Rashedul Hasan beat FM Md. Sharif Hossain, CM Shafiq Ahmed beat Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Tashriq Saihan Shan beat Tutul Dhar, CM Md. Masum Hossain beat WFM Wadifa Ahmed, WFM Noshin Anjum beat Amit Bikram Roy, CM Mahtabuddin Ahmed beat WFM Nazrana Khan, Md. Rabby Salim beat Aiyan Rahman and Md Masum Sarkar beat Siam Chowdhury.
The 9th and last round matches will be held on Tuesday from 3pm at the same venue.
The prize-distribution ceremony of the meet will be held after Tuesday's last round of matches.