United News of Bangladesh

South Africa won the toss and chose to field in the opening ODI against India on Sunday, extending India’s unusual streak to 19 consecutive lost tosses. With regular captain Shubman Gill sidelined by injury, Lokesh Rahul is leading India. Senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are also part of the playing XI. South Africa’s stand-in captain Aiden Markram said the likelihood of evening dew influenced his decision to field first. The visitors have rested skipper Temba Bavuma and spinner Keshav Maharaj after their 2–0 Test series win over India. They selected a pace-heavy attack with four seamers, with Prenelan Subrayen as the lone specialist spinner. Rahul said he would also have opted to bowl first, noting significant dew during India’s practice sessions. India has picked three spinners — Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav — supported by pacers Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. Line-ups India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, Lokesh Rahul (captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Ottneil Baartman

A group of nine local cricketers has been excluded from the Bangladesh Premier League’s (BPL) final auction list after a series of anti-corruption investigations flagged their involvement in suspected fixing activities in last season’s tournament. The exclusions follow an extensive probe led by the BCB’s three-member independent investigation committee, headed by former Appellate Division judge Mirza Hussain Haider. The committee examined alleged irregularities from the previous BPL and identified nine Bangladeshi and one foreign player as suspects. Their names were forwarded for further inquiry by Alex Marshall, the BCB’s anti-corruption consultant and former ICC anti-corruption chief. Read more: BCB finalizes 5 franchises for upcoming BPL season Based on Marshall’s findings, the BPL governing council removed nine locally contracted players from the final auction pool. Most had already appeared in the preliminary list but were omitted when the final roll was released on the eve of this year’s auction. The suspected group includes several players with previous national-team experience and multiple domestic regulars. Among them are personnel noted as “red-flagged” by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit. While not all were accused of direct fixing, their activities and access patterns raised concerns within the investigative review. Read more: Sameer Quader says ‘46 crore’ claim makes no sense, keeps BPL door open The governing council has instructed franchises not to involve any red-flagged personnel in team operations this season. Those named in suspicion will not be allowed in team areas, dressing rooms, or other restricted spaces. While the barred players may continue participating in other domestic competitions, they will not feature in this BPL. The 12th BPL auction is scheduled on Sunday (November 30) at a Dhaka hotel. Read more: BPL drops players linked to fixing allegations from final auction list

Inter Miami booked a place in the MLS Cup final for the first time in the club’s history as Lionel Messi inspired a 5-1 victory over New York City FC in the Eastern Conference final on Saturday. Tadeo Allande stole the show with a stunning hat trick, scoring in the 17th, 23rd and 89th minutes, with the first two goals assisted by Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who are set to retire at the end of the season. Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia added the other goals for Miami. Messi set up Silvetti's 67th-minute strike, recording the 405th assist of his career for club and country — believed to be the highest assist tally in football history. Inter Miami, the No. 3 seed in the East, will host the MLS Cup final on December 6 against either San Diego or Vancouver. This marks a dramatic turnaround for the club, which had never advanced beyond the first postseason round in its first five seasons. NYCFC’s lone goal came from Justin Haak in the 37th minute. Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023 when the club was mired at the bottom of the MLS table, has since helped transform its global profile. With a new stadium set to open next season and the Argentine star signed through 2028, Miami now stands just one win away from its first league title. Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz and members of the U.S. women’s national team were among those in attendance, as Messi once again proved to be the main attraction on and off the field.

Bangladesh drew level in the T20I series with a composed four-wicket win over Ireland in Chattogram on Saturday night. Bangladesh chased 171 with two balls to spare after a disciplined closing stand from Mohammad Saifuddin and Mahedi Hasan finished the job. Ireland had posted 170 for six, a total built on short, steady contributions rather than one commanding innings. Paul Stirling set the tone with a brisk 29, Tim Tector added 38, and Lorcan Tucker’s 41 from 32 balls helped lift the visitors toward a competitive score. Bangladesh’s bowlers held their nerve through the middle overs, with Mahedi Hasan returning the night’s most important spell—three wickets for 29 in four overs—while Saifuddin and Tanzim Hasan chipped in with one each. The chase began strongly as Parvez Hossain Emon struck a fluent 43 from 28 balls, carrying Bangladesh to 50 inside the sixth over. Litton Das then anchored the innings with a measured 57 off 37, steering the hosts through a brief wobble when wickets fell in clusters around him. From 149 for five, however, Ireland dragged themselves back into the contest with tight overs from Mark Adair and Gareth Delany. The finish came down to the last over, with Bangladesh needing three off six balls. Saifuddin’s unbeaten 17 from seven deliveries proved decisive, and Mahedi ended the match in style by driving Josh Little through extra cover for four.//    

Ireland won the toss and opted to bat first in the second T20I against Bangladesh at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium on Saturday. Ireland made a single change from the opening match, bringing in Ben Calitz in place of Curtis Campher. Bangladesh came up with a reshuffle of their own. Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin and Nurul Hasan returned to the XI, replacing Shoriful Islam, Jaker Ali and Rishad Hossain. Ireland, leading the three-match series 1–0, will look to build on their strong batting display from the first game, while Bangladesh aim to bounce back after a difficult start in Chattogram. Bangladesh XI: Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (capt, wk), Towhid Hridoy, Nurul Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin Ireland XI: Paul Stirling (capt), Tim Tector, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little    

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has removed a group of players from the final Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) auction list amid ongoing concerns over alleged fixing links. While the board has not formally named the cricketers, seven players who appeared in the preliminary draft are missing from the final list, effectively confirming their exclusion. Those omitted are Enamul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain, Alauddin Babu, Sanjamul Islam, Mizanur Rahman, Nihaduzzaman and Shafiul Islam — all of whom have played domestic cricket, and in some cases for the national team. The BCB has not stated publicly that the omissions are linked to corruption allegations, but officials have reiterated their position that anyone suspected of involvement in fixing will not be considered for BPL participation. The board has also instructed franchises to submit, by last night, the names of officials they intend to include in their BPL backroom staff. In its advisory, the BCB urged teams to avoid hiring individuals under suspicion. Anyone identified in that category will be denied tournament accreditation, effectively barring them from taking part in team operations. Last year, following the BPL season, the BCB formed an independent three-member committee to investigate corruption concerns. The committee’s 900-page report recommended sidelining several players and officials from the upcoming edition. The findings were later forwarded to Alex Marshall, the BCB’s anti-corruption consultant, for further scrutiny. This year’s BPL auction will take place tomorrow at a five-star hotel in Dhaka. The opening ceremony is scheduled for December 24 in Mirpur, with the first match slated for December 26 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Iran has announced it will boycott next week’s 2026 World Cup draw in Washington after the U.S. reportedly denied visas to members of its delegation, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. Iranian soccer federation spokesman Amir-Mahdi Alavi said the officials faced visa hurdles that extended beyond normal sports considerations. The White House has not commented on the matter. Alavi noted that the federation has contacted FIFA, hoping the organization could help resolve the issue, but FIFA has yet to respond. In June, the Trump administration imposed a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Iran and Haiti, which recently qualified for the World Cup. The ban included exemptions for athletes, coaches, support staff, and immediate family members attending major competitions like the World Cup or Olympics, but it remains unclear whether these exemptions cover attending the World Cup draw on December 5 at the Kennedy Center. Iran’s delegation would likely have been led by soccer federation president Mehdi Taj, a senior figure in Asian football who sits on two FIFA committees overseeing the World Cup. He is also a vice president of the Asian Football Confederation and a member of FIFA panels responsible for competitions and men’s national teams. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will feature a record 48 teams and run from June 11 to July 19.

Atletico Madrid has been fined and placed on probation by UEFA for racist behavior by fans during a Champions League match against Arsenal. The Spanish club was charged after fans made monkey noises and gave Nazi salutes during a 4-0 defeat in London last month. Atletico supporters have previously targeted Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior with similar racial abuse. UEFA imposed a 30,000-euro ($35,000) fine and ordered a one-game ticket ban for a European away match, which has been deferred for a one-year probation period. The club must also pay 10,000 euros ($11,600) for fans throwing objects at Arsenal’s stadium.    

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is fit to play against Arsenal in Sunday’s Premier League game at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old England international fractured his toe last week after stubbing it on a door. He missed Chelsea’s wins over Burnley and Barcelona. Palmer has struggled with injuries this season, featuring in only five matches across all competitions. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed Palmer is available to start. He said the player’s return makes the team and fans happy. Maresca added that Palmer is Chelsea’s best player and will perform well in the future. Palmer last played in a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on September 20. Chelsea has played 13 matches since, winning ten, losing two, and drawing one. Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £40 million in September 2023 and has been the club’s top scorer for the past two Premier League seasons. In his absence, summer signing Estevao Willian has impressed with five goals in all competitions. Maresca suggested Palmer and Estevao could play together depending on the game plan. Despite being fit, there is still a question over whether Palmer will start, as Chelsea have performed well without him. Other attacking options include Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, and Enzo Fernandez. Maresca may choose his front four based on strategy for the top-of-the-table clash.   Source: BBC

Ireland seized the opening T20I with a big 39-run win over Bangladesh on Thursday night in Chattogram. Ireland successfully defended 181 with discipline and composure as the hosts faltered in a chase that never settled. Towhid Hridoy hit 83 not-out for Bangladesh, but other batters failed to cope up. Asked to bat first, Ireland delivered a polished performance built around Harry Tector’s assured 69* off 45 balls—a knock of clean timing and smart acceleration. Tim Tector’s brisk 32 and a late surge from Curtis Campher and George Dockrell lifted Ireland to 181 for four, a total that always felt above par on a surface offering just enough grip for smart bowling. Bangladesh’s response unraveled almost immediately. The top order collapsed to 5 for 4 inside the first six overs, with Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy dismantling the hosts’ batters. Matthew Humphreys then took control, producing a career-best 4 for 13. His spell broke the middle order and kept Bangladesh on the back foot throughout. Only Towhid Hridoy mounted meaningful resistance. The right-hander struck an inventive and assured 83* off 50 balls, carrying the innings alone while wickets tumbled around him. Jaker Ali chipped in with 20, but the asking rate grew steadily beyond reach. Bangladesh eventually closed on 142 for nine, well short of the target. Humphreys was named Player of the Match for his decisive spell.