The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) has begun online ticket sales for its 12th edition, with prices starting at Tk 200. Fans can purchase tickets exclusively through the official website www.gobcbticket.com.bd, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided not to sell tickets at physical booths this year. The Sylhet phase of the franchise-based T20 tournament will begin soon, with ticket sales opening at 4 p.m. today.

Ticket prices vary by stand: Tk 200 for the Shahid Turab Stand and Green Gallery/Green Hill areas, Tk 250 for Shahid Abu Sayeed Stand, Tk 500 for Club House (Upper), Tk 600 for Club House (Zero Waste Zone), and Tk 2,000 for the Grand Stand. The BCB expects the online-only system to streamline access and reduce crowding at stadium gates.

The move reflects a broader digital shift in Bangladesh’s sports ticketing, aligning with global trends toward online sales. Fans are encouraged to purchase early due to high demand for the Sylhet matches, which traditionally draw strong local support.

Rajshahi Warriors have become the first team to begin training for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025 season, marking a shift toward greater professionalism in the franchise tournament. Led by coach Hannan Sarkar, the team unveiled its new jersey—dedicated to July revolutionary Sharif Osman Hadi—on the opening day of practice. All local players, including Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim, attended the session, while six foreign recruits are expected to join the squad in Dhaka.

The Warriors’ overseas lineup includes four Pakistanis, one Nepali, and one Sri Lankan player. However, the team may lose some Pakistani players midway through the season due to national commitments. Sarkar confirmed that all foreign players currently hold full NOCs until the BPL final. The franchise is yet to announce its captain, though Shanto is the leading candidate, and young wicketkeeper Akbar Ali is likely to start ahead of Mushfiqur Rahim.

With a balanced mix of youth and experience, Rajshahi Warriors are being viewed as strong title contenders, aiming to set new standards of discipline and preparation in the BPL.

Cricket and football fans are set for a busy weekend of live sports broadcasts, led by the Ashes third Test between Australia and England in Adelaide. The decisive fifth day of the match will air from 5:30 a.m. on Star Sports, while New Zealand face West Indies in the second Test on Sony Sports. Domestic T20 action continues with the Big Bash League clash between Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes, and ILT20 fixtures featuring Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, Desert Vipers, and MI Emirates.

Football coverage remains equally intense, with Aston Villa hosting Manchester United in the English Premier League, Villarreal facing Barcelona in La Liga, Heidenheim meeting Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, and Al Nassr taking on Al Najma in the Saudi Pro League. Broadcasters including Star Sports, FanCode, and Bet365 will carry these matches live.

The packed schedule underscores the global appetite for year-end sports, offering fans a mix of international Tests, franchise cricket, and top-tier football across continents.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is grappling with uncertainty over player selection for an alternative cricket tournament after eight teams withdrew from the Dhaka First Division Cricket League, reducing it from 20 to 12 teams. Many players who had registered or were waiting to be signed are now unable to participate, prompting them to submit a memorandum to the BCB seeking opportunities to play.

The confusion stems from the ‘token’ system, which serves as a transfer permit for players switching clubs. This season, players from lower divisions also collected tokens hoping to play in the First Division, complicating the selection process. The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) plans to present the tournament proposal at the BCB board meeting on December 24 and will consult the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) for guidelines.

BCB will cover all expenses for the new tournament but is exploring sponsorships to offset costs. However, officials indicated that player remuneration will likely be lower than in the regular First Division League.

Manchester City reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League with a commanding 3–0 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland scored twice, in the 5th and 69th minutes, while Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders added another to seal the win. City controlled 66% of possession, registering 17 shots with eight on target, reflecting their attacking dominance under Pep Guardiola.

The match marked another milestone for Haaland, who surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Premier League goal tally, reaching 104 goals—one more than Ronaldo’s 103—despite playing 122 fewer matches. The Norwegian striker also reached 200 goal contributions across Europe’s top five leagues, combining 166 goals and 35 assists. His season total now stands at 19 goals.

With this win, City moved to 37 points from 17 matches, one ahead of Arsenal, who have a game in hand. West Ham’s struggles continued under Nuno Espírito Santo, losing 10 of their 17 league fixtures so far.

West Indies showed remarkable composure on the third day of the Mount Maunganui Test, responding strongly to New Zealand’s imposing first-innings total of 575 for eight declared. Kavem Hodge led the resistance with an unbeaten 109 off 254 balls, featuring 14 boundaries, while Brandon King contributed 63 and John Campbell added 45. The visitors finished the day at 381 for six, trailing by 194 runs with four wickets in hand.

Earlier, New Zealand’s innings was powered by Devon Conway’s 227 and Tom Latham’s 137, setting a daunting target. Despite early setbacks, the Caribbean side displayed grit, with Allick Athanaze and Justin Greaves narrowly missing half-centuries. Jacob Duffy and Ajaz Patel claimed two wickets each for the hosts.

The match remains delicately poised heading into the fourth day. West Indies will aim to narrow the deficit and avoid a follow-on, while New Zealand seeks quick breakthroughs to maintain control of the Test.

The National Sports Council (NSC) of Bangladesh has sparked widespread criticism after reinstating 95-year-old Khorshed Alam to the ad-hoc committee of the Bangladesh Rowing Federation. Alam, who previously served as general secretary for 46 years, had been removed earlier under a government reform directive barring long-serving officials from new committees. His sudden reappointment on December 7, without consultation with federation members, has raised questions about transparency and motives behind the decision.

Federation officials formally protested the move on December 11, citing Alam’s alleged involvement in financial irregularities and prolonged mismanagement that hindered the sport’s development. Former NSC executive director Kazi Nazrul Islam stated that he acted on higher directives, while others within the sports community suspect political influence and possible financial dealings behind the inclusion. Alam, however, denied all allegations, claiming his long service and prior NSC recognition justified his return.

The controversy underscores persistent governance issues in Bangladesh’s sports federations, where entrenched leadership and lack of accountability continue to impede progress in traditional sports like rowing and boat racing.

Bangladeshi shuttlers Al Amin Zumar and Urmi Akter made history by reaching the mixed doubles final of the Unex-Sunrise International Challenge but fell short of the gold medal. The pair lost to a Malaysian duo in straight sets, 27–21 and 21–14, after a competitive opening game. Despite the defeat, their silver medal marks Bangladesh’s best-ever finish in an international badminton event.

Due to the national day of mourning for Sharif Osman Hadi’s death, no formal ceremony was held, and players wore black badges. Bangladesh Badminton Federation President Habib Ullah Don awarded the pair a total of USD 1,000 and pledged enhanced training facilities, including foreign coaching support. Zumar expressed mixed feelings, calling the final appearance a proud yet bittersweet moment, while Urmi credited their three-month pre-tournament training for the achievement.

The tournament also saw victories for players from India, the United States, Vietnam, and Thailand across other categories. The Bangladeshi duo’s success is expected to boost national interest and investment in badminton ahead of the upcoming South Asian Games.

Australia are poised to secure the Ashes series in Adelaide after dominating England across four days of play. Pat Cummins’ side set England a daunting 435-run target following strong batting displays from Travis Head, who scored 170, and Alex Carey, who added 72. By stumps on the fourth day, England were 207 for six, still needing 228 runs with only four wickets in hand.

Cummins led from the front, dismissing Ben Duckett early and reaching 150 Test wickets as captain, joining an elite list topped by Pakistan’s Imran Khan. Nathan Lyon also played a crucial role, removing Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley in quick succession to tighten Australia’s grip. England’s top order faltered again, with only Crawley showing resistance through his 85-run knock.

If Australia complete victory on the final day, it will mark one of their fastest Ashes series wins on home soil since 2002–03. The result would also deepen England’s ongoing struggles under captain Ben Stokes, raising questions about their batting consistency and tactical approach.

India has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, leaving out ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill. The team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, with all-rounder Axar Patel named as vice-captain. Left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan returns to the side after a strong domestic season, while finisher Rinku Singh earns a call-up. The tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7, 2025.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Gill’s omission was based on team balance and recent form. Gill has averaged only 24.25 across his last 15 T20 internationals, while Kishan topped the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 517 runs. Agarkar noted that having a wicketkeeper-opener strengthens the team’s flexibility. The squad also includes Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar as all-rounders, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pace attack.

The selection signals India’s focus on form and versatility ahead of the World Cup, as the team seeks to end its decade-long wait for a T20 title.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has apologized to his teammates following controversial comments he made after being dropped from the squad earlier this month. The Egyptian star had publicly criticized the club and head coach Arne Slot after a 1–1 draw with Leeds United on December 6, expressing frustration over being blamed for the team’s poor start to the season and uncertainty about his future at Anfield.

Midfielder Curtis Jones confirmed Salah’s apology in an interview with Sky Sports, saying the 33-year-old spoke to the entire squad to express regret if his words had hurt anyone. Jones emphasized that the dressing room remains united and that Salah’s gesture reflected his character and leadership.

The incident comes amid Liverpool’s efforts to stabilize their Premier League campaign under new management. Salah’s apology is seen as a positive step toward maintaining team cohesion as the club seeks to recover form and address internal challenges in the second half of the season.

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Matvei Safonov suffered a broken hand during his heroic performance in the Intercontinental Cup final against Brazil’s Flamengo. Despite the injury, Safonov saved four penalties in the shootout, leading PSG to a 2–1 victory and securing the club’s first-ever global title. The match ended in a draw during regular time before the dramatic penalty decider.

PSG coach Luis Enrique confirmed on Friday that the injury likely occurred during the third penalty save, though Safonov continued playing without realizing the severity due to adrenaline. “It’s unbelievable — he stopped the last two shots with a fractured hand,” Enrique said, praising the goalkeeper’s commitment and mental strength. Medical staff will reassess Safonov’s condition in three to four weeks.

The injury casts uncertainty over PSG’s upcoming fixtures, with the club expected to rely on backup options in goal. Safonov’s resilience, however, has been widely lauded as a symbol of PSG’s determination during their historic triumph.

New Zealand’s top order dominated the second day of the Mount Maunganui Test against West Indies, with opener Devon Conway converting his overnight century into a commanding double hundred. Conway’s 227 off 367 balls, featuring 31 boundaries, anchored the innings as New Zealand declared at 575 for eight. Tom Latham added 137, while Rachin Ravindra remained unbeaten on 72, ensuring the hosts built a formidable first-innings total.

West Indies’ bowlers struggled to contain the Kiwi batsmen, with Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip, and Justin Greaves each taking two wickets. In response, the Caribbean side made a strong start, reaching 110 without loss at stumps. Brandon King (55*) and John Campbell (45*) held firm, though their team still trails by 465 runs.

The match remains tilted heavily in New Zealand’s favor, with the visitors needing a massive effort to avoid a follow-on. The third day’s play will be crucial as West Indies aim to build partnerships and reduce the deficit on a batting-friendly Bay Oval pitch.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on January 14, 2026, as part of the official global trophy tour organized by Coca-Cola. The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) confirmed the visit earlier, and Coca-Cola issued an official statement detailing the event. Football fans in Bangladesh will have the opportunity to view the iconic trophy up close and take photographs during its stay.

According to Coca-Cola Vice President Mikael Vinet, the tour aims to bring fans closer to the heart of the game and celebrate the passion and excitement that define football. The 150-day global tour will cover 30 FIFA member countries and showcase the trophy in 75 locations. FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai highlighted that this year’s tour marks the 20th anniversary of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, which has visited 182 of FIFA’s 211 member nations since its inception.

In Bangladesh, Coca-Cola has also launched an interactive “Under the Cap” campaign, offering fans a chance to win tickets to see the trophy and take photos with it.

Bangladeshi shuttlers Al Amin Zumar–Moeazzem Hossain Ohidul and Masud Ahmed–Sadakat Robin advanced to the quarterfinals of the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge 2025 after impressive performances in the pre-quarterfinals. Zumar and Ohidul defeated India’s Devart Mann and Saurav Nain 21–19, 17–21, 21–14, while Masud and Robin staged a comeback to beat Malaysia’s Liu Wen Ji and Jia Li Tan 14–21, 21–14, 21–17. The quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Friday, December 19, at the Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Indoor Stadium in Dhaka.

Other Bangladeshi pairs faced early exits. Mostafizur Rahman Lipton–Rafiul Raid lost to Vietnam’s Bui Dan–Nguyen Duc, and Rahatun Naim–Mizanur Rahman fell to India’s Swastik Matharasan–Gokul. In women’s doubles, Dalia–Mathina and Reshma–Brishti were eliminated by British and Indian pairs respectively. Mixed doubles duo Sifat Ullah–Brishti Khatun also lost to an Indian team. Despite these setbacks, the home side’s doubles success offered hope for Bangladesh’s badminton prospects.

The tournament continues with quarterfinal action tomorrow, as local fans anticipate further breakthroughs from the advancing Bangladeshi pairs.