The seventh edition of the 12-team Standard Chartered (SC) Cup five-a-side Corporate Football Tournament 2024 will be held this month. Participating teams are IDLC, Abul Khair Group, United Group, Unilever Bangladesh Limited, Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited, Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited, Coca-Cola Bangladesh Beverages Limited, DBL Ceramics Limited, PRAN Group, Fakir Fashion Limited, British American Tobacco Bangladesh, and Robi Axiat. Fed Cup Football: Holders Bashundhara Kings manage 1-0 win over Brothers Union in opener  The winners of the tournament will get the opportunity to visit the renowned English football club Liverpool Football Club's home ground in Anfield, Liverpool, in the 'United Kingdom, and to watch the club footballers in action.  

Bangladesh finished 5th in the 10- team Men's Junior Asia Cup Hockey 2024 beating China by 6-3 goals in the 5th-6th place deciding match in Muscat, Oman on Wednesday.  This was first victory for Bangladesh against China in the ongoing meet after their Group B match ended in 1-1 draw this week. Bangladesh made a history to qualify for the Youth World Cup Hockey for the first time, first of its kind in any format of Hockey, beating Thailand by 7-2 goals in a place-deciding match of the ongoing Junior Asia Cup Hockey on Tuesday. With the feat, Bangladesh finished 3rd in Group B of the ongoing Junior Asia Cup to qualify for the final round  of the next year's Youth World Cup in India as one of the seven best teams of Asia. In the day's match, Amirul Islam made a hattrick scoring three goals in a row in the 31st, 26th and 30th minutes, all from penalty corners while Mohammad Hasan  scored the remaining three field goals in the 1st, 52nd and 60th minutes. China scored three goals in the 11th, 19th and 42nd minutes-- first was field goal and rest two goals from penalty stroke Earlier, Bangladesh beat hosts Oman by 3-1 goals, conceded 0-6 goals defeat against Pakistan, play 1-1 draw with China and 2-2 draw with Malaysia in the group B matches. Bangladesh team will return home on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Chief of Bangladesh Air Force will accord a reception to Bangladesh Junior Hockey team to qualify for the Youth World Cup Hockey for the first time Thursday afternoon at the Falcon Hall of Bangladesh Air Force

England opted to keep Ollie Pope as its stand-in wicketkeeper for the second test against New Zealand starting Thursday. After Jordan Cox broke his thumb ahead of the series opener in Christchurch last week, Ollie Robinson was called up as wicketkeeping cover and was in contention to make his first international appearance in the second test at Wellington’s Basin Reserve. However, England kept faith with the same team that won by eight wickets on the fourth afternoon of the first test at Hagley Oval, meaning Pope retained the gloves and Jacob Bethell stayed at No. 3. Pope was solid behind the stumps and hit 77 after moving down to No. 6 in the batting order. Bethell was also impressive on his debut, hitting 50 not out in the second innings. “They always say when you don’t notice a keeper, he’s done a good job and Ollie certainly did that," England fast bowler Chris Woakes said. "To step up at short notice like that and do the job he did was fantastic. “For him to score runs just shows his character, putting his hand up for the team without any fuss and cracking on."

Lewis Hamilton reflects on an “amazing journey” and the most successful partnership in Formula 1 history as he prepares to part ways with Mercedes and join Ferrari. The transition represents a fresh chapter for the 39-year-old Hamilton, whose final season with Mercedes has been challenging. Ferrari’s initial focus next year will likely be on helping Hamilton regain his top form, reports AP. Kimi Antonelli named as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Formula 1's Mercedes “We’re probably not going to finish on a high,” Hamilton remarked on Sunday after enduring a tough race in Qatar, where he placed 12th following penalties, a puncture, and even discussions with Mercedes about retiring the car. Just two days earlier, he admitted he was “definitely not fast anymore” after another disappointing qualifying session. Hamilton’s last race for Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday marks the end of a 12-year tenure with the team. During this period, he secured six of his seven world championships, the most achieved by any F1 driver with a single team. As an all-time legend and Formula 1’s only Black driver, Hamilton’s influence reaches far beyond the racetrack. Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams part of bid to buy Chelsea In February, Hamilton stunned the F1 world by announcing his move to Ferrari in 2025 — a decision he even kept from his parents. This upcoming shift has loomed over his season. “I’ve had the whole year to process it, with its highs and lows,” Hamilton reflected last week. “I can’t predict how I’ll feel after the race, the days following, or even during Christmas.” Hamilton shared he would deeply miss the “family” atmosphere at Mercedes, cherishing memories like those with Niki Lauda, the late F1 champion instrumental in bringing him to the team. “There’ve been so many special moments, including with Niki — incredible conversations and even arguments,” he said. “This journey has been truly amazing and one I’ve genuinely loved.” Hamilton recalled the challenges of switching teams, recounting a moment in 2013 when he mistakenly stopped at McLaren’s pit during his early days at Mercedes. “It was strange passing my old team in the pit lane, to the point I stopped there once,” he recalled. This season brought emotional highs, such as his triumphant win at the British Grand Prix, ending a 945-day drought, and his victory in Belgium following George Russell’s disqualification. However, Hamilton has struggled since, finishing behind Russell in 10 of the last 12 races, including sprints. Qualifying has posed significant difficulties for Hamilton, forcing him to recover positions on race day. “When you’re consistently starting far back on the grid, it’s almost impossible to compete for wins,” he admitted last week. Hamilton will forego a chance to test the Ferrari at this season’s end due to his Mercedes contract. However, he expressed mixed feelings about beginning his Ferrari career that way. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur wanted Hamilton to drive the car in Abu Dhabi, but Hamilton preferred a private introduction at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track next year. “Driving the red car for the first time in Abu Dhabi didn’t excite me,” Hamilton said. “In an ideal scenario, you’d drive without being seen and do a proper rollout next year. Am I missing out? Certainly.”

In a creative twist, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) unveiled the trophy for the upcoming T20 series between Bangladesh and Ireland at the picturesque Malnichara tea estate in Sylhet on Wednesday. Captains Nigar Sultana and Gaby Lewis donned traditional tea worker attire for the ceremony, capturing the imagination of fans and drawing widespread praise on social media. Bangladesh women dominate Ireland to seal 3-0 series win Posing with trophy in a tea garden wearing traditional attire came as a fresh approach to promote women’s cricket in the country. While similar events have been held before—such as a men's series trophy unveiling at a metro station—Nigar described this as “beyond imagination” and a “great initiative to promote women’s cricket differently.” “We’re in a good place. If we maintain this momentum, it will be a significant achievement for the team,” the Bangladesh captain said. However, Nigar remained cautious about Ireland’s T20 capabilities. BCB announces women’s squad for T20I series against Ireland “They played well in parts during the ODIs, especially their batting in the second and third matches. We are confident but not overconfident,” she added. The T20 series will kick off on Thursday, with the first match scheduled at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The second and third matches will follow on December 7 and 9, respectively, making it a thrilling week for cricket fans in Sylhet and beyond. Bangladesh Squad for the First Two T20 Matches: Nigar Sultana Jyoti (Captain); Nahida Akter; Murshida Khatun; Dilara Akter; Sharmin Akter Supta; Sobhana Mostary; Swarna Akter; Ritu Moni; Rabeya; Fahima Khatun; Fariha Islam Trishna; Jahanara Alam; Jannatul Ferdous Sumona; Taj Nahar; Sanjida Akter Meghla Reserves: Disha Biswas, Shamima Sultana, Sharmin Sultana This series holds special significance following Bangladesh’s dominant performance in the preceding ODI series, where they secured a clean sweep against Ireland in Dhaka.  The T20 encounters in Sylhet are expected to further highlight the growing stature of Bangladesh’s women’s cricket team on the global stage.

Pakistan has recalled fast bowler Mohammad Abbas for Test cricket after a three-year gap, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will focus solely on white-ball formats during the upcoming tour of South Africa. Abbas, who last played a Test in Jamaica in 2021, has been in top form, taking 31 wickets in five matches in a premier domestic four-day competition. Selection committee member Aaqib Javed explained that Afridi's exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic move to keep him fresh for the Champions Trophy. The Test squad's pace attack includes Naseem Shah, who missed recent home matches against England, alongside Khurram Shahzad and left-arm seamer Mir Hamza. Pakistan’s tour of South Africa begins next Tuesday with three T20 matches, followed by three ODIs and two Tests at Centurion and Cape Town. Javed, also serving as interim white-ball coach for the Zimbabwe tour, stated that the selectors followed a “horses for courses” policy to ensure balanced squads for the series. The ODI focus is to build momentum for the Champions Trophy, while the T20 series aims to integrate young talent with experienced players. Kingston Test: Bangladesh register historic 101-run win over West Indies Notable exclusions include off-spinner Sajid Khan, despite his impressive performance of 19 wickets in two Tests against England. Noman Ali, who claimed 20 wickets in the same series, was preferred due to the seam-friendly conditions expected in South Africa. Javed acknowledged the difficulty of dropping Sajid but emphasized Abbas’s expertise in such conditions. Key players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha were included in all three squads. Left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem retained his spot in the T20 and ODI squads after delivering a record-breaking five-wicket haul in Zimbabwe. In a first, Bangladesh book Youth World Cup Hockey place; beating Thailand 7-2 Squads: Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha. ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan. T20s: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan.

Bangladesh ended a 15-year drought in the Caribbean with a resounding 101-run victory over the West Indies in the second Test at Sabina Park, leveling the two-match series 1-1. It was Bangladesh’s first Test win in the West Indies since 2009, as left-arm spinner Taijul Islam and batter Jaker Ali emerged as star performers. Taijul, with figures of 5 for 50 in the fourth innings, played a pivotal role in dismantling the West Indies, who folded for 185 in pursuit of a 287-run target. This was Taijul’s 15th five-wicket haul in Tests and his first on Caribbean soil in a decade. He was supported by seamers Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, and Nahid Rana, who collectively claimed the other wickets. Kingston Test: Bangladesh’s lead crosses 200 Jaker Ali’s quick 91 in the second innings provided Bangladesh with a commanding lead. Resuming the fourth day at 193 for 5, Jaker added 62 of the team’s 75 runs in the morning session. Despite being struck on the helmet by Alzarri Joseph early in the day, Jaker recovered to deliver a counter-attacking knock with five sixes and eight boundaries. His efforts pushed Bangladesh to 268, setting a challenging target. West Indies’ chase began promisingly, with captain Kraigg Brathwaite scoring 43 and Kavem Hodge reaching 55. However, Taijul’s spin dismantled their middle order, including the key dismissals of Brathwaite and Hodge. Kingston Test: Nahid Rana bags maiden 5-for as Bangladesh secure 18-run lead The home team’s final six wickets fell for just 42 runs as the Bangladesh bowlers capitalised on the uneven bounce and turn offered by the Sabina Park pitch. Bangladesh’s win was a significant turnaround after their heavy defeat in the first Test. Stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz credited the bowling unit. “Nahid in the first innings, Taskin and Hasan Mahmud were exceptional. Taijul in the second innings was phenomenal,” Mehdiy said.  For the West Indies, the defeat brought their persistent batting weakness to the fore. Despite a promising start to the chase, they struggled against disciplined Bangladesh bowling. “The batting group needs consistency and hard work,” Brathwaite said.  The victory was Bangladesh’s fourth Test win in 2024, equaling their best year in Test cricket. It also proved their growing confidence in away conditions, with contributions from both senior players and young players like Jaker and Rana.  Both teams will now move to the white-ball series, comprising off three ODIs and three T20Is. 

Bangladesh Blind Cricket team finished runners-up in the Blind T20 World Cup' 2024 losing to hosts Pakistan by 10 wickets in the final at Multan Cricket Stadium in Pakistan on Tuesday. This is the first-ever Blind Cricket World Cup trophy for Pakistan in the 4th edition of the meet after,India clinching the title of the first three World Cup. Batting first, Bangladesh posted a total of 139 runs for the loss of 7 wickets with Arif Hussain contributing team's highest 54 runs off 52 balls hitting four fours. Besides, Mohammad Salman (31) and Ashiqur Rahman (22) were the other Bangladeshi batsmen reaching double figure Read: Zimbabwe all out for 57 as Pakistan takes unassailable 2-0 lead in T20 series Pakistan's bowler Babar Ali claimed two wickets while Mohammad Salman and Matiullah took one wicket each to restrict Bangladesh to a modest total. In reply, Pakistan blind team chased down the target scoring 142 runs without losing any wickets in just 11 overs. Opener Nisar Ali remained unbeaten with a stellar 72 runs off just 31 balls while Mohammad Safdar supported him making not out 47 runs off 33 balls. Their unbroken partnership saw Pakistan across the line, ensuring a dominant 10-wicket victory. This victory marks a historic achievement for Pakistan to lift the Blind T20 World Cup for the first time in the tournament’s history. The Blind World Cup, which introduced in 2012, had seen India's domination in last three editions as the Men in Blue winning all three three previous tournaments. This time holders India not participated in the Blind World Cup in Pakistan soil. The first edition played in India in 2012, India defeat Pakistan by 29 runs in the final. In the second edition in 2017, saw India triumph beating their neighbor India by 9 wickets and in the 3rd edition also held in India in 2022, India retained the trophy beating Bangladesh in the final.

Left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem starred as Zimbabwe was routed for its lowest Twenty20 total of 57 and Pakistan romped to a series-clinching 10-wicket win on Tuesday. Muqeem, playing in only his seventh T20, surpassed fast bowler Umar Gul’s Pakistan record of five wickets for six runs with an even more impressive 5-3 in 16 balls. Zimbabwe was bowled out in just 12.4 overs and Pakistan openers Saim Ayub, 36 not out, and Omair Bin Yousuf, 22 not out, cruised to 61 without loss in only 5.3 overs. They have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with the final game scheduled for Thursday. Zimbabwe touched a new low after electing to bat, losing 10 wickets for 20 runs after openers Brian Bennett (21) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (16) provided a decent start of 37 runs in four overs. Fast bowler Abbas Afridi dismissed Marumani and uprooted the off stump of captain Sikandar Raza. When Bennett couldn’t cope with a sharp, short delivery from Haris Rauf and top-edged to deep square leg, Zimbabwe slipped to 40-3. Muqeem baffled the middle order with his googlies and leg breaks as he claimed the wickets of Ryan Burl and Tashinga Musekiwa in his first over and removed Wellington Maskadza and Richard Ngarava in his second over with his turning deliveries. In a first, Bangladesh book Youth World Cup Hockey place; beating Thailand 7-2 in last match He needed four more balls to finish off Zimbabwe when Clive Madanda top-edged to Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha in the slips. Zimbabwe’s previous lowest T20 total was 82 against Sri Lanka this year at Colombo. Pakistan won the preceding ODI series 2-1, but rested all of its frontline players, including white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan for the the T20 series.  

Holders Bashundhara Kings managed 1-0 goal victory over Brothers Union Club in one of the two opening day' s matches of the 10- team Federation Cup Football Tournament' 2024-25 at the under prepared Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla on Tuesday After a barren first half, defender Topu Barman scored the match-winning goal for the last season's treble winners  and star studded Bashundhara Kings in the 69th minute (1-0). Later, he was adjudged player of the match. The day's other match between Bangladesh Police FC and Fortis FC ended in a goalless draw at the Rafiquddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh. This year's Federation Cup Football is  being held in a new format without any semifinals. In a first, Bangladesh book Youth World Cup Hockey place; beating Thailand 7-2 in last match Ten premier division league clubs, split into two groups, are initially participating  in the first phase of the Federation Cup Football at three venues in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Cumilla   Grouping of Federation Cup: Group A -Bashundhara Kings, Bangladesh Police FC, Fortis FC, Brothers Union Club and Dhaka Wanderers Club Group B - Mohammedan SC Ltd, Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Chattagram Abahani Ltd, Rahmatganj MFS and Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club. Later, top two teams from each of the groups will play in the meet's next round (qualification and elimination) like the Franchisee  Cricket League