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.

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.