Rajshahi Warriors secured a 12-run victory over Sylhet Titans in the second qualifier, earning a place in the final against Chattogram Royals. The match took place in Mirpur, where Rajshahi posted 165 runs for 9 wickets, thanks to resilient innings from Kane Williamson, who scored 45 not out off 38 balls, and Jimmy Neesham, who added 44 off 26 balls. In reply, Sylhet Titans were restricted to 153 for 8 in 20 overs.

Sylhet’s chase faltered early, losing wickets at regular intervals despite a 48-run effort from opener Parvez Hossain Emon and 37 from Sam Billings. Rajshahi’s Binura Fernando delivered a match-winning bowling performance, taking 4 wickets for 19 runs and earning the player of the match award. Salman Irshad was the most successful bowler for Sylhet, claiming 3 wickets for 23 runs.

With this win, Rajshahi Warriors will face Chattogram Royals in the tournament final, scheduled for tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided that Bangladesh must play its 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India as originally scheduled. The decision came after a video conference board meeting where the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested to move its matches to Sri Lanka citing security concerns. The ICC board, by majority opinion, concluded that there was no credible threat to Bangladeshi players, officials, media, or fans at any Indian venue and that altering the schedule so close to the tournament would harm the event’s integrity.

The dispute began when Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from the Indian Premier League by Kolkata Knight Riders under instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, prompting BCB’s reluctance to send its team to India. Pakistan supported Bangladesh’s position, but the ICC maintained that its venue and scheduling decisions are based on neutral threat assessments and host assurances. The ICC emphasized that no verified security risk exists and that changing venues would undermine fairness and logistical stability.

Bangladesh has been given 24 hours to confirm whether it will participate under the existing schedule, leaving its final decision pending.

Bangladesh continued their impressive run in the ongoing SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship in Thailand, defeating Sri Lanka 6-3 at Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok. With this victory, Bangladesh overtook India to reach the top of the points table with 10 points from four matches, while India have nine from the same number of games. The team had earlier beaten Nepal 3-0 and India 3-1, and drew 3-3 with Bhutan. Bangladesh will next face Pakistan.

In the match against Sri Lanka, captain Sabina Khatun and Krishna Rani each scored twice, while Matsushima Sumaiya and Masura Parvin added one goal each. Sri Lanka initially led by two goals, but Bangladesh fought back to level the score through Sabina’s brace, assisted by Krishna. Later, Krishna scored two of her own, and Bangladesh sealed the win with three late goals. Sri Lanka managed a consolation goal just before the final whistle.

The report noted that Sri Lanka struggled against Bangladesh’s superior speed, skill, and experience. Seven teams are participating in the tournament, each playing six matches, with the top team to be crowned champion.

Real Madrid returned to form under new coach Alvaro Arbeloa with a commanding 6-1 victory over Monaco in the UEFA Champions League. Kylian Mbappe scored twice against his former club, while Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Franco Mastantuono added one each, with another coming from an own goal. The win brought Real Madrid closer to securing a place in the round of 16, standing second in the table with 15 points from seven matches.

Arsenal continued their perfect run with a seventh consecutive win, defeating Inter Milan 3-1. Gabriel Jesus netted twice and substitute Viktor Gyokeres added another, maintaining Arsenal’s 100% record and taking them to 21 points. Meanwhile, Manchester City suffered a shock 3-1 loss to Norwegian side Bodo, with Pep Guardiola’s team now facing uncertainty over qualification. Guardiola admitted the team struggled with several small issues that went against them.

Defending champions PSG also endured a disappointing night, losing 2-1 to Sporting CP despite marking their 300th European match milestone. Colombian forward Luis Suarez scored both goals for Sporting, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted PSG’s only goal.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally decided to exclude Bangladesh from the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup following a virtual board meeting held on Wednesday. The decision came after Bangladesh refused to play its World Cup matches in India, citing security concerns. The ICC, led by Jay Shah, ruled that if Bangladesh does not agree to play in India, a replacement team—likely Scotland—will take its place. Bangladesh has been given 24 hours to confirm its final decision.

The ICC stated that it found no credible security threat to justify Bangladesh’s request to move its matches to Sri Lanka. It argued that relocating games would harm the tournament’s integrity and create logistical complications. Bangladesh had earlier proposed hosting its matches in Sri Lanka, but the ICC rejected the plan after England and West Indies declined to travel there. Pakistan supported Bangladesh’s position, but other ICC members sided with India.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains firm in its stance not to play in India without government approval. If Bangladesh maintains its position, Scotland is expected to be included in the tournament lineup.

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition that sought to ban Bangladesh from international cricket. The case was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Kariar, who questioned the maintainability of the petition. The judges stated that the reliefs sought involved matters of foreign policy and international relations, which fall under the executive branch’s jurisdiction. The bench observed that entertaining such petitions would amount to wasting judicial time.

During the hearing, India’s Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He informed the court that the petition had included foreign cricket boards without any legal basis. Following the court’s objections, the petitioner requested to withdraw the case, which the court allowed.

The ruling came amid heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh that have extended into the cricketing sphere, though the court made clear that such issues lie outside its authority.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting is underway to address the uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The meeting, attended by directors from all full member nations, aims to resolve the ongoing deadlock between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over security concerns raised by Bangladesh regarding matches scheduled in India.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah, BCB President Aminul Islam, BCCI Secretary Debajit Saikia, and other top cricket officials from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, and other member nations are participating. ICC’s senior management, including CEO Sanjog Gupta and Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, are also present. The ICC’s anti-corruption head, Andrew Feggreave, who recently met BCB officials in Dhaka, is attending as well. ESPNcricinfo reported that Pakistan’s cricket board has expressed support for Bangladesh’s position through a formal letter to the ICC.

According to the same report, venue or schedule changes remain unlikely, as both ICC and BCB have maintained firm stances. The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, with Bangladesh’s matches currently scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai.

The UEFA Champions League group stage has reached its final phase, with several decisive matches scheduled tonight. European giants Barcelona, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich are among the teams fighting for crucial points that could reshape the standings. Matches include Galatasaray vs Atlético Madrid and Qarabag vs Frankfurt at 11:45 p.m., followed by Marseille vs Liverpool, Newcastle vs PSV, Slavia Prague vs Barcelona, Juventus vs Benfica, Chelsea vs Pafos, Bayern vs Union Saint, and Atalanta vs Athletic Bilbao at 2:00 a.m.

Barcelona’s clash with Slavia Prague is one of the night’s highlights. Slavia recently won 4–3 in their last competitive match, while Barcelona, with three wins, one draw, and two losses in six games, sit 15th with 10 points, two behind the top eight. For Slavia, winless in six matches and four points off the playoff zone, victory is vital. Bayern are clear favorites against Union Saint, while Liverpool face a tough test away to Marseille’s passionate crowd.

By the end of this round, the future of many teams in the tournament could become clearer, marking a decisive moment for both big and smaller clubs.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has decided to postpone the upcoming rounds of the Bangladesh Football League and the Federation Cup following requests from participating clubs. The tenth round of the league was originally scheduled to begin on February 6, 2026, but clubs, including Mohammedan SC, expressed reluctance to play close to the national election period and formally requested a schedule change. Other clubs also supported the postponement verbally.

According to the report, the clubs have proposed resuming the second phase of the league on February 20, 2026, if conditions permit after the election. Teams have agreed to complete the season within the previously planned timeframe. The national football team is scheduled to play on March 31 and will travel to Singapore for the Asian Cup qualifiers, so league matches are expected to continue until at least six days before the national team camp begins.

Despite the suspension, clubs are using the break to strengthen their squads. Fortis FC has already added foreign players, and both Bashundhara Kings and Fortis FC currently share the top position with 18 points each after the first phase ended on January 4.

Bangladesh has reiterated its stance that it will not play the upcoming T20 World Cup in India, preferring Sri Lanka as the venue instead. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul told reporters at the Secretariat on January 20, 2026, that Bangladesh will not accept any unreasonable conditions from the International Cricket Council (ICC) or be pressured into playing in India. He emphasized that if the ICC yields to the Indian board and imposes unfair terms, Bangladesh will reject them.

Nazrul cited past instances where the ICC changed venues, such as when India refused to play in Pakistan. He argued that Bangladesh’s request for a venue change is based on legitimate reasons and that coercion to play in India would be unacceptable. Earlier, AFP reported that if Bangladesh skips the tournament, Scotland could replace them based on rankings, though Nazrul said he had not received any official notice of this.

BBC reported that ICC has not discussed the matter with Scotland, and Scottish officials have declined to engage out of respect for Bangladesh. Cricinfo and Indian media claimed ICC set a Wednesday deadline for Bangladesh’s final decision, which the Bangladesh Cricket Board denied.

Afghanistan began their final T20 preparation series for the upcoming T20 World Cup with a convincing 38-run victory over the West Indies at the Dubai International Stadium. Batting first, Afghanistan recovered from an early collapse at 19 for 2, thanks to a 162-run partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Rasooli. Ibrahim remained unbeaten on 87 off 56 balls, while Rasooli scored 84 off 59, guiding Afghanistan to 181 for 3 in 20 overs.

In reply, the West Indies struggled from the start, losing five wickets for just 50 runs. Despite late efforts from Sampson, Ford, and Motie, who scored 30, 25, and 28 respectively, the Caribbean side could only manage 143 for 9 in their 20 overs. For Afghanistan, Ziaur Rahman took three wickets, while Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmed claimed two each.

The win gives Afghanistan a 1–0 lead in the three-match series, setting a strong tone ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh continued their winning streak in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers, securing a 30-run victory over Papua New Guinea in their second group match at Tribhuvan University Ground in Nepal. Led by captain Nigar Sultana Joty, the team posted 168 for 5 before restricting Papua New Guinea to 138 for 9. Sworna Akter starred with both bat and ball, scoring 37 off 14 balls with four sixes and taking one wicket to earn the player of the match award.

Bangladesh’s innings was built on solid contributions from Dilara Akter (35), Juwairia Ferdous (17), and Sharmin Akter (28), while Sobhana Mostary remained unbeaten on 34. In reply, Papua New Guinea’s captain Brenda Tau top-scored with 35, supported by Sibona Jimmy’s 28. Six Bangladeshi bowlers shared the wickets evenly, each taking one.

With two wins from two matches, Bangladesh now lead Group A and will face Namibia next at the same venue on Thursday.

Sports adviser Asif Nazrul announced that Bangladesh will not participate in any World Cup matches held in India. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he stated that the International Cricket Council (ICC) cannot compel Bangladesh to play in India through what he described as unreasonable pressure. He emphasized that Bangladesh would not bow to what he called India's unjust interference.

Nazrul explained that there have been precedents for venue changes in the past, citing Pakistan’s refusal to play in India, which led the ICC to alter venues. He said Bangladesh’s request for a venue change was based on logical grounds and that the government had no information suggesting Scotland would replace Bangladesh in the World Cup squad.

The adviser’s remarks indicate Bangladesh’s firm stance on the issue, while the government awaits further developments from the ICC regarding the tournament’s venue decisions.

Bangladesh continued their impressive run in the SAFF Women's Futsal Championship with a commanding 3-0 victory over Nepal at the Nonthaburi Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The match, held on January 19, 2026, saw goals from Sabina Khatun, Krishna, and Lipi Akter. With this win, Bangladesh secured their second victory in three matches, remaining unbeaten in the tournament. They had earlier defeated India 3-1 and drawn 3-3 with Bhutan, collecting a total of seven points so far.

The tournament, being held for the first time, follows a round-robin league format featuring seven teams. Each team plays against all others, and the side finishing at the top of the points table will be crowned champion. Under coach Saeed Khodarahmi, Bangladesh’s consistent performance has kept them firmly in contention for the title.

Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka next on January 21 as they aim to strengthen their position in the championship race.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended its preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, expressing full support for Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which has refused to send its team to India citing security concerns. According to a report by Pakistani outlet Geo Super, the PCB described Bangladesh’s concerns as legitimate and justified, and has halted all training and planning activities for the tournament scheduled to begin in India on February 7.

PCB officials stated that if the International Cricket Council (ICC) fails to reach an acceptable resolution regarding Bangladesh’s position, Pakistan may reconsider its own participation in the tournament. The board has also instructed its team management to prepare an alternative plan in case Pakistan ultimately withdraws from the event.

Geo Super further reported that the PCB believes no host nation should use its position to pressure or threaten other countries, emphasizing the need for fairness and respect in international cricket governance.