United News of Bangladesh

Virat Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his final World Cup appearance for India, saying he is determined to give everything to help the team win the title. Kohli, the leading century-maker in ODI cricket with 54 hundreds, has already retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket. He now represents India only in the 50-over format. The 37-year-old has scored 14,941 runs in ODIs, second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426. Kohli was part of India’s World Cup-winning team on home soil in 2011 and also played in the 2023 final, where India lost to Australia. The 2027 World Cup, jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November, will be Kohli’s fifth ODI World Cup. “For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India,” Kohli told broadcaster JioStar on Saturday. “That is my motivation ... to leave everything out there. And of course, the goal is absolutely to win the World Cup and whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready.” Kohli said playing a 50-over World Cup is one of cricket’s toughest challenges, particularly because the 2027 tournament will be held outside India. “The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything,” he said. “You are playing 2.5 T20 games in one day. And to maintain that intensity for 10 games in a big tournament and World Cup is a big deal. Also now, it’s in foreign conditions. It takes a lot out of you.” Former India captain Rohit Sharma, who also now plays only ODIs, said he remains motivated by the prospect of another World Cup campaign. “The thought will never cross my mind that the business I had is finished,” Rohit said. “As long as you’re playing, there is always something to look forward to. And I’m looking forward to the World Cup.” Kohli and Rohit were both included in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The opening match is scheduled to be played in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Source: Al Jazeera

Eleven-year-old Japanese elementary school student Yuki Kurihara made history on Saturday by winning the gold medal in esports at the Asian Games. Kurihara defeated South Korea’s Kang Dongshin 10-2 in the final of the Puyo Puyo Champions puzzle game to claim the title. He had earlier beaten Thailand’s 28-year-old Tanarak Wongkitikun 10-1 in the semifinals. “I’m really happy,” Kurihara said after winning the gold medal. “The gold medal is really beautiful, shiny and heavy.” He also said he liked the mascot plush toy he received as part of the prize. “The plush toy is super cute, and it’s cool that it is gold-colored too,” he said. Kang praised the young Japanese player after the final. “It’s obvious that my opponent was skilled and above my level,” Kang said. “His technical ability and accuracy are incredible.” Kurihara is believed to be the youngest-ever gold medalist in Asian Games history, which dates back to the first edition in New Delhi, India, in 1951. He is also the youngest athlete competing at the current Games. Japanese media reports said Kurihara trains for about eight hours a day while continuing his school studies. He became interested in esports when he was in kindergarten and reportedly considers eel his favorite training food. Esports made its Asian Games debut three years ago in Hangzhou, China. The event proved highly popular, with tickets distributed through a lottery system. Esports has also attracted a large following in Japan. Several other young athletes are making headlines at the Games. Hong Kong’s Kamus Wong is competing in skateboarding at age 12, while 13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi has won three gold medals. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Japanese swimmer Shin Ohashi set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke on Thursday.

Manchester City is prepared to challenge the Premier League for months if the club is found guilty of alleged financial breaches in a case that could become one of the biggest scandals in English soccer. Reports on Friday said an independent panel had upheld almost all of the more than 100 financial charges brought against City. The club did not confirm the reported decision, saying its case with the Premier League was still "ongoing." However, City would appeal any guilty verdict, and the process could take several months, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of confidentiality requirements. The Athletic first reported that City had been found guilty of all but one of more than 100 charges brought by the Premier League. The league accused the club in February 2023 of providing misleading financial information over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018. The report said the punishment has not yet been decided and that all options remain open. The BBC also reported the development. In a statement, City said: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality." The club said its position remained unchanged from its previous statements and that it had consistently denied the charges. "City has diligently respected due process for eight years," the club said, adding that it expected the Premier League board and executive to act as an "independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence." If found guilty, City could face a major points deduction, with expulsion from the Premier League among the most severe possible punishments. The Premier League declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press on Friday. City has repeatedly denied wrongdoing since allegedly hacked emails and documents were published by German magazine Der Spiegel from 2018. The documents allegedly suggested that the club had tried to hide the source of revenue from deals linked to Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi's ruling family bought City in 2008 and oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars in spending on some of the world's leading players over the following two decades. City has been one of the most successful teams in English soccer over the past 15 years, winning eight Premier League titles since 2012 and the Champions League in 2023. During the period covered by the charges, from 2009 to 2018, City won the Premier League three times in 2012, 2014 and 2018. The latest reports come after Pep Guardiola stepped down as City's manager at the end of last season following a highly successful period for the club. Guardiola had consistently maintained that City was innocent. "What people accuse us of, we do not agree with what they say," he said in 2023. Spain midfielder Rodri, who played for City from 2019 before joining Barcelona this offseason, also said he believed the club had done nothing wrong. "They always expressed the confidence that they never did something wrong, and we believe in that," Rodri said of City's ownership. "Until the moment they are proved wrong, we believe in the club. I've been there, I know how they work, and how they co-operate." Speaking at Wembley Stadium on Friday, a day before Spain was scheduled to play England in the Nations League, Rodri said City's recent titles could not be taken away. "It is something that is not paid by money, it is paid with effort, with partnership and with being shoulder to shoulder every day," he said. "We had a lot of success over the years, and here in Wembley, so I can tell you everything was deserved and I'm glad I could live one of the best eras of English football." Former Manchester United and England player Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, suggested on X that City's titles should be removed and awarded to the runners-up in the respective seasons. "Another Premier League medal to be added to the cabinet," Ferdinand posted, referring to City's 2012 title ahead of United. The Premier League has financial fair play rules aimed at ensuring clubs largely spend within the limits of their legitimate revenues and that sponsorship deals reflect market value. City had previously faced allegations from UEFA, European soccer's governing body, of overstating sponsorship revenue to comply with its Financial Fair Play regulations. In 2020, UEFA ruled that City had committed "serious breaches" of FFP rules between 2012 and 2016. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later overturned a two-year European competition ban after finding that some allegations were not established or related to matters that were too old to be investigated. The Premier League charges followed a four-year investigation. City was accused of more than 100 breaches, including providing misleading financial information and failing to cooperate with the investigation.

Defensive mistakes proved costly for Bangladesh as Malaysia ran out 3-0 winners in their opening ASEAN Cup match on Thursday in Jakarta. Bangladesh stayed with Malaysia for the opening 15 minutes at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, but once Arif Aiman broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, the game seemed to slip away. Aiman opened the scoring after finding space in a Bangladesh defence that struggled to deal with the Malaysian attack. Shakil Ahad tried to close him down but could not prevent the forward from finishing. Bangladesh had a chance to respond in the 33rd minute. Sad Uddin’s pass found Rakib Hossain inside the Malaysia penalty area, but the forward was closely marked and could not get his shot away. Five minutes later, another mistake at the back left Bangladesh fighting a two-goal deficit. Shakil lost possession while trying to play the ball forward, allowing Aiman to go through one-on-one with goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan and score his second goal. Bangladesh made two changes at halftime, with Shahriar Emon and Shuki Itofusa replacing Fahmidul and Farhan. The changes brought some more pace to Bangladesh’s attack, but they could not turn that into clear chances. Instead, Malaysia scored again in the 52nd minute, with Bergson taking advantage of another lapse in the Bangladesh defence. Thomas Dooley made two further changes in the 59th minute, sending on Sheikh Morsalin and Zidan Yousuf for Tariq Kazi and Shamit Som. It was Zidan’s first senior appearance for Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s best chance to reduce the deficit came in the 75th minute when Hamza Choudhury had two attempts, but neither found the target. Shahriar Emon also got a shot away seven minutes later, only for the Malaysia goalkeeper to make a routine save. The defeat was Dooley’s second match in charge of Bangladesh. The result also ended Malaysia’s two-match run without a goal. Malaysia are ranked 136th in the FIFA rankings, 45 places above Bangladesh at 181st. The match was also the Bangladesh debut of 19-year-old Farhan, who is contracted to Premier League club Fulham and is currently on loan at National League side Boreham Wood. Bangladesh will face Singapore on September 28 before taking on Indonesia in their other Group One match.

Japan’s 17-year-old Shin Ohashi set a world record in the men’s 200-meter breaststroke at the Asian Games on Thursday, clocking 2 minutes, 4.83 seconds. Ohashi broke the previous record of 2:05.48, set by China’s Qin Haiyang at the 2023 world swimming championships in Fukuoka, Japan. “I wasn’t expecting to post a time like that,” Ohashi said. “So I was really happy. At the same time, I felt a huge sense of relief.” Kyrgyzstan’s Denis Petrashov finished second in 2:08.67, while South Korea’s Cho Sung-jae took bronze in 2:08.76. Ohashi, who already held the fastest time in the event this year at 2:06.59, has emerged as the swimmer to beat in the breaststroke this season. “I may be the world-record holder now, but the level of competition around the world will keep rising,” he said. “I don’t want to be left behind. Instead, I want to be the one who sets the pace, so I’ll keep working hard in training.” Ohashi’s record briefly shifted attention away from China’s 13-year-old swimming sensation Yu Zidi, who has won three gold medals at the Games in the 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter individual medley and 400-meter individual medley. She will not compete in any more individual events. Ohashi also won the men’s 400-meter individual medley earlier this week, finishing in 4:07.02. The world record in the event is 4:02.50, held by France’s Leon Marchand, who won four gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ohashi said his strongest performance on Thursday came in the final 50 meters, when he managed to maintain his pace instead of slowing down. “I think my biggest strength is my ability to keep my swimming compact and maintain a good tempo,” he said. “Ultimately, I think my biggest goal is to win an Olympic gold medal.” Marchand has been among the presenters handing out medals during the Games. Swimming events are being held at the Olympic pool in Tokyo. At 1.69 meters tall, Ohashi is not physically imposing compared with many elite swimmers. Earlier this year, he also broke Japan’s national record in the 100-meter breaststroke, a mark previously held by four-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion Kosuke Kitajima. China continues gold rush in poolChina remained dominant in the swimming events despite Ohashi’s world record, winning four of the seven gold medals contested Thursday. After five days of competition, with swimming scheduled to conclude Friday, China has won 25 gold medals from 34 events. China’s Thursday winners were Wu Qingfeng in the women’s 50-meter freestyle in 23.98 seconds, Zhang Zhanshuo in the men’s 800-meter freestyle in 7:42.49, the men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay team in 3:10.60 and the women’s 4x200-meter freestyle relay team in 7:49.37. Japan also won gold through Kotomi Kato, who took the women’s 200-meter breaststroke in 2:22.57. The other gold medal went to Bahrain’s Mikhail Arkhangelskiy, who won the men’s 50-meter butterfly in 22.91 seconds. Born in Russia, Arkhangelskiy has competed for Florida State University.

Farhan Ali Wahed is expected to make his Bangladesh debut in the ASEAN Cup, and the 19-year-old English-born winger is hoping to make an impact alongside Hamza Chowdhury. Farhan is one of three foreign-born players in coach Thomas Duli’s squad for the tournament. Bangladesh are currently in Jakarta preparing for their opening match. Speaking after a training session, Farhan said he had received a warm welcome from his new teammates. “So far, the experience has been really good. This is my first experience with Bangladesh. Everyone in the team has welcomed me really well, made me feel at home, helped me and supported me,” he said in a video posted on the Bangladesh Football Federation’s official Facebook page. “I feel like we can go a long way from here. I’m really proud to be part of this team. I really want to do well for the national team. I feel like we can really do something and build something from here as a team.” Born and raised in England, Farhan comes from a Bengali family. He said his family had been happy with his decision to play for Bangladesh. “My whole family is Bengali. I made the decision and they were really happy with it. I just want to continue making them proud in the future,” he said. Hamza, who made his Bangladesh debut last year, also played a role in inspiring Farhan to represent the country. “Hamza is a role model for South Asian footballers. Hopefully, I can build a connection with him on the pitch and help Bangladesh win,” he said. Farhan has also recently taken a step toward regular senior football in England. He joined fifth-tier side Boreham Wood on loan from Premier League club Fulham for the 2026-27 season. He has already made four appearances for Boreham Wood. With regular first-team football in mind, Farhan chose the loan move rather than waiting for an opportunity with Fulham’s senior side. Now he will look to make his first appearances for Bangladesh count in Jakarta.

Cristiano Ronaldo said he considered ending his international career after the World Cup, while acknowledging that some critics in Portugal want him to leave the national team. The 41-year-old forward was confirmed by coach Jorge Jesus as a starter for his 234th appearance for Portugal, against Wales on Thursday in the Nations League. Asked at a pre-match news conference whether he had considered retiring from international football after Portugal's round-of-16 defeat to Spain in July, Ronaldo said he had. “Yes, I did. Of course, I'm always thinking about my decisions, my future, the present also,” he said. Ronaldo said he had discussed his future with Portugal's president and Jesus, who previously coached Ronaldo at Saudi club Al-Nassr and led the team to the Saudi league title in May. “I still believe that I'm able to help the national team to reach what they want, and I will finish when I feel like I'm not doing anything here,” he said. Ronaldo, who led Portugal to the Nations League title in 2025, is also closing in on 1,000 career goals. “This is a new young generation,” he said. “But for me, the basic point is to be able on the pitch to score goals and help the team win games.” Ronaldo also acknowledged that he remains a target of criticism in his home country. “I feel the Portuguese fans like me, but I do understand that some TV channels want to criticize me,” he said. “They are dying for me not to come to the national team any more, but I can still move away from it.” Ronaldo said he has become accustomed to criticism after more than two decades in the spotlight. “I'm used to it. For over 20 years I have been doing this, but my memories are with people who love me,” he said. He added that he hopes to remain an example for younger generations even after retiring. “I know why young kids love Cristiano, because they see me as an example, and I will continue to do that. Even when I am retired… in 10 years,” Ronaldo said with a smile.

Bangladesh captain Liton Das wants his team to reach the Asian Games cricket final and compete for gold, but he is also thinking beyond the tournament. Cricket will return to the Olympics at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and Liton sees Bangladesh’s Asian Games campaign as part of a bigger opportunity for the sport. Bangladesh are sending their national team to the Asian Games this time, rather than a second-string side. It will also be Liton’s first appearance at the multi-sport event. “It is a big thing to play for the national team, and playing at a place like this is also a big thing,” Liton told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. “You may win a trophy whenever you win elsewhere, but here there is a chance to win gold. It is a big dream. I think all the cricketers are excited.” Bangladesh have traditionally looked to cricket for medals at the Asian Games. The women’s team, however, lost to Pakistan in the bronze-medal match on Tuesday, leaving the men’s team as the country’s main hope of a cricket medal. “There is a lot of interest among our players because this tournament does not come around every time,” Liton said. “You get franchise leagues or national-team tournaments every year. But this is a rare event. Every player is excited, and we will try to fulfil the big dream.” For now, Liton said, the target is simply to get to the final. “We are looking at how we can reach the final,” he said. “Because if you play the final, you have a chance to win gold. In cricket, we always say, match by match. We will go match by match.” The 2028 Olympics will feature six men's cricket teams. The highest-ranked team from each of Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe will qualify directly. The United States, as host, will also qualify if it is among the top 15 teams in the ICC T20 rankings. The remaining place will be decided through a qualifying tournament. Bangladesh will compete with New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for a place in the Olympics. Liton also hopes success in cricket can help raise the profile of other sports in Bangladesh. “Being able to do something for the country is a big thing,” he said. “And if it is through sport, why not? We are different in cricket. But if something can improve other sports through us, or if opportunities come for other sports, we will try.”

India retained their Asian Games women's cricket title on Tuesday, beating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final in Japan. Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and chose to bat. India made 216 for 3, the highest team total in women's cricket at the Asian Games. Sri Lanka had never chased more than 177 to win a T20 international, and they never came close this time either. They were all out for 69 in 15.4 overs. The margin is India's biggest win by runs in T20 internationals, beating the 142-run win over Malaysia at the 2018 Asia Cup. It is also Sri Lanka's heaviest T20 defeat by runs. Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 79 off 45 balls. Along the way she became the first woman to reach 11,000 runs in international cricket. She needed 13 when she walked out. Mandhana and Shafali Verma put on 99 in the first 10 overs. Shafali made 48 off 29 balls and broke South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt's record for most T20 runs in a calendar year. Wolvaardt set the mark of 824 earlier this year. Shafali now has 863 from the same 24 innings. Richa Ghosh finished the innings with an unbeaten 49 off 22 balls, adding 53 off 19 with Fulmali. Sri Lanka were 41 for 2 after the powerplay but lost four wickets for 11 runs in the next four overs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu made 29. Off-spinner Deepti Sharma took 3 for 6. India have now won both Asian Games women's cricket golds, including Hangzhou 2022. Earlier, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 31 runs to take bronze.

Bangladesh missed out on a medal in women’s cricket at the Asian Games after losing to Pakistan by 31 runs in the bronze-medal match on Tuesday. Pakistan made 145 for eight after being sent in at Korogi Sports Park, then restricted Bangladesh to 114 for seven in 20 overs. The result left Bangladesh fourth, while Pakistan took the bronze. Bangladesh had won silver at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games after reaching the final in both editions. At the 2022 Games in Hangzhou, they missed the final but beat Pakistan in the third-place playoff to win bronze. There was no medal this time. Bangladesh had been knocked out of the gold-medal race by a 114-run loss to India in the semifinals. Chasing 146, Bangladesh lost three wickets for 20 runs in the first five overs. Dilara Akter made 12, Juwairia Ferdous four and Sobhana Mostary two. They reached 25 for three at the end of the power play and never really recovered. By the halfway mark, Bangladesh were 43 for three and needed 103 from the last 60 balls. Nigar Sultana and Sharmin Akter gave Bangladesh some hope with a 47-run partnership from 56 balls for the fourth wicket. Nigar made 25 from 30 balls before she was dismissed. At that point, Bangladesh needed 79 from 39 balls. Sharmin stayed until the end, making an unbeaten 46 from 45 balls, but Bangladesh managed only 71 runs in the final 10 overs and lost four more wickets. Bangladesh’s batters played out 43 dot balls in the innings. Pakistan offspinner Umme Hani finished with three wickets for 10 runs. Pakistan had also been in trouble after losing five wickets for 67 runs in 11.4 overs. Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz then put the innings back on course, adding 67 from 43 balls for the sixth wicket. Fatima, who came in at No. 7, top-scored with 45 from 30 balls. Aliya made 25, while opener Gul Feroza scored 31. Nahida Akter, Sorna Akter and Ritu Moni took two wickets each for Bangladesh. The match may also mark the end of Nigar’s tenure as Bangladesh’s T20 captain. She had previously said she would step down after the Asian Games. India will play Sri Lanka in the women’s cricket gold-medal match later Tuesday.