BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has extended heartfelt congratulations to the Bangladesh women's football team for winning the SAFF Women's Futsal Championship in Bangkok. The team defeated the Maldives by 14 goals to claim the title, marking Bangladesh’s biggest victory against the Maldives in the competition. Fakhrul expressed pride in the team’s achievement, saying it brought honor to the nation on the global stage.

In his congratulatory message issued on Sunday, Fakhrul praised the players’ strong morale and sporting skills, noting that the victory demonstrated their growing confidence and excellence. He also conveyed best wishes to the team’s coaches, officials, and all those involved in the success.

Fakhrul expressed optimism that the women’s team would continue to bring further glory to Bangladesh in the near future through their dedication and performance.

World-renowned climber Alex Honnold has completed the largest urban free-solo climb in history. On Saturday, January 24, during a live special broadcast on Netflix, he scaled the exterior of Taipei 101, a 508-meter (1,667-foot) skyscraper, without ropes or safety equipment, finishing the ascent in less than 90 minutes.

The climb began at 9:17 a.m. local time in Taiwan and marked the first-ever free-solo ascent of a skyscraper. In a previously aired interview, Honnold said Taipei 101 had fascinated him for years and that he had dreamed of climbing it for about 12 years. The challenge unfolded in three stages: first, a 113-meter sloped steel-and-glass section; second, eight “bamboo box” structures with overhangs; and finally, the spire, which posed the toughest physical test.

Honnold’s heart rate reportedly reached about 165 beats per minute halfway through. He ended the climb by taking a selfie at the summit. The successful, accident-free feat drew widespread global praise.

Rana Sanaullah, political adviser to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has called on Pakistan to stand by Bangladesh after Dhaka withdrew from the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India citing security concerns. Speaking on Geo News, Sanaullah said supporting Bangladesh would benefit Pakistan in the long term, even if it meant financial losses for Pakistan cricket.

He emphasized that Pakistan’s solidarity should be directed toward the Bangladeshi state rather than any political party or government. Sanaullah added that such support could help bridge the gap created between the two nations since 1971 and foster a new phase of brotherly relations. He described the potential impact of Pakistan’s stance as far-reaching.

Following Bangladesh’s withdrawal, the ICC replaced the team with Scotland. Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that Pakistan’s participation decision would follow government instructions, with a final announcement expected after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s return to the country.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board declined to participate due to security concerns in India. The decision, revealed in an ICC statement on Saturday, has sparked widespread debate and criticism over alleged favoritism toward India. Bangladesh’s withdrawal led to a reshuffle in Group C, with Scotland now set to face West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal when the tournament begins on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi and former Australian player Jason Gillespie publicly criticized the ICC’s handling of the issue. Afridi expressed disappointment on social media, accusing the ICC of inconsistency for accepting India’s security concerns in Pakistan in 2025 but rejecting Bangladesh’s similar request. He urged the ICC to ensure fairness and equal treatment for all member nations. Gillespie questioned the transparency of the decision, recalling that India had previously been allowed to play the Champions Trophy in Dubai instead of Pakistan.

The controversy has raised questions about the ICC’s impartiality and its approach to member nations’ security concerns ahead of the upcoming global tournament.

Arsenal, currently leading the English Premier League table, will face Manchester United tonight in a high-voltage encounter. After drawing their last two matches, Mikel Arteta’s side aim to return to winning ways. The match, scheduled for 10:30 p.m. Bangladesh time, also marks a major test for United’s interim coach Michael Carrick, whose team sits fifth in the standings.

Arsenal’s inconsistency has often hindered their title ambitions, and this season has shown similar patterns. Following a series of victories, they were held to goalless draws by Liverpool at home and Nottingham Forest away. For Carrick, the challenge is steep—United have lost five of their last six meetings with Arsenal and all four of their most recent league games at the Emirates. However, United fans recall last season’s FA Cup third-round win on penalties at Arsenal despite being reduced to ten men.

The match will determine whether Arsenal can consolidate their top position or if Manchester United can signal a resurgence under new leadership.

A column by M. M. Kaiser, published on January 25, 2026, strongly criticizes former cricket organizer Syed Ashraful Haque for remarks he made in an interview with an India-based cricket website regarding Bangladesh’s stance on the T20 World Cup venue. Haque suggested that players, not the government or cricket board, should decide whether to participate based on ICC’s security plan, and alleged that a questionable agenda was depriving players of their World Cup dreams. Kaiser described these comments as offensive and disconnected from current realities.

The article defends Bangladesh’s call to shift the World Cup venue from India to Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns following incidents of violence against people suspected of being Bangladeshi in India. It argues that the ICC and BCCI have failed to guarantee player safety, referencing Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from an IPL squad over security fears. The writer contends that Bangladesh’s position is morally justified and criticizes the ICC’s neutrality and India’s influence.

Kaiser concludes that Bangladesh’s demand is about dignity and safety, not politics, asserting that the nation seeks to live and compete with self-respect rather than submission.

Bangladesh has withdrawn from the upcoming T20 World Cup in India citing security concerns. The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) rejected the ICC’s ultimatum to participate. In response, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi strongly criticized the ICC’s decision, calling it unjust and accusing the organization of maintaining double standards.

Speaking in Lahore, Naqvi said that Bangladesh was being treated unfairly and questioned why a special ‘hybrid model’ arrangement could exist for India and Pakistan but not for Bangladesh. The controversy began when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from their squad following threats from extremist groups. This incident heightened BCB’s security concerns, leading to Bangladesh’s refusal to send its team to India.

Following the withdrawal, Bangladesh’s Information Ministry also ordered a suspension of Indian Premier League (IPL) broadcasts in the country, further escalating the cricketing tensions between the two nations.

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of favoring India following Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh decided not to participate in the tournament, citing concerns over India’s security arrangements. Despite being given time by the ICC to reconsider, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stood firm, leading to Scotland replacing Bangladesh in the competition.

In an interview with Pakistan’s Geo Super, Sethi praised Bangladesh’s decision, calling it a strong and justified stance given the tension and threats involved. He alleged that the ICC ignored these concerns due to its bias toward India and claimed that the decision aligned with India’s preferences. Sethi also urged other cricketing nations to resist what he described as India’s dominance within the ICC.

Sethi further called on current PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to consider boycotting the World Cup as well, saying he would support such a move if Pakistan followed Bangladesh’s example.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. According to a Cricbuzz report, the decision followed Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India due to security concerns. Despite repeated pressure and an ultimatum from the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, maintained its stance and did not respond within the deadline, prompting the ICC to include Scotland instead.

Bangladesh had earlier requested that all its matches be held in co-host Sri Lanka, but the ICC did not approve the proposal. England and West Indies, who were in the same group, also declined to travel to Sri Lanka, and a proposed group swap with Ireland failed after Ireland rejected the ICC’s offer. Reports suggest the Indian cricket board influenced Ireland’s decision with financial incentives and bilateral series promises. Pakistan’s cricket board supported Bangladesh’s position and urged the ICC to relocate matches to Sri Lanka or Pakistan, but the appeal was ignored.

Scotland will now join Group C and play matches in Kolkata and Mumbai against West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal.

The curtain has fallen on the Bangladesh Premier League 2026, with Rajshahi Warriors defeating Chattogram Royals in the final to claim the championship. Despite the title win, no Rajshahi player topped the batting or bowling charts. Sylhet Titans’ Parvez Hossain Imon emerged as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 395 runs in 12 matches, followed by Rangpur’s Towhid Hridoy with 382 runs. Rajshahi’s Tanzid Hasan Tamim ranked third with 356 runs, including a century in the final.

Among bowlers, Chattogram Royals’ Shariful Islam set a new record by taking 26 wickets in 12 matches, surpassing the previous mark of 25. Nasum Ahmed followed with 18 wickets, while Rajshahi’s Ripon Mondol claimed 17. Hasan Mahmud of Noakhali Express and Binura Fernando of Rajshahi each took 16 wickets. Rangpur’s Mustafizur Rahman also finished with 16 wickets, while Mehedi Hasan and Amir Jamal of Chattogram shared fifth place with 15 wickets each.

The season concluded with record-breaking bowling performances and consistent batting displays across multiple teams.

Cricket analyst Yasef Imroz Ifaz has alleged that India has turned cricket into a political tool to advance regional agendas, claiming the sport is experiencing one of its darkest periods. He argued that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dominates nearly every aspect of the game, while many key branches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) are controlled by individuals of Indian origin, compromising the organization’s neutrality. Ifaz praised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for prioritizing national interest and resisting what he described as unfair pressure from the ICC to play in India despite security concerns.

The commentary links the current dispute to India’s initial security objections involving Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman, which later reversed when Bangladesh raised similar concerns. Ifaz cited past incidents, including umpiring controversies and hostile fan behavior, as evidence of bias favoring India. He warned that India’s approach risks damaging long-standing Bangladesh–India relations and called for mutual respect between the two nations.

Ifaz suggested that Bangladesh’s recent political changes have led it to assert its sovereignty more strongly, urging India to adapt to this new reality.

India secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20 match held in Raipur, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Chasing a target of 209, India reached 209 for 3 in just 15.2 overs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav remained unbeaten on 82 runs off 37 balls, while Ishan Kishan contributed a powerful 76 off 32 deliveries. Their third-wicket partnership of 122 runs in 49 balls ensured a comfortable win for the hosts.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 208 for 6 in their 20 overs after being asked to bat first. Captain Mitchell Santner top-scored with an unbeaten 47, and Rachin Ravindra added 44 runs. For India, Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets for 35 runs. Despite the solid total, New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to contain India’s aggressive batting.

With this result, India extended their advantage in the five-match T20 series to 2-0, leaving New Zealand under pressure to stay alive in the remaining games.

Rajshahi Warriors, a new franchise in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), won the 2026 season title by defeating Chattogram Royals by 63 runs in the final held in Mirpur. Batting first, Rajshahi scored 174 for 4 in 20 overs, led by Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s century. In reply, Chattogram were bowled out for 111 runs, failing to chase the target against disciplined bowling from Rajshahi.

Tamim’s 100 off 62 balls, featuring six fours and seven sixes, was the third century in a BPL final. Supporting contributions came from Sahibzada Farhan with 30 and Kane Williamson with 24. For Chattogram, Mukidul Islam Mugdho and Shoriful Islam took two wickets each. Shoriful also set a new record for most wickets in a single BPL season with 26.

Sri Lankan pacer Binura Fernando starred with the ball for Rajshahi, taking four wickets for nine runs in three overs, while spinner Hasan Murad claimed three for 15. Their combined effort restricted Chattogram’s batting lineup, securing Rajshahi Warriors their maiden BPL championship.

Bangladesh advanced to the Super Four stage of the Under-19 World Cup after defeating the United States by seven wickets in their final group match. The match, held in Harare, saw the U.S. bat first and post 199 runs in 50 overs under pressure from Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack. In reply, Bangladesh reached the target in 41.3 overs, losing only three wickets and finishing with 51 balls to spare.

The victory was crucial for Bangladesh, as they needed a win to qualify for the Super Four. Iqbal Hossain Imon led the bowling with three wickets, while three other bowlers took two each. In the chase, openers Jawad Abrar and Rifat Beg built a 78-run partnership before captain Azizul Hakim guided the team home with a composed 64-run innings. Kalam Siddiqui and Rizan remained unbeaten to seal the win.

With this result, Bangladesh’s Under-19 team continues its campaign in the Super Four, maintaining strong momentum from the group stage.

Bangladesh delivered a dominant 9–1 victory over Pakistan in the ongoing SAFF Women's Futsal Championship in Thailand. The match, held at Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, saw captain Sabina Khatun score four goals, while Krishna Rani Sarkar and Naushin Jahan each netted twice, and Yamin Nila added one. With this win, Bangladesh remained unbeaten after five matches, securing four wins and one draw to collect 13 points and maintain their lead at the top of the standings.

Bangladesh began their campaign with a 3–1 win against India, followed by a 3–3 draw with Bhutan. They then defeated Nepal 3–0 and Sri Lanka 6–2 before routing Pakistan. The tournament follows a round-robin format, with the top team crowned champion. Bangladesh’s final match is scheduled against the Maldives on Sunday.

Captain Sabina Khatun expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and urged supporters to pray for a strong finish in their last match to bring joy to the nation.