Tuesday’s (March 21, 2023) professional boxing ‘Fight Night’ at InterContinental Dhaka had everything – from Bangladeshi-origin UK boxer Ruqsana Begum’s debut win against Tanjila in a 10-round thriller to Sura Krishna Chakma’s nerve-wracking second-round knockout punch against Thai boxer Ponlawat Nanchinda. With her debut win, Ruqsana also secured the WBU Female Intercontinental Championship Belt, marking the first time female boxers competed for a championship belt in Bangladesh. During the 10-round thriller, Ruqsana’s professional boxing experience faced off against Tanjila’s aggressive fighting. However, it was Ruqsana — a former kickboxing world champion — who pulled-off the narrow win in the flyweight category. The professional boxing event was organized by Xcel Sports Management and Promotions. Also Read: 'Beximco XBC Fight Night' on March 21 A total of 14 participants from Bangladesh, England, France, India, and Thailand competed in the ring across seven different categories, including featherweight, light heavyweight, bantamweight, cruiserweight, flyweight, and welterweight. In the lightweight category, Bangladeshi professional boxer Sura Krishna Chakma came head-to-head against Thailand’s Ponlawat Nanchinda.

In the second ODI against Ireland on Monday (March 20, 2023), Mushfiqur Rahim set a record-breaking milestone for himself while helping Bangladesh earn their record total run in ODI. Mushfiq scored a hundred from 60 balls, making him the owner of the fastest century ODI by a Bangladeshi batter. Mushfiq Broke Shakib's 63-Ball Fastest Century Record After having a great performance in the first ODI, Mushfiq continued this in the second match too. Mushfiqur achieved the remarkable feat of 7000 runs in ODI in the second game of the three-match ODI series against Ireland. He took the 9th century of his ODI career from 60 balls with one run in the last ball of Bangladesh's innings. Earlier in this edition, Mushfiqur's last century was against Sri Lanka in Mirpur in May 2021. Mushfiqur started the second ODI with 6945 runs in 228 innings in 243 matches. He just needed 55 runs to reach the 7000 runs milestone. While he was on 52 off 34 balls, Mushfiqur hit 7,000 runs after hitting Curtis Kampfer on his knees for a four over mid-off. With that four, he met this milestone in the 229th inning in 244 matches. Read More: Bangladesh Make Two Changes to Squad for Third ODI Against Ireland On his way to a half-century from 33 balls, Mushfiqur scored 32 runs on the boundary, and he hit 5 fours and 2 sixes. However, Mushfiqur had previously scored fifty from 32 balls against Pakistan in the 2014 Asia Cup, which was the highest strike rate in his ODI career.

Bangladesh Army emerged as champions in the Independence Day Water Polo Competition beating Bangladesh Navy by 5-1 goals in the final at the Syed Nazrul Islam National Swimming Complex in Mirpur on Tuesday. Bangladesh Police finished 3rd in the four-team meet beating Bangladesh Air Force by 2-1 goals.  Humayan of the Bangladesh Army was adjudged the best player and highest scorer of the meet.  Commanding Officer of BN Base Haji  Mohsin Captain SM Mesbahuddin was the chief guest in the final and later he distributed the prizes. General Secretary of Bangladesh Swimming Federation (BSF) MB Saif presided over the closing function, organized by BSF.

In the latest round of matches in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League on Tuesday, Prime Bank Cricket Club, Legends of Rupganj, and SK. Jamal Dhanmondi Club emerged victorious. The day saw some good batting and bowling performances. Tanzid Hasan Tamim of Brothers Union was the best batter of the day playing a scintillating knock of 142 runs, but unfortunately, his team ended up on the losing side. Robiul Haque of City Club and Rubel Hossain of Prime Bank were the best bowlers of the day taking four wickets each for their teams. Prime Bank Cricket Club put on a dominant performance against Shinepukur Cricket Club at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. After winning the toss, Prime Bank opted to bat first and managed to post a formidable total of 295/8 in their allotted 50 overs. Md Mithun was the top scorer for Prime Bank with a brilliant knock of 93 off 97 balls, while Adil Amin contributed 64 runs. Farhad Reza of Shinepukur took 3 wickets for 31 runs in his 5 overs. In reply, Shinepukur Cricket Club were unable to chase down the target and were bundled out for 217/10 in 45.1 overs, falling short by 78 runs. Sangeeth Malindu Cooray was the top scorer for Shinepukur with 49 off 79 balls, while Rubel Hossain of Prime Bank was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 36 runs in his 8 overs. Meanwhile, at the BKSP-3 Ground in Savar, the Legends of Rupganj secured a thrilling victory over Brothers Union. After winning the toss, the Legends of Rupganj elected to field, and Brothers Union posted a formidable total of 299/5 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to a scintillating century from Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who scored 142 runs. Chirag Jani picked up two wickets for the Legends of Rupganj. While responding, the Legends of Rupganj chased down the target with just eight balls to spare, reaching 302/7 in 48.4 overs, thanks to a brilliant knock of 94 runs from Chirag Jani and a quickfire 66 runs from Parvez Hossain Emon. Sabbir Hossen and Rahatul Ferdous picked up three wickets each for Brothers Union. Finally, at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, SK. Jamal Dhanmondi Club won a rain-curtailed encounter against City Club by 5 runs in the VJD method. After winning the toss, SK. Jamal Dhanmondi Club opted to bat and managed to score 228/10 in 49.4 overs, with Saif Hassan and Shykat Ali scoring half-centuries for them. Robiul Hoque of City Club took 4 wickets for 36 runs in his 9 overs. In reply, City Club could only manage 162/8 in 32 overs, falling short by 5 runs. Tawfiq Khan Tushar top-scored for City Club with 42 off 43 balls, while Shafiqul Isalm of SK. Jamal Dhanmondi Club took 3 wickets for 37 runs in his 7 overs.  

Bangladesh has made two changes to its squad for the third and final ODI of the three-match series against Ireland in Sylhet on March 23.  Left-handed middle-order batter Aiff Hossain and left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam have been removed from the side.  Chief selector Minhajul Abedin stated that they made the change because a 16-member team is not required for only one match. He added that the two players are expected to participate in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. Meanwhile, all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is still with the team. He suffered an eye injury before the series and is yet to recover fully. Bangladesh won the first match of the series by 183 runs, and in the second match, they scored 349 - their highest-ever total in ODIs. Unfortunately, the match was abandoned due to heavy rain. If Bangladesh beats Ireland in the third match on Thursday, they have a chance to win the series. After the ODI series, both the teams will fly to Chattogram for a three-match T20I series ahead of the only Test in Dhaka.  Bangladesh squad for 3rd and final ODI: Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Rony Talukdar    

Bangladesh clinched the  hat-trick title of the Bangabandhu Cup  International  Kabaddi Tournament with all-win run  beating Chinese Taipei by 42-28 point with three lonas (all out) in the final at the Shahid Noor Hossain Volleyball Stadium here on Tuesday. The home side dominated the first half by 20-14 point. As the finalists of 2023 meet, both the Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei have qualified for the next edition of the Kabaddi World Cup scheduled for next year. Bangladesh won the maiden title of the five-nation Bangabandhu Cup Kabaddi in 2021 beating Kenya 34-28 ,  lifted the title for the 2nd consecutive times in 2022, also beating Kenya 34-31 in eight-nation meet and emerged as the hattrick champions winning the 12-nation meet  this time (2023). It would be mentionable here that Bangladesh has never tested any defeat in the all three editions of the Bangabandhu Cup Kabaddi.  State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell MP witnessed the day' s final as the chief guest and later he distributed the prizes. Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, the President of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation and the Inspector General of Bangladesh Police presided over the day' s closing function Habibur Rahman, the Additional IG of Bangladesh Police and the General Secretary of Kabaddi Federation, Mohammad Sarwar, the Secretary General of Asian Kabaddi Federation, Sathasivanm Munisami, the Secretary General of International Kabaddi Federation were also present,among others, at the function. Bangladesh captain Tuhin Tarafder  scored 16 points to be adjudged  the best player and best catcher of the final while Mizanur Rahman of Bangladesh named as the most valuable player and best raider of the Tournament. Chia Ming Chang of Taipei scored eight points in the final.    

Hosts Bangladesh started their campaign in the five-nation South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-17 Women's Championship' 2023 in style with an emphatic 8-1 goals victory over Bhutan in their first appearance at the floodlight Bir Shrestha Shaheed Shipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur Monday evening. Earlier in the tournament opener, India, riding on a hattrick by Shilji Shaji, made a flying start outplaying Nepal by 4-1 goals at the same venue Monday afternoon. Shilji Shaji made a hattrick scoring three goals in the 10th, 40th and 81st minutes while Pooja netted the other goal for India in the 41st minute. Barsha Oli netted the consolation goal for the Himalayan nation Nepal in the 54th minute. Five countries, four from South Asia --- India, Nepal, Bhutan and hosts Bangladesh, alongwith European side Russia --are taking part in the nine-day meet, organized by SAFF, under the supervision of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in collaboration with UEFA. Related: SAFF U-17 Women's Championship begins Monday In the remaining matches, Bangladesh will play Russia on March 22 at 3:15 pm, will face India on March 24 at 7:15 pm while will meet Nepal on March 28 at 3:15 pm. After the league basis matches, the highest points holder team will be the champions.    

The second ODI of the three-match series between Bangladesh and Ireland was abandoned due to persistent rain at Sylhet on Monday. Bangladesh batted first and posted their highest total in ODIs, scoring 349 for six, thanks to a magnificent batting display by Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, and Naimul Hossain Shanto. In the process, Mushfiqur smashed a century off just 60 balls— quickest century for Bangladesh, breaking Shakib Al Hasan’s record of scoring a century off 63 balls which was set in 2009 against Zimbabwe in Harare. Read more: Tigers post another record ODI total as Mushfiqur smashes fastest ton However, Bangladesh's joy of recording their best ODI total was unable to bring more joyous occasion as the rain denied Ireland the chance to take the field. The rain came in after the first innings and showed no sign of stopping, resulting in the match being called off around 8:30 p.m. local time. Bangladesh won the first match by 183 runs, their biggest win by the margin of runs. The third and final match of the ODI series will be played on March 23rd at the same venue. After the ODI series, the teams will face each other in a three-match T20I series in Chattogram, followed by a solitary Test in Dhaka on March 8th.  

Defending champions Bangladesh will face Chinese Taipei in the final match of the 12-nation Bangabandhu Cup '2023 International Kabaddi Tournament on Tuesday (March 21) at 12.15 pm at the Shaheed Noor Hossain Volleyball Stadium here. State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell MP will be the chief guest in Tuesday's final and will distribute the trophies at the closing function to be chaired by president of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF) and Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun  Last two times champions Bangladesh stormed into the final eliminating Thailand by 45-26 points in the first semifinal Monday afternoon after dominating the first half by 17-11 points. With the day's feat, Bangladesh earned the right to play in the World Cup and Asian Games Kabaddi directly as the finalists of the ongoing meet.  Chinese Taipei booked a seat for the final eliminating Iraq by 52-44 points with two lonas (all-out) after leading the first half by 31-16 points. Cheng-Chih Chang of Chinese Taipei named as the man of the match.  In the day's first semifinal, Bangladesh, ranked number 5th in the world, had a cautious start against the 9th ranked Thailand.  Bangladesh initially went down by 2-3 points in the 6th minute of the match, but they leveled the margin 7-7 in the 13th minute. However, Bangladesh's inspiring captain Tuhin Tarafder ousted three Thai players in the 16th minute by a magnificent raid to change the scenario of the match.  Bangladesh earned the first Lona (all-out) by a superb raid by Tuhin and started firing all the cylinders.  After the first half, Bangladesh concentrated upon keeping the lead taking more points with raids rather than catching the Thai attackers.  However, Roman Hossain of Bangladesh branded a super performance in the dying minute with his precise catching.  Thailand raider Chayaphon Kamunee troubled Bangladesh defense line-up scoring eight points but the Thailand was unable to break the superiority of the defending champions. Tuhin Tarafder scored 11 points while Mizanur Rahman, the rising star, also bagged 11 points for Bangladesh.  Later, Tuhin Tarafder was adjudged the Man of the Match.    

Bangladesh achieved their highest-ever ODI total on Monday in Sylhet, scoring 349 runs for 6 wickets with a scintillating century by Mushfiqur Rahim, supported by 70s from Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto. It was Mushfiqur's first ODI century in over two years, having gone 17 innings since his last ton. Ireland has never won an ODI chasing a total of 349 or more, giving Bangladesh a great chance to win the series with one match remaining on March 23rd at the same venue. Winning the toss, Ireland chose to bowl first, but they may be second-guessing their decision. Also Read: Preview of BAN vs IRE 2nd ODI 2023: Can Bangladesh Win the Series? Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal was run out after scoring 23 runs off 31 balls, but Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto steadied the ship with a 101-run partnership. Litton Das scored 70 runs off 71 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes before being dismissed by Curtis Campher. Shanto was dismissed by Graham Hume after scoring an impressive 73 runs off 77 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. Shakib Al Hasan and Tawhid Hridoy also contributed with scores of 17 and 49, respectively, before being dismissed by Hume and Mark Adair. Tawhid was playing excellently before being dismissed at 49, just like his performance in the first match when he scored 92. Mushfiqur played a pivotal role in building the innings and remained unbeaten at the end of the innings, scoring a brilliant century off just 60 balls, including 14 fours and 2 sixes. It was the fastest-ever ODI century by a Bangladeshi batter, surpassing Shakib's previous record set in 2009 against Zimbabwe in Harare. While the Bangladeshi batsmen had a field day, the Irish bowlers struggled to contain them. Curtis Campher conceded 73 runs in 10 overs, taking only one wicket, while Mark Adair conceded 60 runs for one wicket. Graham Hume was the most successful bowler for Ireland, taking three wickets for 58 runs.