Expressing satisfaction over the situation of the Sylhet city polls, Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Anwaruzzaman said he is "100% hopeful" about victory. The Sylhet city residents will ensure the victory of ‘boat’ by a huge margin of votes, he said while talking to reporters after casting his vote at Pathantula Shahjalal Jameya Islamia Kamil Madrasa polling station. He also urged people to cast their votes for ‘boat’. City corporation polls: Voting underway in Rajshahi, Sylhet “If I do not win in the election, I will congratulate the person who will win, and go to his home with flowers,” he said. He also visited other polling stations in Pathantula. Voting in the election to Sylhet city corporation is underway peacefully. Election Commission monitoring Rajshahi, Sylhet city polls through CCTV cameras Voting started at 8 am, and it will continue till 4 pm without any break.

The stage was set for Bangladesh to register their biggest-ever Test win by a huge margin of runs, and they did not make any mistake in seizing the opportunity against Afghanistan. Heading into the fourth day of the Dhaka Test, only the second Test between these two South Asian rivals, the hosts needed eight wickets to secure victory, while Afghanistan faced the daunting task of scoring more than 600 runs in the remaining two days. Afghanistan fell short, and Bangladesh won the match by a massive margin of 546 runs—a record-breaking victory in Test history since 1934 when Australia defeated England by 562 runs at The Oval. Hence, it stands as the largest victory by runs in the ongoing century. Also Read: Bangladesh eye big win as Afghanistan face uphill battle Afghanistan began the day with eight wickets in hand, but they lost all of them during the morning session. Rahmat Shah was the top scorer for Afghanistan with 30 runs, while none of the other Afghan batters managed to reach the 20-run mark. Taskin Ahmed claimed four wickets for Bangladesh, conceding 37 runs, while Shoriful Islam took three wickets. Also Read: Shanto hits back-to-back tons as Bangladesh throw massive challenge to Afghanistan The match concluded in a dramatic fashion as Taskin came close to dismissing Zahir Khan twice as the last wicket. However, TV replays indicated that in one instance when Zahir was given out by the umpire, the ball did not make contact with his bat before being caught by the wicketkeeper. In the second attempt, Taskin bowled a waist-high no-ball that disrupted Zahir's stumps. Eventually, Zahir retired hurt after being struck by a vicious low bouncer from Taskin. In the first innings, Bangladesh posted a total of 382, fueled by a century from Najmul Hossain Shanto and a half-century from Mahmudul Hasan Joy. In his debut, Nijat Masood took five wickets for Afghanistan, including a wicket off the first ball of his career, becoming the second Afghan bowler to achieve a five-for on Test debut. Also Read: BAN vs AFG Test: Bangladesh Hold Firm as Lead Reaches 370 In response, Afghanistan was bowled out for 146, with Ebadot Hossain taking four wickets for Bangladesh on a pitch that favored the pacers. Consequently, Bangladesh secured a commanding 234-run lead in the first innings. Shanto continued his strong performance in the second innings, scoring another century. He now joins Mominul Haque as the only second Bangladeshi batter to achieve a century in each innings of a Test match. Mominul himself also hit a ton. Bangladesh declared their second innings at 425 for four, setting Afghanistan a monumental target of 661 runs. Also Read: BAN vs AFG Test: Bangladesh hold firm as Afghanistan tumble for 146 Facing this uphill battle, the Afghan batters failed to approach their batting with the right mindset and lost two wickets in the final session of day three. Shoriful Islam dismissed Ibrahim Zadran for a golden duck off the first ball of Afghanistan's second innings. In the following over, Taskin Ahmed claimed the wicket of Abdul Malik. At the end of day three, the Afghanistan head coach had expressed that they would be attempting the impossible, which is exactly what transpired. Read more: BAN vs AFG Series 2023: Fixtures, Schedules, Teams, Head-to-Head Records Afghanistan will return to Bangladesh in July to play a three-match ODI series and a two-match T20I series in Dhaka and Sylhet.

Have you ever imagined a goal feast, intense battles, thrilling 120 minutes, repeated twists and turns, and nerve-racking tiebreakers at the end of the FIFA World Cup 2022 final? Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina won the title with incredible success. Lionel Messi got the adorable golden trophy.  This is called destiny, Lionel Messi will lift the World Cup, but not in the easiest way. Countless dramas with a final test of nerve, perhaps the most incredible drama in the history of the World Cup final has ended with Messi lifting the trophy. Finally, Argentina’s 36-year wait for the world cup has ended. Who knows, maybe this tournament will end the debate about the great footballer of all time. Many people did not want to accept Messi as the best because he did not win the elusive World Cup trophy, and finally, he won that one too. Journey of Champion Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2022 After many regrets, disappointments, and pains, Lionel Messi and his Argentina finally got hold of the World Cup. Millions of football fans around the world are sure to be very proud and happy. However, the journey was not very smooth, and it was a hell of a ride for Argentina. The 36 trophyless years are finished now. Let’s recap Argentina’s World Cup-winning journey. Dramatic Final After being ahead with two goals until 80 minutes, Argentina could not win in the first 90 minutes. An extra 30 minutes was not enough to bring out the result. Despite Lionel Messi’s double goal, Argentina failed to keep the lead. Kylian Mbappe’s hat trick brought France back into the game. In the end, a tiebreaker decided the outcome. After defeating the French, Messi finally kissed the trophy for new world champion Argentina. Albiceleste has become the world champion for the third time. Read More: FIFA mostly wins big but loses some trust at Qatar World Cup Mbappe equalized with two goals in 97 seconds after Argentina was ahead for 80 minutes in Sunday’s final at Lusail Stadium. Again Mbappe drew level 3-3 with a penalty after Messi’s second goal in extra time as Argentina went ahead again. Then Diego Maradona’s successors beat France by 4-2 goals in the tiebreaker. In the tiebreaker, both teams scored their first shot. After that, goalkeeper Martinez became a wall, blocking Kingsley Coman’s shot. Ahelia Tchouameni hit their third shot wide. Finally, Argentina erupted in joy when Gonzalo Montiel hit the target in Argentina’s fourth shot. And blue-white waves rise in Lusail stadium. The statistics also show how exciting the match was. At the same time, the image of the Argentine power and the turning of the French. Argentina was a little ahead in possession of the ball and a lot in attack. They took 20 shots on goal and 10 on target. France was half in these two places; Five targets out of 10 shots. Further, fouls have also happened; Argentina fouled 26, and France 19. Read More: Benzema posts tweet indicating international retirement

The country’s rivers had played a vital role in defending and guiding the trajectory of Bangladesh's 1971 War of Liberation to victory as a larger number of operations run by the freedom fighters were on the rivers. In 1971, rivers played one of the critical strategic roles, resisting the free and frequent movement of the enemies – Pakistani occupation forces. Most importantly, rivers acted as front-line soldiers by encountering enemies in the first place in the War of Liberation. During the War of Liberation, Bangladesh was strategically divided into 11 sectors to defeat the Pakistani army. As Bangladesh is a riverine country, rivers formed most sector boundaries. Some 87 percent (precisely 86.89pc) of the total boundary of the 11 sectors was demarcated by the rivers, according to a study conducted over the role of rivers in the War of Liberation by a non-government organisation --River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC). Read more: Bangladesh's Liberation War deeply moving for us: Kennedy Jr Mainly, rivers such as Padma, Brahmaputra, Meghna, Jamuna, Surma, Madhumati, and Muhuri played a key role in the formation of the sectors. The highest 100 percent boundary of Sector-1 was demarcated by rivers, while lowest 76.32 percent of Sector-7 was drawn by rivers. Based on the study findings, the RDRC prepared several maps that help understand the geographical aspects, especially rivers and water bodies of Bangladesh in 1971 and how they influenced Bangladesh’s birth. The Sector-10, which covered the entire waterways of Bangladesh including coastal areas, rivers and seaports was formed on May 13, 1971, before the other sectors formed on 12-15 June, 1971. Read more: Brave Women Freedom Fighters of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War According to government official data, naval commandos of sector-10 had undertaken 78 operations along with Jackpot and Hot Pants. In addition, the RDRC in its study found more than 300 guerrilla operations carried out on rivers. In these operations, rivers served as a natural defence, and tactical advantage support mechanism that holds an unassailable position on the enemy side of the river. In this manner, rivers led to the success in the Liberation War. Big and small rivers, monsoon and rains, have isolated, slowed the enemy forces from their occupation, led to national strength and often to war success, cumulating to national independence. “We found 1270 rivers and streams existed during 1971 in Bangladesh. Every channel and stream played a role of direct defence, as well as served as a tactical advantage support mechanism that holds an unassailable position,” said RDRC chairman Mohammad Azaz. Read More: 1971 and the Elderly He said the eastern units of Pakistani troops were supported and supplied the logistics and ammunition through river networks from the beginning of the war in March 1971.  In the beginning, the guerilla operations were mainly on land, he added. As the operations increased, Pakistani troops used rivers and waterways as the safest network. Ships and supply chain networks were active and transported across all the major river ports in the country. This situation was functional up to mid-August, he said. “We found that the naval operations and other operations on rivers gained attention globally, and Pakistani forces started losing their confidence and started losing the war from August to December 1971.The guerrilla operations had also lowered the morale of the Pakistani army,” said Azaz. During the 1971 War of Liberation, rivers and waterbodies played a vital role in facilitating communication within and outside the country and helped demolish the Pakistani Military. The influence of Pakistani occupation forces started declining sharply due to naval operations particularly after August 16, 1971, which led to the victory and birth of Bangladesh as a new country in the world’s map. Read More: 1971 loss a ‘military failure’, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal says after ex army chief called it ‘political failure’

Hosts Bangladesh maintained an all-win record in the four-team Group E of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers beating Bhutan by 2-0 goals at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Friday. Forward Nazimuddin put Bangladesh ahead in the 10th by a header, off an Asadul cross (1-0) while Moltagim Alam Himel confirmed the Bangladesh victory scoring one more goal, also by a good header in the 73rd minute (2-0),  capitalizing on a free kick of Imran (2-0). Earlier on Wednesday, Bangladesh made a good start in the meet beating Singapore by 2-1 goals in one of the two opening day matches at the same venue,featuring two gifted goals. Yemen, which made a flying start crushing Bhutan by 8-0 goals in the inaugural match last Wednesday, also maintained their good form outplaying Singapore by 6-0 goals Friday afternoon Read: AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers: Bangladesh off to good start, beat Singapore 2-1 After the two group matches, both the Yemen and Bangladesh have secured full six points each, but in the goal differences Yemen top the list scoring 14 goals against Bangladesh's four goals, conceding one (4-1)  The two unbeaten teams will meet each other on Sunday (Oct 9) at 7 pm to decide the group champions and as well as to confirm the final round berth from Group E. The final round of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Championship will be held on May 3-10 next year.

Jatrabari Krira Chakra earned a comfortable 4-0 goals victory over Sadharan Bima Sporting Club in the Bashundhara Group Metropolis Senior Division Football League here on TuesdayTariqul Islam, Ujjal Hossain, Samar Roy and Belal Ahmed scored one each for the Jatrabari KC, which dominated the first half by a solitary goal.In the day's another match, Koshaituli Samaj Kallayan  Parishad outplayed old horse Victoria Sporting Club by 3-0 goals. Abid Hossain Abir, Habibullah Bashar and Elias Hadsa scored one each for the winners, which led the first half by 1-0 goal,  Read: Sr Div Football: East End Club beat Basabo Torun Sangha 1-0The day's other league match between Badda Jagoroni Sangsad and Dilkusha Sporting Club ended in 1-1 draw.Hafizur Rahman scored first for Badda Jagoroni in the 10th minute while Arman Hossain levelled the margin for Dilkusha SC in the 75th minute.  Manjl Moral and Ishtiaq Hossain Riyad of Dilkusha SC got marching order in the match after receiving red cards.In the BFF U-18 Football League, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club defeated Rahmatganj MFS by 3-0 goals.Tanim, Asif and Rabbi scored for the Sheikh Jamal SC, Later, Asif got red card in the 81st minute.

Bangladesh Women's Football team almost assured the semifinal berth from Group A of the seven-nation 6th SAFF Women's Championship' 2022 crushing Pakistan by 6-0 goal in their 2nd match at the Dasharath Stadium (Rangasala) in Kathmandu on Saturday.  Bangladesh clearly dominated the first half by 4-0 goal. With the day's well-merited victory, Bangladesh topped the Group A list with all-win record securing full six points from straight two group matches after making a flying start outplaying the Maldives by 3-0 goas in their first match last Wednesday. Both Bangladesh and holders India will confirm the semifinal berth from Group A with one match to spare, if India can beat the Maldives in the day's other match Saturday (Sept 10) evening. In the day's match, Bangladesh captain Sabina Khatun, who scored twice in their 3-0 win over the Maldives on Wednesday, made a hattrick scoring three goals in a row in the 31st, 35th and 58th minutes. This was the 2nd hattrick for Sabina Khatun in the SAFF Women's Championship after her maiden hattrick with five goals against Afghanistan in the Indian town of Siliguri in 2016.  Read: SAFF Women's Champs: Bangladesh makes flying start beating Maldives 3-0 Earlier, Monika Chakma opened the floodgate for Bangladesh in the very 3rd minute of the day's match by a running placing shot,  off a Sabina Khatun back pass (1-0). Striker Sirat Jahan Swapna doubled the Bangladesh margin in the 28th minute by a placing shot, utilizing a readymade pass of captain Sabina Khatun (2-0). Sabina scored  the 3rd goal in the 31st minute by a light push from close, off a Monika Chakma pass (3-0), 4th goal in the 35th minute also by a light push from handshake distance off a Sanjida Akhter pass (4-0) and completed the hattrick in the 58th minute by a header, off a Maria Manda cross (5-0) Finally, Ritu Porna Chakma sealed the fate of the match scoring the 6th goal for Bangladesh in the 77th minute by a good shot (6-0). In the remaining group match, Bangladesh will face holders India on Sept 13 to decide the group champions. After the group matches, top two teams from each of the groups will play in the semifinals on Sept 16. The final match will be held on Sept 19. 

Mugda Samaj Kalyan & Krira Sangsad earned a comfortable 3-0 goal victory East End Club in the Bashundhara Group Metropolis First Division Football League at Kamalapur Stadium here on  Saturday..After a barren first half, Munna Biswas struck twice in the 47th and 55th minutes while Golam Sarwar netted the other goal for Mugda team in the 60th minute. East End Club booter Jabed Ali and Assistant Coach of Mugda SKKS received direct red cards in the match. Read: 1st Div Football: East End earn 2-0 win over Dilkusha SCThe day's other league match between Victoria Sporting Club and Badda Jagorani Sangsad ended in 1-1 draw at the same venue. Azizur Rahman put Badda Jagorani ahead in the very 2nd minute while Riaz Khalifa leveled the margin in the 12th minute

President-elect Joe Biden’s winning tally is approaching a record 80 million votes as Democratic bastions continue to count ballots and the 2020 election cracks turnout records.

As the sun set over the ancient city of Kandy in Sri Lanka's Central Province on Saturday, local citizens gathered at the Nelligala Temple to perform "pirith," a Buddhist practice of chanting verses to ward off danger.