Italy achieved a landmark victory by defeating Ireland by four wickets in the third and final T20 match of their series in Dubai. Although Ireland had already secured the series by winning the first two matches, Italy’s triumph marked their first-ever win against an ICC full-member nation. Chasing Ireland’s total of 154, Italy reached 157 for six with three balls to spare, thanks to captain Veni Madsen’s 39 off 30 balls and Grant Stewart’s unbeaten 33 off 19 balls.

Ireland’s innings ended at 154 in 19.4 overs, with opener Paul Stirling scoring 45 and Mark Adair adding 25 runs. For Italy, Kalugamage took three wickets for 28 runs. Despite losing two early wickets for 22, Italy recovered through disciplined batting and finished the chase in style. The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among the Italian players.

Italy will now turn their focus to the T20 World Cup starting in early February, where they are placed in Group C alongside England, Nepal, Scotland, and the West Indies.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has termed the exclusion of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a severe insult. Speaking at an election rally in Satkhira Government Boys’ School field on Tuesday, he said the decision by India not to allow Mustafizur to play even a friendly match was an affront to both the player and the nation. He also criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not accepting Bangladesh’s proposal to shift the T20 World Cup venue to Sri Lanka.

Following threats from extremist groups in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on January 3 that Mustafizur would not participate in the IPL. Citing security concerns, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided not to send the national team to India for the T20 World Cup. After several meetings, the ICC gave Bangladesh 24 hours to reverse its decision, but the country remained firm, leading to its replacement by Scotland in the tournament.

Dr. Rahman urged the ICC to reconsider its stance and emphasized maintaining dignity and fairness in international cricket relations.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has finalized Vietnam as the opponent for a friendly match ahead of the Asian Cup qualifying round. The match will take place on March 26 in Vietnam, serving as preparation for Bangladesh’s upcoming qualifier against Singapore. The national team will travel to Singapore after the friendly to play their final group-stage match on March 31 in Kallang.

Earlier, BFF had been in contact with several countries, including Cambodia and East Timor, to arrange a preparatory match, but ultimately decided on Vietnam. Bangladesh began their Asian Cup qualifying campaign on March 25 of the previous year in Shillong against India. So far, Bangladesh has played six matches in the qualifiers, winning one and drawing two. Their only victory came at home against India with a 1–0 scoreline.

The friendly against Vietnam is expected to help the team fine-tune its strategy and build momentum before the crucial qualifier in Singapore.

Bangladesh has declined to play in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India citing security concerns, proposing instead to play in Sri Lanka. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC), reportedly under pressure from India, rejected Bangladesh’s request and replaced them with Scotland. Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, Trudy Lindblad, confirmed the development and expressed sympathy for the Bangladeshi players who had qualified but were excluded from the tournament.

Lindblad stated that Scotland did not wish to qualify in this manner, acknowledging that their inclusion was the result of exceptional circumstances. She said the team understood Bangladesh’s disappointment and emphasized that no team wants to enter a global event through invitation rather than qualification. Despite the sudden call-up, Scotland is preparing to send its team to India within a week, with logistical challenges such as visas and travel arrangements being managed with ICC assistance.

The 20-team T20 World Cup begins in India on February 7, with Scotland joining Group C alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has denied accreditation to all Bangladeshi journalists seeking to cover the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka. The decision was communicated via email on Monday. The ICC stated that since Bangladesh is not participating in the tournament, Bangladeshi sports journalists will not be granted permission to cover the event. Earlier, the Bangladesh government had refused to allow its national cricket team to travel to India due to security concerns, effectively ruling the team out of the competition.

The ICC’s refusal follows Bangladesh’s official withdrawal from the World Cup, which was announced after the government cited safety risks for players. The rejection of journalist accreditations has been described as surprising and disappointing, with some viewing it as a reflection of the growing influence of Indian interests within world cricket. The development has sparked criticism that the ICC’s decision further isolates Bangladeshi representation in the tournament.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding security and participation in international cricket events hosted in India.

Pakistan is reportedly considering boycotting the upcoming T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh, which has already withdrawn from the tournament. The discussion has sparked widespread debate about the potential impact on the event. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali warned that if Pakistan pulls out, international broadcasters could face severe financial losses, as India-Pakistan matches represent one of the largest markets for viewership and advertising revenue.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the final decision on participation will be made by the government, increasing uncertainty around the tournament. Basit Ali praised Naqvi’s recent press conference, saying it placed the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a difficult position. According to various sources cited in the report, the ICC has issued a strong warning to Pakistan against boycotting, suggesting that such a move could lead to unprecedented sanctions affecting the PCB’s finances and international standing.

If Pakistan proceeds with a boycott, the report suggests the entire tournament could face disruption and long-term repercussions for global cricket governance and broadcasting interests.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering three possible actions to show support for Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that while Pakistan had earlier indicated a possible withdrawal from the tournament, no final decision has been made. The board expects to reach a conclusion by Friday or Monday.

According to a Sama TV report cited in the source, Naqvi discussed the issue with board officials and former cricketers during a Pakistan Super League workshop, where he strongly supported Bangladesh. He reportedly stated that Bangladesh had been disrespected and should not be left isolated, reflecting the PCB’s stance.

The three options under review include wearing black armbands during matches to express solidarity with Bangladeshi fans, boycotting the February 15 India–Pakistan match citing Indian behavior, and dedicating Pakistan’s World Cup victories to Bangladesh’s cricket supporters.

Bangladesh Under-19 team were eliminated from the Super Six stage after a decisive loss to England in Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club. Batting first, Bangladesh collapsed for 136 runs in 38.1 overs, with only Rifat Beg (31), captain Azizul Hakim (20), and wicketkeeper Mohammad Abdullah (25) reaching double figures. England chased down the target comfortably, scoring 137 for 3 in 24.1 overs, led by captain Rue’s unbeaten 59. The result confirmed Bangladesh’s exit from the tournament.

Bangladesh had entered the Super Six with only one point, while India and England started with four points each in Group 2. This left Bangladesh needing a win to keep their semifinal hopes alive, but the team failed to handle the pressure. The defeat marked Bangladesh’s third consecutive Under-19 World Cup exit before the semifinals since their 2020 championship.

Despite the elimination, Bangladesh still have one remaining match scheduled against Zimbabwe on June 31 in Harare.

Brazilian forward Endrick, once hailed as a prodigy and the next Pelé, has reignited his career in France after a difficult spell at Real Madrid. On loan to Lyon in Ligue 1, the 19-year-old scored a hat-trick in a 5–2 victory over Metz, helping his team climb to fourth place in the standings with 36 points from 19 matches. The remaining goals came from Ruben Kluivert and Tyler Morton, while PSG lead the table with 45 points.

Endrick opened the scoring in the 11th minute, added a second in first-half stoppage time, and completed his hat-trick with an 87th-minute penalty. At 19 years and 188 days, he became the youngest player in Lyon and Ligue 1 history to score a hat-trick, breaking Bernard Lacombe’s record of 19 years and 196 days. Endrick has now scored four goals and provided one assist in his first three matches for Lyon.

After the match, Endrick expressed happiness at returning to form, saying he felt comfortable and grateful to his teammates and staff for their support.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup, reportedly under the influence of India. The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) has expressed concern over the move, calling it a threat to unity in world cricket. WCA chief executive Tom Moffat said the exclusion of Bangladesh, a full ICC member and a major cricketing nation, signals internal problems within the governing body. He urged the ICC to act impartially and work with all stakeholders to prevent division in the sport.

The decision follows Bangladesh’s request to relocate its matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns after Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the IPL by Kolkata Knight Riders on Indian board instructions. Despite weeks of discussions, the ICC upheld its decision, prompting widespread criticism. Pakistan’s former cricketer Rashid Latif warned that Pakistan might withdraw in protest, arguing that such exclusions would damage the World Cup’s credibility. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi also accused the ICC of double standards compared to India’s past refusal to play in Pakistan.

Observers now await whether the ICC will respond to Moffat’s call for unity or remain under India’s dominance.

The English Premier League title race intensified as Manchester United shocked league leaders Arsenal with a 3–2 home victory. Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest also secured wins in their respective matches. Villa defeated Newcastle United 2–0, Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 3–1, and Nottingham overcame Brentford 2–0. The results reshaped the standings, with Manchester United moving to fourth place on 38 points, Chelsea rising to fifth with 37, and Aston Villa matching Manchester City’s points but remaining third on goal difference.

In Spain’s La Liga, Barcelona regained the top spot after a commanding 3–0 win over bottom-ranked Real Oviedo. Goals from Olmo, Raphinha, and Yamal sealed the victory for the Catalan side. With this result, Barcelona now lead the table with 52 points from 21 matches, one point ahead of Real Madrid, while Real Oviedo remain last with 13 points.

The weekend’s outcomes tightened both the Premier League and La Liga title races, setting up an intense second half of the season.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has excluded Bangladesh from the upcoming T20 World Cup, granting Scotland the opportunity to participate instead. The decision, which prevents Bangladesh from playing in Sri Lanka, has drawn strong criticism from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi described the exclusion as unjust and an example of the ICC’s double standards.

Following the announcement, Pakistan is reportedly considering whether to withdraw from the World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh. Naqvi held a meeting with Pakistan’s players and team management on Sunday, where they expressed support for the board’s stance and agreed to abide by whatever decision the PCB ultimately makes. According to a source, Naqvi is expected to discuss the matter with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday before a final decision is made.

The outcome of this discussion will determine whether Pakistan boycotts the World Cup or proceeds to participate despite its protest against the ICC’s decision.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed it will not challenge the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision regarding Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the upcoming World Cup in India. The BCB had requested that Bangladesh’s matches be moved to Sri Lanka, but the ICC rejected the proposal and instructed that the games be played in India. Following this, Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament and has now decided not to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

After an eight-hour meeting, BCB Media Committee Chairman Amjad Hossain stated that the board accepted the ICC’s ruling and would not pursue arbitration. He explained that the decision not to play in India came from the Bangladesh government, which had directed that the team could not participate unless the fixture schedule was changed. The BCB formally informed the ICC that it would not be possible for the team to play in India under the current arrangements.

The BCB’s decision effectively ends any legal or administrative dispute over Bangladesh’s withdrawal, leaving the team out of the World Cup as scheduled.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, naming Salman Agha as captain. Former skipper Babar Azam has been included, while Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf have been left out. The announcement was made in Lahore by selector Aaqib Javed, alongside captain Salman and coach Mike Hesson. Several players, including Salman Mirza, Khaja Nafi, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Tariq, have been called up for their first World Cup appearance.

The team announcement comes amid speculation that Pakistan might boycott the tournament in support of Bangladesh. The International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly excluded Bangladesh from the World Cup after the Bangladesh government refused to play in India, citing security concerns. Bangladesh had requested to play in Sri Lanka, but the ICC denied the request and replaced them with Scotland. PCB has criticized the ICC’s decision, fueling discussions about a possible boycott.

Pakistan is scheduled to play its opening match against the Netherlands on February 7, with India, Namibia, and the United States also in Group A.

European football fans witnessed a night of mixed fortunes across three major leagues on January 25, 2026. Real Madrid climbed to the top of La Liga after defeating Villarreal 2–0, thanks to two second-half goals from Kylian Mbappé. The French forward scored in the 47th minute and added another from a penalty in stoppage time, bringing his tally to 21 goals in 20 league matches. With 51 points from 21 games, Real overtook Barcelona, who have 49 points from one game fewer.

In the Premier League, Liverpool fell 3–2 to Bournemouth due to defensive lapses. Virgil van Dijk’s error allowed Ivanilson to open the scoring, followed by Alex Jimenez doubling the lead. Although Van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai equalized, Amin Adli’s stoppage-time goal sealed Bournemouth’s victory.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich suffered their first Bundesliga defeat of the season, losing 2–1 to Augsburg at home. Augsburg scored twice in the final six minutes, ending Bayern’s 27-match unbeaten league run. Despite the loss, Bayern remain top with 50 points from 19 matches, while Augsburg climbed to 13th with 19 points.