Bangladesh’s Under-19 cricket team will take on Sri Lanka in a crucial Youth Asia Cup group-stage match, scheduled for live broadcast at 11 a.m. on T Sports and Sony Sports. The fixture is part of a packed day of international cricket, which also includes Afghanistan versus Nepal in the same tournament.

The Youth Asia Cup serves as a key platform for emerging Asian cricketers, offering exposure ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup. Bangladesh, known for its strong youth development program, will look to build momentum following mixed results in recent regional competitions. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, aims to reassert its dominance in the age-group format.

Cricket fans will also have a busy viewing schedule with the Ashes Test between Australia and England, India’s T20 series against South Africa, and Big Bash League matches airing throughout the day. The Bangladesh-Sri Lanka encounter is expected to draw strong domestic interest as both teams vie for semifinal qualification.

French forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025, adding to his Ballon d’Or triumph earlier this year. Dembélé outperformed Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to claim the award after leading Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. His contributions also secured PSG a domestic treble and a place in their first FIFA Club World Cup final.

In the women’s category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí was crowned Best Women’s Player for the third consecutive year, while England coach Sarina Wiegman retained her title as Best Women’s Coach. PSG’s Luis Enrique was named Best Men’s Coach following his team’s European success. The FIFA Fair Play Award went to Dr. Andreas Harlass-Neuking for saving a spectator’s life during a Bundesliga 2 match, and Santiago Montiel won the Puskás Award for his spectacular overhead goal.

Goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hannah Hampton received the Best Goalkeeper honors, rounding off a ceremony that celebrated excellence and sportsmanship across global football.

Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a record ₹9.2 crore during the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction held in Abu Dhabi. The left-arm seamer became the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history, surpassing former captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s previous record of ₹5.45 crore. The bidding war for Mustafizur saw intense competition between Chennai Super Kings, Dubai Capitals, and KKR before the Kolkata franchise sealed the deal.

The 30-year-old bowler, who debuted in the IPL in 2016, has represented five franchises before joining KKR — Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings. Over 60 IPL matches, he has taken 65 wickets at an average of 28.44 and an economy rate of 8.13. The auction also saw Australian all-rounder Cameron Green sold to KKR for a record ₹25 crore, though under new IPL rules, foreign players can earn a maximum of ₹18 crore, with the excess going to the BCCI’s player welfare fund.

Mustafizur’s signing highlights KKR’s focus on strengthening its bowling lineup ahead of the 2025 season, with expectations high for his impact in the upcoming campaign.

West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas has offered to resign following widespread criticism over the disarray during Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata. The incident occurred at the Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, where fans expressed anger after Messi spent less than ten minutes on the field. Biswas submitted a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting to step down to ensure a fair investigation into the event’s mismanagement.

The controversy stems from allegations that Biswas and his family occupied privileged positions near Messi during the event, while thousands of spectators were left disappointed. Trinamool Congress state secretary Kunal Ghosh confirmed that Banerjee accepted Biswas’s resignation request. The state government has already formed an inquiry committee to examine the lapses in organization and security arrangements.

The resignation marks a significant political fallout from what was supposed to be a celebratory sporting occasion. The inquiry’s findings could influence future event management protocols in West Bengal, as public frustration over the incident remains high.

Australia and England are set to face off in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, a match that could decide the five-Test series. With Australia leading 2–0 after dominant wins in Perth and Brisbane, the hosts need only one more victory to seal the series with two games to spare. England, led by Ben Stokes, must win to keep their hopes alive and prevent another early series defeat.

Australia’s pace attack, spearheaded by Mitchell Starck, has been the defining factor so far. Starck took 10 wickets in Perth and seven in Brisbane, dismantling England’s batting order. England have made one change for the Adelaide Test, bringing back fast bowler Josh Tongue in place of Gus Atkinson. Tongue, who impressed in the 2023 Ashes at Lord’s, is expected to add variety and aggression to the attack. Spinner Will Jacks retains his place as the sole spin option.

The match is seen as a do-or-die contest for England, whose batting inconsistencies have drawn criticism. A win could revive their campaign, while another loss would hand Australia an unassailable lead and early series triumph.

Arsenal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League on Saturday night, thanks to a late own goal in stoppage time. The Gunners initially took the lead through a deflected Bukayo Saka corner that rebounded off goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, before Wolves equalized in the final minute through Nigerian striker Tolu. However, a last-gasp header from Wolves defender Mosquera turned Saka’s cross into his own net, sealing Arsenal’s win.

Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah made his long-awaited return for Liverpool, coming on as a substitute in the 26th minute. Though he did not score, Salah assisted Hugo Ekitike, who netted twice in a 2-0 victory over Brighton at Anfield. The Egyptian forward’s contribution brought his total goal involvements for Liverpool to 277, surpassing Wayne Rooney’s record for most goal involvements with a single Premier League club. Chelsea also returned to winning form after four matches, defeating Everton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. In France, PSG reclaimed the Ligue 1 top spot with a 3-2 win over Metz.

The Bangladesh First Division Cricket League began in Mirpur with a grand opening ceremony featuring Bangladesh Police Cricket Club and Old DOHS. However, the festive start was overshadowed by boycotts, as three of the five scheduled matches failed to take place. Several clubs, protesting alleged irregularities in league elections, refused to take the field, resulting in automatic walkovers for their opponents under league bylaws.

According to the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM), four clubs—Partex Sporting Club, Gazi Tyres Cricket Academy, Amber Sporting Club, and Kalabagan Krira Chakra—were relegated to the Second Division for boycotting their opening matches. While Baridhara Dazzlers and Dhaka United received full points from walkovers, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has yet to officially confirm the relegations. The CCDM will now revise the fixture list for the second round without the demoted teams.

The boycott movement, involving up to 44 clubs, may continue into upcoming rounds, potentially causing further disruptions and forcing the BCB to manage a shortened league season.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly apologized to Argentine football legend Lionel Messi after severe disorder erupted during his event at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Thousands of fans who gathered to see Messi were left disappointed as the situation spiraled out of control, prompting the Chief Minister to express her deep regret over the mismanagement.

In a message on X, Banerjee said she was deeply disturbed by the chaos and extended an apology to Messi, sports enthusiasts, and fans. She announced the formation of an inquiry committee led by retired Justice Asim Kumar Roy, along with senior state officials, to investigate the incident and recommend preventive measures for the future. Videos circulating online showed angry spectators breaking barricades and throwing objects onto the field.

Many attendees complained about poor arrangements and limited visibility despite paying high ticket prices. The incident has drawn criticism of event organizers and local authorities, raising questions about crowd management and VIP privileges at major public events in India.

A promotional event featuring Lionel Messi at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium turned violent on Sunday as crowd control failed amid massive attendance. Over 100,000 spectators gathered to see the Argentine football star, but poor organization and political interference near the stage led to frustration among fans. As visibility of Messi was blocked by local leaders, sections of the audience began throwing bottles and tearing banners, triggering widespread disorder.

Witnesses reported that parts of the crowd broke through fencing, with around 2,500 people storming the field. Some attempted to set fire to tents near the pitch and damaged goal nets and tunnel structures. Police resorted to defensive measures, using broken chairs as shields, while Rapid Action Force units were deployed to regain control. Clashes between police and spectators continued intermittently, leaving the stadium area under mob control for hours.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the security lapses, while event organizers face criticism for inadequate planning. The incident raises concerns over safety protocols for high-profile international events in India.

FIFA announced that it received five million ticket applications within the first 24 hours of opening sales for the 2026 World Cup, despite widespread criticism over steep price increases. The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams and run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Fans from more than 200 countries and territories submitted applications through FIFA’s official website.

European fan groups, particularly Football Supporters Europe, have accused FIFA of pricing ordinary fans out of the event, claiming that ticket costs have risen up to fivefold compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Despite the backlash, demand has been strongest from the Americas, with high application volumes from Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and others.

FIFA said the overwhelming response demonstrates the tournament’s broad appeal across the Americas. The random selection draw will continue until January 13, and the timing of applications will not affect selection chances. Successful applicants will have payments processed automatically.

After serving nearly 16 months as adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan—one of the key figures in the July uprising—has stepped down from his position. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expressed deep gratitude for his contributions, highlighting his commitment and clarity in addressing cricket-related matters.

In a statement issued Thursday night, BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul commended Mahmud’s efforts in infrastructure development, resolving administrative challenges, and strengthening the board’s confidence. Following Mahmud’s departure, interim government adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has assumed the role of sports adviser. The BCB extended a warm welcome to Nazrul, noting his long-standing interest in sports and experience in public engagement.

Bulbul said the board expects Nazrul’s leadership to bring renewed direction and resilience to Bangladesh’s sports sector, signaling continuity and optimism amid the transition.

Bangladesh’s women’s national football team has slipped eight places to 112th in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday. The team, which had reached a record 104th position in August with 1,180 points, lost 12 rating points after four consecutive defeats in recent international fixtures, bringing their total down to 1,168.

The decline follows losses in two October matches against Thailand (3–0 and 5–1) and two November home matches in a tri-nation series against Malaysia (1–0) and Azerbaijan (2–1). The setbacks ended a period of steady progress for the squad led by Afida Khandakar and Rituparna Chakma, who had previously drawn attention for their rapid rise in the global standings.

Bangladesh will next compete in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in March in Australia, facing a challenging Group B lineup that includes China (17th), North Korea (9th), and Uzbekistan (49th). The tournament will test Bangladesh’s ability to rebound and gain experience against top-tier Asian teams.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has issued a firm warning to Dhaka-based clubs considering boycotting the upcoming First Division Cricket League, urging them to participate to safeguard players’ livelihoods. At a press conference in Mirpur, BCB Vice-President Faruque Ahmed emphasized that any boycott would primarily harm cricketers, not administrators or officials. The league, scheduled to begin on December 14, has already included 20 teams in its fixture list, with none yet formally withdrawing.

Faruque praised national cricketer Tamim Iqbal and his club Old DOHS for reversing their earlier decision to skip the league, calling it a positive example. CCDM officials reiterated that bylaws and playing conditions have been shared with all clubs, and any team refusing to play will face disciplinary measures under existing regulations.

The BCB has also discussed the issue with senior national players and is exploring ways to ensure continuous match opportunities. If necessary, the board may organize alternative tournaments to keep players active while maintaining the integrity of domestic cricket.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under intense criticism after presenting a peace prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump during the World Cup draw ceremony on December 5. The move has sparked debate within the global football community, with many accusing Infantino of breaching FIFA’s strict political neutrality rules.

Human rights group FairSquare submitted a formal complaint, alleging that Infantino violated four specific neutrality provisions by honoring a sitting political figure. Critics argue that such recognition undermines FIFA’s commitment to impartiality and could damage the organization’s credibility. The FIFA Ethics Committee has been urged to investigate the matter.

Trump, upon receiving the award, described it as one of the greatest honors of his life, claiming his administration helped prevent conflicts in regions such as Congo and between India and Pakistan. The controversy now places Infantino under scrutiny, with potential implications for FIFA’s governance and its approach to political engagement in global sports.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Grounds Committee Chairman Khaled Masud has announced the formation of an investigation committee to probe alleged soil theft at the under-construction Purbachal Cricket Stadium. During a site visit on Tuesday, Masud revealed that around 12,500 cubic feet of soil was missing from the project, prompting concerns over irregularities in construction work.

Masud, who recently replaced Aminul Islam as committee head, emphasized transparency and accountability in stadium development. He stated that if work quality does not improve within the next few months, he would voluntarily step down. “I didn’t come for the chair; I came to contribute to cricket’s development,” he said, stressing that misuse of authority had long plagued the board.

The BCB is expected to form a neutral inquiry team to identify those responsible for the missing soil. The incident has raised questions about oversight in major infrastructure projects and could influence future management reforms within the cricket board.