United News of Bangladesh

Bayern Munich have opened discussions with England captain Harry Kane over a possible extension of his contract, the club’s sporting director Max Eberl said on Tuesday. Kane, 32, joined the German champions from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2023 on a four-year deal reportedly worth an initial 100 million euros. Since arriving in Munich, the striker has been in prolific form, scoring 119 goals and providing 30 assists in 126 appearances across all competitions. He won the first major trophy of his career last season after playing a key role in Bayern’s 2024–25 Bundesliga title triumph. “We are talking to Harry,” Eberl said on the sidelines of a Bundesliga event in Frankfurt. “At some point a decision has to be made.” Kane has previously indicated he would consider staying at Bayern, saying last October that his desire to return to the Premier League had diminished. This season, he has scored 34 goals in 30 matches for Vincent Kompany’s side, including 21 goals in 19 Bundesliga games, as he chases Robert Lewandowski’s record of 41 goals in a single league campaign. The England forward has also helped Bayern secure second place in their Champions League group with one match remaining. Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said Kane feels settled in Munich and that there is no urgency to rush negotiations. “Harry has great confidence in the club and feels comfortable here,” Dreesen said. “He and his family are settled, so there is no pressure to make a quick decision.”   With inputs from BBC

The diplomatic fallout between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh has extended to the press box, with the global body denying accreditation to all Bangladeshi journalists for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The decision effectively creates a media blackout for Bangladesh at the tournament, barring reporters from covering matches in both host nations, India and Sri Lanka. A member of the BCB Media Committee Chairman confirmed the mass rejection to UNB on Monday night, saying that approximately 130 to 150 applications were turned down. The move follows the ICC’s recent decision to replace the Bangladesh team with Scotland after the BCB refused to tour India citing security risks. U-19 World Cup: Bangladesh eliminated after crushing 7-wicket defeat to England However, the treatment of the media has sparked particular outrage. Bangladeshi journalist associations are now planning to lodge a formal protest through the Ministry of Information and the BCB, demanding an explanation for why access was denied even for matches held in co-host Sri Lanka.

The Bangladesh Under-19 has been eliminated from the ongoing ICC U-19 World Cup after suffering a crushing seven-wicket defeat against England in their opening Super Six match at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. In a must-win encounter, the Junior Tigers capitulated under pressure, being bundled out for a paltry 136 in 38.1 overs. England chased down the target with ease, reaching 137 for 3 in just 24.1 overs, with 155 balls to spare. This defeat confirms Bangladesh's exit before the semi-finals for the third consecutive World Cup since their historic title win in 2020. Read More: ACC summons cricket ace Shakib Al Hasan Bangladesh entered the Super Six stage with a distinct disadvantage, carrying only one point from the group stage due to a loss against India and a washout against New Zealand. Facing England, who started the round with four points, victory was imperative to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh struggled to build momentum. After opener Jawad Abrar fell in the first over, Rifat Beg (31) and captain Azizul Hakim (20) stitched together a 46-run stand. However, once English spinner Farhan Ahmed broke the partnership, the innings unraveled. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Abdullah (25) offered some resistance, but no other batter crossed the 20-run mark. England’s Morgan claimed 3 for 28 to wreck the lower order. Read More: Fatigue sets in as Bangladesh cricketers struggle through packed calendar In reply, Bangladeshi pacer Al Fahad provided an early spark, removing opener Joseph Moores—courtesy of a spectacular catch by Swadhin Islam after a drop by Samiun Basir on the previous delivery—and later Ben Dawkins (27). However, England captain Thomas Rew led the chase with an unbeaten 59, earning the Player of the Match award. His 78-run partnership with Ben Mayes (34) effectively sealed Bangladesh’s fate. The Junior Tigers will play a consolation match against Zimbabwe in Harare on January 31 before returning home.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that a final decision regarding the national team's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup will be made by early next week. The confirmation came from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday, following a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Naqvi, who also serves as the country's Interior Minister, described his discussion with the Prime Minister as “productive.” According to the PCB chief, PM Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the board to resolve the ongoing standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) while keeping “all options on the table”—a directive that suggests a full boycott remains a distinct possibility. Pakistan weighs boycotting India match in solidarity with Bangladesh Taking to a social media, Naqvi said, “Briefed him on the ICC matter, and he directed that we resolve it while keeping all options on the table. It was agreed that the final decision will be taken either on Friday or next Monday.” The uncertainty over the 2009 champions' participation stems from the deepening crisis surrounding the tournament, scheduled to begin in February. Tensions escalated last week when the ICC officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India citing security concerns. Global players’ body backs Bangladesh, but ignores core safety concerns Bangladesh raised The BCB’s refusal was triggered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directing IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman on security grounds—a move Dhaka viewed as an admission of a hostile environment. With reports circulating that Pakistan may boycott the event or refuse to play India in solidarity with Bangladesh, the upcoming decision by the PCB will be critical for the future of the tournament.

The World Cricketers' Association (WCA) has expressed deep concern over Bangladesh's exclusion from the 2026 T20 World Cup, describing the absence of a major cricketing nation from the global showpiece as a “sad moment” for the sport. In a statement issued on Sunday, WCA Chief Executive Tom Moffat threw his weight behind the Bangladeshi players, warning that the incident highlights serious fractures in the governance of global cricket. “The withdrawal of Bangladesh... is a sad moment for our game, for the players of Bangladesh, and their fans. It requires deep reflection,” Moffat said. However, the statement was conspicuously vague regarding the root cause of the crisis. Surprisingly, the text missed the specific context of Bangladesh's request for safe venues amidst growing concerns regarding the safety of Bangladeshi nationals on Indian soil. Pakistan weighs boycotting India match in solidarity with Bangladesh While the WCA advocated for “fair conditions,” it stopped short of addressing the environment in India that led the BCB to withdraw. Instead, the WCA focused on broader systemic issues. The body noted “worrying trends” in the sport, including contract violations, eroding rights, and a lack of meaningful dialogue with players. “These issues suggest a disregard for people that should not exist in cricket,” the statement read, warning that if these governance flaws remain unaddressed, the unity and future health of the game are at risk. The WCA concluded by pledging its continued support to the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) and urged cricket’s leaders to prioritize collective interests over division.

The crisis surrounding the 2026 T20 World Cup has escalated further, with reports emerging that Pakistan is seriously considering boycotting its blockbuster group-stage match against arch-rivals India. The move is being weighed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as a major protest against the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland. According to sources, the PCB is reviewing various options to register its dissent, including refusing to take the field for the high-stakes encounter scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. Insiders suggest the board calculates that forfeiting the match—and the associated two points—would be a manageable sporting loss compared to the massive financial and reputational blow a boycott of the tournament's most lucrative fixture would deal to the ICC. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is scheduled to meet the national squad today, slammed the global body for its handling of the situation. He accused the ICC of “double standards” for stripping Bangladesh of its spot while accommodating India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for other events. “You cannot have double standards, where one country can make whatever decision whenever and do the total opposite for another country,” Naqvi said. Naqvi also took a veiled dig at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), saying, “One country cannot dictate another. And if this dictation is attempted, then Pakistan definitely has its own stance.” The final decision, however, rests with the federal government of Pakistan. Naqvi confirmed that the board will announce its official stance once Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returns to the country.  Pakistan is currently scheduled to open its campaign against the Netherlands on February 7.  

Emiliano Martinez appears to be approaching a crucial turning point in his Aston Villa career, despite the club enjoying a strong season in domestic and European competitions. Villa currently sit third in the Premier League and have reached the Europa League last 16, but the Argentina goalkeeper has come under increasing scrutiny following several high-profile mistakes. Martinez, a 2022 World Cup winner and two-time Yashin Trophy recipient, failed to secure a much-anticipated move to Manchester United last summer, a development many believe has affected his form. The 33-year-old marked his 200th Premier League appearance for Villa in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle, having kept 59 clean sheets for the club. However, he has committed three errors leading directly to goals this season, the highest by any Premier League goalkeeper. Notable mistakes came against Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton, each proving costly. Statistically, Martinez remains among the league’s top performers, boasting the highest save percentage at 76.1 percent and ranking fifth in goals prevented. Yet doubts persist over his consistency, compounded by late withdrawals from matches and a recent calf injury that sidelined him in Villa’s Europa League win at Fenerbahce. Signed for £17 million in 2020, Martinez is under contract until 2029 but has been linked with Inter Milan. Villa are expected to review his future in the summer, with Dutch goalkeeper Marco Bizot providing experienced cover but not seen as a long-term replacement. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said confidence is vital for goalkeepers and suggested speculation over a potential move may have unsettled Martinez. While Unai Emery continues to back him as Villa’s first choice, a clearer resolution is likely in the coming months.   With inputs from BBC

A depleted Hearts side showed resilience and nerve to secure a dramatic draw against 10-man Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday, keeping the Scottish Premiership title race wide open in an intense and controversial clash. Celtic twice took the lead, including a second-half goal by Yang Hyun-jun against the run of play, but Hearts refused to buckle despite missing several key players. Claudio Braga struck a late equaliser, sending the home crowd into raptures and denying Celtic a crucial victory. The match was marked by high tempo, heated exchanges and a red card that proved pivotal. Celtic defender Auston Trusty was sent off for denying an apparent goalscoring opportunity while his side led 2-1, a decision that angered the visitors and shifted momentum. Hearts pressed hard after the dismissal and finally broke through when Braga smashed home from close range following a delivery into the Celtic box, an area that again troubled the visitors’ defence. The result left Celtic without a win against Hearts this season and saw them slip to third place, behind league leaders Hearts and rivals Rangers, who are closing in after a strong revival. With several contenders still in the hunt, the Scottish Premiership title race remains unpredictable and finely balanced.   With inputs from BBC

Bangladesh has made history by lifting the inaugural SAFF Women's Futsal Championship trophy, crushing the Maldives 14-2 in their final match in Bangkok.  The commanding victory ensured Bangladesh finished atop the league-based table with 16 points from six matches, securing their first-ever international futsal title. Needing only a draw at the Nonthaburi Stadium to clinch the championship, Bangladesh fell behind early due to a defensive mix-up in the third minute. Captain Sabina Khatun, however, quickly equalised with a stunning free-kick in the fifth minute, sparking a relentless onslaught. Sabina led from the front with four goals, completing her hat-trick early in the second half. At nearly 59, Japan’s ‘King Kazu’ prepares for another season in pro football The first half ended with Bangladesh comfortably leading 6-1, thanks to a brace from Lipi Akter. The second half turned into a goal fest, with Matsushima Sumaiya, Nilufa Yasmin, Krishna Rani Sarkar, Meherun Akter, and Masura Parvin all finding the net. The Maldives defense had no answer to Bangladesh’s pace and precision. While the women’s team celebrated glory, the men’s team finished fifth in their respective tournament, which was also won by the Maldives.  

Former cricketing heavyweights Shahid Afridi and Jason Gillespie have launched a scathing attack on the International Cricket Council (ICC), accusing the governing body of ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘double standards’ after it officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The backlash follows the ICC's confirmation on Saturday that Scotland would take Bangladesh's spot in Group C, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to send its team to India citing security concerns. The ICC justified the move by stating there was an ‘absence of any credible or verifiable security threat’. Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi expressed deep disappointment on social media platform X, pointing out the glaring inconsistency in how the ICC handles security claims from different nations. T20 World Cup: ICC rejects Bangladesh’s safe-venue request, includes Scotland He drew a sharp parallel to India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, a decision the ICC accommodated. “It accepted India’s security concerns for not touring Pakistan in 2025, yet appears unwilling to apply the same understanding to Bangladesh,” Afridi wrote. “Consistency and fairness are the foundation of global cricket governance... The ICC should build bridges, not burn them.”  Australian legend and former Pakistan red-ball coach Jason Gillespie echoed these sentiments, openly questioning why a neutral venue solution—often used for India—was not offered to Bangladesh.  Farooki questions ICC’s neutrality, cites mob lynching as proof of ‘severe risk’ in India “Has there been an explanation from the ICC why Bangladesh could not play their games outside of India?” Gillespie asked on X. “From memory, India refused to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan and they were allowed to play those games outside of Pakistan. Can someone make this make sense?!?!” Scotland, beneficiaries of the standoff, will now join England, the West Indies, Italy, and Nepal in Group C.