Veteran batsman Mushfiqur Rahim said Bangladesh’s Test team has undergone a major transformation, now possessing a bowling attack capable of taking 20 wickets. Speaking at a press conference in Sylhet on the eve of the Test match, he noted that while Bangladesh’s batting had long been strong, it previously lacked a consistent bowling unit to win matches. The combination of young pacers and reliable spinners has made the team more balanced and competitive.

Mushfiqur praised the young pace bowlers, mentioning that their experience in first-class cricket has helped them mature and perform at the international level. He highlighted players such as Nahid Rana, Shoriful, and Taskin as examples of bowlers who are effectively using their domestic experience. According to him, Bangladesh’s improvement in Test cricket stems from having more consistent performers across the team.

Looking ahead, Mushfiqur expressed optimism about the World Test Championship, saying the team aims to secure as many points as possible at home while also challenging opponents in tough overseas conditions.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is set to announce the name of the new head coach for the national football team today, pending a government decision. After evaluating several candidates, Chris Coleman from Wales, Rosario Mikel from Brazil, and Bernd Stork from Germany have emerged as the leading contenders. Among them, hiring Coleman or Mikel would require higher remuneration, while Stork’s appointment would be less costly. The final decision depends on government approval.

BFF President Tabith Awal was scheduled to meet State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque yesterday to discuss the appointment, but the meeting was postponed to today. The announcement of the new coach will follow this meeting. If the Ministry of Youth and Sports provides financial assistance, the federation may appoint Coleman; otherwise, alternative options will be considered.

The decision is expected to shape the future direction of the national football team as it prepares for upcoming international competitions.

France coach Didier Deschamps has announced the final 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, leaving out Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. The team will be led by Kylian Mbappé, with Ousmane Dembélé among the key forwards. France will begin their campaign against Senegal on June 16. Mbappé, currently on 56 international goals, is just one goal behind Olivier Giroud’s national record of 57.

Deschamps told French broadcaster TF1 that the decision was not only about selecting the best players but also maintaining team balance, noting that Camavinga had endured a difficult season. Tottenham forward Randal Kolo Muani was also omitted for similar reasons. The squad includes several young talents such as Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, and Rayan Cherki, while only four members from the 2018 World Cup-winning team remain: Lucas Hernandez, N’Golo Kanté, Mbappé, and Dembélé.

With a mix of youth, experience, and pace, France aims to reclaim the World Cup title under Deschamps’ leadership.

Several football and cricket matches will be broadcast live on May 15, 2026, across different television and online platforms. The third T20 match of the women’s cricket series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will air at 8:30 p.m. on FanCode and PCB’s YouTube channel. In football, multiple Bangladesh Football League matches, including Abahani vs Bashundhara Kings, Bangladesh Police vs Arambagh, Fakirerpool vs PWD Sports, Fortis vs Brothers Union, and Rahmatganj vs Mohammedan, will be shown live at 3:45 p.m. on YouTube. Additionally, the English Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool will be broadcast live at 1:00 a.m. on Star Sports and Toffee Live.

The schedule highlights a busy day for sports fans, offering a mix of domestic and international football and cricket action. Viewers will have access to both men’s and women’s competitions through a combination of television and digital streaming services.

These broadcasts provide fans with multiple viewing options and reflect the growing integration of online platforms in sports coverage in Bangladesh.

FIFA has announced that pop icons Madonna and Shakira, along with K-pop group BTS, will perform during the halftime show of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. This will be the first time in World Cup history that a closing ceremony is held during the final’s halftime. The event will feature a Super Bowl–style concert, marking a new entertainment milestone for the tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Shakira, who previously performed at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups, has recorded a new song titled “Dai Dai” with Nigerian artist Burna Boy, filmed at Brazil’s Maracanã Stadium. The halftime show will be curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the event as a historic moment for the sport.

Proceeds from the halftime show will go to FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to support children worldwide. FIFA also plans a special festival at New York’s Times Square during the tournament’s final week.

The United States announced a relaxation of its visa bond policy for certain football fans and team members traveling to attend the upcoming World Cup. The policy adjustment, confirmed by the US State Department on Wednesday, exempts players and officials of participating teams, as well as ticket-holding fans from those countries who register under the priority visa system, from paying the bond. The decision follows earlier requirements under President Donald Trump’s immigration control initiative, which mandated citizens of 50 developing nations to deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 as a refundable bond when applying for US visas.

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Morah Namdar said the move aims to facilitate legitimate travel for the tournament while maintaining national security priorities. A FIFA spokesperson welcomed the decision, citing continued cooperation with the US government and the White House task force to ensure a successful global event.

The World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, begins on June 11. Several participating nations, including Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia, were previously subject to the bond requirement, while citizens of Haiti and Iran remain under broader US entry restrictions.

Pakistan’s celebrated all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been conferred with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. The award was presented by President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on May 14, 2026, recognizing Afridi’s long international career and significant contributions to Pakistan cricket. Afridi became the fifth cricketer from the country to receive this distinction.

The ceremony also honored Pakistan’s first Test captain, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, posthumously with the same award for his foundational role in shaping the nation’s cricket. Afridi, aged 46, played 524 international matches across all formats, scoring 8,064 runs and taking 395 wickets in ODIs, along with 1,416 runs and 98 wickets in T20Is. He was instrumental in Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup victory and left his mark in various franchise leagues worldwide.

In a message shared on social media, Afridi expressed that the recognition was not only a personal achievement but also a source of pride for the entire Pakistani nation.

Inter Miami secured a dramatic 5-3 win over FC Cincinnati in an eight-goal Major League Soccer clash at TQL Stadium on May 14, 2026. Lionel Messi was at the heart of the victory, scoring twice, providing one assist, and inspiring a comeback after Miami trailed 3-2 until the 64th minute. His first goal came in the 24th minute from a defensive error, setting the tone for a night dominated by his brilliance.

Cincinnati fought back strongly to take the lead, but Messi’s influence turned the match around. He netted his second goal in the 55th minute from a Luis Suárez pass before Miami sealed the win with three late goals. An 89th-minute effort from Messi was initially thought to be his hat-trick but was later ruled an own goal. The Argentine now has 12 goals this MLS season, ranking second among top scorers, and his career totals stand at 910 goals and 411 assists.

The performance reinforced Messi’s enduring impact in American soccer and his continued dominance despite advancing age.

Bangladesh secured a historic Test victory over Pakistan in Dhaka, with both pace and spin bowlers sharing all 20 wickets. On the final day’s last session, pacer Nahid Rana’s fiery spell of four wickets for ten runs in 4.5 overs dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup. The match showcased a rare balance in Bangladesh’s bowling, as pacers and spinners each claimed ten wickets, a feat unseen in the past decade.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto praised the team’s bowling partnership, noting that confidence in their five-bowler attack led to the bold declaration at 240 for nine, setting Pakistan a target of 268. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took five wickets in the first innings, while Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed contributed crucial breakthroughs. Shanto highlighted Rana’s reverse swing delivery that bowled Mohammad Rizwan as a turning point.

The victory symbolized Bangladesh’s evolution from a spin-dependent side to one capable of combining pace and spin effectively. The Dhaka Test was portrayed as a reflection of a new, confident Bangladesh team ready to challenge opponents with both skill and aggression.

Iran officially bid farewell to its national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A large public ceremony took place at Enghelab Square in Tehran, where thousands of supporters gathered to wish the team success. The event featured enthusiastic fans waving national flags, chanting slogans, and applauding as players appeared on stage wearing red and black tracksuits.

During the ceremony, Iran Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said that the national team players would represent the people, the nation’s warriors, and leaders on the world stage. Some attendees carried placards commemorating former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during wartime. The gathering was seen as a symbol of national unity and patriotism ahead of the global tournament.

The farewell event underscored the strong public support for Iran’s football team as it prepares to compete in the 2026 World Cup, reflecting both sporting enthusiasm and national pride.

The Bangladesh women's football team is conducting a 15-day training camp in Bangkok, Thailand, as part of their preparation for the upcoming SAFF Women's Championship. The tournament will begin on May 25 in Goa, India, where Bangladesh aims to win the title for the third consecutive time. On May 11, Bangladesh played their first preparatory match against Kasem Bundit, a club from the Thailand Women's Football League, and secured a 2–0 victory.

The team is scheduled to play their second warm-up match on May 17 against Bangkok Sports School Club, a second-division Thai side. Under coach Butler, the players are undergoing intensive training sessions before the match. Following the conditioning camp, the squad will depart for India on May 21 to participate in the championship.

Bangladesh has been placed in Group B alongside host India and the Maldives. The defending champions will start their campaign on May 29 against the Maldives and face India on May 31 in the group stage.

German coach Bernd Storck has become the frontrunner to take charge of the Bangladesh national football team, surpassing Brazil’s Rosario Mikel and former Wales coach Chris Coleman. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is leaning toward Storck due to his lower salary demand and extensive coaching experience. Storck, 63, has previously coached Hungary to the Euro 2016 knockout stage and managed Kazakhstan’s national team for nearly two years, along with club stints in Belgium and Slovakia.

BFF’s National Teams Committee interviewed Storck last Tuesday, discussing salary and benefits. While Mikel and Coleman demanded $30,000 and $26,000 respectively, Storck’s expected pay is closer to that of outgoing coach Javier Cabrera. The federation is expected to announce the new coach by Friday. BFF President Tabith Awal will make the final decision, which may depend on whether government financial support is secured to afford a higher-profile coach.

The coaching position became vacant after Cabrera’s contract expired in April. A record 300 local and foreign coaches applied, later narrowed down to six finalists based on experience, salary expectations, and professional licenses.

Barcelona celebrated a double triumph after defeating Real Madrid 2–0 at Camp Nou and securing their second consecutive La Liga title. The victory marked a historic record for the Catalan club, becoming the first team to win the Spanish league title in such fashion. The celebration included a traditional open-top bus parade through the city, attended by around 750,000 fans.

During the parade, young player Lamine Yamal drew attention by waving a Palestinian flag amid the crowd’s jubilation. Many interpreted the gesture as a symbolic message of support for the Palestinian people and their rights. The moment quickly went viral on social media, sparking varied reactions among supporters.

At one point in the procession, Yamal also held up a jersey reading, “Thank God I’m not a Madridista,” reflecting the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid. In a statement, Barcelona said the city’s streets turned into a sea of blue and red as fans celebrated another chapter of success in the club’s history.

Bangladesh secured a commanding 104-run victory over Pakistan in the Dhaka Test, taking a 1–0 lead in the two-match series. On the final day, Pakistan were set a target of 268 runs but were bowled out for 163, leaving 23 overs unused. Fast bowler Nahid Rana produced a decisive spell, taking 5 wickets for 40 runs in 9.5 overs, dismantling Pakistan’s middle and lower order. Earlier, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with 87 in Bangladesh’s second innings of 240 for 9 declared, adding to his first-innings century.

The match saw Bangladesh dominate across all departments—batting, bowling, fielding, and captaincy. Shanto’s leadership and calculated declaration reflected confidence in his bowlers, a belief rewarded by the combined efforts of Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Pakistan’s batting faltered under pressure, with only Abdullah Fazal managing a half-century.

This win continues Bangladesh’s strong record against Pakistan in recent Tests, following a 2–0 series victory in Rawalpindi two years earlier. The second Test of the current series is scheduled for May 16–20 in Sylhet.

Argentina’s national football team has nearly completed its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to Argentine outlet TyC Sports, 22 players are almost certain to make coach Lionel Scaloni’s final 26-man squad, barring injuries or unexpected events. The team had earlier announced a preliminary list of 55 players, and Scaloni now faces the challenge of selecting the remaining four.

Goalkeepers Emiliano Martínez and Gerónimo Rulli are considered confirmed, while Juan Musso and Walter Benítez compete for the third spot. In defense, Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Leonardo Balerdi, Nicolás Otamendi, and Nicolás Tagliafico are nearly assured, with Marcos Senesi and Facundo Medina vying for the fifth center-back position. The midfield core includes Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Nicolás González, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolás Paz, and Thiago Almada.

In attack, Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, Giuliano Simeone, and José López are confirmed. Scaloni is still weighing options for the left-back and final midfield or attacking roles, with Marcos Acuña, Gabriel Rojas, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Franco Mastantuono, Máximo Perrone, and Gianluca Prestianni under consideration.