United News of Bangladesh

Real Madrid defender Éder Militão sustained an injury to his right leg while playing for Brazil, the club said Wednesday. Madrid said medical tests showed that Militão had hurt an abductor muscle during Brazil's friendly against Tunisia on Tuesday. Militão had to be replaced in the second half of the 1-1 draw. The club said “further updates will follow" on Militão's recovery. Madrid, which plays Elche in the Spanish league on Sunday, has a three-point lead over Barcelona after 12 rounds.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has congratulated the Bangladesh national football team on their impressive 1-0 win over India in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, noting that the victory has made every Bangladeshi proud. "This victory has made every Bangladeshi proud of. This is not just a victory in a football match; it is an inspiration for millions of young people who see sports as a source of positive energy,” he said in his message on Wednesday. Prof Yunus said sports play an important role in nation-building, and such a victory against a strong opponent like India is a significant step forward in this regard. Morsalin’s goal ends 22-year wait, Hamza Era's first win comes over India Sheikh Morsalin scripted the night to remember in Dhaka as Bangladesh defeated India 1-0 on Tuesday, ending a 22-year wait for a competitive victory over their regional rivals and securing their first win of the Asian Cup qualifiers. It also marked the team's first victory in what may come to be known as the 'Hamza Era', and may have ensured that they end their campaign as third in the group, above their much larger neighbours. The Chief Adviser expressed hope that this victory would help Bangladesh football regain its glory days. He also said that since taking office in 2024, the interim government has been providing all-out support to football and expressed hope that future governments will continue this trend.

Bangladesh cricket star Mushfiqur Rahim is poised to enter the record books. He closed the opening day of the Mirpur Test against Ireland unbeaten on 99, needing just one more run to become only the 11th man in history to score a century in his 100th Test. 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, Bangladesh stood at 292 for 4, with Mushfiqur on the brink of a historic century at 99 not out and Litton unbeaten on 47.  

Bangladesh opted to bat after winning the toss in the second Test against Ireland in Mirpur on Wednesday. This Test is a landmark occasion as Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi to play 100 Test matches. The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium — where Mushfiqur has scored ample runs, turned celebratory as the 38-year-old walked out for his milestone appearance. Nearly two decades have passed since his teenage debut at Lord’s, and his longevity mirrors Bangladesh’s own Test journey across 155 matches. Conditions were expected to favor batting early, prompting Bangladesh’s decision to take first strike. The hosts stuck with the same top order, while left-arm spinner Hasan Murad kept his place after his impressive performance in Sylhet. Tigers clinch dominant innings victory over Ireland in Sylhet Ireland made one change, bringing in leg-spinner Gavin Hoey for Craig Young, anticipating helpful conditions for spin from the second day onward. Captain Andy Balbirnie said his team would “push hard to spoil the Mushfiqur celebrations.” Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Murad Ireland:Andy Balbirnie (capt), Paul Stirling, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Stephen Doheny, Andy McBrine, Jordan Neill, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey.

Mushfiqur Rahim walked into his 100th Test on Wednesday morning to a warm, emotional tribute at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, telling teammates and fans that he remains committed to giving “one hundred percent” to Bangladesh cricket — just as he has since his debut as a teenager. Speaking during a brief ceremony before the second Test against Ireland, Mushfiqur thanked “Allah for such a wonderful opportunity” and paid heartfelt tribute to the people who carried him through nearly two decades of international cricket. “I want to thank my family, my parents, and especially my wife, who has spent many sleepless nights,” he said. “My teammates, my coaches, my friends and all the fans — I am grateful. I wish the best for Bangladesh cricket, and I promise I will continue to give one hundred percent for the team as I always try to do.” He also thanked Ireland for being part of the occasion. The morning began with a guard of honor from teammates as Mushfiqur entered the ground wearing a special commemorative cap presented by former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar — the same man who handed him his debut cap 19 years ago at Lord’s. Former skipper Akram Khan also gifted him a special memento, while the BCB president and senior board officials presented him with a crest. Mushfiqur Rahim's 163 puts Bangladesh in control of 1st cricket test against Sri Lanka Najmul Hossain Shanto and Habibul Bashar handed over a jersey signed by members of his first and 100th Test squads. Bangladesh captain Najmul offered a personal tribute, calling the milestone “a proud moment” not only for Mushfiqur but for the entire team. “We have followed you since childhood and been inspired by you,” he said. “What matters to me most is that you always play for the team. You think of the team before yourself. I hope you continue the hard work you do on and off the field,” Najmul added. As Mushfiqur stood alongside match officials, support staff and family members, presenter Athar Ali Khan guided the ceremony with his trademark warmth. “I will keep giving my best for Bangladesh,” Mushfiqur added, once again.

Pakistan survived an early batting collapse to beat a determined Zimbabwe by five wickets in the opening match of the T20 tri-series on Tuesday. Zimbabwe, already qualified for next year’s T20 World Cup, impressed with the ball and pushed the hosts deep into the final over before Pakistan chased down 151-5. Fakhar Zaman, returning to T20s, top-scored with a 32-ball 44. Earlier, Zimbabwe wasted a flying start and finished on 147-8 after Pakistan’s spin trio — Mohammad Nawaz (2-22), Abrar Ahmed (1-28), and Saim Ayub (1-31) — tightened the screws in the latter half of the innings. “It was a tight match,” Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said. “Our spinners have been outstanding for the past few months, and they brought us back into the contest.” Zaman steadies Pakistan chase Fast bowler Brad Evans (2-26) jolted Pakistan with two wickets in one over, while Tinotenda Maposa trapped Agha lbw with a pinpoint yorker, reducing Pakistan to 30-3 inside the power play. Evans bowled Sahibzada Farhan (16) with a delivery that stayed low and dismissed Babar Azam for a three-ball duck as Pakistan lost three wickets for just three runs. Graeme Cremer then removed Ayub (22), leaving Pakistan 54-4 after 10 overs. Zaman, however, combined with wicketkeeper Usman Khan (unbeaten 37) for a crucial 61-run stand to revive the chase. Zaman eventually edged Richard Ngarava (1-30) while attempting a ramp shot. Zimbabwe missed a key chance when Brian Bennett dropped a simple catch off Nawaz with 15 needed from 10 balls. Nawaz capitalized, finishing the match with back-to-back boundaries in the final over bowled by Maposa. Pakistan sweeps Sri Lanka 3-0 in ODI series Zimbabwe squanders strong platform Bennett (49) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (30) blasted 59 runs in the power play, attacking both pace and Ayub’s off-spin, which cost 17 runs in his first over. But Zimbabwe’s momentum dipped after Nawaz dismissed Marumani with a miscued shot in the eighth over. Brendan Taylor made 14 before Babar Azam’s sharp throw ran him out. Bennett, who struck eight fours, later offered a simple return catch to Ayub. From cruising at 88-1 after 10 overs, Zimbabwe lost wickets regularly to Pakistan’s spin attack. Only captain Sikander Raza showed resistance, hitting an unbeaten 34 off 24 balls, including a late six off Shaheen Shah Afridi (1-34). “There were more positives than negatives,” Raza said. “We’re fighting well, but we must learn to finish games. That last hurdle is what we need to cross more often.” Sri Lanka, the third team in the series, will face Zimbabwe next on Thursday. Source: AP

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo made an appearance at the White House on Tuesday as President Donald Trump hosted an elaborate dinner in honor of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Ronaldo was seated near the front of the East Room, close to where Trump and the crown prince addressed senior officials from both countries and prominent business figures, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla founder Elon Musk. During his remarks, Trump noted Ronaldo’s presence and mentioned that he had once introduced the superstar to his teenage son. Ronaldo has been a major face of Saudi football since joining Al-Nassr in late 2022 on a contract reportedly worth $200 million per year. Now 40, the Portuguese forward signed a two-year extension with the club in June. Al-Nassr is largely owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which is chaired by the crown prince. Expressing appreciation for Ronaldo’s attendance, Trump said his youngest son, Barron, is a “big fan” and was thrilled to meet the athlete. “Barron got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just because I introduced you,” Trump joked. The crown prince’s visit marked his return to the White House since diplomatic tensions erupted in 2018 following the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence concluded that Prince Mohammed likely approved the operation, a claim he denies. Ronaldo’s trip was also notable because he has rarely visited the U.S. in recent years. He last played in the country in 2014. Ronaldo hints at retirement in “probably one or two years” In 2017, German outlet Der Spiegel reported that Ronaldo had previously paid $375,000 in hush money to a woman who accused him of rape at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009. His legal team insisted the encounter was consensual, and no criminal charges were ever brought. World Cup links Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup, following a fast-tracked FIFA bidding process that effectively eliminated competition. Ronaldo supported the bid and said last December that he believed the 2034 tournament would be “the best World Cup ever.” He is expected to appear in a record sixth World Cup next year after Portugal qualified on Sunday for the event co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. However, Ronaldo will likely miss Portugal’s opening match after receiving his first red card in 23 years of international play. Portugal’s group-stage opponents will be determined on Dec. 5 during the World Cup draw, an event Trump plans to attend at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Trump has also shown strong support for the 2026 World Cup, displaying in the Oval Office a replica of the trophy loaned by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Source: AP 

FIFA World Cup ticket holders will be eligible for prioritized US visa interviews ahead of traveling for the tournament. The announcement came Monday following a meeting between US President Donald Trump, the White House Task Force, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The new system, the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), is designed to help the Trump administration maintain its strict immigration protocols while ensuring smooth entry for visitors attending the global event. “America welcomes the world,” Infantino said in a statement. “We have always said that this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history — and the FIFA PASS service is a very concrete example of that.” The 48-team tournament will feature 78 matches across 11 US host cities, while three venues in Mexico and two in Canada will also stage games. FIFA said it surpassed the one-million ticket mark just weeks after sales opened in October. Phase 2 of ticket sales began later that month for the next million tickets. Teams worldwide are entering the final stretch of qualifying to fill out the expanded 48-nation tournament. Co-hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada have already secured automatic qualification. The group-stage draw is scheduled for December 5. According to an Associate Press report, President Trump urged prospective visitors to apply for visas “right away.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration has deployed more than 400 additional consular officers globally to meet demand, noting that in roughly 80 percent of countries, visa appointments for US travel are available within 60 days.  

Sheikh Morsalin scripted a night to remember in Dhaka as Bangladesh defeated India 1–0 on Tuesday, ending a 22-year wait for a competitive victory over their regional rivals and securing their first win of the Asian Cup Qualifiers.  It also marked the team's first victory in what may come to be known as the 'Hamza Era', and may have ensured that they end their campaign as third in the group, above their much larger neighbours. Even if qualification was never a realistic target.   What turned out to be the winning goal came fairly early, capping what was probably the home team's best passage of play on the night, working some openings in the Indian backline and testing Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the Indian goal. From well inside his own half, Morsalin started a counter attack by releasing Rakib Hossain into wide open spaces on the left, then ran almost the length of the pitch to arrive in the opposition box just in time to meet the return pass from Rakib, who did brilliantly. Morsalin pounced on a moment's hesitation between the Indian goalie and defender to execute a deft finish that ended up nutmegging Gurpreet.  Cue bedlam in the arena, as over 23,000 football-lovers packed into the National Stadium on this wintry evening sensed something special was in the offing. Only the footballers seemed to have other ideas.  From that moment, Bangladesh fought to protect the lead with grit and discipline, trading in the zeal and enterprise that leads to chances and most notably handed over possession of the ball to a struggling India side that ended the night bottom in their group.

One of the biggest stars of Bangladesh cricket, Mushfiqur Rahim, is all set to appear in his 100th Test, as the first Bangladeshi ever. His 100th match will take place in Mirpur on November 19th against Ireland. Mushfiqur, known for his tenacity and technical brilliance behind the stumps and in front of the wickets, has been a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s Test side for over 15 years. He is the only Bangladeshi batsman to have scored more than 6,000 runs in Test cricket, highlighting his crucial role in the team’s batting lineup. The match, which is the deciding contest in the two-Test series against Ireland, is widely anticipated not only for the cricketing battle but also as a celebration of the veteran’s long-standing contributions. The cricket fraternity in Bangladesh has been eagerly awaiting this milestone. Fans and fellow cricketers have expressed their admiration and respect for Mushfiqur’s journey from a promising young talent to a seasoned international stalwart. Phill Simmons, the Bangladesh coach, said Mushfiqur is the kind of player who has the hunger to play 150 Tests. “He has the desire and hunger of the players who played 150 Tests,” He said. “He wants to do well regularly, which is the biggest thing. The desire to improve has brought him here.” In the broader context of Bangladesh sports, Mushfiqur’s 100th Test is more than just a personal achievement; it is also a mark for the growing maturity of Bangladesh cricket. As the team looks to build on its recent successes, Mushfiqur’s experience and leadership will be invaluable assets. “The main mystery is the professionalism,” Simmons said. “(The important things are) how you manage yourself, how you work to improve your skills, and how you work to be successful at the international level. If you look at this career, he is successful in the international arena, which is playing a role behind him.”