Bangladesh national cricket team head coach Phil Simmons said he is not surprised by the frequent changes in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) leadership during his tenure. Since taking charge in October 2024, Simmons has worked under three different BCB presidents—Faruk Ahmed, Aminul Islam Bulbul, and now Tamim Iqbal. Speaking at a press conference, the 63-year-old coach remarked that nothing in life surprises him anymore, emphasizing that such changes have not affected his coaching approach or team preparations.

Simmons explained that his focus remains on preparing the team for upcoming series and building towards long-term goals. He noted that the changes in BCB leadership have not influenced the coaching group’s work or planning. The coach also confirmed that he has spoken twice with the new BCB president, Tamim Iqbal, including during a recent practice match.

Simmons reiterated that his coaching philosophy remains consistent regardless of administrative shifts, stressing that his team continues to work toward creating something strong and sustainable for Bangladesh cricket.

Barcelona were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League despite a 2-1 victory over Atlético Madrid in the quarterfinal second leg on Tuesday night at the Metropolitano Stadium. Having lost the first leg 2-0, Barcelona fell short on aggregate, losing 3-2 overall. The result sent Atlético Madrid to the semifinals for the first time since 2017 under coach Diego Simeone.

Barcelona started strongly, with Lamine Yamal scoring in the fourth minute and Ferran Torres doubling the lead in the 24th minute, raising hopes of a comeback. However, Ademola Lookman’s goal in the 31st minute restored Atlético’s aggregate advantage. In the second half, Barcelona’s challenge weakened when Eric García received a red card in the 79th minute for fouling Alexander Sørloth, reducing the visitors to ten men.

Atlético Madrid’s progression marks their return to the Champions League semifinals after nine years, while Barcelona’s campaign ended despite a spirited performance in the return leg.

A new phase of the trial investigating the death of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has begun. The hearing resumed on Tuesday after the previous proceedings were halted due to controversy involving a judge. Maradona died shortly after returning home from brain surgery, and allegations were made that medical negligence led to his death. Following his death in November 2020, a seven-member medical team was charged and brought before the court.

The earlier trial, which lasted two and a half months, was abruptly stopped and later annulled in May 2025 after it emerged that a judge, Julieta Makinthakh, had participated in a documentary related to the case, violating judicial ethics. She was subsequently impeached. The restarted trial will hear testimony from at least 120 witnesses as the court examines the extent of responsibility borne by Maradona’s medical team.

The accused include doctors, a psychologist, and nurses who oversaw Maradona’s care after his hospital discharge. If found guilty, they could face prison sentences ranging from eight to twenty-five years. The case has once again drawn global attention as the football world awaits justice.

Tottenham Hotspur and Argentina have suffered a major setback as defender Cristian Romero has been ruled out for several weeks due to a knee injury. The incident occurred during Tottenham’s 1–0 defeat to Sunderland, when Romero collided with teammate goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after being pushed by opposing striker Brian Brobbey. He was forced to leave the field in pain, and initial tests revealed ligament damage in his knee. Further examinations are planned to determine the full extent of the injury.

Multiple reports suggest Romero could be out for five to eight weeks, effectively ending his season with Tottenham. The club is expected to issue an official statement soon. The injury has raised concerns within the Argentina camp, as the World Cup is less than two months away. Despite the uncertainty, the Argentine team remains hopeful that Romero will recover in time to lead their defense at the tournament.

On April 14, 2026, Bangladesh’s national cricket players joined the Pahela Baishakh festivities by sharing New Year greetings on social media. Their messages reflected the spirit of the Bengali New Year, spreading joy among fans across the country. Star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan posted a card emphasizing family togetherness, while wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim shared a family photo to wish everyone well. Former captain Mahmudullah Riyad encouraged writing new stories in the coming year, and opener Soumya Sarkar wished for beauty in every moment of life. Wicketkeeper-batter Liton Kumar Das kept his message brief, simply wishing a happy New Year 1433.

The cricketers’ greetings added to the festive atmosphere nationwide, with fans responding enthusiastically online. Social media platforms filled with colorful posts and cheerful exchanges, reflecting the cultural significance of Pahela Baishakh and the close bond between players and supporters.

The wave of greetings highlighted how sports figures continue to play a role in uniting fans through shared cultural celebrations.

The New Zealand national cricket team has arrived in Dhaka to play a white-ball series against Bangladesh. The 26-member squad landed in the capital late on April 13 and was taken directly to the team hotel under tight security. Most of the players traveled together, while three others joined later after completing duties with the New Zealand ‘A’ team in Sri Lanka. The group includes players, coaching staff, and team management members.

The One Day International (ODI) series will begin on April 17 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, with the second ODI scheduled for April 20 at the same venue. The third and final ODI will take place in Chattogram on April 23. The T20 series will follow, starting with two matches on April 27 and 29 in Chattogram, before concluding with the final T20 on May 2 in Mirpur.

The arrival marks the start of another high-profile bilateral series on Bangladeshi soil, continuing the cricketing engagements between the two nations.

Barcelona and Liverpool face crucial second-leg matches in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, both seeking dramatic turnarounds. Barcelona will play Atlético Madrid in Spain’s capital after losing the first leg 2–0 while reduced to ten men. Liverpool, meanwhile, host Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield, also trailing 2–0 from the first leg. Both matches are scheduled to start at 1 a.m. Bangladesh time.

Barcelona enter the match under pressure but buoyed by recent domestic form. The team, led by Hansi Flick, recently defeated Espanyol 4–1 in La Liga, with Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest player to reach 100 appearances while contributing a goal and two assists. Atlético’s past elimination after winning a first leg offers further encouragement for Barcelona.

Liverpool’s challenge is equally steep after goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave PSG a strong advantage. Yet Anfield’s history of famous comebacks, including a 4–0 win over Barcelona in 2019, fuels optimism. A recent 2–0 victory over Fulham ended a three-match losing streak, and four wins in their last five home games have strengthened belief in another memorable night.

The New Zealand cricket team arrived in Bangladesh on April 13, 2026, to play a three-match One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 (T20) series. Four players landed in Dhaka at 11 a.m., while the rest of the squad were scheduled to arrive at 11 p.m. The visiting team will begin preparations for the ODI series immediately, with three days allotted for practice before the first match. The opening two ODIs will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

While New Zealand begins its training sessions, the Bangladesh team will take a break on April 14 in observance of the Bengali New Year. The home side is expected to resume practice on Wednesday to prepare for the upcoming series. The matches mark another chapter in the cricketing ties between Bangladesh and New Zealand, with both teams focusing on fine-tuning their strategies ahead of the contests.

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner reclaimed the world number one ranking after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Monte Carlo Masters final on April 13, 2026. Despite windy conditions that disrupted both players’ rhythm, Sinner held his composure to win 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, securing both the title and his return to the top of the ATP rankings.

This victory marked Sinner’s third Masters 1000 title of the season, following earlier wins at Indian Wells and Miami. It also extended his winning streak at Masters-level tournaments to 22 consecutive matches, underscoring his dominant form this year. After the match, Sinner said that winning the trophy and regaining the number one position meant a lot to him, adding that adapting to clay courts had been challenging but rewarding.

In women’s tennis on the same day, Mira Andreeva captured her fifth WTA title by defeating Anastasia Potapova 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the Linz Open final.

Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul and several ousted directors are closely observing the evolving situation following the formation of an ad hoc committee under Tamim Iqbal. The National Sports Council has directed that a new BCB election be held by July 6, 2026. Although Bulbul initially claimed to be the legitimate president and appealed to the ICC alleging government interference, his efforts failed, and the ICC upheld the new committee’s legitimacy.

Many of the 18 former directors remain uncertain about contesting the upcoming election. Those from the club category may have a chance to return as councillors, but the prospects are slim for directors from divisional or player quotas. Several former directors said they have not yet decided whether to participate, preferring to wait and assess the situation. Most have withdrawn from public appearances and cricket-related discussions since losing power.

The previous BCB election, held on October 6 last year, was marred by allegations of manipulation and irregularities. A National Sports Council investigation later found evidence supporting those claims, leading to the dissolution of Bulbul’s board within five months.

Several major cricket and football matches will be broadcast live on television tonight, according to the schedule released on April 13, 2026. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 fixture between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi will air live at 8 p.m. on T Sports and Tapmad. Football fans can watch the English Premier League clash between Manchester United and Leeds United live at 1 a.m. on Star Sports and Toffee Live. Additional European football matches include Levante versus Getafe in La Liga, airing at 1 a.m. on Fancode and Bet365, and Fiorentina versus Lazio in Serie A, airing at 12:45 a.m. on Bet365.

The broadcast lineup highlights a busy night for sports enthusiasts, offering simultaneous coverage of top-tier cricket and football competitions across multiple platforms. The schedule reflects the growing availability of international sports content on Bangladeshi television and streaming services, catering to diverse viewer interests.

These live telecasts are expected to attract strong viewership among cricket and football fans, particularly given the prominence of the teams and leagues featured.

FIFA has rejected Iran’s request to move its 2026 World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing logistical and strategic reasons. The decision means Iran must play its scheduled games on the U.S. West Coast as originally planned. The confirmation came after Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum disclosed that the request had been denied.

Iran’s football federation had sought the change due to political tensions and security concerns following heightened friction between Iran and the United States since February 28. The issue gained further attention when former U.S. President Donald Trump questioned Iran’s participation on social media, prompting Iranian officials to warn they might withdraw if safety could not be guaranteed.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino intervened to calm the situation, meeting Iranian players and officials in Turkey on March 31. He reaffirmed that Iran would compete and that football must remain above politics, with player safety as the top priority. Iran is placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.

Manchester City reignited the Premier League title race with a commanding 3-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The win reduced the gap with league leaders Arsenal to six points, with City having one game in hand. Nico O’Reilly opened the scoring in the 51st minute from a Ryan Cherki cross, followed by a goal from former Chelsea defender Marc Guehi. Jeremy Doku sealed the win in the 68th minute after dispossessing Moises Caicedo and beating goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Chelsea remains sixth in the standings.

In Germany, Bayern Munich continued its dominant Bundesliga campaign by defeating relegation-threatened St. Pauli 5-0. The victory not only secured three points but also set a new single-season scoring record with 105 goals. Leon Goretzka’s volley marked the record-breaking 102nd goal, surpassing the 101-goal mark set by Bayern’s 1971–72 team. Bayern now leads Borussia Dortmund by 12 points with five matches remaining and is closing in on another league title.

The Munich club is also eyeing European scoring records, with opportunities to surpass Manchester City’s 106 goals from 2017–18 and Real Madrid’s 121 from 2011–12.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal helped Al Nassr make club history with a 2–0 victory over Al Okhdood in the Saudi Pro League, marking their 14th consecutive win. The result strengthened Al Nassr’s position at the top of the league table with 70 points from 28 matches, five points ahead of nearest rivals Al Hilal. Ronaldo’s strike was his 968th career goal, while teammate João Félix added the second. The win boosted the team’s confidence as they approach the final six matches of the season.

Ronaldo now sits third in the league’s top scorers list with 24 goals, behind Julián Quiñones with 26 and Ivan Toney with 27. To secure a third consecutive top scorer title, the Portuguese forward will need to maintain his form in the remaining fixtures. Al Nassr’s upcoming matches against top-four sides Al Ittifaq, Al Ahli, Al Qadisiyah, and Al Hilal will likely determine the championship outcome.

In the United States, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami were held to a 2–2 draw by New York Red Bulls despite leading in the second half. Miami remain unbeaten in six matches and sit third in the MLS table with 12 points from seven games.

Brazilian football star Neymar returned to action for Santos, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 home win over Atlético Mineiro at Vila Belmiro. The match marked his first full appearance since recovering from a knee injury, as he continues his push to regain form and fitness ahead of the World Cup. Despite not scoring, Neymar was active in attack and contributed to the team’s performance.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti signaled optimism about Neymar’s progress, saying the forward is on the right path and could improve further in the next two months. Neymar has around 11 matches to prove himself before Brazil’s World Cup squad is announced. His chances of making the tournament have reportedly risen from 37 percent to over 57 percent on prediction platform Polymarket.

Santos’ victory lifted them to 14th place in the league table with 13 points from 11 matches, while Atlético Mineiro remain eighth with 14 points. The club now faces a busy schedule with upcoming fixtures in both the Copa Sudamericana and the domestic league.