United News of Bangladesh

Kylian Mbappé returned to Real Madrid’s squad for Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 second-leg match against Manchester City. “He is ready to play,” Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa said at a news conference in Manchester on Monday evening when asked about Mbappé’s availability. “So tomorrow you will see.” The France striker has been sidelined since February 21 due to a knee problem, missing five matches across all competitions, including Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over City in the first leg last week. Australia overcome China 2-1 to book place in Asian Cup final Real Madrid’s 26-man traveling squad also includes England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who has not played since February 1 because of a thigh injury. Arbeloa, however, suggested Bellingham is not yet ready to feature at Etihad Stadium, though he will participate in training. “I’m very happy to see him getting closer to the team,” Arbeloa said through a translator. “I think it’s going to be important for his teammates to have him around in training, tomorrow before the game, and during the team talk at halftime.”

Sam Kerr scored the decisive goal in the second half as Australia defeated defending champion China 2-1 on Tuesday to book a place in the Women’s Asian Cup final. The experienced Chelsea forward initiated the move from midfield and finished it with a left-foot strike from a tight angle in the 58th minute, breaking a 1-1 deadlock carried over from the first half. Australia will face the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Japan and South Korea. The hosts last lifted the continental title in 2010. China beat Taiwan 2-0 in extra time to reach Women’s Asian Cup semifinals Caitlin Foord had put Australia ahead in the 17th minute, finishing a move that began with Mary Fowler linking up with Ellie Carpenter on the right flank. Carpenter delivered a cross into the box, which Fowler cut back for Foord to score. China leveled the match in the 26th minute when Zhang Linyan converted from the penalty spot after being brought down by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold following a defensive mistake. All four semifinalists have secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, while the losing quarterfinalists will compete in playoffs for two additional spots in Brazil. Meanwhile, Iran players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, who stayed in Australia on protection visas after their team’s group-stage exit, were seen training with Brisbane Roar in their first public appearance since being granted asylum.

Chelsea F.C. have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75 million and a suspended transfer ban after an investigation found the club made secret payments during player transfers between 2011 and 2018. According to a 28-page report released by the Premier League, the club made 36 payments totaling £47.5 million to unregistered agents and third parties through offshore entities, mainly registered in the British Virgin Islands. The payments were used to complete several player signings or obtain transfer options without the transactions appearing in the club’s official accounts. The league described the violations as “obvious and deliberate breaches” involving deception and concealment of financial dealings. Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was implicated in the case, with investigators saying the payments were made with the knowledge and approval of certain senior officials using funds associated with the former owner. Among the transfers examined were deals involving players such as Eden Hazard, David Luiz, Ramires, André Schürrle and Nemanja Matić. Payments linked to the transfers of Samuel Eto'o and Willian were also found to have been made outside official accounts. The Premier League initially proposed a £20 million fine and a two-window transfer ban. However, the penalty was reduced after Chelsea’s current ownership group, BlueCo, self-reported the breaches and cooperated with investigators. The transfer ban has been suspended for two years and will only be activated if the club commits a similar breach during that period. Chelsea were also ordered to pay an unpaid transfer levy of £771,288 related to the signings of Willian and Eto’o.   With inputs from BBC

Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer-e-Jamaat, on Monday congratulated the Bangladesh national cricket team for securing a historic 2-1 ODI series victory over the Pakistan national cricket team. In a congratulatory message, he said, “On behalf of myself, my party and the people of the country, I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Bangladesh national cricket team for winning the historic three-match ODI series 2-1 against Pakistan in a thrilling encounter at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday.” He said the brave and talented Bangladeshi cricketers demonstrated extraordinary skill, confidence and strong team unity in the thrilling match, calling the victory “a matter of great pride for the nation.” Shafiqur Rahman said that the eye-catching performance of the Tigers has brought immense joy and pride to people across the country. “This sporting success will inspire the country’s young generation and further strengthen Bangladesh’s status in the international arena,” he said. He also expressed hope that the Bangladesh team would continue its winning momentum in the future and bring more glory and recognition for the nation.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Aminul Haque on Monday congratulated the Bangladesh national cricket team for the three-match ODI series victory against Pakistan after securing an 11-run win  in the final match. In a congratulatory message, the state minister praised the team’s fighting spirit and determination, describing the series win as a historic milestone for Bangladesh cricket. “I am extremely proud of the indomitable spirit and competitive mindset shown by our cricketers,” he said, adding that the players’ patience and courage on the field brought joy to the entire nation. The minister also extended his greetings to the team’s coaches and all those associated with the Bangladesh Cricket Board for their contribution to the success. He expressed hope that the national team would continue its winning momentum and further strengthen Bangladesh’s position in world cricket.

Liverpool suffered yet another late setback in the Premier League, conceding an injury-time goal to Tottenham’s Richarlison in a 1-1 draw, leaving the Reds frustrated and fans booing at full-time. Dominik Szoboszlai had given Liverpool an early lead in the 18th minute, but the team’s defensive lapses in the final moments cost them crucial points. “We have to wake up because if we carry on like this, we should be happy with the Conference League,” Szoboszlai said, reflecting on the recurring problem of conceding late goals this season. Liverpool have now allowed eight goals in the 90th minute or later this campaign – the most in a single season in the club’s Premier League history – all of which have directly cost them points. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher warned that the pattern could jeopardize the club’s Champions League qualification. “This is an absolute disaster in terms of Champions League qualification,” he said, noting the team’s poor performance despite rivals dropping points. Manager Arne Slot admitted the team’s defensive frailties: “We have conceded far too many goals to pick up the amount of points that this club and I am used to,” he told BBC Sport. Liverpool have also conceded 15 league goals from the 75th minute onwards, the highest in the Premier League. One bright spot was 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha, who impressed on his first Premier League start, completing seven dribbles – the most by a player on debut since May 2023. Slot praised his performance, saying it could earn him more minutes for the club. Liverpool currently sit fifth in the table, one point ahead of Chelsea and two behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, making every remaining point vital in their push for next season’s Champions League.   With inputs from BBC    

Bangladesh secured a 11-run victory over Pakistan in the series-deciding third ODI on Sunday, claiming the three-match series 2-1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Defending a target of 291, Bangladesh dismissed Pakistan for 279 on the final ball of the innings, with spinner Rishad Hossain conceding just two runs and executing a stumping in a tense final over. "This is a massive series win for us," Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz said. "The team showed incredible fight today, especially when the game got tight at the end." The victory was anchored by opener Tanzid Hasan, who scored his maiden ODI century. Tanzid smashed 107 off 107 deliveries, including seven sixes and six boundaries, to power Bangladesh to a total of 290 for 5 in their 50 overs. He formed a 105-run opening stand with Saif Hassan (36) and added 53 for the second wicket with Najmul Hossain (27). Towhid Hridoy provided late support, remaining unbeaten on 48 off 44 balls alongside Litton Das, who contributed 41. Pakistan's chase started poorly against Bangladesh's pace attack. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed struck in the first over, removing Sahibzada Farhan, and followed up by bowling Mohammad Rizwan in the third over. Fellow pacer Nahid Rana claimed the wicket of Maaz Sadaqat in the second over, leaving Pakistan reeling at 17 for 3. Salman Agha mounted a fierce counterattack, scoring a brilliant 106 off 98 balls to keep Pakistan in contention. He formed an 82-run partnership with debutant Saad Masood (38) and a 48-run stand with Faheem Ashraf. However, Ahmed returned to break the lower-order resistance. He bowled Ashraf and later claimed the crucial wicket of Agha in the 48th over, effectively derailing Pakistan's chase. Ahmed finished with figures of 4 for 49, while Mustafizur Rahman took 3 for 54.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday congratulated the Bangladesh national cricket teamfor their thrilling victory over the Pakistan national cricket team and for winning the ODI series 2–1. In a message, the Prime Minister warmly greeted the players following Bangladesh’s historic 11-run win in the final match of the series held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. “Bangladesh’s brave young cricketers have proved that victory can be achieved through determination and united effort by winning today’s thrilling match against Pakistan by 11 runs and clinching the ODI series 2–1,” he said. The Prime Minister said the team’s impressive performance has made the nation proud. He expressed hope that the young players will continue their journey of success in the days ahead. Bangladesh secured the three-match series 2–1 with an 11-run victory in the final ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Sunday night. The win marked Bangladesh’s second bilateral ODI series triumph over Pakistan national cricket team after 11 years.

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday, ending a career that saw him lead the national team in 100 matches across formats. “I would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board for the trust they placed in me over the years,” Sarfaraz said in a statement. “Pakistan cricket has always been close to my heart, and I will continue to support the game in every possible way.” Following the disappointing T20 World Cup, the PCB has included him in the revamped four-member men’s selection committee. Pakistan levels series after run-out controversy and rain disruptions Sarfaraz made his ODI debut against India in 2007, his first Test appearance against Australia in 2010, and his T20 debut against England in Dubai. Across formats, he scored 6,164 runs with six centuries and 35 fifties, represented Pakistan in 54 Tests, 117 ODIs and 61 T20s, and as a wicketkeeper, held 315 catches and 56 stumpings. During his nearly two-decade-long career, Sarfaraz led Pakistan to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy triumph and the 2006 U-19 World Cup title. He also holds the national record of 10 catches in a Test and remains the only Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter to score an ODI century at Lord’s. “Captaining Pakistan was a dream come true,” he said, expressing pride in mentoring players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. His final international appearance was a Test against Australia in Perth in 2023.

Opening batter Tanzid Hasan struck his first One-Day International century to anchor Bangladesh to a competitive 290 for five in the third and final match of the series against Pakistan at Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday. Tanzid’s 107 off 107 balls provided the backbone of the innings after Bangladesh was asked to bat first in the series decider. The 23-year-old left-hander reached the milestone in style, pulling spinner Salman Agha for six to record his maiden ton in his 31st appearance. His innings included seven sixes and six boundaries before he fell to a soft dismissal, caught at short cover off Abrar Ahmed. The hosts enjoyed a prolific start as Tanzid and Saif Hassan shared a 105-run opening stand, Bangladesh’s second 50-plus opening partnership in 17 innings. Saif contributed a steady 36 before being bowled by Shaheen Afridi. Pakistan’s pace spearhead Haris Rauf momentarily shifted the momentum in the later stages. Rauf claimed two wickets in consecutive deliveries in the 47th over, removing Litton Das for 41 and bowling Rishad Hossain for a golden duck. Litton, who was earlier dropped on three, struggled to find his usual rhythm, taking 51 balls for his 41. Despite losing set batters, Towhid Hridoy maintained the pressure with a brisk, unbeaten 48 off 44 deliveries. However, Pakistan’s death bowling proved effective; Bangladesh managed only 13 runs in the final two overs, falling just short of the 300-run mark.