A dramatic night in the Champions League saw Real Madrid, PSG and Benfica secure playoff spots despite mixed results. Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4–2 to claim the 24th position and eliminate Marseille, while Real finished ninth with 15 points to also qualify for the knockout playoffs. PSG, the defending champions, drew 1–1 at home with Newcastle, finishing tenth with 14 points and missing a direct berth in the round of 16.

Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt surprised by beating Atlético Madrid 2–1 to reach the playoffs. Arsenal topped their group after defeating Kairat Almaty, and Liverpool crushed Qarabag 6–0. The top eight teams advancing directly to the round of 16 are Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City.

The playoff round will feature teams ranked ninth to twenty-fourth, including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, PSG, Newcastle, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabag, Bodø/Glimt and Benfica.

Senior sports journalist and author Sharada Ugra has alleged that the International Cricket Council (ICC) operates under the influence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Speaking on The Wire’s program ‘The Interview,’ she claimed that the ICC has effectively become BCCI’s Dubai office, following its directives without question. Her remarks come amid escalating tensions involving Bangladesh, India, and the ICC ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, as Bangladesh’s request to shift match venues over security concerns was rejected.

The controversy began when Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was reportedly dropped from the Indian Premier League under what Ugra described as “unwritten, unofficial instructions.” She argued that the move was politically motivated, linked to strained India-Bangladesh relations and upcoming elections in Assam and West Bengal. Ugra criticized the ICC’s refusal to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, calling it double standards compared to the hybrid model allowed for India-Pakistan fixtures.

According to Ugra, India’s dominance has undermined the credibility of the World Cup and turned cricket into a political tool. She warned that ICC’s perceived bias could damage its global reputation and raise governance questions as cricket seeks inclusion in the Olympics.

Multiple major sporting events will be broadcast live today across various channels. The first T20 match between Pakistan and Australia will air at 5:00 p.m. on Sony Sports and Sony Liv. South Africa will face West Indies in the second T20 at 10:00 p.m. on Sports 18 and Jio Hotstar. In the ICC Under-19 World Cup Super Six stage, South Africa will play Sri Lanka at 1:30 p.m. on Star Sports and Jio Hotstar.

Football fans can watch several UEFA Europa League matches live at 2:00 a.m., including Stuttgart vs Young Boys, Porto vs Rangers, Aston Villa vs Salzburg, Olympique Lyon vs PAOK, Real Betis vs Feyenoord, and Lille vs Freiburg. These matches will be available on Sony Ten channels, Sony Liv, and Tapmad. Tennis coverage continues with the Australian Open semifinals airing live at 2:30 p.m. on Sony Sports 2 and 5.

The day’s lineup offers a packed schedule for cricket, football, and tennis enthusiasts, with live coverage across multiple global tournaments.

Former ICC president Ehsan Mani has criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after Bangladesh was excluded from the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had requested to play its matches in Sri Lanka citing security concerns about traveling to India, but the ICC rejected the proposal and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland. The decision, reportedly influenced by India, has sparked widespread criticism across the cricket world, including within India itself.

In an interview with Telecom Asia, Mani said cricket has lost direction under the ICC’s current structure and called for immediate constitutional reforms to ensure independent and neutral board directors. He blamed political interference and administrative weakness for the current instability. Mani also questioned BCCI’s handling of player safety, citing Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from the IPL as an example, and described Bangladesh’s security concerns as legitimate.

He further argued that the ICC should follow FIFA or Olympic models, requiring host nations to guarantee visas and security for all teams or lose hosting rights.

The Bangladesh women's futsal team, winners of the inaugural SAFF Futsal Championship, are returning home from Thailand at 6:30 p.m. today. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has announced plans for a grand reception to honor the champions upon their arrival. The team made history by winning the first-ever SAFF Futsal Championship, defeating the Maldives 14–2 in the final round-robin match last Sunday to remain unbeaten.

Following their victory in the seven-team tournament, players Sabina, Krishna, and Sumaiya are set to receive a celebratory welcome. BFF Vice President Fahad Karim told *Amar Desh* that the federation is preparing the reception according to the players’ preferences. Previous SAFF-winning teams were honored with open-top bus parades, and a similar event may be arranged if the players request it.

The BFF previously organized receptions for the women’s team after their qualification for the Asian Cup. This time, the futsal champions will be celebrated in the same manner, marking another milestone for women’s football in Bangladesh.

New Zealand defeated India by 50 runs in the fourth T20 match of the series held in Visakhapatnam. Despite a powerful batting display from Shivam Dube, who scored 65 runs off 23 balls with seven sixes and three fours, India were bowled out for 165 runs while chasing a target of 216. Dube’s 15-ball fifty and an over yielding 28 runs off Ish Sodhi were not enough to secure victory. Rinku Singh added 39 runs and Sanju Samson contributed 24 for India.

Earlier, New Zealand’s openers Devon Conway and Tim Seifert gave their team a strong start with a 100-run partnership, scoring 44 and 62 respectively. Daryl Mitchell remained unbeaten on 39 off 18 balls, helping New Zealand post 215 for 7 in 20 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each for India. Mitchell Santner claimed three wickets for 26 runs, while Jacob Duffy took two for 33.

Despite the defeat, India lead the series 3–1. Tim Seifert was named Player of the Match for his match-winning innings.

The Bangladesh government has granted permission for shooter Robiul Islam and coach Sharmin Akter to participate in the Asian Shooting Championship in New Delhi, India, from February 2 to 14, 2026. The approval was issued on Wednesday through a government order, according to National Sports Council Director (Sports) Mohammad Aminul Ehsan. The decision comes even as the government withheld permission for the national cricket team to travel to India for the T20 World Cup due to security concerns.

Officials said the shooting event will take place in an indoor and secured environment, minimizing potential security risks. Robiul is scheduled to compete in the 10-meter air rifle event on February 6, marking his first international appearance since the 2024 Paris Olympics. He has been training intensively in the South Asian Games camp ahead of the tournament.

Unlike previous years when Bangladesh sent larger shooting contingents, only Robiul and his coach will travel this time, which the report described as a clear failure of the Bangladesh Shooting Sports Federation. They are expected to depart for India on January 31.

South Africa defeated West Indies by nine wickets in the first match of their three-game T20 series. The match, held on Wednesday, saw South Africa chase down a target of 174 runs with 13 balls to spare. Aiden Markram led the hosts with an unbeaten 86 off 47 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes. Reeza Hendricks contributed 44 runs from 28 balls, while Ryan Rickelton added 40 not out. George Linde was named Player of the Match for taking three wickets for 25 runs.

Batting first after losing the toss, West Indies posted 173 for seven in 20 overs. Despite a 39-run opening stand, they lost quick wickets and were reduced to 95 for five. Shimron Hetmyer scored 48 and Rovman Powell remained unbeaten on 29, helping their side reach a competitive total. For South Africa, Linde and Bosch shared five wickets between them.

With this victory, South Africa took a 1–0 lead in the three-match series. The second T20 is scheduled to be played in Centurion on Thursday.

Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals of the 2026 Australian Open after Italian opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired due to injury during their quarterfinal match in Melbourne. Musetti had taken a commanding two-set lead, winning 6-4 and 6-3, before suffering thigh and groin injuries that forced him to withdraw while trailing 1-3 in the third set. The Serbian star, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, advanced by walkover to his 13th semifinal appearance at the tournament.

Djokovic’s path to the last four was marked by unusual fortune. In the previous round, he progressed without playing after Czech player Jakub Mensik withdrew with stomach pain. The 38-year-old has now won a record 103 singles matches at the Australian Open, surpassing Roger Federer. Djokovic will face second seed Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, after the Italian defeated American Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

In the women’s singles, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina and American Jessica Pegula reached the semifinals, while Poland’s Iga Swiatek was eliminated following a straight-sets loss to Rybakina.

Sheikh Joaad bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar has been elected as the new president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The election took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, during the OCA’s 45th annual general assembly. Sheikh Joaad was chosen with the representatives’ support after Ranbir Singh stepped down due to health reasons. He will serve as president until 2028. Before his election, Sheikh Joaad was the president of the Qatar Olympic Association and senior vice president of the OCA.

During the same meeting, Asian Archery Federation president and Bangladesh Archery Federation founding general secretary Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol met Sheikh Joaad. In their courtesy meeting, Sheikh Joaad assured continued support for the growth of archery across Asia. Rajib Uddin said discussions included archery’s role in the upcoming Asian Games and cooperation between OCA and World Archery Asia for the sport’s development.

Sheikh Joaad also invited further discussions and collaboration on archery initiatives in Qatar, signaling potential regional cooperation in the sport’s advancement.

Pakistan’s legendary cricketer Mohammad Yousuf has strongly criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) after Bangladesh was excluded from the upcoming T20 World Cup. According to the report, Bangladesh had made a justified request to change the tournament venue, but the ICC, allegedly influenced by India, pressured Bangladesh and ultimately removed the team from the competition. The decision has sparked widespread criticism across the cricket world.

In a post on his X handle, Yousuf questioned the ICC’s fairness, consistency, and administrative competence, saying the organization failed to ensure justice for Bangladesh. He compared Bangladesh’s massive fan base to that of ten other cricketing nations combined, arguing that ignoring Bangladesh’s legitimate security concerns raises serious doubts about ICC’s integrity. Yousuf emphasized that cricket should be governed by principles, not favoritism.

The report adds that Scotland has replaced Bangladesh in the tournament and will play in Group C alongside Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and England.

Pakistan’s legendary spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has said that politics should not be mixed with sports, describing it as harmful not only to cricket but also to humanity. Speaking to India’s news agency NNI after Bangladesh’s elimination from the T20 World Cup, Mushtaq criticized the involvement of politics in cricket and emphasized that the game should unite nations rather than divide them.

In the interview, Mushtaq stated that politics should be eradicated because it acts as an enemy to humanity and damages both sports and players. He reiterated that cricket is meant to be a source of entertainment, not a battlefield or a tool of conflict. The former Pakistan cricketer declined to comment on Bangladesh’s decision not to play in India, saying he does not believe in politics.

Mushtaq’s remarks underline his long-held view that cricket should remain a unifying and entertaining sport, free from political interference and national disputes.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to explain its decision to deny accreditation to Bangladeshi journalists for coverage of the upcoming T20 World Cup. According to reports, the ICC informed Bangladeshi journalists via email on Monday that their accreditation applications had been rejected, preventing them from covering the tournament. BCB Director and Media Committee Chairman Amjad Hossain confirmed that the board had contacted the ICC seeking clarification on the matter.

The decision has drawn criticism toward the ICC, which was already under scrutiny for allegedly excluding Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup under Indian influence. Amjad Hossain noted that Bangladeshi journalists had previously received accreditation even when the national team did not participate in ICC events, calling the latest move an unprecedented step. Indian media reports suggested that political and security concerns were the main reasons behind the denial, citing Bangladesh’s own statements about instability and safety concerns regarding travel to India.

The controversy has intensified debate over transparency and fairness in ICC’s administrative decisions, with the BCB awaiting an official response.

Cricket Scotland has turned to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for assistance in securing an Indian visa for Pakistan-origin fast bowler Safyaan Sharif ahead of the T20 World Cup starting on February 7 in India. The ICC has assured Scotland that all players will receive their visas before the tournament begins, after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the competition. However, Sharif’s visa process may face complications due to his Pakistani heritage.

The Scottish team is scheduled to depart for India later this week. Ongoing political and diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan have made it difficult for Pakistani citizens and those of Pakistani descent to obtain Indian visas. Several players from other teams have reportedly faced similar challenges ahead of the tournament.

Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, Trudy Lindblad, said the board is committed to working closely with the ICC, which is coordinating with local authorities and the BCCI to ensure necessary support. The team remains hopeful that Sharif will receive his visa before their opening match against the West Indies in Kolkata on February 7.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has launched the 'Physically Challenged Cricket Trial Camp 2026', a two-day program aimed at selecting talented and promising cricketers with physical disabilities from across the country. The camp began today under the initiative of the BCB’s Physically Challenged Wing and seeks to identify players capable of representing Bangladesh in national and international competitions.

According to the BCB, the main goal of the initiative is to build a strong and skilled national team for physically challenged players. The selection process is being conducted under international standards, with experienced coaching staff and certified classifiers assessing participants’ physical ability, technical skills, game strategy, fitness, and mental strength. The process is designed to be transparent and impartial.

BCB Director and Chairman of the Physically Challenged Wing, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, attended the opening ceremony as chief guest. He stated that integrating physically challenged cricketers into mainstream sports is a key priority for the board and reflects inclusive progress in Bangladesh’s sporting sector.