Bangladesh women’s football captain Sabina Khatun has expressed optimism as her team prepares to compete in the inaugural SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship in Thailand. Despite limited preparation, Sabina said she is determined to achieve success and make the country proud. The tournament will begin on Tuesday with the Maldives-India match, while Bangladesh will start their campaign against India on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Sabina acknowledged that futsal is new for her team but emphasized their belief in performing well. She described representing Bangladesh as a matter of pride and reaffirmed the team’s strong commitment to the competition. Iranian coach Saeed Khodarahmi, who leads the Bangladesh women’s team, said his goal is to guide them toward future futsal World Cup qualification.

Khodarahmi thanked the AFC, AFF, and SAFF for organizing the event, noting that this is the first SAFF futsal tournament for women in South Asia. He added that all teams are on a similar level since futsal is new to everyone, and Bangladesh had only one month to select players, most of whom are footballers.

Sri Lanka kept their T20 series alive by defeating Pakistan by 14 runs under the DLS method in the third and final match. The rain-affected game was reduced to 12 overs per side, with Pakistan set a target of 161 runs. The visitors fell short, finishing on 146 for eight wickets. Salman scored 45 runs, while Mohammad Nawaz and Khaja Nafi contributed 28 and 26 respectively. Wanindu Hasaranga starred with the ball, taking four wickets for Sri Lanka.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 160 runs for six wickets after a shaky start that saw them lose three wickets for 52 runs. Captain Dasun Shanaka scored 34 runs, and Kusal Mendis added 30. No other batsman crossed 22 runs. Mohammad Wasim took three wickets for Pakistan.

With this victory, Sri Lanka leveled the three-match T20 series 1-1 after Pakistan had won the opening match and the second was washed out by rain.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed interest in hosting Bangladesh’s matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup if Sri Lanka cannot provide venues. The proposal follows the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision not to play its scheduled matches in India due to security concerns after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) over similar issues. Pakistani media outlet Geo Super reported that the PCB has formally informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) of its readiness to organize the games.

The BCB earlier wrote to the ICC, citing safety worries and requesting to play in Sri Lanka instead of India. The ICC has yet to announce a decision. PCB sources said Pakistan’s international-standard venues are fully prepared and highlighted its experience hosting major ICC events, including the 2025 Champions Trophy and the Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Bangladesh’s withdrawal from India comes amid heightened tensions following protests in India over incidents in Bangladesh and the exclusion of Bangladeshi players from the IPL. The ICC’s response will determine whether Bangladesh’s matches are relocated to Sri Lanka or Pakistan.

Four major football nations—Brazil, France, Croatia and Colombia—will compete in a preparatory series titled 'Road to 26' ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The matches will be held in the United States during the FIFA international window, with games scheduled in Boston, Orlando and Washington, D.C. The series begins on March 26 when Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, face Didier Deschamps’ France at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Croatia will meet Colombia on March 27 in Orlando, followed by a France–Colombia match on March 29 in Maryland. The series concludes on April 1 with Brazil playing Croatia in Orlando.

Brazilian media reported that the five-time world champions will debut their 2026 World Cup kits during the March friendlies, wearing yellow against France and blue against Croatia. France and Croatia will also unveil new jerseys for the series. The Brazilian Football Confederation had earlier confirmed the match dates and venues after the World Cup group draw in December 2025.

The 48-team 2026 World Cup will begin on June 11 and end on July 19 across 16 venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Brazil will compete in Group C against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.

Italy is preparing for its first-ever appearance in the T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka. Despite lacking a single natural cricket pitch at home, the European nation is eager to showcase its best performance on the global stage. Ranked 28th among qualified teams, Italy overcame the European qualifiers without difficulty and now looks to establish a unique identity in cricket beyond its football fame.

The Italian squad features players of English, Australian, South African, Pakistani, and Indian descent. Australian-born all-rounder Harry Manenti, currently playing in the Big Bash League, expressed pride in representing Italy, emphasizing the team’s deep connection to the country. Former Australian cricketer Joe Burns initially captained the side during qualifiers but was replaced by Wayne Madsen due to contract issues. Key players include Emilio Gay, Jaspreet Singh, and Syed Naqvi.

Coach John Davison, who once held the record for the fastest World Cup century, described the team as franchise-like in diversity but united by strong national pride.

On January 3, 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from his Indian Premier League (IPL) contract, citing unspecified “developments all around.” The move, widely linked to escalating India-Bangladesh tensions following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s exile in New Delhi, ended Rahman’s IPL season before it began. Within days, he joined the Pakistan Super League, while the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) condemned the decision as “discriminatory and insulting.” Dhaka banned IPL broadcasts and asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate its T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns.

The ICC assured Bangladesh of full participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup and pledged to coordinate on safety planning, though matches remain scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai. Indian political figures were divided: a BJP leader opposed Bangladeshi participation in Indian events, while Congress’s Shashi Tharoor warned against politicising sport. Analysts said the episode reflected India’s growing use of cricket as a geopolitical tool, leveraging its financial dominance in the game to influence regional relations.

Observers noted that cricket, once a bridge for diplomacy, is increasingly becoming a stage for political confrontation in South Asia.

Former Bangladesh Cricket Board general secretary and ex-Asian Cricket Council CEO Syed Ashraful Haque has sharply criticized the Indian cricket board’s decision to drop Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League following protests by Hindu nationalist groups. Speaking to the Times of India, Haque said the cricket administration across South Asia has become hostage to politicians. He argued that the decision has strained cricketing relations between India and Bangladesh, with the Bangladesh team now unwilling to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Haque accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain, particularly ahead of elections in West Bengal and Assam. He also questioned the leadership of current cricket administrators, including ICC chairman Jay Shah, saying earlier leaders were more mature and understood the spirit of the game. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has already written to the ICC requesting that its World Cup matches be moved to co-host Sri Lanka.

Haque said that even if boycotting the tournament causes financial loss, national dignity must come first. He emphasized that Bangladesh and India share a brotherly relationship, unlike India and Pakistan, but warned that the current situation threatens that goodwill.

Bangladesh’s cricket community erupted after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director and finance committee chairman M Nazmul Islam called former captain Tamim Iqbal a “tested Indian agent” in a Facebook post. The comment followed Tamim’s call for decisions on playing the World Cup in India to be made in the country’s best interest. The post triggered widespread criticism, prompting the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) to issue a formal protest to the BCB and demand a public apology from Nazmul. Although he later edited the post to replace the word “agent” for “dalal,” the original version had already gone viral.

CWAB president Mohammad Mithun condemned the remark, calling it unacceptable and urging that BCB directors be brought under a code of conduct. He said the association had sent a protest letter to the BCB president and demanded accountability. Mithun also expressed disappointment that such comments came from a board led by former captains. Nazmul, however, told the media he would not apologize, and the BCB has not commented on the issue.

Mithun warned that CWAB might take further steps if no apology or official response comes from the board. He also urged that politics be kept separate from cricket and emphasized ensuring player safety for the upcoming World Cup in India.

Five cricket boards from the United States, Canada, Italy, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates have lodged complaints with the International Cricket Council (ICC) after their players of Pakistani origin were denied Indian visas ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. According to Geo Sports, these boards have also sent copies of their letters to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), but neither the BCCI nor the ICC has responded so far. The tournament is scheduled to begin in about a month, yet India has not provided any indication of relaxing its visa policy.

The issue has created a new challenge for the ICC, which is already facing complications as Bangladesh has refused to travel to India for the tournament, citing security concerns and expressing a preference to play in Sri Lanka instead. The visa dispute marks the first time that countries beyond Pakistan have encountered such difficulties due to players’ Pakistani heritage.

The five affected boards are reportedly preparing to send another joint letter to both the ICC and BCCI if the matter remains unresolved.

Dhaka Capitals chief executive Atik Fahad has publicly accused the Bangladesh Premier League’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of mishandling his mobile phone and unfairly targeting his team. Speaking to the media in Sylhet on January 9, 2026, he said his phone had been in ACU custody for five days without any update. Fahad also alleged that Afghan cricketer Rahmanullah Gurbaz was subjected to unnecessary questioning by ACU officials.

Fahad claimed that all teams except one were being treated as suspects by the ACU, suggesting unequal enforcement of anti-corruption measures. He criticized the approach taken toward prominent foreign players like Gurbaz, describing it as disrespectful and disruptive. Dhaka Capitals captain Mohammad Mithun added that most of these incidents occurred before matches against Rangpur Riders, alleging that the Integrity Unit even questioned player Saif during a match.

Mithun expressed surprise at the timing of ACU interventions, saying he had never seen such incidents in his long cricket career. The allegations have raised concerns about the conduct and timing of anti-corruption operations during the ongoing BPL season.

A wave of protest erupted among Bangladesh’s national cricketers after Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam called former national captain Tamim Iqbal an “Indian agent” on social media. The comment came after Tamim suggested that decisions about Bangladesh’s participation in international cricket, including the T20 World Cup in India, should consider the country’s position and future in world cricket.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam expressed shock at the director’s words, calling them tasteless, unacceptable, and contrary to the nation’s cricket culture. He demanded a public apology and accountability for the official. Former captain Mominul Haque echoed the same demand, describing the remark as offensive and inconsistent with the board’s ethics and responsibilities. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed also criticized the statement, saying such comments were not in the best interest of Bangladesh cricket.

The controversy has intensified calls for the BCB to take swift and firm action against the director, with players urging greater professionalism and responsibility from board officials.

Bangladesh remains undecided about hosting the 15th SAFF Championship scheduled for later this year. Although Dhaka is being considered as a key venue by SAFF authorities, no final decision has been made. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and the SAFF Executive Committee must approve the hosting plan. The tournament, postponed last year, is expected to take place between September and October during the international window. A BFF meeting to finalize the decision was postponed from January 14 due to the arrival of the 2026 World Cup trophy in Bangladesh.

BFF Vice-President and Marketing Committee Chairman Fahad Karim stated that the federation will hold the meeting after the trophy’s departure to decide whether Bangladesh will host the event. However, doubts have emerged over the feasibility of hosting the tournament in Bangladesh, as political issues could affect India’s participation. This uncertainty raises the possibility that the SAFF Championship venue may shift to another country.

If Bangladesh secures hosting rights, it would mark the nation’s first time organizing the regional football event since 2018.

The Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has strongly protested a Facebook post by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director M Nazmul Islam, who referred to former national captain Tamim Iqbal with a derogatory term. The post, made in response to a statement by Tamim, quickly went viral and drew widespread criticism from the cricket community. CWAB issued a statement expressing shock, anger, and disappointment over the remark, calling it unacceptable and insulting to the entire cricket fraternity.

In its statement, CWAB said that such comments from a responsible board official are deeply condemnable and raise questions about the code of conduct for BCB directors. The organization has already sent a formal protest letter to the BCB president, demanding that Nazmul Islam publicly apologize and be held accountable for his actions. CWAB urged the board to take appropriate measures as soon as possible.

The controversy has sparked debate within Bangladesh’s cricket circles about professionalism and accountability among board officials.

A commentary published on January 9, 2026, in the Bangladeshi outlet ‘Amar Desh’ criticizes India’s decision to remove Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The article argues that India’s move was unjust, politically motivated, and influenced by extremist pressure rather than cricketing reasons. It claims that both Bangladeshi authorities and some Indian politicians and players have condemned the decision as unfair.

The piece describes how Mustafizur was initially a highly sought-after player in the IPL auction, eventually signed by Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he was later dropped without credible explanation. The author alleges that religious and national identity, not performance, drove the exclusion, and that India’s cricket board bowed to extremist nationalist demands. The commentary also criticizes the targeting of team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for his Muslim identity while ignoring other owners.

According to the article, India’s handling of the issue exposes double standards in its cricket administration and damages its global image. It concludes that the episode reveals India’s surrender of cricketing integrity to political and religious extremism.

West Indies cricketer Jason Holder has come under fire after commenting on India and Pakistan’s tense cricket rivalry. Speaking on the popular podcast ‘Game With Grace,’ Holder criticized India’s decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy despite winning the tournament. He said the rivalry had gone beyond cricket and called the move excessive, urging both nations to show unity and mutual respect as symbols of sportsmanship and peace.

Following his remarks, Indian social media users reacted sharply, with many calling for a boycott of Holder and even demanding his exclusion from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The backlash mirrors a recent incident in which Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was reportedly dropped from Kolkata Knight Riders following similar public pressure.

The controversy highlights how cricket continues to reflect broader political and emotional tensions between India and Pakistan, with players’ statements often sparking intense public reactions across both nations.