Pakistan mounted a strong response on the second day of the Mirpur Test against Bangladesh, reaching 179 for one at stumps after 46 overs. Debutant Azan Awais remained unbeaten on 85, forming a solid partnership with fellow newcomer Abdullah Fazal, who was not out on 37. The visitors still trail by 234 runs after Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413.

Bangladesh began the day at 301 for four, aiming to cross the 400-run mark. Mushfiqur Rahim, celebrating his birthday, scored 71 before being bowled by Shaheen Afridi, while Liton Das contributed 33. Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan’s bowling attack with five wickets for 92 runs, supported by Afridi’s three wickets. A late cameo from Taskin Ahmed, who hit 28 off 19 balls, helped Bangladesh surpass 400.

Pakistan’s openers Imam-ul-Haq and Awais provided a steady start, adding 106 runs before Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed Imam for 45. Despite an early blow to Awais from a Nahid Rana bouncer, he returned to bat confidently, guiding Pakistan into a competitive position heading into the third day.

Brazil has begun preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the five-time champions set to submit a 55-man preliminary squad to FIFA by May 11. According to Brazilian outlet Globo Sports, the list will feature experienced forward Neymar Jr. alongside emerging talent Estevao Willian. Under FIFA rules, teams must submit a preliminary list of 35 to 55 players before finalizing a 23 to 26-man squad by June 1.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to finalize Brazil’s World Cup squad on May 18. He has indicated that Neymar will be included if he regains full fitness after a long injury layoff. Estevao Willian, who is recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of his move to Chelsea, is also under consideration, with Endrick or Rayan as potential alternatives if he fails to recover in time.

Brazil’s preparations have been hit by injuries to Real Madrid players Eder Militao and Rodrygo, both ruled out of the World Cup. Their absence is seen as a significant setback to Ancelotti’s plans.

FIFA has announced that the 2026 World Cup will feature separate grand opening ceremonies in each of the three host nations—Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Each country will hold a cultural and musical event before its first match. The tournament begins on June 11 in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, where Mexico will face South Africa. The Mexican ceremony will highlight the nation’s heritage and indigenous culture, featuring performances by Grammy-winning band Maná and other artists.

In Canada, the opening match on June 12 in Toronto will see the hosts play Bosnia and Herzegovina. Performers will include Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Bangladeshi-American DJ Sanjoy, and Bollywood star Nora Fatehi. The Canadian event will emphasize multicultural identity through a mosaic-inspired design. The United States will host its first match on June 13 in Los Angeles against Paraguay, preceded by a concert headlined by pop star Katy Perry and other international performers.

According to FIFA, the U.S. ceremony aims to showcase the scale, cultural diversity, and entertainment power of the World Cup, marking the first edition jointly hosted by three nations and featuring 48 participating teams.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal has revealed multiple instances of misinformation and irregularities in the last two Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) seasons, the 11th and 12th editions. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Tamim said that previous BCB administrations under Faruk Ahmed and Aminul Islam Bulbul made false claims about player payments, profits, and franchise bank guarantees. He stated that only two teams—Rangpur Riders and Dhaka Capitals—submitted proper bank guarantees, while others used pay orders or checks, which do not qualify as guarantees.

Tamim further noted that the 11th BPL season was marred by match-fixing allegations against Durbar Rajshahi and unpaid player wages, leading to boycotts and disputes. Former president Faruk Ahmed later admitted that the board had failed to properly assess franchise financial capacity. The BCB also suffered heavy financial losses over the last three tournaments, totaling around 40 crore taka, despite earlier claims of profit.

Tamim’s disclosures have reignited scrutiny over BPL’s governance and financial transparency, raising expectations for stricter oversight in future tournaments.

Bangladesh’s Mominul Haque lauded teammate Najmul Hossain Shanto after his commanding century on the opening day of the Dhaka Test against Pakistan. From a precarious 31 for 2, Shanto and Mominul built a 170-run partnership that helped Bangladesh regain control. Shanto scored 101 off 129 balls with 12 fours and two sixes, playing in an aggressive one-day style that unsettled the Pakistani bowlers.

Speaking at the post-day press conference, Mominul described Shanto’s innings as one of the best he had witnessed from him, crediting his counterattack for putting Pakistan under pressure. He noted that Shanto has been in excellent form, having scored centuries in recent Tests against Sri Lanka, Ireland, and New Zealand. Mominul emphasized the importance of maintaining the same mindset and staying grounded to sustain this consistency.

Looking ahead, Mominul said a strong start on the following morning would be crucial for Bangladesh’s position in the Dhaka Test, expressing optimism about the team’s momentum.

Cristiano Ronaldo reached a major milestone by scoring his 100th goal in the Saudi Pro League as Al Nassr defeated Al Shabab 4–2 on Thursday night. His teammate Joao Felix also shone brightly, completing a hat-trick that secured the crucial win. The victory strengthened Al Nassr’s position at the top of the league table, putting them five points clear of nearest rivals Al Hilal.

After 32 matches, Al Nassr have collected 82 points, while Al Hilal sit second with 77 points from 31 games. The two teams are set to face each other next Tuesday, a match that could decide the title. A win would give Al Nassr 85 points, making it impossible for Al Hilal to catch up even if they win their remaining games.

Ronaldo’s goal came in the 75th minute from a Sadio Mane cross, marking his 971st career goal. The Portuguese star now needs 29 more to reach 1,000 career goals, while this season’s tally stands at 26 in the league.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a century and Mominul Haque narrowly missed his own as Bangladesh ended the first day of the Mirpur Test against Pakistan strongly on May 8, 2026. After early setbacks, the hosts reached 301 for 4 in 85 overs at stumps, with Mushfiqur Rahim unbeaten on 48 and Liton Das on 8. Najmul’s 101 off 130 balls and Mominul’s 91 guided Bangladesh out of early trouble after losing two wickets within the first 25 balls.

Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali struck early, removing openers Mahmudul Hasan and Shadman Islam. Afridi also reached the milestone of 100 wickets in the World Test Championship. However, a 170-run third-wicket partnership between Najmul and Mominul turned the tide in Bangladesh’s favor. Najmul’s century featured 12 fours and 2 sixes before he was dismissed lbw by Mohammad Abbas.

Despite Mominul’s dismissal late in the day, Bangladesh’s strong batting display placed them in control heading into the second day, with the middle order well set to build on the solid foundation.

South African spinner Simon Harmer has sparked new debate over India’s influence in world cricket. In an interview with The Guardian, Harmer claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) exerts the most power over the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to its commercial strength. He said that despite South Africa’s recent success, including a World Test Championship win and a 2–0 Test series victory in India, the balance of power in global cricket remains unchanged.

Harmer expressed frustration that administrative structures have not evolved in line with on-field achievements. He credited South Africa’s progress to collective performance rather than individual brilliance, emphasizing that coach Shukri Conrad ensures accountability within the team. Harmer also criticized England’s cricket system, arguing that spinners are undervalued and that only a few of the 18 county teams have dedicated spin-bowling coaches.

His remarks have already stirred discussion across the cricket community, reigniting debate about the extent of India’s dominance in international cricket governance.

Bangladesh will participate for the first time in the Esports Nations Cup, often called the World Cup of esports, scheduled for November 2026 in Saudi Arabia. The announcement came at a press conference organized by the Bangladesh Youth Development and Electronic Sports Association (BYDESA) in Dhaka, where its president, Dr. Brigadier General (Retd.) Md. Munirul Islam, confirmed the country’s debut. Bangladesh will compete in 15 different esports titles, with a total prize pool exceeding Tk 2.2 billion, one of the largest among global esports events.

Around 150 countries are expected to take part in the tournament. Bangladesh’s 50-member team will first face Asian nations in the qualifiers, aiming to finish among the top two or three to reach the main round. Team manager Aga Rafsan said preparations are underway with that goal in mind. Coaches Farhan Islam, Md. Abid Hossain, and Nazmus Sakib stated that the national team was selected through a transparent process after 1,500 gamers registered nationwide.

The debut is being viewed as a major milestone for Bangladesh’s growing esports community.

Arsenal have reached the final of Europe’s top club competition for the first time in 20 years after defeating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the second leg of the semifinal at Emirates Stadium in London. The North London side secured a 2-1 aggregate victory, with Bukayo Saka scoring the decisive goal in the 45th minute to send his team to the final scheduled for May 30 in Budapest.

The match was played in front of a passionate home crowd, whose energy fueled Arsenal’s performance throughout the rainy evening. Atletico Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone appeared dejected as his team’s comeback hopes faded. After the final whistle, players and fans celebrated together, with coach Mikel Arteta joining in the jubilation.

This marks Arsenal’s first appearance in the competition’s final since 2006. The team also remains in contention for the domestic league title, needing three more wins to end a 22-year wait. Arsenal’s opponent in the final will be decided between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, with PSG leading 5-4 after the first leg.

Bangladesh and Pakistan are set to face each other again in a Test series nearly two years after their last encounter in Rawalpindi in August 2024. Historically, Pakistan has dominated the rivalry, winning 12 of the 15 Tests played over the past 24 years, while Bangladesh claimed victory in the last two matches on Pakistani soil. This recent success has boosted Bangladesh’s confidence as they prepare for the upcoming series.

Pakistan has conducted an intensive training camp in Lahore for its Test squad, including players returning from the Pakistan Super League, aiming to reclaim dominance based on their strong historical record. However, Bangladesh’s recent form, particularly in pace bowling, has been impressive, with bowlers like Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and young Nahid Rana performing strongly. The team’s batting lineup, led by Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das, also holds an edge over Pakistan’s current players.

With pace-friendly conditions expected in Mirpur and Sylhet, Bangladesh’s bowlers could pose a serious challenge to Pakistan, making the upcoming series a test of form versus history.

Iran’s national football team, known as Team Melli, has signaled its readiness for the upcoming FIFA World Cup through social media posts showing players in a new home kit and training at an undisclosed location. Videos shared on Monday revealed a photo shoot featuring key players such as goalkeeper Alireza Safar Beiranvand and winger Milad Mohammadi. The team is currently training in Iran and will soon travel to Turkiye for three friendly matches before heading to the United States, where all their Group G matches will be played.

Iran’s participation had been uncertain following the outbreak of war between the US, Israel, and Iran on February 28, raising safety concerns and questions about the US’s role as host. However, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed at the FIFA Congress in Canada that Iran will compete and play its matches in the US, a position later supported by former President Donald Trump. Assistant coach Saeed Alhoei outlined the team’s preparation schedule, including an intra-squad match using VAR technology to simulate tournament conditions.

Iran will open its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt. The team suffered a setback as winger Ali Gholizadeh sustained a season-ending knee injury while playing for his Polish club.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal has uncovered a major irregularity in the payment system for cleaners at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. During the Bangladesh–New Zealand third T20 match, he learned that although BCB allocates 650 taka per cleaner per day, the workers receive only 300 taka after multiple intermediaries take cuts. Tamim revealed that BCB employees themselves act as middlemen, diverting funds meant for the cleaners.

According to Tamim, cleaning contracts are awarded through tenders, but instead of third-party companies hiring workers directly, BCB staff supply cleaners and retain part of their wages. The contracted company reportedly pays 500 taka per cleaner, but BCB employees keep 200 taka, leaving only 300 taka for the workers. Tamim expressed frustration that even low-paid female cleaners are being exploited by insiders.

To address the issue, Tamim ordered that cleaners be paid the full 500 taka in his presence and instructed that future contracts exclude BCB’s own staff from recruitment. He also pledged strict monitoring to prevent further wage theft and ensure transparency in overtime payments.

Inter Milan secured the Italian Serie A championship with three matches left in the season after defeating Parma 2-0 at San Siro. The victory confirmed Inter’s 21st league title, as they needed only one point following Napoli’s goalless draw in the previous round. Marcus Thuram opened the scoring just before halftime, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan doubled the lead in the 80th minute. Returning from injury, Lautaro Martínez assisted the second goal, marking his comeback.

This is Inter’s second league title in three years, placing them second in the all-time Serie A winners list behind Juventus, who have 36 titles. The win also helped the club recover from the disappointment of their Champions League exit earlier in the season.

Inter now has the chance to complete a domestic double, as they are set to face Lazio in the Coppa Italia final on May 13. The club last achieved both league and cup victories in the same season in 2011.

Real Madrid extended the La Liga title race by defeating Espanyol 2–0 away on May 4, 2026. After a goalless first half, Vinicius Junior scored twice in the second half to secure a vital win for Carlo Ancelotti’s team. With 34 matches played, Real now have 77 points, maintaining an 11-point gap behind Barcelona, who sit on 88. The result postponed Barcelona’s potential title celebration by at least another week.

Barcelona’s previous victory over Osasuna had put pressure on Real Madrid, as a draw or loss in this match would have confirmed Barcelona as champions. However, Real’s win kept their slim hopes alive. The upcoming El Clasico on May 10 is now expected to play a decisive role in determining the league title, with Barcelona needing only a draw to clinch their 29th championship.

Espanyol’s defeat ended their faint hopes of qualifying for European competition. Despite a strong start to the season, they remain winless in 2026, recording six draws and ten losses in 16 matches.