United News of Bangladesh

In a contest that evoked memories of their fierce football rivalry, England narrowly avoided a shocking upset against T20 World Cup debutants Italy at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Despite a spirited fightback from the Azzurri, the defending champions held their nerve to secure a 24-run victory and book their spot in the Super Eight. With this win, England finishes the group stage with 6 points from 4 matches, joining the West Indies as the second team to qualify from Group C. Chasing a formidable target of 203, Italy gave England a serious scare, reaching 178 before being bowled out on the final ball of the 20th over. Rashid Khan creates history with 700 T20 wickets The chase was spearheaded by a blistering knock from Ben Manenti, who smashed 60 off just 25 balls, including 6 sixes. His 92-run partnership with Justin Mosca (43 off 34) threatened to take the game away from the English. However, the turning point came in the final two overs. Needing 30 runs from 12 balls, Italy faltered against Sam Curran’s disciplined bowling in the 19th over, which conceded just 5 runs and claimed the crucial wicket of Grant Stewart (45 off 23). Jamie Overton then sealed the deal with a double-wicket maiden in the 20th over. Earlier, England posted 202 for 7 after opting to bat first. All-rounder Will Jacks provided the late flourish, remaining unbeaten on 53 off just 22 balls as England plundered 78 runs in the final 5 overs. Italy’s chase began disastrously, losing both openers for just 1 run in Jofra Archer’s opening over. Despite being reduced to 22 for 3 by the fourth over, the counter-attack led by Manenti and Stewart kept the contest alive until the very end, earning the newcomers respect on the global stage.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday dismissed speculations that its president Aminul Islam has left the country permanently following the recent general election. Board officials clarified Aminul Islam is currently in Australia on a personal visit to meet his family and is scheduled to return. Rumours of Aminul’s departure gained traction after several media outlets suggested he might not return, given that the interim government under which he took office is set to hand over power within a day. BCB president Aminul skips India-Pakistan clash in Colombo Adding to the speculation is the fact that Aminul was a resident of Australia before assuming the BCB presidency. Amzad Hussain, BCB Director and Chairman of the Media Committee, told UNB, “He went to meet his family. From there, he will join the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars final match. Then he will come back.”   The controversy surrounding Aminul’s travel comes at a turbulent time for Bangladesh cricket. The national team recently opted out of the ongoing T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, citing security concerns in India. The BCB had requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka, a plea that was ultimately rejected. BCB files GD against ‘fabricated’ fixing rumors involving president While some cricket analysts have labeled the withdrawal a diplomatic failure on Islam’s part, the BCB and the outgoing interim government have stood firm on their decision. They maintain that the safety of Bangladeshi players, fans and journalists in India could not be guaranteed and have expressed no regret over the move.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has etched his name in history by becoming the first bowler to claim 700 wickets in recognized T20 cricket. The leg-spinner achieved the monumental milestone during Afghanistan's T20 World Cup match against the United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday. The historic moment arrived in the 16th over of the UAE innings. Rashid, bowling his final spell, dismissed batter Muhammad Irfan in unusual fashion. Attempting a reverse sweep, Irfan lost his balance and dislodged the bails, resulting in a hit-wicket dismissal. Afghanistan sends South Africa in to bat in must-win T20 World Cup match Rashid had been hovering on the brink of the record since the previous match against South Africa, where he took two wickets to reach 699. Despite the magnitude of the achievement, the Afghan skipper’s celebration was understated, as he appeared focused on the immediate challenge of Super Eight qualification. With this feat, Rashid has established a significant lead at the top of the all-time T20 wicket-taking charts. His nearest rival is former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo with 631 wickets, while the closest active player is Sunil Narine with 613. Rashid also tops the charts in T20 Internationals with 191 wickets, ahead of New Zealand’s Tim Southee (164) and Ish Sodhi (162). New Zealand script historic chase to beat Afghanistan in World Cup Speaking before the South Africa match last Tuesday, Rashid downplayed the personal accolade. “I didn’t set a goal to stop at 700 wickets. When I play for the country in the World Cup, my 100 percent effort is to take wickets according to the team’s needs,” he said.

India has stormed into the Super Eight stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup with a commanding 61-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The emphatic win guarantees India the top spot in Group A with three consecutive victories, while leaving Pakistan facing a do-or-die scenario in their final group match. Despite the intense buildup, which saw black-market ticket prices soar to four times their face value and hotels in Colombo fully booked, the on-field contest proved to be surprisingly one-sided. The match was attended by top cricket administrators, including ICC Chairman Jay Shah and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, in what was billed as an opportunity for cricket diplomacy. However, the traditional coldness between the neighbors remained visible as the two captains skipped the customary handshake, keeping the rivalry as tense off the field as it is on it. Put into bat on a sluggish surface, India faced an immediate surprise when Pakistan captain Salman Agha opened the bowling himself, dismissing dangerous opener Abhishek Sharma for a duck in the very first over. However, Ishan Kishan seized control of the innings, smashing a blistering 77 off just 40 balls—the fastest fifty in an India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash. Along with Tilak Varma, he stitched a crucial 87-run partnership. Despite Pakistan deploying a record six spinners in an attempt to utilize the slow conditions, India posted a competitive 175 for 7. In reply, Pakistan’s chase never found momentum against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah struck early, removing openers Saim Ayub and Salman Agha cheaply, leaving Pakistan reeling at 34 for 4 inside the powerplay. Although Usman Khan offered some resistance with a fighting 44, the rest of the lineup crumbled under pressure from Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya, who claimed two wickets each. Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 114 in 18 overs. The result has simplified the equation for Group A. Pakistan, currently on 4 points, must defeat Namibia on February 18 to join India in the Super Eight. Pakistan ended boycott because Bangladesh’s demands were met: PCB chief A victory would see them progress ahead of the United States—who have finished their group matches with 4 points—due to a superior Net Run Rate. However, a shock defeat to Namibia would eliminate the former champions and send the Americans through to the next round. For other teams, the pressure is mounting in Group B, where Australia faces a critical test against hosts Sri Lanka today. A loss for the Australians would leave them on the brink of elimination, needing other results to go their way, whereas a win for Sri Lanka would secure their progression.

The ongoing debate over the use of video assistant referees (VAR) in English football has intensified following several controversial decisions during the FA Cup fourth round and Premier League matches. VAR, introduced to ensure accuracy in refereeing, was absent in the FA Cup until the fifth round this season, giving fans a glimpse of matches without technological interruptions. The weekend’s games, however, saw multiple contentious moments, including offside goals allowed and a penalty not awarded at Aston Villa, reigniting debate over the system’s impact on the sport. Former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy said football might be better without VAR, arguing that it disrupts the game’s flow and delays decisions. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe acknowledged the tension, noting that while VAR improves decision accuracy, it can reduce the excitement for players and spectators. Aston Villa’s Unai Emery described the system as "necessary" to support referees. At Anfield, Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Brighton featured further VAR controversy, with a young substitute’s goal ruled offside and a penalty awarded to Mohamed Salah sparking debate. Liverpool manager Arne Slot said VAR should be limited to clear-cut decisions, while Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola noted its benefits but remained uncertain on whether it improves the game overall. Ex-players and former referees offered mixed views on officials’ reliance on VAR. Alan Shearer criticized referees for depending on the technology, while Shay Given and Graham Scott highlighted its role as a “comfort blanket” that aids decision-making. Fans remain divided, with some claiming VAR has ruined football’s spontaneity, while others insist it is essential to ensure fair play and correct errors. The debate is expected to continue as English football navigates the balance between accurate officiating and maintaining the game’s traditional flow.   With inputs from BBC

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam has decided not to attend today’s high-voltage T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan in Colombo, reportedly because the Bangladesh national team is not participating in the tournament. According to BCB sources, Aminul returned to Dhaka yesterday morning following an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Kuwait and has decided to remain in the country. Despite attempts to reach him, he did not respond to queries regarding his travel plans. ‘World Cup boycott was govt’s  decision, I remain firm on this’: Asif Nazrul The decision comes despite Aminul’s pivotal role in the recent diplomatic efforts to save the fixture. He was a key figure in the trilateral meeting in Lahore involving the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), where he urged Pakistan to drop their boycott threat—a threat made in solidarity with Bangladesh’s exclusion from the World Cup. The ICC had invited the board presidents of the five Asian Test-playing nations to watch the match together in Sri Lanka, aiming to use the occasion to bridge diplomatic gaps. While PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ICC Chairman Jay Shah will be in attendance alongside the Sri Lankan board chief, Aminul’s seat will remain empty.

Vinícius Júnior scored twice from the penalty spot as a Mbappé-less Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 on Sunday to move to the top of La Liga. Superstar Kylian Mbappé remained on the bench after missing training sessions due to discomfort in his left knee, while Jude Bellingham was also absent with a hamstring injury. Despite their absence, Madrid delivered a dominant performance to extend their league winning streak to eight matches and go two points clear of Barcelona. Madrid struck early when Gonzalo García redirected a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold in the fifth minute. Real Sociedad equalized in the 21st minute after Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty awarded for a foul by Dean Huijsen. Vinícius restored Madrid’s lead four minutes later, calmly converting from the spot after Jon Aramburu brought him down. Captain Fede Valverde added a third in the 31st minute with a powerful strike from outside the box. Vinícius sealed the victory after the break with his second penalty, again following a foul by Aramburu, putting the result beyond doubt. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made key saves to preserve Madrid’s advantage, while Dani Carvajal returned to league action around the hour mark after several months out. Elsewhere, Borja Iglesias scored deep in stoppage time to earn Celta Vigo a 2-2 draw at Espanyol. Getafe beat Villarreal 2-1, while 10-man Sevilla held Alavés to a 1-1 draw.

A confident West Indies will look to continue their winning streak and stay on top of Group C when they take on a struggling Nepal in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The Caribbean side has won both of its matches and leads the group with the best net run rate. Another win will strengthen their chances of finishing as group toppers, especially with a match against Italy coming up next. However, they are expected to stay cautious despite Nepal’s poor run so far. Nepal, though yet to win in the tournament, have shown moments of resilience and could pose a surprise challenge. They also carry confidence from their 2-1 T20I series win over West Indies last September. But the team will be eager to bounce back after a heavy defeat to Italy in their previous match. West Indies entered the tournament quietly after series losses to New Zealand, Afghanistan and South Africa. However, their strong performances here — including wins over Scotland and England suggest they have regained form at the right time. Different players have stepped up in each match, pleasing head coach Daren Sammy. Aggressive batting from Shimron Hetmyer and the steady presence of Roston Chase have strengthened the middle order, while Sherfane Rutherford made a key impact against England. However, their pace bowlers may face a challenge on Wankhede pitches, which have favoured spinners in recent matches. Zimbabwe stun Australia by 23 runs in T20 World Cup Nepal, meanwhile, must recover from their 10-wicket loss to Italy and improve both batting and bowling plans. Their spin attack, led by Sandeep Lamichhane, will need better execution after questionable decisions in the last game. Although Nepal’s chances of reaching the Super Eight look slim after two losses, the team still has pride and momentum to fight for as they seek their first T20 World Cup win since 2014. With inputs from NDTV

Zimbabwe caused a seismic shock at the T20 World Cup on Friday, defeating heavyweights Australia by 23 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium. This is only the second win of Zimbabwe over Australia in the T20 World Cup history. Defending a total of 169 for 2, the Zimbabwean bowling attack, led by pacer Blessing Muzarabani, dismantled the 2021 champions. Muzarabani delivered a career-best spell of 4 for 17, claiming a wicket with his first ball and reaching the milestone of 100 T20I wickets. He was ably supported by Brad Evans, who took 3 for 23. Australia’s chase began disastrously, collapsing to 29 for 4 inside the first five overs. A 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Glenn Maxwell (31 off 32) and Matt Renshaw briefly revived Australian hopes. However, once Maxwell was bowled by Ryan Burl in the 15th over, the momentum shifted back to Zimbabwe. Despite a fighting half-century from Renshaw (65 off 44), Australia were bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs. Earlier, Zimbabwe’s innings was anchored by opener Brian Bennett, who remained unbeaten on 64 off 56 balls. Significant contributions came from Tadiwanashe Marumani (35 off 21), Ryan Burl (35 off 30), and a quickfire cameo from captain Sikandar Raza (25 not-out off 13). The victory moves Zimbabwe to second place in Group B with 4 points, significantly boosting their chances of reaching the Super Eight. Australia, sitting third with 2 points, now faces a must-win scenario in their upcoming clash against group leaders Sri Lanka.

Italy celebrated a landmark moment in its cricket history by registering its first-ever win at a T20 World Cup, thrashing Nepal by 10 wickets on Thursday, while India and Sri Lanka maintained their perfect starts to the tournament. At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, brothers Anthony and Justin Mosca powered Italy to victory with an unbeaten 124-run opening stand after Nepal were bowled out for 123. Anthony smashed 62 off 32 balls and Justin added 60 off 44 as Italy chased down the target in just 12.4 overs. It was Italy’s first win at a global cricket event and only the second 10-wicket victory by an associate nation in T20 World Cup history. Messi suffers hamstring strain, doubtful for Inter Miami’s MLS opener Earlier, Crishan Kalugamage claimed 3-18 and Ben Manenti took 2-9 as Nepal collapsed, losing seven wickets for 30 runs. In New Delhi, defending champion and co-host India defeated Namibia by 93 runs. Ishan Kishan struck 61 off 24 balls, while Hardik Pandya shone with 52 off 28 deliveries and 2-21 with the ball. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy triggered Namibia’s collapse with 3-7. Meanwhile, in Pallekele, Sri Lanka crushed Oman by 105 runs. Captain Dasun Shanaka blasted a 19-ball half-century as Sri Lanka posted 225-5, the highest total of the tournament so far. Oman managed 120-9 in reply. India top Group A, while Sri Lanka have two wins from two matches.