The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the national women’s team for the upcoming three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka. The matches will be held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on April 28, April 30, and May 2, each starting at 1:30 p.m. The squad combines experienced players and emerging talents, aiming for a balanced lineup for the home series.

Regular captain Nigar Sultana Joty will lead the team, with spin all-rounder Nahida Akter serving as vice-captain. The squad includes Dilara Akter, Shobnom Mostary, Fahima Khatun, Sharmin Akter Supta, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Rabeya Khan, Sharmin Sultana, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Sultana Khatun, Shanjida Akter Maghla, and Jueria Ferdous. Standby players are Fargana Hoque, Sharifa Khatun, Fargana Yasmin, and Taj Nehar.

Playing at home is expected to boost Bangladesh’s confidence, with local conditions in Sylhet likely to favor spinners such as Nahida Akter and others in the bowling lineup.

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has been named La Liga’s Player of the Month for April 2026, marking a historic achievement for the 18-year-old. The announcement came on Friday, shortly after confirmation that Yamal’s season had ended due to an injury sustained in Wednesday’s match against Celta Vigo. Despite the setback, his performances throughout April earned him the top individual honor.

Yamal outperformed Vedat Muriqi, Carlos Soler, Lucas Boyé, and Fede Viñas to claim the award. This is his third Player of the Month title of the season, having previously won in November and December. He is now the first player in La Liga history to win the monthly award three times in a single season.

In April, Barcelona won all three of their league matches, with Yamal playing a decisive role. He scored against Espanyol and Celta Vigo, and contributed one goal and two assists against Espanyol, further solidifying his impact before the injury ended his campaign.

Real Madrid stumbled again in the La Liga title race after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer against Real Betis, resulting in a 1-1 draw on April 25, 2026. Despite taking an early lead through Vinícius Júnior in the 17th minute, Real failed to secure victory as Héctor Bellerín scored in the 94th minute to level the match. The draw denied Madrid a chance to close the gap with league leaders Barcelona.

Throughout the match at Betis’ home ground, Real faced strong resistance. Betis controlled 52 percent of possession and took 19 shots, four on target, while Real managed 12 shots with eight on target. Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham missed opportunities to extend the lead, and Mbappé had a goal disallowed for offside. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made several key saves to keep Madrid ahead until the final moments.

After 33 matches, Real Madrid remain second with 74 points, trailing Barcelona, who lead with 82 points from one game fewer. Betis stand fifth with 50 points. The late setback adds pressure on Madrid’s pursuit of the league title.

NRBC Bank clinched the title in the Don Ready Mix Concrete Bankers Club Cricket Tournament 2026 final with a commanding 53-run win over City Bank PLC. The match, held under the organization of Bankers Club Rajshahi, saw NRBC Bank secure their third consecutive championship title. Batting first after winning the toss, NRBC Bank were bowled out for 134 runs in 19.1 overs, with Helal scoring 27 off 14 balls and Sayed adding 23 off 27. City Bank’s Raju took 4 wickets for 29 runs, while Nayeem claimed 2 for 13.

Chasing 135, City Bank struggled against NRBC’s disciplined bowling attack and were dismissed for 81 runs in 16.1 overs. Abir starred with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 15 runs in 3.1 overs, while Helal contributed with 2 wickets for 12 runs. Abir was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, and Helal hit the most sixes in the final. The trophy was presented to NRBC Bank’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. Md. Touhidul Alam Khan by Bankers Club Rajshahi President Amjad Hossain Khan.

The award ceremony was attended by senior officials from various banks, including former national cricket captain Khaled Mashud Pilot, whose Clemon Cricket Academy managed the event.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) hosted a reception and award ceremony for the Bangladesh Under-20 national football team, which recently won the SAFF U-20 Championship. The event took place on Wednesday morning at the Gulshan Nagar Bhaban in Dhaka. Each player received a cheque of 50,000 taka, a crest, and a commemorative gift from DNCC, 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 praised the players’ achievement and highlighted ongoing efforts to free public spaces for sports under the Prime Minister’s directive. He emphasized that the main goal of the event was to honor and inspire the young athletes.

BFF President Tabith Awal thanked the DNCC administrator for his support of sports and noted the city corporation’s role in promoting unity and social well-being through athletics.

Uncertainty remains over Iran’s participation in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the United States confirming that Iranian players will be allowed to compete. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Iran’s footballers may take part, but no team member or accompanying individual with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will be permitted entry. The IRGC is listed by Washington as a foreign terrorist organization. Rubio clarified that the issue concerns potential associates, not the players themselves.

The 23rd edition of the World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Iran’s group-stage matches set to be held on US soil. This has added complexity to the situation. A proposal from a Trump envoy to replace Iran with Italy was dismissed by US officials as lacking any formal basis. Ongoing regional tensions among the United States, Israel, and Iran have influenced the matter, and although a ceasefire is in place, full resolution has yet to be achieved.

As a result, Iran’s World Cup campaign faces diplomatic hurdles even before the tournament begins.

Bangladesh secured a 55-run victory over New Zealand in the third and final ODI at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram, winning the three-match series 2-1. Despite losing three early wickets for 32 runs after being sent to bat, senior batters Najmul Hossain Shanto and Liton Das stabilized the innings with a 160-run fourth-wicket partnership. Shanto scored 105 runs, while Liton added 76, guiding Bangladesh to a total of 265 for 8 in 50 overs.

In reply, New Zealand struggled against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 210 in 44.5 overs. Left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman claimed his first five-wicket haul in seven years, finishing with figures of 5 for 43. Nahid Rana and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took two wickets each. Dean Foxcroft top-scored for New Zealand with 75 runs. With this result, Bangladesh achieved their third consecutive home ODI series win, following victories over West Indies and Pakistan, while captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz celebrated his third straight series triumph.

Najmul Hossain Shanto was named Player of the Match, and Nahid Rana received the Player of the Series award.

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.