Sheikh Joaad bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar has been elected as the new president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The election took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, during the OCA’s 45th annual general assembly. Sheikh Joaad was chosen with the representatives’ support after Ranbir Singh stepped down due to health reasons. He will serve as president until 2028. Before his election, Sheikh Joaad was the president of the Qatar Olympic Association and senior vice president of the OCA.

During the same meeting, Asian Archery Federation president and Bangladesh Archery Federation founding general secretary Kazi Rajib Uddin Ahmed Chapol met Sheikh Joaad. In their courtesy meeting, Sheikh Joaad assured continued support for the growth of archery across Asia. Rajib Uddin said discussions included archery’s role in the upcoming Asian Games and cooperation between OCA and World Archery Asia for the sport’s development.

Sheikh Joaad also invited further discussions and collaboration on archery initiatives in Qatar, signaling potential regional cooperation in the sport’s advancement.

Pakistan’s legendary cricketer Mohammad Yousuf has strongly criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) after Bangladesh was excluded from the upcoming T20 World Cup. According to the report, Bangladesh had made a justified request to change the tournament venue, but the ICC, allegedly influenced by India, pressured Bangladesh and ultimately removed the team from the competition. The decision has sparked widespread criticism across the cricket world.

In a post on his X handle, Yousuf questioned the ICC’s fairness, consistency, and administrative competence, saying the organization failed to ensure justice for Bangladesh. He compared Bangladesh’s massive fan base to that of ten other cricketing nations combined, arguing that ignoring Bangladesh’s legitimate security concerns raises serious doubts about ICC’s integrity. Yousuf emphasized that cricket should be governed by principles, not favoritism.

The report adds that Scotland has replaced Bangladesh in the tournament and will play in Group C alongside Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and England.

Pakistan’s legendary spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has said that politics should not be mixed with sports, describing it as harmful not only to cricket but also to humanity. Speaking to India’s news agency NNI after Bangladesh’s elimination from the T20 World Cup, Mushtaq criticized the involvement of politics in cricket and emphasized that the game should unite nations rather than divide them.

In the interview, Mushtaq stated that politics should be eradicated because it acts as an enemy to humanity and damages both sports and players. He reiterated that cricket is meant to be a source of entertainment, not a battlefield or a tool of conflict. The former Pakistan cricketer declined to comment on Bangladesh’s decision not to play in India, saying he does not believe in politics.

Mushtaq’s remarks underline his long-held view that cricket should remain a unifying and entertaining sport, free from political interference and national disputes.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to explain its decision to deny accreditation to Bangladeshi journalists for coverage of the upcoming T20 World Cup. According to reports, the ICC informed Bangladeshi journalists via email on Monday that their accreditation applications had been rejected, preventing them from covering the tournament. BCB Director and Media Committee Chairman Amjad Hossain confirmed that the board had contacted the ICC seeking clarification on the matter.

The decision has drawn criticism toward the ICC, which was already under scrutiny for allegedly excluding Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup under Indian influence. Amjad Hossain noted that Bangladeshi journalists had previously received accreditation even when the national team did not participate in ICC events, calling the latest move an unprecedented step. Indian media reports suggested that political and security concerns were the main reasons behind the denial, citing Bangladesh’s own statements about instability and safety concerns regarding travel to India.

The controversy has intensified debate over transparency and fairness in ICC’s administrative decisions, with the BCB awaiting an official response.

Cricket Scotland has turned to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for assistance in securing an Indian visa for Pakistan-origin fast bowler Safyaan Sharif ahead of the T20 World Cup starting on February 7 in India. The ICC has assured Scotland that all players will receive their visas before the tournament begins, after Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the competition. However, Sharif’s visa process may face complications due to his Pakistani heritage.

The Scottish team is scheduled to depart for India later this week. Ongoing political and diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan have made it difficult for Pakistani citizens and those of Pakistani descent to obtain Indian visas. Several players from other teams have reportedly faced similar challenges ahead of the tournament.

Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, Trudy Lindblad, said the board is committed to working closely with the ICC, which is coordinating with local authorities and the BCCI to ensure necessary support. The team remains hopeful that Sharif will receive his visa before their opening match against the West Indies in Kolkata on February 7.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has launched the 'Physically Challenged Cricket Trial Camp 2026', a two-day program aimed at selecting talented and promising cricketers with physical disabilities from across the country. The camp began today under the initiative of the BCB’s Physically Challenged Wing and seeks to identify players capable of representing Bangladesh in national and international competitions.

According to the BCB, the main goal of the initiative is to build a strong and skilled national team for physically challenged players. The selection process is being conducted under international standards, with experienced coaching staff and certified classifiers assessing participants’ physical ability, technical skills, game strategy, fitness, and mental strength. The process is designed to be transparent and impartial.

BCB Director and Chairman of the Physically Challenged Wing, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, attended the opening ceremony as chief guest. He stated that integrating physically challenged cricketers into mainstream sports is a key priority for the board and reflects inclusive progress in Bangladesh’s sporting sector.

Italy achieved a landmark victory by defeating Ireland by four wickets in the third and final T20 match of their series in Dubai. Although Ireland had already secured the series by winning the first two matches, Italy’s triumph marked their first-ever win against an ICC full-member nation. Chasing Ireland’s total of 154, Italy reached 157 for six with three balls to spare, thanks to captain Veni Madsen’s 39 off 30 balls and Grant Stewart’s unbeaten 33 off 19 balls.

Ireland’s innings ended at 154 in 19.4 overs, with opener Paul Stirling scoring 45 and Mark Adair adding 25 runs. For Italy, Kalugamage took three wickets for 28 runs. Despite losing two early wickets for 22, Italy recovered through disciplined batting and finished the chase in style. The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among the Italian players.

Italy will now turn their focus to the T20 World Cup starting in early February, where they are placed in Group C alongside England, Nepal, Scotland, and the West Indies.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has termed the exclusion of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a severe insult. Speaking at an election rally in Satkhira Government Boys’ School field on Tuesday, he said the decision by India not to allow Mustafizur to play even a friendly match was an affront to both the player and the nation. He also criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not accepting Bangladesh’s proposal to shift the T20 World Cup venue to Sri Lanka.

Following threats from extremist groups in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on January 3 that Mustafizur would not participate in the IPL. Citing security concerns, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided not to send the national team to India for the T20 World Cup. After several meetings, the ICC gave Bangladesh 24 hours to reverse its decision, but the country remained firm, leading to its replacement by Scotland in the tournament.

Dr. Rahman urged the ICC to reconsider its stance and emphasized maintaining dignity and fairness in international cricket relations.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has finalized Vietnam as the opponent for a friendly match ahead of the Asian Cup qualifying round. The match will take place on March 26 in Vietnam, serving as preparation for Bangladesh’s upcoming qualifier against Singapore. The national team will travel to Singapore after the friendly to play their final group-stage match on March 31 in Kallang.

Earlier, BFF had been in contact with several countries, including Cambodia and East Timor, to arrange a preparatory match, but ultimately decided on Vietnam. Bangladesh began their Asian Cup qualifying campaign on March 25 of the previous year in Shillong against India. So far, Bangladesh has played six matches in the qualifiers, winning one and drawing two. Their only victory came at home against India with a 1–0 scoreline.

The friendly against Vietnam is expected to help the team fine-tune its strategy and build momentum before the crucial qualifier in Singapore.

Bangladesh has declined to play in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India citing security concerns, proposing instead to play in Sri Lanka. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC), reportedly under pressure from India, rejected Bangladesh’s request and replaced them with Scotland. Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, Trudy Lindblad, confirmed the development and expressed sympathy for the Bangladeshi players who had qualified but were excluded from the tournament.

Lindblad stated that Scotland did not wish to qualify in this manner, acknowledging that their inclusion was the result of exceptional circumstances. She said the team understood Bangladesh’s disappointment and emphasized that no team wants to enter a global event through invitation rather than qualification. Despite the sudden call-up, Scotland is preparing to send its team to India within a week, with logistical challenges such as visas and travel arrangements being managed with ICC assistance.

The 20-team T20 World Cup begins in India on February 7, with Scotland joining Group C alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has denied accreditation to all Bangladeshi journalists seeking to cover the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka. The decision was communicated via email on Monday. The ICC stated that since Bangladesh is not participating in the tournament, Bangladeshi sports journalists will not be granted permission to cover the event. Earlier, the Bangladesh government had refused to allow its national cricket team to travel to India due to security concerns, effectively ruling the team out of the competition.

The ICC’s refusal follows Bangladesh’s official withdrawal from the World Cup, which was announced after the government cited safety risks for players. The rejection of journalist accreditations has been described as surprising and disappointing, with some viewing it as a reflection of the growing influence of Indian interests within world cricket. The development has sparked criticism that the ICC’s decision further isolates Bangladeshi representation in the tournament.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions surrounding security and participation in international cricket events hosted in India.

Pakistan is reportedly considering boycotting the upcoming T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh, which has already withdrawn from the tournament. The discussion has sparked widespread debate about the potential impact on the event. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali warned that if Pakistan pulls out, international broadcasters could face severe financial losses, as India-Pakistan matches represent one of the largest markets for viewership and advertising revenue.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that the final decision on participation will be made by the government, increasing uncertainty around the tournament. Basit Ali praised Naqvi’s recent press conference, saying it placed the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a difficult position. According to various sources cited in the report, the ICC has issued a strong warning to Pakistan against boycotting, suggesting that such a move could lead to unprecedented sanctions affecting the PCB’s finances and international standing.

If Pakistan proceeds with a boycott, the report suggests the entire tournament could face disruption and long-term repercussions for global cricket governance and broadcasting interests.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering three possible actions to show support for Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that while Pakistan had earlier indicated a possible withdrawal from the tournament, no final decision has been made. The board expects to reach a conclusion by Friday or Monday.

According to a Sama TV report cited in the source, Naqvi discussed the issue with board officials and former cricketers during a Pakistan Super League workshop, where he strongly supported Bangladesh. He reportedly stated that Bangladesh had been disrespected and should not be left isolated, reflecting the PCB’s stance.

The three options under review include wearing black armbands during matches to express solidarity with Bangladeshi fans, boycotting the February 15 India–Pakistan match citing Indian behavior, and dedicating Pakistan’s World Cup victories to Bangladesh’s cricket supporters.

Bangladesh Under-19 team were eliminated from the Super Six stage after a decisive loss to England in Bulawayo’s Queens Sports Club. Batting first, Bangladesh collapsed for 136 runs in 38.1 overs, with only Rifat Beg (31), captain Azizul Hakim (20), and wicketkeeper Mohammad Abdullah (25) reaching double figures. England chased down the target comfortably, scoring 137 for 3 in 24.1 overs, led by captain Rue’s unbeaten 59. The result confirmed Bangladesh’s exit from the tournament.

Bangladesh had entered the Super Six with only one point, while India and England started with four points each in Group 2. This left Bangladesh needing a win to keep their semifinal hopes alive, but the team failed to handle the pressure. The defeat marked Bangladesh’s third consecutive Under-19 World Cup exit before the semifinals since their 2020 championship.

Despite the elimination, Bangladesh still have one remaining match scheduled against Zimbabwe on June 31 in Harare.

Brazilian forward Endrick, once hailed as a prodigy and the next Pelé, has reignited his career in France after a difficult spell at Real Madrid. On loan to Lyon in Ligue 1, the 19-year-old scored a hat-trick in a 5–2 victory over Metz, helping his team climb to fourth place in the standings with 36 points from 19 matches. The remaining goals came from Ruben Kluivert and Tyler Morton, while PSG lead the table with 45 points.

Endrick opened the scoring in the 11th minute, added a second in first-half stoppage time, and completed his hat-trick with an 87th-minute penalty. At 19 years and 188 days, he became the youngest player in Lyon and Ligue 1 history to score a hat-trick, breaking Bernard Lacombe’s record of 19 years and 196 days. Endrick has now scored four goals and provided one assist in his first three matches for Lyon.

After the match, Endrick expressed happiness at returning to form, saying he felt comfortable and grateful to his teammates and staff for their support.