Bangladesh secured a 55-run victory over New Zealand to win the three-match ODI series 2–1 on April 23, 2026. The hosts dominated most of the match, maintaining pressure through both batting and bowling. Despite a late surge from New Zealand’s pacer Will O’Rourke, who took three wickets, Bangladesh built a solid total with a century from Najmul Hossain Shanto and a half-century from Liton Das.

In reply, New Zealand’s innings collapsed after Nick Kelly’s dismissal, with Dean Foxcroft’s 75 off 72 balls proving insufficient to turn the tide. Mustafizur Rahman, returning to the side, delivered a match-winning performance by taking five wickets for 43 runs, while Nahid Rana and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets each. Bangladesh bowled out New Zealand for 210 in 44.5 overs.

Najmul Hossain Shanto was named Player of the Match for his 105-run innings, and Nahid Rana earned Player of the Series honors with eight wickets across the series.

Bangladesh made a commanding start in the women's kabaddi event at the Asian Beach Games, defeating Thailand 51-34 in their opening match held in Sanya, China. The team displayed strong attacking rhythm from the beginning, combining fast raids with solid defense to maintain control throughout the game. By halftime, Bangladesh had already built a 10-point lead, setting the tone for the rest of the match.

In the second half, Bangladesh maintained their momentum and extended the lead further. Thailand attempted a late comeback but could not overcome Bangladesh’s tactical play. The victory positioned Bangladesh as one of the strong contenders in the tournament and reaffirmed their dominance in South Asian kabaddi.

Bangladesh will face Nepal in their next match, aiming to continue their winning streak and strengthen their standing in the competition.

Manchester City regained the top spot in the Premier League after a 1–0 victory over Burnley, overtaking Arsenal in a dramatic turn of the title race. Erling Haaland scored the only goal in the fifth minute, securing the win for Pep Guardiola’s side. Despite creating several chances, City could not extend their lead, with Guardiola later noting that fatigue prevented his players from finishing more opportunities.

Earlier, City had defeated Arsenal but remained three points behind. Arsenal once led the league by nine points, but consecutive losses to Bournemouth and City erased their advantage within just 11 days. After 33 matches, both teams now have 70 points and identical win-loss records, though City lead on goal difference with 66 goals compared to Arsenal’s 63.

With only five matches remaining, the title race is finely balanced. If both teams win all their remaining games, goal difference or total goals will decide the champion. Former footballer Gary Neville warned that missed chances could prove decisive in the final outcome.

Bayern Munich advanced to the German Cup final after a commanding 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinal held on April 23, 2026. Harry Kane opened the scoring in the 22nd minute following a precise exchange with Luis Díaz, while Díaz sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal. Leverkusen goalkeeper Mark Flekken made eight crucial saves to keep his team in contention, but the pressure from Bayern proved too strong.

Leverkusen had a chance to equalize in the second half when Nathan Tella’s powerful shot was denied by Bayern’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, a moment that became decisive in the match. Bayern continued to press for a second goal, which finally came from a swift counterattack involving Kim Min-jae, Leon Goretzka, and Díaz.

With this win, Bayern Munich return to the German Cup final after several years. They will face the winner of the second semifinal between Stuttgart and Freiburg in the title match.

Serious allegations of irregularities and abuse of power have surfaced within the Bangladesh Archery Federation, despite the sport’s recent international success. Federation president Dr. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman has been accused of misusing authority, removing the treasurer without approval, and withdrawing large sums from the federation’s bank account. The general secretary, Tanvir Ahmed, lodged a formal complaint with the National Sports Council (NSC) on April 21, citing unauthorized meetings, irregular financial transactions, and unilateral decisions by the president.

According to the complaint, the president replaced the treasurer and changed the bank signatory without the general secretary’s consent, withdrawing about 1.4 million taka from Prime Bank’s Dilkusha branch. The NSC had formed the current ad hoc committee in March 2025, meaning any member’s removal requires its approval. NSC sports director Aminul Ehsan confirmed that the federation had no authority to dismiss the treasurer and termed the move illegal.

The NSC has received the complaint and pledged to investigate the matter seriously, while the president defended his actions as being based on a unanimous decision.

Iran has announced its full readiness to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed the information to state broadcaster IRIB on April 22, stating that the Ministry of Sports and Youth has completed all necessary preparations for the national team’s participation. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had earlier said that Iran’s participation was expected in the tournament scheduled from June 11 to July 19.

In March, US President Donald Trump expressed doubts about whether it would be appropriate for the Iranian team to attend the World Cup, citing concerns for their “life and safety.” Infantino, however, emphasized that football unites the world and that Iran had earned its place in the competition through merit.

The announcement underscores Iran’s determination to compete on the global stage despite political sensitivities surrounding its participation in the North American-hosted event.

Pakistan’s experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz is under investigation after testing positive in a doping test. According to Geo Super News, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has initiated a disciplinary process following official notification from the International Cricket Council (ICC). The sample was collected during the T20 World Cup held earlier this year in Sri Lanka, and the ICC confirmed the presence of a banned substance.

The development has already affected Nawaz’s professional commitments. He had signed with Surrey to play in England’s T20 Blast, scheduled to begin on May 26, and had received a No Objection Certificate from the PCB. However, the contract has been canceled following the start of the investigation, ruling him out of the tournament. Nawaz is currently playing for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League and recently bowled three overs against Rawalpindi.

A PCB spokesperson stated that the board has begun due process and will report the investigation’s outcome to the ICC soon. Nawaz’s future in international and overseas leagues remains uncertain until the final decision is made.

Chelsea’s struggles deepened after a 3-0 loss to Brighton in the English Premier League on April 22, 2026. The defeat marked Chelsea’s fifth consecutive league match without scoring, a drought not seen since 1912. Brighton’s goals came from Kadioglu in the third minute, Hinshelwood around the hour mark, and Welbeck in injury time. Chelsea managed only six shots in the entire match, none on target, underscoring their poor performance.

Following the loss, Chelsea dropped to seventh place in the league table with 48 points from 34 matches, falling further behind in the race for a Champions League spot with only four games remaining. Brighton’s victory lifted them to sixth place, strengthening their position for European competition.

Head coach Liam Rosenior expressed deep frustration after the match, calling the performance unacceptable in every aspect and demanding immediate changes in mentality and intensity within the team.

Bangladesh failed to maintain their winning momentum in the second women's ODI against Sri Lanka, losing by four wickets in Rajshahi on April 22, 2026. Despite a fighting effort with both bat and ball, Nigar Sultana Joty’s team could not defend their total, allowing Sri Lanka to level the three-match series 1-1.

Batting first, Bangladesh suffered early setbacks, losing two openers for just four runs. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty anchored the innings with a responsible 58 off 101 balls, but lack of support from the other end restricted the team to 165 runs. Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu starred with the ball, taking three wickets.

In reply, Sri Lanka also stumbled early but recovered through a 77-run fourth-wicket stand between Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hansima Karunaratne. Athapaththu contributed 40 off 39 balls, while Kavisha and Nilakshi guided the visitors to victory. Nahida Akter was Bangladesh’s standout bowler with four wickets. The series will now be decided in the third and final match.

Bangladesh have been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for maintaining a slow over rate during their One Day International match against New Zealand in Mirpur. Despite winning the match by six wickets on Monday and leveling the three-match series 1–1, the team failed to complete their bowling quota within the allotted time. As a result, the ICC imposed a fine equivalent to 10 percent of the players’ match fees.

According to an ICC statement, Bangladesh bowled two overs short of the required rate, prompting the penalty issued by elite panel match referee Andy Pycroft. Under ICC regulations, teams are fined a minimum of five percent of match fees for each over not completed in time. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz accepted responsibility and the sanction, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.

The match officials included on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Gazi Sohel, third umpire Nitin Menon, and fourth umpire Masudur Rahman Mukul.

Bangladesh, the two-time defending champions, have been placed in Group B alongside India and the Maldives for the upcoming SAFF Women's Championship. The tournament is scheduled to begin on May 25 in Goa, India, with the group draw held in Dhaka. According to the latest FIFA women's rankings, Bangladesh ranks third among the six participating teams, which were divided into three pots for the draw.

The competition will feature six teams split into two groups, with each team playing two group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. Group A includes Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, with Nepal considered the strongest side in that group. If Bangladesh tops its group, it could avoid facing Nepal in the semifinals.

Despite recent security concerns that postponed the Bangladesh men's cricket tour to India, the Ministry of Sports has shown a positive stance toward the women's football team’s travel. Improved bilateral relations following national elections have reduced potential obstacles. Bangladesh will soon begin a training camp in Chattogram and is also planning overseas practice sessions.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) hosted a reception and award ceremony for the Bangladesh Under-20 football team that won the SAFF U-20 Championship. The event took place on Wednesday morning at the Gulshan Nagar Bhaban in the capital. Each player received a cheque of 50,000 taka, a crest, and a commemorative gift from the city corporation, while the coaching staff were presented with honorary mementos.

DNCC Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan attended as the chief guest, and Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal was present as the special guest. DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman delivered the welcome speech. In his remarks, the DNCC administrator expressed pride in the team’s achievement and mentioned that initiatives are underway to free public spaces from illegal occupation and make them suitable for sports under the Prime Minister’s directive.

Tabith Awal thanked the DNCC administrator for his patronage of sports and highlighted the corporation’s contribution to national sports development, emphasizing the role of sports in fostering unity and social well-being.

The Bangladesh T20 cricket team has arrived in Chattogram ahead of the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand. The squad members reached the port city on Wednesday afternoon, even before the conclusion of the ongoing One Day International series. The first two T20 matches of the series were announced on Tuesday night, and players not part of the ODI squad will begin training in Chattogram from Thursday.

Among those joining the team in Chattogram are Nasum Ahmed, Parvez Hossain Emon, Ripon Mondol, Mohammad Saifuddin, Sheikh Mahedi, and Shamim Patwary. Abdul Gaffar Saklain is also expected to join the squad. Ripon Mondol and Abdul Gaffar Saklain have earned their first call-ups to the national T20 team. To accommodate the newcomers, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has rested Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman, and Taskin Ahmed.

The team’s early arrival is aimed at ensuring adequate preparation time before the T20 series begins against New Zealand in Chattogram.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Youth and Sports, Aminul Haque, is currently on a four-day official visit to Sanya, China, to attend the opening ceremony of the 6th Asian Beach Games that began on April 20. On the first day of his visit, he held a high-level bilateral meeting with Hainan Province Vice Governor Zhi Jing, Tourism and Sports Department Director General Chen Tiejun, and Sanya City Vice Mayor Fan Wei Zheng.

The meeting emphasized strengthening sports diplomacy and mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and China. Discussions covered expanding technical collaboration in sports such as surfing, shooting, volleyball, and table tennis. Both sides agreed to exchange skilled coaches and modern technology to enhance training quality. Talks also included increasing scholarship opportunities in China for talented students from Bangladesh’s sports institutions like BKSP.

A policy decision was reached to sign a memorandum of understanding and bilateral agreements to develop a roadmap for sports cooperation. Chinese representatives praised Bangladesh’s cricket achievements and expressed interest in recruiting experienced Bangladeshi cricket coaches. The meeting also discussed promoting women’s participation at the grassroots level and improving facilities for para-athletes. The minister’s visit continues until April 23 and is viewed as a new milestone in Bangladesh-China sports relations.

Bangladesh bowling coach Shaun Tait said on Wednesday that understanding wickets in Bangladesh is difficult, describing this unpredictability as part of the country's cricketing beauty. Speaking at a press conference in Chattogram, Tait explained that even after discussions between the curators Zahid Reza Babu and Tony Hemming with the team management and captain, the wicket remained hard to read. He referred to the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, noting that the difference between the first and second match wickets highlighted this unpredictability.

Tait emphasized that such variations make Bangladesh cricket unique. Reflecting on his one-year coaching experience in the country, he said Chattogram offers Bangladesh’s best batting wickets. He expressed optimism that Thursday’s match would feature a similar surface and added that regardless of conditions, he believes the bowlers will perform their roles effectively.

The comments came as preparations continued at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium ahead of the next match in the series.