United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh secured a big lead of 211 runs in the ongoing Dhaka Test against Ireland on Friday. Taijul Islam took four wickets for 76 runs to help bowl Ireland out for 265, with Lorcan Tucker top-scoring with 75. Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Murad bagged two wickets each. Bangladesh had batted first and posted 476, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das hitting a century apiece. Mushfiqur’s ton was a special milestone as he reached the mark in the 100th Test of his career spanning more than two decades. Bangladesh won the first match of the series in Sylhet, meaning a win—or even a draw—will secure the series for the hosts.

Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat, Bangladesh’s first ICC Elite Panel umpire, now has become the first Bangladeshi umpire to officiate in the Ashes too. Sharfuddoula served as the television umpire during the opening test in Perth on Friday. He is scheduled to stand as an on-field umpire for the second test in Brisbane, the ICC confirmed. A member of the International Cricket Council’s Elite Panel since March 2024, Sharfuddoula has previously officiated in ODI and T20 World Cups, as well as the Champions Trophy earlier this year. He gained international attention during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia last winter, drawing praise from former cricket greats Simon Taufel and Ricky Ponting for his decision-making. His selection for the marquee series between Australia and England comes amid strict neutrality regulations. According to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald on Nov. 8, top-performing elite umpires from England and Australia were ineligible to officiate the series. With other neutral officials occupied with series in New Zealand and India, the ICC selected Sharfuddoula alongside India’s Nitin Menon and South Africa’s Adrian Holdstock for the opening matches. While Sharfuddoula secured the assignment, he ranked 12th among elite umpires regarding Decision Review System performance this year, having had 10 decisions overturned in 29 reviews prior to the Perth test. Following the Brisbane test, officials Nitin Menon, Jeff Crowe, Ahsan Raza, and Chris Gaffaney are scheduled to oversee the remaining matches in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Italy, a four-time World Cup champion, faces yet another daunting path to qualification after Thursday’s FIFA playoff draw set up a challenging route for the Azzurri, who have missed the last two editions of the tournament. Italy, knocked out by Sweden in 2018 and stunned by North Macedonia in 2022, will host Northern Ireland in a single-elimination semifinal on March 26. The winner will then travel to face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place at the expanded 48-team World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Northern Ireland is expected to pose a test similar to North Macedonia, which survived heavy pressure in Palermo in 2022 before delivering a stoppage-time winner that eliminated Italy. European Playoff brackets In another playoff bracket, Ukraine will host Sweden, with the winner earning a home final against Poland or Albania. Ukraine, unable to host qualifiers at home amid the ongoing Russian invasion, played its group-stage games across three Polish cities and could potentially host Poland again — in Poland. Sweden, which finished last in its qualifying group won by Switzerland, reached the playoffs through last year’s Nations League. Ukraine, meanwhile, has playoff pedigree: they beat Scotland in a delayed 2022 semifinal before falling to Wales in the final. Europe’s newest football nation, Kosovo, begins its historic bid for a first World Cup appearance with an away tie at Slovakia. The winner will host Turkey or Romania in the playoff final. Kosovo, recognized by UEFA and FIFA in 2016 alongside Gibraltar, declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Ireland, buoyed by remarkable back-to-back wins over Portugal and Hungary, with all five goals scored by Troy Parrott, will travel to face the Czech Republic. The winner will host Denmark or North Macedonia. Denmark dropped into the playoffs after a dramatic 4-2 defeat in Scotland on Tuesday, sealed by a stoppage-time turnaround that eclipsed Ireland’s own late comeback in Budapest. Intercontinental Playoffs FIFA also conducted the draw for the six-team intercontinental playoffs. Seeded Iraq will face either Bolivia or Suriname in a one-game qualifier next March. Congo, seeded in the other bracket, will meet the winner of a single-match semifinal between New Caledonia and Jamaica. All six intercontinental matches will be played in Mexico between March 23 and 31, at venues in Guadalajara and Monterrey, both of which will stage World Cup games next June.

Achraf Hakimi has been crowned the CAF Men’s Player of the Year for 2025, becoming the first Moroccan in 27 years to win the honour and only the second defender ever to claim the award. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back edged past Egyptian star Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen at the awards ceremony held in Rabat on Wednesday. Hakimi now follows in the footsteps of Mustapha Hadji, who last won the award for Morocco in 1998, and Congolese defender Bwanga Tshimen, who claimed it in 1973. Hakimi’s latest milestone caps a standout season in which he played a crucial role in PSG’s treble-winning campaign, helping them secure the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France, along with lifting the UEFA Super Cup. In international duty, he also played his part in helping Morocco qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In his acceptance speech, Hakimi said the honour represented a “truly proud moment,” dedicating the achievement to those who supported him throughout his journey. “It’s really an honour for me to be here today, and I’m proud to win such a prestigious trophy,” Hakimi said, thanking his family, teammates, and Morocco head coach Walid Regragui. “This trophy is not just for me — it’s for all the strong men and women in Africa who have dreams, especially those who dream of becoming footballers.” The Morocco skipper had been shortlisted in both 2023 and 2024, while last year’s title went to Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman. Earlier in May, Hakimi also claimed the Marc-Vivien Foé Award, given to the best African player in Ligue 1. Morocco enjoyed further success on the night. Ghizlane Chebbak was named Women’s Footballer of the Year, while Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou won the men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie was voted Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive year, shortly after completing her move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League. Cape Verde coach Bubista took home the Coach of the Year award after guiding the island nation to their first-ever World Cup qualification, with the tournament set to take place next year across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Bangladesh have climbed three places in the latest FIFA rankings, following a spirited draw against Nepal and a statement victory over regional rivals India. The year-ending rankings, released by FIFA within 24 hours of the close of the men’s international break, kept Spain firmly at the top. Bangladesh played two matches during the November FIFA window. Javier Cabrera’s side began with a 2–2 draw in last Thursday’s friendly against Nepal, before sealing a memorable 1–0 victory over India on Tuesday in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The results propelled Bangladesh to 180th position, a three-step rise from their previous ranking. India, by contrast, slid six places and now sit 142nd after the defeat. Spain, meanwhile, confirmed their place in next year’s World Cup with one win and one draw across two fixtures. Although they dropped a few points, the 2010 world champions remain atop the global standings. Argentina also held their ground, staying second after a 2–0 victory over Angola in their only match this month. There was no movement in the next two spots either, with France retaining third place and England anchored in fourth. Both sides enjoyed flawless campaigns in this month’s World Cup qualifiers, winning two matches each. Brazil had a mixed outing with a 2–0 win over Senegal followed by a 1–1 draw against Tunisia. The five-time world champions nonetheless climbed two places to fifth. Portugal and the Netherlands each slipped one spot, moving down to sixth and seventh respectively. Belgium remain eighth, while Germany and Croatia rose one position each to ninth and tenth. Italy endured another setback, falling three places to 12th. The four-time world champions, absent from the past two World Cups, now face renewed pressure as they look toward the playoffs to keep their 2026 hopes alive.    

Bangladesh are on the driving wheel after the second day of the Mirpur Test against Ireland, who lost five wickets for 98 runs to end the day, replying to Bangladesh’s first innings of 476 powered by centuries from Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das. Hasan Murad, the left-arm spinner, bagged two wickets, while Khaled Ahmed, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one wicket each for Bangladesh. Andy Balbirnie, the Irish captain, and his opening partner, Paul Stirling, managed a good start, but they failed to carry on. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Earlier, Bangladesh posted 476 in their first innings. Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das led the batting line with centuries. Mushfiqur, who is playing his 100th Test, hit a century and joined the elite club of players who did the same. He is only the 11th batter in the history of cricket to hit a ton in the 100th Test of the career. After Mushfiqur, Litton also knocked a ton in the Mirpur Test. The right-hander hit his fifth ton of the career. In the first innings, Andy McBrine bagged six wickets for Ireland, while Matthew Humphreys, and Gavin Hoey took two wickets each. Bangladesh won the first Test of the series in Sylhet, meaning a win or even a draw will ensure the series for the Tigers.

England begins its quest to reclaim the Ashes in Australia on Friday, facing a daunting record of 13 losses and two draws in the last 15 Tests Down Under. The series, spanning seven weeks across five cities, raises key questions: Can an aging Australian side maintain its unbeaten home streak since 2010-11? Can England, led by Ben Stokes, finally secure a win on Australian soil? And can Joe Root, the world’s top-ranked Test batter, score his first Ashes century in Australia? Australia faces its own challenges. Captain Pat Cummins and pacer Josh Hazlewood are sidelined by injury, leaving Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon to lead the attack. Debutants Brendan Doggett and Scott Boland will make history as the first Indigenous players in the same Australian Test XI. Allrounder Cameron Green is fit to bowl, while Jake Weatherald, 31, earns his Test debut. Steve Smith will captain for the third time this year, supported by Marnus Labuschagne at No. 3. England, determined to end the drought, plans to leverage pace-friendly conditions with bowlers Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse, and Gus Atkinson, alongside Stokes. Spinner Shoaib Bashir is also in the 12-man squad. Stokes acknowledges the historical challenge but emphasizes the opportunity to create new history, drawing inspiration from England’s 3-1 series victory in 2010-11. Smith, 36, is noted for his relaxed leadership style this year compared with his competitive intensity of the past. Starc described him as still fiercely competitive but learning to manage his focus beyond cricket. Squads Australia: Jack Weatherald, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland. England (from): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir.

Mushfiqur Rahim, who has just became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100th Test, hit a century in the same match, and made a permanent place in the history book on Thursday morning. Mushfiqur was just one run away from his historic century at the end of day one. He faced the whole first over of the second day, but couldn't pick up that one run. In the next over, bowled by Jordan Neill, Mushfiqur softly pushed the ball to the corner to take the single, and officially joined the list of the 10 legends who have scored centuries in their 100th Test. Mushfiqur held his nerve well and reached the milestone facing his eighth delivery on the day. Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat in Mushfiqur’s landmark match, where he became the first Bangladeshi to reach the 100-Test milestone. The hosts made a steady start as openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam put on 52 for the first wicket. Both settled in, but neither managed to convert their starts. Ireland made their early breakthroughs through Andy McBrine, who removed Shadman for 35 before accounting for Mahmudul on 34. Before Bangladesh crossed 100, Ireland also claimed the wicket of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. The innings then stabilised through a 107-run fourth-wicket stand between Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur. Mominul looked composed but eventually departed for 63, again to McBrine. Mushfiqur and Litton Das then tightened Bangladesh’s grip with an unbroken 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket. At stumps on day one, Bangladesh stood at 292 for 4, with Mushfiqur on the brink of a historic century at 99 not out and Litton unbeaten on 47.

A rare century opening stand between Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra laid the foundation for New Zealand’s five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second ODI on Wednesday. The win gives New Zealand a decisive 2-0 lead in the three-match series, securing their 11th straight series triumph on home soil ahead of Saturday’s finale. Batting first after losing the toss, West Indies posted 247-9 in the rain-reduced 34-over contest, thanks largely to a brilliant hundred from captain Shai Hope. His 109 off 67 balls not only powered the innings but also pushed him past the 6,000-run milestone in ODI cricket. With the knock—his first ODI century against New Zealand—Hope has now scored centuries against every Test-playing nation, becoming the second-fastest West Indian after Viv Richards to reach 6,000 runs. Still, Hope said his effort fell short: “I got 109, but it wasn’t enough. I felt I needed 120 or 130 for us to win.” New Zealand’s chase was anchored by Conway’s fluent 90 off 84 balls and Ravindra’s brisk 56 off 46. Their 106-run stand—coming from 100 deliveries—was New Zealand’s first hundred-run opening partnership in 73 matches and over five years. Mushfiqur stands one run away from a century in his 100th Test Tom Latham chipped in with 39 off 29 balls, and Mitchell Santner struck a rapid 34 from just 15 deliveries to see New Zealand home with three balls to spare. The hosts needed eight runs from the final over, helped along when Jayden Seales bowled a no-ball that went for four. Earlier, Hope had raced to 90 from 62 balls but spent nearly three overs stuck on that score as partners fell around him. After Shamar Springer was dismissed first ball of the last over, Hope found himself off strike with West Indies on 235-9. Seales managed a quick single, allowing Hope to smash Kyle Jamieson for six to reach his century, featuring 13 boundaries and four sixes. Play began three hours late due to rain, with humid conditions causing substantial swing early on. Batting remained tricky whenever bowlers maintained a full length and denied width. Source: AP 

For nearly two hours on Tuesday, Haiti’s daily hardships seemed to slip into the background as the nation came together to witness its football team clinch a long-awaited World Cup berth — the first since 1974. The country’s ongoing crises — rampant violence, widespread hunger and deepening homelessness — were momentarily forgotten after Louicius Deedson struck early in the ninth minute, followed by a well-timed header from Ruben Providence just before halftime. The 2-0 victory over Nicaragua secured only the second World Cup qualification in Haiti’s history. Excited cries of “Grenadye, alaso!” echoed through streets, homes, and temporary shelters as supporters urged the Grenadiers to keep pressing forward. For Haitians, this wasn’t just a crucial win — it was a statement of resilience. “This is more than a football match. It represents hope and unity while our country faces so many difficulties,” said Pierre Jean-Jacques, a 25-year-old mechanic who watched from home. His heart thumped throughout the game, he said, before joining thousands who celebrated late into the night in streets normally deserted out of fear of shootings or kidnappings. “This win gives us a rare moment of happiness,” he added. “I feel proud — it makes me believe we can rise again.” The triumph also coincided with the 222nd anniversary of the Battle of Vertières, a defining moment that propelled Haiti to become the world’s first Black republic. “There could not have been a more meaningful date for our team to make history,” said 18-year-old Vladimir Dorvale, walking with a Haitian flag draped around his shoulders. Teams which have qualified for the 2026 World Cup Haiti’s path to qualification was far from easy. The team played all home fixtures in Curaçao because conditions in Port-au-Prince remain too dangerous — armed groups now control as much as 90% of the capital. Coach Sébastien Migné even had to supervise some players remotely, as repeated violence forced airport closures and prevented him from traveling. When Deedson scored the first goal, gunfire rang out in the neighborhood of student André Michaud, who was watching the match at a nearby bar due to a blackout. Startled at first, he soon realized the shots were celebratory. “I’ve always rooted for Brazil or Argentina,” he said. “Now I finally get to cheer for my own country. I believe Haiti can go far.” Even heavy rain couldn’t stop jubilant crowds from parading through narrow streets, singing “Haiti has qualified! We don’t have a state!” — a pointed remark about the nation’s political chaos. Large gatherings also filled the streets of Pétionville, where brief gunfire only fueled the cheers of fans accustomed to living in danger. Forward Duckens Nazon shared a hopeful message online: “Enjoy this moment. This is only the beginning. Many doubted us, but we never doubted ourselves.” Source: AP