A range of live cricket and European football matches are scheduled for broadcast on April 22, 2026, across multiple platforms. The day’s cricket lineup includes the second One Day International of the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka women’s series at 9:30 a.m. on Fancode and YouTube. The Pakistan Super League features Karachi Kings versus Peshawar Zalmi at 3:30 p.m. and Hyderabad Kingsmen versus Multan Sultans at 8 p.m., both on T Sports and Tapmad. The third T20 match between South Africa and India women’s teams will air at 10 p.m. on Star Sports.

Football fans can follow several major European leagues. The English Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester City begins at 1 a.m. on Toffee Live. La Liga offers three fixtures: Elche versus Atlético Madrid at 11 p.m., Real Sociedad versus Getafe at midnight, and Barcelona versus Celta Vigo at 1:30 a.m. on Fancode and Bet365. PSG faces Nantes in Ligue 1 at 11 p.m., while Bayer Leverkusen meets Bayern Munich in the German Cup at 12:45 a.m. on Fancode and Tapmad. The Coppa Italia semifinal second leg between Atalanta and Lazio airs at 1 a.m., and the AFC Champions League 2 match between Al Nassr and Al Ahli starts at 10 p.m.

The schedule highlights a packed day for sports viewers, combining international cricket with top-tier European football competitions.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has placed India in Category A, marking it as a high-risk nation for doping in athletics. The announcement, made on Monday, elevates India from its previous Category B status. This classification puts India alongside Russia, Belarus, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ukraine. As a result, Indian athletes will now face stricter doping tests and compliance requirements.

According to AIU, India ranked among the top two countries for doping violations in athletics between 2022 and 2025. AIU chairman David Howman stated that India’s doping situation has long been high-risk and that the country’s internal anti-doping programs have not improved sufficiently. Despite promises of reform by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), visible progress remains limited.

The AIU said it will continue to work closely with AFI to enhance transparency in Indian athletics. The development comes as India prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, seen as a step toward its ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, even as doping concerns intensify.

The Bangladesh and New Zealand cricket teams arrived in Chattogram on April 21, 2026, to play the final One Day International (ODI) of their three-match series and two Twenty20 (T20) matches. Both teams will begin practice sessions in the port city from tomorrow, with Bangladesh scheduled to train in the morning and New Zealand in the afternoon at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium.

The decisive third ODI of the series will be held on Thursday, which will determine the overall winner of the three-match contest. Following the ODI, the first two T20 matches of the series are also set to take place in Chattogram on April 27 and 29. The teams’ arrival marks the continuation of their bilateral cricket engagements in Bangladesh.

The upcoming matches are expected to conclude the ongoing series between Bangladesh and New Zealand, with the results of the final ODI and T20s determining the overall outcome of the tour.

Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has become uncertain after its sports and youth minister, Ahmad Donyamali, stated that the team will only compete if full security for Iranian players is guaranteed. He said the final decision will be made by the Iranian government and the Supreme National Security Council. The minister made the remarks to Tasnim News Agency, emphasizing that the safety of the national team in the United States is the key condition for participation.

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with all of Iran’s group-stage matches scheduled to take place in the US. Following the outbreak of war between Iran and the United States on February 28, concerns over the safety of Iranian players have intensified. Iran had earlier requested FIFA to move its matches from the US to Mexico, but the request was rejected due to logistical reasons.

With tensions between the two countries still high, the global football community is now waiting for Tehran’s final decision on whether Team Melli will take part in the tournament.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Youth and Sports, Md. Aminul Haque, is currently on a four-day official visit to Sanya, China, to attend the opening ceremony of the 6th Asian Beach Games, which began on April 20. On the first day of his visit, he held high-level bilateral meetings with Hainan Province Vice Governor Ms. Zhi Jing, Tourism and Sports Department Director General Mr. Chen Tiejun, and Sanya City Vice Mayor Mr. Fan Weizheng. The discussions focused on strengthening sports diplomacy and mutual cooperation between the two countries, with particular emphasis on technical collaboration in surfing, shooting, volleyball, and table tennis.

Both sides agreed to exchange skilled coaches and modern technology to enhance training quality. They also discussed expanding scholarship opportunities in China for talented students from Bangladesh’s sports institutions, including BKSP. A policy decision was made to sign a memorandum of understanding and bilateral agreements to chart a roadmap for sports development. Chinese representatives praised Bangladesh’s cricket achievements and expressed interest in recruiting experienced cricket coaches from Bangladesh. The meeting also addressed increasing 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.

Mohammedan Sporting Club and Bashundhara Kings advanced to the semifinals of the Federation Cup after decisive wins in their final group matches on Tuesday. Mohammedan crushed Arambagh Krira Sangha 4–0 at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh, with forward Sourav Dewan scoring a hat-trick. In the other match, defending champions Bashundhara Kings defeated Bangladesh Police FC 4–1 at the Bashundhara Kings Arena, with Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes netting all four goals.

Bashundhara Kings topped Group B with eight points from two wins and two draws, while Mohammedan also collected eight points but finished second on goal difference. Both teams secured their semifinal berths after consistent performances throughout the group stage.

The results set up a competitive semifinal lineup, with both clubs showing strong attacking form and key forwards in peak scoring rhythm heading into the knockout phase.

The Bangladesh women's hockey team has reached Jakarta, Indonesia, to compete for the first time in the Asian Games qualifiers. This marks the national women’s team’s debut in an international tournament, following previous appearances in age-level competitions. The eight-team event will determine four qualifiers for the main Asian Games hockey competition. Bangladesh is placed in Group A alongside Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, and Uzbekistan.

According to the schedule, Bangladesh will play its opening match against Chinese Taipei on April 23, followed by Uzbekistan on April 24, and Hong Kong on April 26. After the group stage, placement matches will be held, and teams reaching the semifinals will secure qualification for the Asian Games main round. The squad includes players such as Arpita Pal, Himadri Barua Sukh, Niladri Barua Neel, Riyasha Akter Rishi, and others.

The team’s participation is seen as a historic step for women’s hockey in Bangladesh, signaling the sport’s growing presence on the international stage.

Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana delivered a standout performance in the second One Day International against New Zealand in Mirpur, taking five wickets for 32 runs after a costly first match. He emphasized that winning for the team is more important to him than personal milestones. Rana credited his success to executing his bowling plans effectively, something he admitted did not happen in the first game.

Three of his five wickets came on the first ball of an over, reflecting his focus on creating early pressure. He said he always aims to make an impact for the team, whether through a single over or an entire spell. Rana also revealed that he has been working closely with bowling coach Shaun Tait to improve his yorker deliveries, which contributed to his success in the match.

Rana added that he is concentrating on avoiding mistakes made in previous games and continuously improving his skills. His next challenge will come in Chattogram on Thursday, where he will play his first One Day International at that venue.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane led Al Nassr to a commanding 4-0 victory over Al Wasl on Sunday night, securing a place in the semifinals of the AFC Champions League-2. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 11th minute, followed by goals from Inigo Martinez and Abdulelah Al-Amri in the first half. Mane sealed the win in the 80th minute with his 13th goal of the season.

Joao Felix played a key role by assisting Al Nassr’s second and third goals, helping the team dominate from start to finish. The win sends Al Nassr into the West Zone final, where they will face the winner of the Al Ahli Doha vs Al Hussein SC match, scheduled to be held in Dubai.

In another match, Paris Saint-Germain suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1. Lyon’s Endrick and Afonso Moreira scored early goals, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia netted a consolation for PSG in stoppage time.

Manchester City strengthened their Premier League title hopes with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday night. The match, considered crucial in the title race, saw City come from behind after Hayan Shehki’s opening goal. Arsenal briefly equalized through Kai Havertz, capitalizing on a major error by Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Erling Haaland’s second-half strike sealed the win for Pep Guardiola’s side.

City dominated possession with nearly 60 percent of the ball and took 15 shots, five of which were on target. Arsenal managed nine shots, three on target. The defeat marked Arsenal’s fifth loss of the season and their second consecutive setback, dealing a blow to their hopes of ending a two-decade title drought.

Despite the loss, Arsenal remain top of the league table with 70 points from 33 matches, while City sit second with 67 points from one game fewer, keeping the title race alive heading into the final stretch of the season.

Bangladesh defeated New Zealand in the second One Day International played under scorching heat, thanks to a fiery bowling spell from right-arm pacer Nahid Rana. The match took place on a sporting pitch with some grass after Bangladesh’s loss in the first ODI. Nahid Rana fully utilized the conditions, taking five wickets for 32 runs in 10 overs, including one maiden, as New Zealand were bowled out for 198 runs.

Rana struck early, dismissing Henry Nicholls leg before wicket with a 144.7 km/h delivery and later removing Will Young with extra bounce at 146.8 km/h. He continued to trouble the Kiwi batters across three spells, eventually claiming his fifth wicket by bowling Jayden Lennox with a 141.6 km/h yorker. This performance marked Rana’s second five-wicket haul in just ten ODIs, making him the second Bangladeshi bowler to achieve multiple five-fors within ten matches.

With this feat, Rana joined Taskin Ahmed as the joint second-highest Bangladeshi pacer in terms of five-wicket hauls, while Mustafizur Rahman leads with five such performances.

Bangladesh pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib has been recalled to the national squad for the third and final One Day International against New Zealand. The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced a 16-member team on Sunday, including the 23-year-old fast bowler. Tanzim missed the previous series against Pakistan due to a back injury and was not part of the squad for the first two ODIs of the current series. The third match will be played on Thursday at the Bir Shreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram, starting at 11 a.m.

Tanzim last played an ODI for Bangladesh in October in Abu Dhabi. His return strengthens the pace attack alongside Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam. The team will be led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, with key players such as Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Towhid Hridoy also included.

The match will decide the outcome of the three-match series, with Bangladesh aiming to finish strongly at home.

After the second One Day International, New Zealand batter Nick Kelly said his team took too long to understand the pitch conditions and lost wickets at crucial moments, which led to their defeat against Bangladesh. He explained that early grass on the wicket made batting difficult, and losing partnerships at critical stages proved costly for the visitors.

Kelly praised Bangladesh’s bowlers, noting that they performed well and were aided by the pitch. He specifically mentioned young pacer Nahid Rana, describing him as talented and quick, and said the wicket conditions suited him. Kelly contrasted his comments with teammate Dean Foxcroft’s earlier statement after the first match, when Foxcroft had said they understood the wicket well.

With this loss, the three-match series is now level at 1–1, turning the final game in Chattogram into a virtual decider. Kelly expressed hope that New Zealand could recover and win the series in the last match.

Tamim Iqbal, head of the ad hoc committee of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), announced that the board elections will be held in the second week of June. The National Sports Council had dissolved the previous BCB board, led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, on April 7 over allegations of irregularities and appointed an 11-member ad hoc committee. The committee was given 90 days to organize the next election, with its term ending on July 7.

Tamim stated that the committee does not intend to use the full 90-day period and plans to hold a board meeting soon to prepare for the election. He also mentioned that efforts are underway to organize the election by the first week of June, but if that is not possible, it will be held in the second week.

Additionally, Tamim revealed plans to introduce a special “Cricketers Card” offering privileges similar to a captain’s card for players who have represented Bangladesh. He also expressed his intention to reintroduce ball boys in domestic cricket, starting with the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand.

Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the second One Day International at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on April 20, 2026. The hosts chased down a target of 199 runs with 87 balls remaining, leveling the three-match series 1-1. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Towhid Hridoy guided the team to victory with an unbeaten 32-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Earlier, New Zealand were bowled out for 198 runs in 48.4 overs. Pacer Nahid Rana starred with the ball, taking five wickets for 32 runs—his second five-wicket haul in just his 11th ODI. Shariful Islam supported with two wickets for 32 runs. For New Zealand, opener Nick Kelly top-scored with 83 runs, while Muhammad Abbas added 19.

This was Bangladesh’s second-largest win over New Zealand in ODIs in terms of balls remaining. The series decider will be played on Thursday at the Bir Shreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram.