United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has dismissed concerns that the rapid leadership changes within the national cricket board are destabilising his squad, insisting the team remains strictly focused on Friday’s ODI series opener against a seemingly depleted New Zealand. The three-match ODI series begins on Friday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Speaking at a press conference in Mirpur on Wednesday, Simmons addressed the recent administrative upheaval that saw former captain Tamim Iqbal assume the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) presidency on April 7, replacing Aminul Islam Bulbul. Veteran pacer Rubel retires from int’l cricket  Tamim marks the third BCB president Simmons has worked under since his sudden appointment in October 2024. Despite the swift boardroom turnovers occurring squarely during the team's preparation camp, the West Indian coach said the players' psychological readiness and training routines have not been compromised. He noted he has already met with Tamim twice since the transition. "Nothing in life surprises me anymore," Simmons said. "I have been through enough to understand that everything happens on a day-to-day basis. I am not surprised by anything. As a coaching group, it has not affected our work. The presidents are not coming in as the head coach. We are preparing for a series and trying to build something, and no one has tried to change what we are building." Simmons is demanding that same level of tunnel vision when evaluating the opposition. New Zealand arrive in Dhaka missing an estimated 16-17 top-tier players, as the bulk of their primary roster is currently participating in franchise tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Even fast bowler Ben Sears was recently released from the visiting squad to honour a PSL contract. Led by Tom Latham, the visiting squad lacks the star power that recently propelled the second-ranked ODI team to the Champions Trophy final and a historic series victory in India this past January. However, Simmons firmly rejected the notion that Bangladesh will be facing a secondary roster. "I don't know anything about a second-best team," Bangladesh coach said. "When a team comes representing a country, that is their best. Especially a team like New Zealand, which continuously produces players. These guys have played a massive amount of domestic cricket across all formats. They are solid, experienced cricketers. There is no reason to consider them a second-best team. International cricket doesn’t work that way."

Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain announced his retirement from international cricket on Wednesday, ending a career defined by dramatic high points in limited-over formats and significant struggles in the Test arena.  The 36-year-old, known for his slinging action, shared the decision on his social media accounts. He expressed his intention to continue playing domestic cricket, though he has not featured in an international match since a T20 against New Zealand in April 2021. “The national team is my emotion, but I had to say goodbye to international cricket at some point,” Rubel said. “However, I wish to continue playing in domestic tournaments.” Mustafizur, Nahid to return from PSL as BCB names unchanged squad for New Zealand ODIs Emerging from a pace-bowling talent hunt, Rubel debuted in January 2009 against Sri Lanka, becoming the first Bangladeshi bowler to take four wickets on his ODI debut. He proved most effective in the ODI format, claiming a total of 129 wickets in 104 matches.  His career-defining moment came during the 2015 World Cup in Adelaide, where his aggressive late spell against England secured Bangladesh's first-ever quarterfinal berth. He also recorded a hat-trick against New Zealand in Dhaka in 2013, taking 6-26, which remains tied for the best ODI bowling figures by a Bangladeshi player. Rubel’s performance in other formats was markedly less impactful. He took 36 wickets in 27 test matches with an average of 76.77, the highest bowling average in test history among players with more than 20 wickets. In T20 internationals, he claimed 28 wickets in as many matches while conceding nearly 9.5 runs per over.  His international tenure also included significant off-field legal issues. Rubel spent time in jail following personal allegations prior to the 2015 World Cup, eventually securing bail to travel to Australia for the tournament. Despite his stated desire to extend his domestic career, Rubel’s recent participation at that level has been minimal. He has played only one domestic match in the past two years, with his last appearance occurring approximately 15 months ago.

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa faces a defining test of his short tenure as his side travels to Bayern Munich for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinal, needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit. Kylian Mbappé’s goal in the first leg gave Madrid hope after Bayern Munich took control through Luis Díaz and Harry Kane, but history is not on the Spanish club’s side. Real Madrid have only once overturned a first-leg home defeat in European knockout history. Bayern, meanwhile, hold a strong record when protecting first-leg advantages, progressing on 30 of 31 occasions after winning away first legs, with their only exception coming in 2011 against Inter Milan. Arbeloa is expected to recall Jude Bellingham and Éder Militão to the starting XI, while Aurélien Tchouaméni is suspended. Madrid also face defensive concerns with Raúl Asencio ruled out and Ferland Mendy unlikely to start despite being included in the squad. Madrid’s domestic form has added pressure, with a recent draw leaving them nine points behind Barcelona in La Liga and early-season setbacks in cup competitions further limiting their trophy hopes. With the league title slipping away and other domestic trophies already lost, the Champions League remains Madrid’s only realistic chance of silverware this season. Elimination in Munich would leave the club without a trophy and intensify scrutiny on Arbeloa’s future, as well as on the squad’s performance under pressure.

Atletico Madrid advanced to the UEFA Champions League semifinals after a 3-2 aggregate victory over FC Barcelona on Wednesday night, despite a 2-1 home defeat in the second leg. Barcelona, who trailed 2-0 from the first leg, levelled the tie with goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, but Atletico held firm to progress. Ademola Lookman scored Atletico’s crucial away goal, while goalkeeper Juan Musso produced a series of key saves to deny the visitors. Barcelona started strongly, taking an early lead through Yamal before Torres doubled the advantage. However, Atletico pulled one back before halftime through Lookman after a counterattack involving Antoine Griezmann and Marcos Llorente. The Catalan side continued to press after the break, but had a goal ruled out for offside and later saw Eric Garcia sent off following a VAR review, reducing them to 10 men in the closing stages. Despite late pressure, including a missed header from Ronald Araujo in stoppage time, Barcelona could not find the equaliser as Atletico secured their place in the final four.

Barcelona will need to overturn a two-goal deficit against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday to secure a place in the Champions League semifinals, as the two sides meet for the fifth time in less than two months. Atletico Madrid will host the second leg, defending a 2-0 advantage from the first match as they aim to reach the last four of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in nearly a decade. The teams have faced each other repeatedly in recent weeks. Before last week’s Champions League first leg, Barcelona defeated Atletico 2-1 in a Spanish league clash on April 4. The sides also met twice in the Copa del Rey semifinals, where Atletico secured a 4-0 home win and progressed to the final despite losing 3-0 in the second leg in Barcelona. Man City hold psychological advantage over Arsenal, says Rooney Atletico last reached the Champions League semifinals in 2017, while Barcelona were eliminated at the last-four stage by Inter Milan last season. Atletico coach Diego Simeone has not ruled out goalkeeper Jan Oblak’s return, as he has resumed training after a muscle injury sustained on March 10 and is expected to be fit. The winner will face either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semifinals, with Arsenal holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg ahead of Wednesday’s return match in England.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney believes Manchester City have a mental edge over Arsenal in the Premier League title race. League leaders Arsenal are currently nine points ahead, though they have played two more matches. They are set to face City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Speaking on his show, Rooney said City’s experience in winning titles and the presence of manager Pep Guardiola give them an advantage. He said City’s players are more used to handling pressure and can stay calmer in crucial moments compared to Arsenal’s squad. Rooney also warned that losing a few matches can affect a team’s confidence, creating doubts about scoring goals and winning games, which can impact overall performance. City boosted their chances with a 3-0 win over Chelsea, while Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth. According to Rooney, the outcome of Sunday’s clash could play a key role in deciding the title, with the winner likely to become favourites. He added that a draw would still be a positive result for Arsenal, but suggested they may need to adopt a more defensive and disciplined approach under manager Mikel Arteta. Rooney said Arsenal must remain compact, avoid leaving gaps and look to hit City on the counter-attack, stressing that they need to be resilient to stop City from scoring. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have dropped into the relegation zone after a defeat to Sunderland and a win for West Ham over Wolves. Rooney described Spurs’ recent performance as lacking intensity, saying they failed to benefit from a fresh start under new coach Roberto De Zerbi. He said the team appeared uncertain in their approach and needs quick improvement. Rooney warned that relegation would be a major setback for the club, adding that some players might consider leaving if that happens. He also cautioned that failing to return to the Premier League immediately would create serious long-term problems. Tottenham are still searching for their first league win of 2026 and will face Brighton at home next. Rooney said ending their winless run is crucial to rebuilding confidence, as continued poor results will make the situation even more difficult. Source: BBC

Union Berlin have appointed Marie-Louise Eta as interim head coach, making her the first woman to take charge of a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five football leagues. Eta, 34, steps in until the end of the season following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart after Union’s 3-1 defeat to FC Heidenheim, reports BBC. The club currently sit 11th in the Bundesliga, 11 points above the relegation zone with five matches remaining, but have managed only two league wins in 2026. Already a trailblazer, Eta became the Bundesliga’s first female assistant coach when she joined Union Berlin’s coaching staff in July 2023. She later briefly led the team from the touchline in January 2024, becoming the first woman to do so in a Bundesliga match. A former Germany youth international and UEFA Women’s Champions League winner with Turbine Potsdam, Eta has most recently been managing Union’s Under-19 side since July 2025 and is set to take over as the club’s women’s head coach in the summer. Union’s director of men’s football Horst Heldt said the decision was driven by the team’s poor recent form and the need for a fresh approach as they fight to secure their top-flight status. Eta acknowledged the pressure of the situation, noting that Union remain in a precarious position despite their points advantage over the relegation zone, but expressed confidence that the team can secure the necessary results. Her appointment marks another milestone in European football, more than two decades after Carolina Morace became the first woman to manage a men’s professional team in Europe, followed by figures such as Corinne Diacre and Hannah Dingley in similar roles.

Carlos Ulberg overcame a knee injury to deliver a stunning first-round knockout and capture the undisputed light heavyweight title at UFC 327 on Saturday night, in an event that also saw Donald Trump take centre stage cageside. Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka at the 3:45 mark of the opening round with a powerful left hook, despite appearing to injure his knee early in the fight. Improving to 15-1, Ulberg said he relied on a single decisive moment to secure victory. Prochazka (32-6-1) targeted Ulberg’s legs after noticing the injury but later admitted he hesitated to press his advantage, calling it a key lesson. The title bout was arranged after former champion Alex Pereira vacated the belt to move up a division. Trump arrived at the Kaseya Center alongside Dana White and members of his family, drawing significant attention. He greeted attendees and members of the broadcast team, including Joe Rogan, as fans recorded his arrival. In the co-main event, Paulo Costa defeated Azamat Murzakanov via third-round knockout. Costa later greeted Trump and acknowledged him during his post-fight interview. Elsewhere, Josh Hokit defeated Curtis Blaydes by unanimous decision after a hard-fought bout. White later revealed a planned matchup between Hokit and Derrick Lewis for an upcoming event, partially influenced by Trump. In another light heavyweight contest, Dominick Reyes edged Johnny Walker by split decision. Veteran featherweight Cub Swanson closed out his career with a first-round TKO victory over Nate Landwehr.

Barcelona strengthened their grip at the top of La Liga, moving nine points ahead of rivals Real Madrid with a convincing victory over Espanyol in the Catalan derby. Ferran Torres opened the scoring early, heading in a corner from Lamine Yamal at the back post in the ninth minute. He doubled the lead in the 25th minute, finishing neatly after collecting a clever outside-of-the-boot pass from Yamal. Yamal, aged just 18 years and 272 days, became Barcelona’s youngest player to reach 100 appearances and once again proved his value by providing both assists. Espanyol struggled to keep possession but managed to pull one back in the 56th minute when Pol Lozano scored from close range after a block by Barcelona defender Eric Garcia. Fernando Calero later missed a chance with a header, leaving the visitors unable to level the match. Barcelona regained control late on and sealed the win with two quick goals. Yamal added a third into an empty net before substitute Marcus Rashford struck an 89th-minute volley into the bottom corner. With seven matches remaining and Real Madrid struggling, coach Hansi Flick’s side are on track to retain the league title. Barcelona will now shift focus to the second leg of their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, where they must overturn a two-goal deficit to progress. Espanyol, meanwhile, extended their winless run to 14 league matches but still sit 10th in the standings. Source: BBC

Arsenal's Premier League title bid was hit by a stunning 2-1 loss to Bournemouth in London on Saturday. The league leader blew the chance to move 12 points clear of second-placed Manchester City after losing for the third time in four games in all competitions. “It's a big punch in the face,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told broadcaster TNT Sports. “It has to hurt, and you have to take it on the chin.” Alex Scott struck a 74th-minute winner at Emirates Stadium to pile pressure on Arsenal ahead of next week's top-of-the-table clash at City. Arsenal has played two more games than City, which travels to Chelsea on Sunday and could close the gap to six points. “There are no gray areas now,” Arteta said. “You stand up and go for the fight, or you’re out and that’s it.” Arsenal’s is slumping at the worst time. Defeats to City in the English League Cup final and to second-division Southampton in the FA Cup ended its pursuit of a quadruple of trophies. It beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday, but the latest loss will only heighten tension in the race for the English title after three straight years of finishing runner-up. Arsenal faces a huge week against Sporting in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday and then at City on Sunday. Bournemouth went ahead inside 17 minutes through Junior Kroupi’s close-range goal. Viktor Gyokeres leveled from the penalty spot in the 35th but Arsenal struggled to create openings and Scott sealed the victory that potentially blew the title race open. Bournemouth has won in back-to-back seasons at Arsenal and set a new club record of 12 straight games unbeaten in the Premier League. While Arsenal remains in the driver's seat at the top of the standings, the form guide does not make good reading from Arteta’s perspective. League stats provider Opta said before kickoff that the Arsenal manager’s Premier League win percentage in April was 44%, compared to 79% for City's Pep Guardiola. “It’s a big week,” Arteta said. “It’s a lot at stake. We’re still in a really good position in both competitions but we need to do better." Brentford frustrated by Everton Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck in stoppage time as Everton twice fought back from a goal down to draw at Brentford 2-2. Igor Thiago twice gave Brentford the lead at Gtech Community Stadium from a third-minute penalty and a goal in the 76th. Beto leveled for Everton in the first half and Dewsbury-Hall produced his dramatic equalizer in the first minute of added time. Brentford missed the chance to move up to sixth. Brazil striker Thiago has 24 goals in all competitions this season and 21 in the league. Only Erling Haaland with 22 has more. Mats Wieffer scored in both halves as Brighton beat Burnley 2-0.