United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has strongly refuted social media claims alleging that its President, Aminul Islam Bulbul, is under investigation for corruption, labeling the rumors as “entirely unfounded, false, and fabricated.” To combat the spread of this misinformation, the board filed a General Diary with the Mirpur Police Station on Friday evening against the individuals and platforms responsible for circulating the claims. Earlier on Friday, rumors surfaced on various social media pages suggesting that Alex Marshall, Chair of the BCB’s Integrity Unit, was investigating Bulbul for alleged involvement in match-fixing within the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). In a press release issued this evening, the BCB categorically denied these accusations. The statement included a quote from Marshall himself, who dismissed the social media posts as “completely untrue and fabricated allegations.” Shakib Al Hasan available for selection, says BCB “The dissemination of such misinformation is a matter of serious concern for the Bangladesh Cricket Board,” the statement read. “These actions appear to be a deliberate attempt to malign the reputation of the BCB President and undermine the integrity of the board and Bangladesh cricket.” The board confirmed that it has initiated legal measures to identify and penalize those behind the “false narrative.”

Quinton de Kock celebrated his 100th T20 international in style, smashing a brilliant century to lead South Africa to a seven wicket win over the West Indies on Thursday and secure the series with a match to spare. De Kock produced a career best 115 off just 49 balls, using a borrowed bat from teammate Dewald Brevis, as South Africa chased down a challenging 222 run target with ease. Fellow left hander Ryan Rickelton supported him with an unbeaten career best 77 off 36 balls, finishing the match with 15 balls remaining. The pair tore into the West Indies bowling, adding rapid runs and maintaining a scoring rate of 12 an over as South Africa reached 225 for 3 in just 18.3 overs. Together they dismantled the chase in 11.5 overs. Bangladesh eye quadruple crown as Rabeya warns rivals ahead of Scotland clash South Africa captain Aiden Markram praised both batters, calling de Kock’s innings special for the crowd and crediting Rickelton for calmly guiding the team home for a second match in a row. Earlier, the West Indies had posted an imposing 221 for 4. Shimron Hetmyer top scored with 75 off 42 balls, striking heavily through the boundary, while opener Brandon King made 49. Sherfane Rutherford added late momentum with an unbeaten 57, sharing a 76 run stand with Romario Shepherd. Spinner Keshav Maharaj stood out for South Africa with figures of 2 for 22, a spell Markram later said prevented the target from rising to 240 or more. De Kock reached his fifty from just 21 balls and brought up his hundred off 43 deliveries, hitting 10 sixes and six fours before falling while attempting another big hit. Rickelton, dropped early on 17, played the supporting role before accelerating to finish the chase in style with nine fours and three sixes. South Africa, who had lost five straight bilateral T20 series before this contest, clinched the series 2-0, giving coach Shukri Conrad his first T20 series victory. The third and final match will be played on Saturday before both teams turn their focus to the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Having already secured their berth in the 2026 T20 World Cup, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team has shifted its focus to a singular new goal: lifting the Qualifier trophy for a record fourth time. Despite the relief of confirming their spot in the main event in England and Wales, all-rounder Rabeya Khan emphasized that the Tigresses are far from complacent. Speaking ahead of their Super Six clash against Scotland on Thursday, the 20-year-old leg-spinner declared that the team’s mission in Nepal remains unfinished. “We will play against Scotland, but our mindset is very clear. We have come here from Bangladesh to become champions,” Rabeya said in a video message to fans. “So we will not consider any team small. We will continue to follow our process.” Bangladesh has been a dominant force in the qualifiers historically, having won the title three times previously—beating Ireland in 2018 and 2022, and Thailand in 2019. Currently riding the momentum of five consecutive convincing victories, including a 39-run win over Thailand that sealed their World Cup fate, the team is brimming with confidence. “I am very happy,” Rabeya added. “These qualifiers were challenging because there was always uncertainty… but we managed to win five matches convincingly. We are all very happy and confident going forward.”

As the cricketing world awaits the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) final decision on participating in the T20 World Cup, Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane and commentator Harsha Bhogle have dismissed the boycott threats as empty posturing, claiming Pakistan lacks the “courage” to actually withdraw. Speaking on a show for a news website, Rahane was blunt in his assessment of the standoff. “I don't think Pakistan can stay away. I don't think they have that courage,” the Indian batter stated, referring to the speculation that Pakistan might pull out in solidarity with Bangladesh. Renowned analyst Harsha Bhogle echoed Rahane’s sentiment, describing the current delay in decision-making as mere “noise.” Bhogle argued that international cricket operates on a different level than local leagues. “This isn't club cricket where you can say, ‘the manager didn't come, so we won't play, take a walkover.’ This is the World Cup,” Bhogle said. Bhogle further remarked that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the ICC are unlikely to plead with Pakistan to participate. “Pakistan knows they will play. They are just making noise…,” he said. “If they say they won't play, people will say, 'don't come.' No one is going to go and say, ‘please come, please come.’” T20 World Cup: PCB suspends preparations, Pakistan signals Support for Bangladesh The speculation regarding a boycott stems from the ICC's recent decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after the former refused to tour India due to security concerns. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently stated that a final decision regarding Pakistan's participation—pending consultation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—will be announced by Friday or next Monday.

Africa's soccer body issued fines worth more than $1 million and banned Senegal's coach and Senegalese and Morocco players Wednesday following a shambolic African Cup soccer final this month that involved a walk-off protest by one of the teams, fans trying to storm the field and fights among journalists. The bans only apply to African games and not the World Cup kicking off in June that Senegal and Morocco have both qualified for. The sanctions announced by the Confederation of African Football included fines totaling $615,000 for the Senegalese soccer federation and $315,000 for the Morocco federation for unsporting and improper conduct by their players, coaching staff and supporters, among other offenses. The Jan. 18 African soccer showpiece was marred by Senegal players walking off led by coach Pape Thiaw in protest against a penalty awarded late in regulation time to host Morocco. Thiaw was banned for five African games and given an individual fine of $100,000 for bringing the game into disrepute, the African confederation said. The game restarted after a delay of around 15 minutes, Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal won the African title 1-0 after extra time. The heated final in Rabat also saw supporters trying to storm the field, Morocco and Senegal players scuffling on the sidelines, reporters from the two countries fighting in press areas, and a bizarre sequence where Moroccan ball boys attempted to seize a towel being used by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy — in an apparent bid to distract him and help their team win the continental title. That behavior by the home team's ball boys led to a $200,000 fine for Morocco's federation, which will be a co-host of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal and has come under scrutiny for the chaotic African final. Morocco was hoping to host the 2030 World Cup final at the under-construction Hassan II Stadium, set to be the largest soccer arena in the world with a capacity of 115,000 after its planned completion in 2028. But this month's African final reflected badly on it. Morocco coach Walid Regragui said the game had given African soccer a “shameful” image. Senegal players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were banned for two African games, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi was also banned for two games, with one suspended, and Morocco's Ismael Saibari was banned for three games and fined $100,000 for unsporting behavior. The African soccer body dismissed an appeal by Morocco to have the result canceled and Morocco declared the winner because of the Senegalese walk-off. The game even strained diplomatic ties between Senegal and Morocco, prompting political officials in both nations to pledge to stay friends and call for calm. In Morocco, rights groups denounced what they called hate speech targeting sub-Saharan African residents in the country. Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said on an investment-related trip to Morocco days after the game that the reaction to it should be seen as “emotional outbursts produced by fervor and not as political or cultural rifts.”

England Test captain Ben Stokes and all-rounder Moeen Ali will join the England Lions coaching staff for their upcoming series against the Pakistan Shaheens in the United Arab Emirates next month. Stokes is currently recovering from an adductor injury sustained during the fifth Test against Australia earlier this month, while Moeen will take on his first coaching role with the Lions. Both Moeen and Stokes, who will continue his injury rehabilitation in the UAE, are set to assist head coach Andrew Flintoff during a three-match T20 series and five 50-over games against Pakistan’s second-string team. Moeen Ali, who played 298 matches for England before retiring from international cricket in 2024, announced Monday that he would cancel plans to retire from domestic cricket and has signed with Yorkshire. He will join England Lions coaching staff alongside head coach Andrew Flintoff for their upcoming series against Pakistan Shaheens in the UAE. The coaching party also includes elite pace bowling lead Troy Cooley, who rejoined the England set-up last week, former South Africa batter Neil McKenzie, ex-England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor, former Durham seamer Neil Killeen and Amar Rashid, brother of England spinner Adil. Jordan Cox and Dan Mousley will captain the T20 and 50-over squads respectively, joined by full internationals Saqib Mahmood in T20s and Matthew Potts in the 50-over games. Essex seamer Sam Cook features in both squads, alongside James Rew, Asa Tribe, James Coles and Scott Currie. The tour begins with the first T20 match on 21 February. Read More: Australia to play three T20Is in Lahore ahead of T20 World Cup ECB men’s performance director Ed Barney said the selection “brings a real blend of proven performers and exciting talent” ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s World Cup, while Rashid will return to SACA after his Lions coaching stint. Lions T20 squad: Jordan Cox (Essex, capt), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Luc Benkenstein (Essex), James Coles (Sussex), Sam Cook (Essex), Scott Currie (Hampshire), Calvin Harrison (Northamptonshire), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Ben McKinney (Durham), Tom Moores (Nottinghamshire), Dan Mousley (Warwickshire), Matt Revis (Yorkshire), Will Smeed (Somerset), Nathan Sowter (Durham), Mitchell Stanley (Lancashire), Asa Tribe (Glamorgan) Lions 50-over squad: Dan Mousley (Warwickshire, capt), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Luc Benkenstein (Essex), Sam Cook (Essex), James Coles (Sussex), Scott Currie (Hampshire), Calvin Harrison (Northamptonshire), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Ben McKinney (Durham), Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire), Matthew Potts (Durham), Matt Revis (Yorkshire), James Rew (Somerset), Mitchell Stanley (Lancashire), Asa Tribe (Glamorgan), James Wharton (Yorkshire)   With inputs from BBC

The first stage of the 2025-26 Champions League has concluded, with eight teams qualifying automatically for the round of 16, eight entering the playoff round, and twelve eliminated. Automatically qualified for the round of 16: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon, and Manchester City. Playoff round: The remaining eight teams will compete for the final four spots in the round of 16: Monaco or Qarabag vs. Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle (winner faces Barcelona or Chelsea) Club Brugge or Galatasaray vs. Juventus or Atletico Madrid (winner faces Liverpool or Tottenham) Bodo/Glimt or Benfica vs. Real Madrid or Inter Milan (winner faces Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City) Borussia Dortmund or Olympiakos vs. Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen (winner faces Arsenal or Bayern Munich) Eliminated teams: Marseille, Pafos, Union Saint-Gilloise, PSV Eindhoven, Athletic Bilbao, Napoli, FC Copenhagen, Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal, and Kairat. The playoffs promise intense clashes as clubs fight for the last spots in the round of 16, with high-profile matchups including Benfica or Bodo/Glimt against Real Madrid or Inter Milan, and Monaco or Qarabag facing Paris Saint-Germain or Newcastle. The round of 16 proper will see the top qualifiers taking on the winners from the playoff round.

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a dramatic stoppage-time header to secure a 4-2 Champions League win over Real Madrid, keeping Jose Mourinho’s side alive in Europe. The victory also allowed Benfica to snatch a play-off spot at the expense of Marseille. Benfica led 3-2 deep into added time but still faced elimination on goal difference. For a final free-kick, Trubin was sent forward and powered a header into the net, sparking wild celebrations at the Estadio da Luz. The Ukrainian goalkeeper, 24, said it was his first career goal and described the moment as “crazy” and “completely new” for him. “Before, I didn’t understand what we needed. Then everyone pointed at me, and I went. We needed one more goal,” he said. Mourinho praised the goal, calling it “fantastic, historic and well deserved” and said beating Real Madrid, his former club, brought “incredible prestige” to Benfica. The win came after a challenging start to his second stint at the Portuguese club, where skepticism surrounded his appointment in September. Despite remaining unbeaten domestically, Benfica struggled in Europe, losing the first four matches of the league phase and suffering a domestic cup quarter-final defeat to Porto. Wins over Ajax and Napoli had kept hope alive, but a loss in the penultimate round had left Benfica on the brink of elimination. Trubin’s late heroics overturned that narrative, with European football analyst Julien Laurens calling the result “incredible,” highlighting the drama of Mourinho’s victory against his former club and former protégé, Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Looking ahead, Benfica could face either Real Madrid or Inter Milan in the play-off round. Mourinho, who won the Champions League with Inter in 2010, said he was eager for the challenge. For now, however, Trubin’s header will be remembered as a defining moment, preserving Benfica’s European ambitions and adding a remarkable chapter to Mourinho’s storied career. With inputs from BBC

The Bangladesh Women’s cricket team has officially booked their ticket to the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The Tigresses’ qualification was confirmed on Wednesday evening following the Netherlands' victory over the USA, hours after Bangladesh secured a commanding 39-run win against Thailand. With five consecutive wins in the qualifiers, Nigar Sultana Joty’s side has looked unstoppable. The victory against Thailand took them to the top of the Super Six table with 6 points. As per tournament rules, the top four teams from the Super Six stage will travel to England and Wales for the main event in June-July this year. The Netherlands have also secured their qualification alongside Bangladesh. Earlier in the day at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, Bangladesh was asked to bat first and posted a formidable 165 for 8—their fourth-highest total in T20I history. The innings began disastrously with opener Dilara Akter dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball, followed quickly by Sharmin Akhter’s departure. However, a record-breaking 110-run partnership off just 82 balls between Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary turned the tide. Six English clubs battle for top-eight finish on Champions League final day Juairiya played a blistering knock of 56 off 45 balls, smashing four sixes—a joint record for the most sixes by a Bangladeshi batter in a T20I innings. On the other end, Sobhana Mostary was equally aggressive, scoring a match-winning 59 off 42 balls to earn the Player of the Match award. A late cameo from Ritu Moni (15 off 6 balls) ensured a daunting target for the opposition. In reply, Thailand’s chase never truly took off. Pacer Marufa Akter mirrored the first innings by taking a wicket on the very first ball. Despite a fighting 46 from Natthakan Chantham, the Thai innings stalled at 126 for 8. Marufa finished with figures of 3 for 25, while spinners Ritu Moni and Shorna Akter claimed two wickets each.

A dramatic final day of the Champions League league phase on Wednesday will decide the fate of six English clubs as they fight for top-eight spots and a place in the last 16. Arsenal, already through to the last 16, lead the standings and can secure top spot with a draw at home against Kairat Almaty. Bayern Munich will also aim for a top-two finish with a match at PSV Eindhoven. Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Manchester City are all still in contention. A win could ensure direct entry to the last 16, while failure may force them into play-offs. Manchester City currently sit in a play-off position but are level on points with Newcastle and Chelsea, with goal difference deciding the ranking. The English clubs face notable challenges, including matches against former managers. Real Madrid will play Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, and Chelsea meet their former coach Antonio Conte’s Napoli. Liverpool host Qarabag, Spurs travel to Eintracht Frankfurt, Manchester City face Galatasaray, and Newcastle take on Paris St-Germain. A total of 16 teams are competing for the six remaining top-eight spots, making the final fixtures crucial. All 18 matches kick off at 20:00 GMT, with the top-two finishers guaranteed to play the second leg at home through the knockout rounds leading up to the final in Budapest. The Champions League table is tightly packed, with only Arsenal already certain of advancement. The remaining English sides will rely on matchday results and goal difference to avoid the play-offs and secure automatic qualification for the knockout stage.   With inputs from BBC