The Under-19 Cricket World Cup has officially begun, with India and the United States playing the opening match on Thursday. Bangladesh will start their campaign today against India at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. India began the tournament with a dominant win over the United States. The competition, jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia, features age-level teams from around the world.

India holds the record for the most titles in the tournament’s history, having won five of the previous fifteen editions, including the latest in 2022. Bangladesh, on the other hand, claimed their only title in 2020 by defeating India in the final. This year, Bangladesh competes in Group A alongside India, the United States, and New Zealand. The team, led by captain Azizul Hakim Tamim, will face New Zealand on January 20 and the United States on January 23.

All of Bangladesh’s matches will be played in Zimbabwe. Fans in Bangladesh can watch the games live via Rabbithole streaming and on Star Sports, which will also broadcast matches in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, according to the ICC.

A full day of live sports broadcasts has been announced for January 17, 2026, featuring the ICC Under-19 World Cup match between Bangladesh and India starting at 1:30 p.m. Other cricket fixtures include Japan versus Sri Lanka at the same time, Bangladesh Premier League matches between Dhaka Capitals and Rangpur Riders at 2 p.m., and Chattogram Royals versus Rajshahi Warriors at 7 p.m. Big Bash League, SA T20, and several football leagues will also be aired across multiple channels.

Football fans can watch English Premier League matches such as Manchester United versus Manchester City at 6:30 p.m., followed by Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal fixtures later in the evening. La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Africa Cup of Nations, and Saudi Pro League matches are also scheduled for live telecast through various international networks.

The broadcast lineup highlights a packed weekend for global sports audiences, offering simultaneous coverage of cricket and football tournaments across different continents on channels including Star Sports, T Sports, and FanCode.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed optimism that Bangladesh could one day play in the FIFA World Cup. Responding to a question on Instagram about whether Bangladesh might ever qualify, Infantino said the country has the potential to reach football’s biggest stage. He noted that FIFA’s goal is to help more nations participate for the first time, citing new qualifiers such as Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, and Jordan for the upcoming World Cup to be held in June in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Infantino praised Bangladesh as a football-loving nation where the sport is improving, adding that FIFA is investing significantly in the country’s football development. He said Bangladesh has talent like many other nations and could soon reach the World Cup. The visit of the World Cup trophy to Bangladesh further inspired national players, including captain Jamal Bhuiyan and Sheikh Morsalin, who believe the new generation can lead the country to global competition.

Bangladesh last reached the Asian Cup finals in 1980, but recent progress and emerging talents such as Hamza Chowdhury and Shamit Som have revived hopes for future success.

India has not approved visa applications for England’s Pakistan-origin cricketers Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The Guardian reported that the two English spinners’ visa requests were not granted by the Indian government, creating complications for England’s preparations. As a result, both players are unlikely to join the team’s six-match warm-up series against Sri Lanka before the tournament.

This is not the first time the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has faced such difficulties. Earlier, England’s Shoaib Bashir and Saqib Mahmood also encountered visa issues related to their Pakistani heritage. The situation reflects the lingering diplomatic and political tensions between India and Pakistan, which have affected players of Pakistani descent from multiple countries, including the United States.

According to The Guardian, the ECB has been assured that there is no objection from the Indian government regarding the applications and is working with British authorities to expedite the process. England is scheduled to begin its World Cup campaign against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.

An International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation arrived in Bangladesh on January 16, 2026, to discuss the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) refusal to play the upcoming World Cup in India due to security concerns. The delegation is scheduled to meet BCB officials at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur to address the issue and seek a resolution after previous online meetings failed to produce a final decision.

BCB Director and Umpires Committee Chairman Ifthekhar Rahman Mithu told the media that the BCB president and vice president would attend the meeting, expressing hope for a positive outcome. He described the ICC visit as a good sign, noting that the matter had been at a standstill until now.

The ICC delegation will also meet with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to discuss the situation further. The discussions aim to determine the future of Bangladesh’s participation in the World Cup amid ongoing security concerns.

The first day of the Dhaka phase of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) saw both scheduled matches canceled after players boycotted in protest. The boycott followed harsh comments made by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Nazmul Islam about national cricketers, prompting fears that the entire tournament could be suspended indefinitely. During the scheduled toss at Mirpur’s Home of Cricket, BCB president Aminul Islam was seen standing alone on the field, symbolizing the board’s growing isolation amid the crisis.

The controversy began when Nazmul Islam, also the BCB finance committee chairman, made disparaging remarks about players’ performance and questioned their right to seek financial compensation if Bangladesh failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup. His comments drew widespread criticism, including from within the board itself. BCB publicly distanced itself from his statements, and director Shanian Tamim condemned them as personal opinions inconsistent with board policy.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of BCB’s leadership and internal politics, with calls emerging for stronger accountability and the removal of unqualified officials to restore the integrity of Bangladesh cricket.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam drew criticism after making dismissive comments about players’ earnings, suggesting that large sums spent on cricketers should not be expected to be returned. Responding to questions about possible compensation for players after the World Cup, he remarked that since players have not won major tournaments, the board could theoretically demand repayment of its investments.

In response, the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CoAB), represented by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, clarified that most of the board’s income comes from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and sponsors, not from individuals. Miraz reminded that BCB’s reported fund of Tk 1,300 crore exists largely due to the contributions of national team players over the years. He emphasized that without matches, there would be no sponsorships or ICC revenue.

Miraz also noted that cricketers pay 25–30 percent in taxes to the government and do not receive money from state funds. He described the director’s remarks as disrespectful to all players and the broader sports community.

Bangladesh cricketers have announced a boycott of matches following remarks by BCB director M Nazmul Islam. The players made the announcement after a meeting at a five-star hotel in Dhaka, where they held a press conference to clarify that their decision was not solely based on Nazmul’s comments. During the briefing, they presented five key demands addressing ongoing issues in domestic and women’s cricket.

The demands include resolving the crisis in Dhaka’s First Division Cricket, settling sexual harassment allegations involving women cricketers, improving facilities and opportunities for female players, securing the resignation of BCB director M Nazmul Islam, and providing a clear explanation for the exclusion of nine players reportedly under an undeclared ban from the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) also informed players about their income structure during the event.

The press conference highlighted growing discontent among players over administrative and disciplinary matters within Bangladesh cricket, signaling potential disruptions to domestic competitions if the demands remain unaddressed.

After a day of uncertainty and tension caused by players’ boycott, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and cricketers reached a late-night agreement, ensuring that the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will resume on Friday as scheduled. The matches that were not played on Thursday will now be held on Friday, marking the start of the Dhaka phase. The January 16 match is rescheduled for January 17, and the January 17 match will take place on January 18. Consequently, the rest day on January 18 will now feature games, and the playoffs, originally set for January 19, will begin on January 20.

The players’ boycott on Thursday led to the cancellation of all BPL matches that day. Cricketers’ association president Mohammad Mithun apologized to fans and explained that miscommunication with the board prevented players from participating in the second match. Meanwhile, the BCB issued a show-cause notice to director M Nazmul Islam, expecting a written response within 48 hours. Disciplinary action may follow if no satisfactory reply is received.

The resolution allows the BPL schedule to continue with minor adjustments, restoring normalcy after the brief disruption.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam has come under fire for making disparaging remarks about national cricketers, including calling Tamim Iqbal an offensive name in a Facebook post. The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (COAB) demanded an unconditional apology, but Nazmul later made further negative comments, suggesting that cricketers owe their existence to the board. Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul criticized these remarks, calling them irresponsible and deeply disappointing for someone in a senior position.

Asif Nazrul also reiterated Bangladesh’s firm stance on not playing the upcoming T20 World Cup in India, stating that the team prefers Sri Lanka as an alternative venue. He confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has requested the BCB to reconsider but said Bangladesh remains resolute about hosting or playing the tournament elsewhere. Nazrul emphasized national unity among the board, players, and fans to uphold the country’s dignity.

He added that an ICC delegation may visit Bangladesh soon for discussions regarding the World Cup venue issue.

Bangladesh’s professional cricketers have decided to return to the field after reconsidering their boycott of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The players had earlier refused to play two BPL matches in protest against negative remarks made by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam. The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) announced in a statement that, following internal discussions, the players are now prepared to resume play.

The BCB had issued a show-cause notice to M Nazmul Islam and removed him from the board’s finance committee in an effort to ease tensions. CWAB welcomed these steps and expressed hope that Nazmul Islam would also issue a public apology. The organization said that if the apology and disciplinary process proceed as expected, there would be no obstacle to players returning to the BPL from Friday.

CWAB noted that the decision considered the importance of the BPL, the ongoing women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers in Nepal, and the upcoming Under-19 World Cup campaign, emphasizing unity across Bangladesh cricket.

Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul reaffirmed that the country will not send its cricket team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Speaking at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Thursday, he said there is no scope to change this decision. Nazrul emphasized that Bangladesh remains eager to participate in the World Cup but wants the matches to be held in Sri Lanka, which he believes is a feasible alternative.

The dispute began after Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League following directives from the Indian cricket board. The move came amid tensions in India over reports of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh. In response, Bangladesh suspended IPL broadcasts and later decided not to send its team to India for the World Cup, citing security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board formally informed the ICC and requested that its matches be relocated outside India.

An ICC delegation has arrived in Dhaka to discuss the issue, but Nazrul reiterated that Bangladesh’s stance remains unchanged and that the team wishes to play in Sri Lanka instead.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced that the four additional metro rail trips planned for Friday will not operate following the cancellation of Thursday’s scheduled Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match. The information was confirmed by Md. Ahsan Ullah Sharifi, Deputy Project Director (Public Relations) of MRT Line-6, on January 15, 2026.

According to Sharifi, DMTCL had planned to run four extra trips daily from January 15 to 23 to accommodate passengers traveling to and from Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur during BPL match days. However, the plan has been temporarily suspended due to the match cancellation.

Officials stated that decisions regarding additional trips for upcoming match days will be made based on the evolving situation and future schedules.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has been indefinitely suspended after players boycotted matches in protest against comments made by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam. The boycott led to the cancellation of scheduled matches, including Chattogram Royals versus Noakhali Express and Sylhet Titans versus Rajshahi Warriors. Despite BCB relieving Nazmul Islam of his duties, players did not return to the field, prompting the suspension.

The dispute began when players, through their association, demanded Nazmul Islam’s resignation following his controversial remarks. The BCB later announced his removal in an official statement, citing the board’s interests and confirming that the decision complied with Article 31 of its constitution. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul will temporarily oversee the finance committee.

The indefinite suspension leaves the future of the ongoing BPL season uncertain, as players have yet to signal a return despite the administrative action taken by the board.

The Shaheed Osman Hadi Memorial Night Mini-Bar Football Tournament 2026 was inaugurated in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar. The event took place at Bhimshi Babur Bazar playground in the 2 No. Bhunbir Union, organized by Samaj Kalyan Sangstha Bhunbir with support from Kripamoyee Jubo Sangha. The formal inauguration was announced at 8 p.m. on Wednesday by M. Idris Ali, a member of the Upazila BNP convening committee.

In his opening remarks, Idris Ali emphasized that sports help youth stay away from drugs, terrorism, and crime, fostering a healthy and united society. He said such events in memory of martyrs inspire patriotism, discipline, and harmony among the younger generation and urged continuation of similar initiatives. The knockout-format tournament features 32 inter-district teams.

In the opening match, Islambur Ekata Jubo Sangha of Chunarughat defeated Young Brothers Sporting Club of Saif Tea Garden 4–3 in a tiebreaker after a goalless draw. Player Iman, wearing jersey number 10 for Islambur Ekata Jubo Sangha, was named Man of the Match. The event also featured speeches from local leaders and community representatives.