United News of Bangladesh

England will begin its home Test season against New Zealand at Lord’s on Thursday, hoping to put behind it the disappointment and criticism that followed a heavy Ashes defeat in Australia. The series marks England’s first Test action at home since a difficult tour in which the team suffered one of its quickest Ashes losses in more than a century. The defeat sparked criticism over England’s preparation, tactics and off-field conduct. Despite the backlash, director of cricket Rob Key, head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes retained their positions following a review of the tour. McCullum acknowledged the disappointment among supporters but said the team had to accept criticism and focus on improving. England has since introduced several changes, including stricter team discipline measures and additional coaching support. Former England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor has joined the coaching staff, becoming the first woman to work with England’s men's Test team. The hosts have also made changes to their batting lineup. Openers Zac Crawley and Ollie Pope have been left out, with Durham batter Emilio Gay and young talent Jacob Bethell earning opportunities. Bethell scored his maiden Test century during the final Ashes Test in Sydney earlier this year. Fast bowler Ollie Robinson has also returned to the squad after being dropped in 2024 over concerns about fitness and attitude. Robinson has taken 76 wickets in 20 Tests and will strengthen England’s pace attack while Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse remain unavailable through injury. New Zealand, meanwhile, arrives with a strong bowling unit led by tall fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke, who are expected to play together in a Test match for the first time after recovering from back injuries. The visitors have also welcomed the return of white-ball captain Mitchell Santner from a shoulder injury. All-rounders Santner and Glenn Phillips are competing for places in the playing XI. Attention will also be on veteran batter Kane Williamson, whose long-term international future remains uncertain after stepping away from a full national contract in 2024. The 35-year-old is closing in on the milestone of 10,000 Test runs and has suggested this could be his final Test appearance at Lord’s. Williamson described Lord’s as one of cricket’s most special venues, praising its traditions and unique atmosphere. The three-match series offers England an opportunity to rebuild confidence after the Ashes setback, while New Zealand will be aiming to continue its strong recent Test performances.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing an uncertain future with England’s World Cup squad after being left out of the latest team announced by coach Thomas Tuchel. The Real Madrid right-back was not included in the 35-member squad ঘোষিত on Friday. Instead, Tuchel selected Tino Livramento of Newcastle United, Djed Spence from Tottenham Hotspur, and Jarell Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen as his preferred options in that position. Tuchel admitted the decision was difficult, describing Alexander-Arnold as a top player with great talent and experience. However, he said he chose to stick with players who have recently been part of the squad. The coach explained that he wanted to rely on those who helped England qualify for the World Cup and performed well during recent training camps late last year. Tuchel also acknowledged Alexander-Arnold’s quality, saying he is well aware of his strengths from facing him multiple times in club football, where he often proved challenging to stop. For this final training camp before naming the World Cup squad, Tuchel has selected a larger group of players. Some footballers with heavy match schedules will join the team later, after England’s match against Uruguay on March 27. A number of players are also expected to be released before another friendly against Japan on March 31 at Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United have been recalled to the squad. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored 10 league goals for Leeds United this season, also returns. First-time call-ups have been handed to James Garner of Everton and Jason Steele of Brighton & Hove Albion. The upcoming FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, is scheduled to begin in June.

The knockout stage for the T20 World Cup is officially set. Following the conclusion of the Super Eight phase, South Africa, England, India, and New Zealand have emerged as the final four contenders remaining from the 20-team tournament. Defending champions and tournament hosts India secured the last available spot by defeating the West Indies in their final Super Eight match. By finishing as the runners-up in Group 1, India booked a blockbuster second semi-final clash against two-time champions England. The high-profile encounter is scheduled to take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5 at 7:30 PM. The knockout phase will commence a day earlier on March 4 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Group 1 champions South Africa will lock horns with New Zealand in the first semi-final at 7:30 PM. Both teams will be fighting fiercely for a spot in the title clash, as neither nation has previously won the T20 World Cup. The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in the grand finale to crown the world champions. The championship match is set to be held in Ahmedabad on March 8 at 7:30 PM.

Australia’s Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka due to a persistent back injury. The 32 year old test captain played just once in Australia’s 4-1 Ashes series victory over England, with his back causing problems for more than six months. Although Cummins was included in the provisional World Cup squad, Australia have chosen Ben Dwarshuis for the final team. Matt Short was also omitted, making way for former Test opener Matthew Renshaw, who made his T20 debut earlier this week. “With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is a ready replacement who provides a left-arm pace option along with dynamic fielding and late-order hitting,” selector Tony Dodemaide said. “We believe his ability to swing the ball at good pace, combined with clever variations, will suit the expected conditions and the overall squad structure.” Read More: South Africa beat West Indies in T20 series opener Australia, captained by Mitchell Marsh, are currently playing a three-match T20 series in Pakistan as part of their tournament preparation. Veteran batsman Steve Smith missed out on the World Cup squad despite strong performances in the Big Bash League. Australia will open their World Cup campaign against Ireland on 11 February in Colombo. “With the top order settled and spin-heavy conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also feel Matt provides extra middle-order support, with Tim David completing his return-to-play program in the early phase of the tournament,” Dodemaide said regarding Renshaw’s selection. “As a left-hander, he also offers a point of difference to the middle-order batting.”   With inputs from BBC

Manny Lumsden starred with the ball as England secured a 65-run victory over New Zealand to advance to the semi-finals of the men’s Under-19 World Cup. The Hampshire seamer produced a brilliant spell on the slow pitch at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, finishing with 5-17 as New Zealand were dismissed for 169 while chasing England’s 235. England will face either Australia or Afghanistan in the semi-finals on 3 or 4 February, depending on India’s final Super Six group match against Pakistan. India currently sit second with six points but have a higher net run-rate (+3.337) than England (+1.757), which will determine the semi-final matchups. “It’s great to win and know we’re through. We’re now looking forward to the semi-finals,” said England captain Thomas Rew. “Manny’s been excellent throughout the tournament. Having a bowler with that kind of firepower is a huge asset.” Read More: Hales removed from England cricket squads, to miss World Cup England posted 234-7 batting first on a tricky surface. Openers Ben Dawkins (42) and Joseph Moores added 48 for the first wicket, while Dawkins later shared another 48-run stand with top scorer Ben Mayes, who made 53 off 70 balls. Caleb Falconer (47) and Farhan Ahmed (29) provided late acceleration, with Snehith Reddy taking 2-28 for New Zealand. Lumsden struck early, removing the dangerous Hugo Bogue and Kiwi captain Tom Jones in the eighth over. Reddy battled with 47 off 65 balls, and Jaskaran Sandhu contributed 26 before falling to Lumsden, who then finished the match by taking the final two wickets in consecutive deliveries. Rew added, “It was a tough wicket, very inconsistent, but our seamers bowled brilliantly, and 230-240 was always going to be a competitive total.”

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.

FIFA has overhauled the 2026 World Cup draw format to ensure the four highest-ranked teams  like Spain, Argentina, France and England avoid each other until the semifinals, provided they top their groups. The draw, set for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., will use a tennis-style bracket system for the first time. FIFA confirmed Tuesday that the new format rewards top-ranked sides by placing them in separate pathways for the 48-team tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The change means defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, and European champions Spain, inspired by Lamine Yamal, can only meet in the final at MetLife Stadium near New York, if both win their respective groups. “To ensure competitive balance, two separate pathways to the semifinals have been established,” FIFA said in a statement, aiming to reward teams whose consistent good results have raised their world ranking. Unlike previous World Cups where knockout paths were tied to group allocation, the new approach fixes the bracket in advance. This year’s draw will place 48 teams into four pots before assigning them to 12 groups of four. A full, updated match schedule, with stadiums and kickoff times, will be released on December 6. The ceremony will last about 90 minutes, with the draw itself taking an estimated 45 minutes. As hosts, Canada, Mexico and the United States enter Pot 1, joined by the nine highest-ranked teams: Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Forty-two teams have already qualified, including Iran and Haiti, which FIFA expects to play as drawn despite political sensitivities with the U.S. The tournament will span 16 venues across the three host nations, including 11 NFL stadiums in the U.S. The remaining six entrants will be decided in March through European and intercontinental playoffs. Those teams will enter Pot 4, the lowest-ranked tier, meaning four-time champions Italy could prove a dangerous wildcard next week when the final placing draw is made. Host nations will be marked with different colored balls: Mexico as A1 (green ball), Canada as B1 (red ball), and USA as D1 (blue ball). The other nine Pot 1 teams will automatically be assigned to position 1 in their respective groups. Pot 2 features the next 12 teams: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, IR Iran, Korea Republic, Ecuador, Austria and Australia. Pot 3 includes Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d'Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Pot 4 contains Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand and the six playoff winners. Teams from the same confederation cannot be drawn together, except for Europe, which will have 16 representatives, forcing four groups to include two UEFA nations. To maintain bracket balance, Spain (rank 1) and Argentina (rank 2) will be placed in opposite pathways. The same applies to France (rank 3) and England (rank 4), ensuring the top sides stay separated until late. For the host schedules, the USA, placed in Group D, will open on June 12 in Inglewood against a Pot 3 team, then face a Pot 2 opponent in Seattle on June 19, and finish against a Pot 4 side back in Inglewood. Mexico, in Group A, will kick off the tournament on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca against a Pot 3 team, then play a Pot 2 team on June 18 in Guadalajara, before returning to Mexico City for their final group match against a Pot 4 opponent. Canada starts on June 12 in Toronto against a Pot 4 team, then moves to Vancouver for matches against Pot 3 and Pot 2 sides. World Cup draw pots: Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, IR Iran, Korea Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Australia Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d'Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Playoff A, B, C, D, FIFA Playoff Tournament 1 and 2 Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.    

Images of the home kits for two of the favorites at the 2026 World Cup—reigning European champions Spain and a resurgent England—have been leaked online, giving fans a first look at what their teams could be wearing in North America next summer. Spain Opaleak has leaked images of Spain’s home kit, which show an adidas design that blends tradition with a bold new twist. The base is a deep red body paired with dark navy sleeves, while the three adidas shoulder stripes run in a red-yellow-red sequence, a subtle nod to the Spanish flag. Fine yellow pinstripes with dotted detailing run vertically down the jersey, adding texture and depth.

Kylian Mbappé rescued France, Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal with a record-equaling goal, and England found momentum under Thomas Tuchel as European soccer powerhouses took important steps toward the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland scored five goals in Norway’s 11-1 rout of Moldova despite playing with fresh facial stitches. England dominates Serbia England registered a commanding 5-0 win over Serbia as Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, and Marc Guehi scored their first international goals. Harry Kane opened the scoring with a header from Declan Rice’s corner and later set up England’s fourth goal following a red card to Serbia’s Nikola Milenkovic. “The energy has been higher and the level has been higher,” Kane said after the match. England now leads Group K by seven points over Albania. A win and two draws in the remaining group matches would secure their World Cup spot. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford remained largely untested, with Serbia failing to register a single shot on target. France survives Iceland scare France held on with 10 men to beat Iceland 2-1, with Mbappé scoring a penalty and assisting Bradley Barcola’s second-half goal. Iceland initially took the lead after a defensive error by Michael Olise. France’s Aurélien Tchouaméni was sent off in the second half, making the finish tense, but Les Bleus remain top of Group D. Ukraine’s qualification hopes dimmed after a 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan. Portugal edges Hungary Portugal secured a 3-2 victory over Hungary thanks to Joao Cancelo’s 86th-minute winner. Ronaldo had earlier converted a penalty, equaling Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz’s record with his 39th World Cup qualifying goal, raising his overall international tally to 141. In Group F, Ireland’s dream of returning to the World Cup ended in a 2-1 loss to Armenia. Haaland stars in Norway’s 11-1 win Norway’s Erling Haaland scored five goals, including a first-half hat-trick, as the team routed Moldova 11-1, extending their Group I lead over Italy to six points. Haaland played despite receiving stitches after a bus door accident. Austria moves closer to first World Cup since 1998 Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer scored as Austria defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 in Group H. Austria now shares 12 points with Bosnia-Herzegovina but has a game in hand. Cyprus and Romania played out a 2-2 draw.

Jacob Bethell will set a new record as England’s youngest-ever men’s cricket captain at just 21, when he leads the team next month. Bethell will captain England in a three-match Twenty20 series against Ireland in Dublin. The previous record was held by Monty Bowden, who was 23 when he captained England in a Test against South Africa in 1889 after regular skipper Aubrey Smith fell ill. Several senior players, including regular white-ball captain Harry Brook, will miss the Ireland series, as Brook is scheduled to lead England in one-day and T20 matches against South Africa in early September. Maxwell eyes bigger bowling role ahead of T20 World Cup “Jacob Bethell has shown strong leadership qualities throughout his time with the England squads, and the Ireland series will give him a chance to further develop those skills at the international level,” England men’s selector Luke Wright said Friday. The appointment reflects Bethell’s rapid rise, having made his international debuts across all three formats only last year. The Ireland series is set to begin on September 17.