United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) will observe the Olympic Day, the founding anniversary of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)  through a ceremonial rally in the capital and seven other divisional headquarters of the country on Tuesday (June 24). The main motive of this year's Olympic Day is "Let's Move" for healthy lifestyle with walking, sports and physical exercises after managing time from the day's busy schedule. BOA President and Chief of Bangladesh Army General Waker-Uz- Zaman will be the chief guest to distribute the certificated among the participants at the function, sponsored by Square Food and Beverage Limited and Sheltech (Private) Limited, apart from IOC The Olympic Day observed all over the world through a ceremonial run on June 23, but this time Bangladesh will observe the Olympic day on the following day (June 24). The Olympic Day run in the capital will start at 6:30 am from Bangladesh Shisu Academy and concluded at the National Stadium in Dhaka after passing through Shikka Bhaban, Bangladesh Secretariet, Zero point and GPO areas. Some 2000 sportsmen, sports organizers, coaches, trainers, officials sports ministry, National Sports Council (NSC) civil and military organizations are expected to participate in the rally. After the rally, Bangladesh Army Orchestra team will present a cultural show at the National Stadium in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Women's Football team will fly for Myanmar Wednesday early hours to compete in the Group C matches of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers beginning in Yangon on June 29. Bangladesh has been placed in Group C of the Asian tournament along with hosts Myanmar, Bahrain and Turkmenistan. U-15 National Football: Bogura DSA beat Sirajganj DSA by 3-0 goals In Group C matches, Bangladesh will face Bahrain on June 29, Myanmar on July 2, and Turkmenistan on July 5, all at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon. Ahead of the Myanmar tour, Bangladesh women's team will make their practices at the National Stadium in Dhaka Tuesday morning from 8:30 am. As a part of their preparations for the AFC Women's Asia Cup, Bangladesh women's team made very good practices in Tri-nation Football Tournament in Lebanon playing draw with upper ranked Jordan and Indonesia. Coming from behind twice, touring Bangladesh Women's Football team forced their 69th ranked upper host Jordan to play 2-2 draw in the 2nd match after playing goalless draw with Indonesia in the first match, both at the King Abdullah Stadium in the Jordan capital, Amman in May and June.

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto suffered another injury scare on Monday, taking a blow to his finger during a slip-catching drill ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. This is the second time in a week the left-handed batter has been struck on the same finger. The first incident occurred during training ahead of the Galle Test, where Najmul played through considerable discomfort despite the pain. However, the pain couldn't stop him from knocking a century in each innings of the match. The fresh knock forced the captain to sit out the remainder of the training session, skipping both batting and fielding drills. While he remained with the team, medical staff and team management are now expected to assess the severity of the injury before making any decisions about his availability. Naim returns to ODI team after 2 years, Taskin also back for Sri Lanka series As of Monday evening, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had not issued any official statement regarding the extent of the injury, leaving fans and observers uncertain about whether Shanto will take the field for the second and final Test of the series. The Colombo Test is scheduled to begin Wednesday. If Najmul eventually drops due to the injury, it will be a big blow for the Tigers.

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has refused to confirm or deny media reports that he plans to quit the post after the ongoing two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Speaking to reporters at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo ahead of the second and final Test, he said he remained focused on the immediate task at hand, brushing aside questions about his potential resignation. “There’s a lot of talk going on, as always,” he said with a smile. “But I don’t want to comment on that now. As captain and as a batter, my focus is to finish this Test well.” Speculation about Najmul’s intent to quit the Test captaincy intensified after his abrupt removal as ODI captain earlier this month. Najmul hints at quitting Test captaincy after Sri Lanka series According to insiders, he was caught off guard by the board’s decision, especially after being reassured that he would continue leading both the Test and ODI sides. In response, Najmul reportedly told BCB officials he was willing to step down from the Test captaincy too, citing discomfort with having three different captains in the same dressing room. However, on Monday, he made no mention of such discussions. “I haven’t made any decision, and I haven’t spoken to the board about it,” he said, adding that such speculation during a series was unhelpful. “These kinds of conversations should not happen in the middle of an important Test. The sooner they stop the better.” Najmul also defended his leadership in the drawn Galle Test, especially over the timing of Bangladesh’s declaration. Critics had accused him and Mushfiqur Rahim of delaying the decision in pursuit of personal milestones, a claim he strongly refuted. “No one in our dressing room plays for individual records,” he said. “We made the call based on conditions and discussions with the coaches.” With Mehidy Hasan Miraz likely to return to the XI after recovering from illness, Najmul said the team was looking to build on their solid performance in Galle. “We finished the first Test strongly, and we want to carry that momentum into Colombo,” the Bangladesh captain added. The second Test begins on Wednesday.

France’s top financial watchdog has provided the first official estimate of public spending linked to the 2024 Paris Olympics, placing the overall figure at nearly six billion euros ($6.8 billion). In a preliminary report released Monday, the Cour des Comptes (Court of Auditors) outlined that €2.77 billion has been allocated for organizing the Games, while €3.19 billion has gone toward infrastructure investments. Olympic Day to be observed in capital, divisional HQs on Tuesday However, Paris 2024 organizers have disputed these numbers, arguing in their response to the report that the methodology used is misleading. They pointed out that some of the expenditures included were made prior to the event and will continue to benefit the country long after, meaning they should not be solely attributed to the Olympics. They also criticized the inclusion of long-standing infrastructure projects in the Games’ financial assessment, calling it unjustified. “The Court has avoided addressing the only question that truly matters for public debate: how much public spending would have been avoided if the Games were not held in Paris?” said Tony Estanguet, former head of the Paris 2024 organizing committee. He further argued that the actual amount of public money exclusively tied to the Games is far lower than the six billion euros cited by the Court, estimating it at no more than €2 billion. Estanguet also highlighted that the expected economic benefits from the Games are projected to be three to five times higher than that figure. Italy's Olympic committee urges to halt sports events for Pope Francis’ funeral The Cour des Comptes clarified that its findings are based on available data as of March 31, 2025, and do not represent final conclusions. The report does not assess the economic impact, potential tax revenues, or tax breaks related to the event due to a lack of available information. In its statement, the Court expressed dissatisfaction with tax authorities for not providing an overall estimate of tax-related expenditures and urged the government to conduct such an evaluation without delay.

Najmul Hossain Shanto has hinted at stepping down at the captain of Bangladesh’s Test team after the ongoing two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Najmul has reportedly been in a complicated relationship with the national team management, which is now poised to enter a new chapter. Quoting multiple sources close to the in-form batter, Cricbuzz, an international cricket news outlet, reported on Monday that Najmul has already made up his mind, and is expected to inform his decision to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after the ongoing series. Najmul played a captain’s knock smashing centuries in both the innings of the just concluded opening Test match against Sri Lanka that ended in a draw. Whether an announcement will be made immediately after the second Test in Colombo or later will depend on follow-up discussions with the board. Galle Test: Rain-marred Test ends in draw despite twin tons from Shanto Najmul’s desire to quit comes in the wake of recent turbulence surrounding his role across formats. Initially appointed captain for all three formats last year, he voluntarily gave up the T20I captaincy to focus on his batting, requesting to continue leading in Tests and ODIs. However, on June 12, the BCB called an unscheduled Zoom meeting and abruptly replaced him with Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the new ODI captain—without placing the matter on the board meeting agenda, a move seen as uncharacteristic and abrupt. It is understood that the abrupt decision to change ODI captaincy might have played a role in Najmul’s possible decision to step down as the Test captain. Najmul was surprised by his removal, especially as he was due to discuss Sri Lanka ODI squad plans with head coach Phil Simmons. BCB director Nazmul Abedin conveyed the news, frustrating Shanto, who then skipped the meeting with the coach.

Bangladesh have named a 16-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, with left-handed opener Mohammad Naim making a return to the national setup after more than two years. Right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed also returns from injury. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain announced the squad on Monday at a press conference held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The three-match series will begin on July 2 in Colombo. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was recently appointed as the ODI captain, will lead the side for the first time in the format. Naim, 25, was rewarded for his strong domestic form. He scored 618 runs in 11 matches in the recently concluded Dhaka Premier League, finishing as the tournament’s third-highest run-getter. He replaces Soumya Sarkar, who is yet to fully recover from a recurring back injury. Galle Test: Rain-marred Test ends in draw despite twin tons from Shanto Taskin Ahmed’s inclusion will boost Bangladesh’s pace options. The fast bowler missed recent assignments due to fitness issues but has returned to full training. The ODI series will follow the conclusion of the ongoing Test series. The second Test is set to begin on June 25 in Colombo. Bangladesh squad for Sri Lanka ODIs: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman.

Bogura DSA beat Sirajganj DSA by 3-0 goals in a Rajshahi zone match of the UCB -BFF Under- 15 National Football League' 2025 in Rajshahi Sunday afternoon. After barren first half, Habib Hossain put Bogra team ahead in the 51st minute (1-0), Sakib Hossain doubled the margin in the 64th minute (2-0) while Mohammad Sami sealed the fate of the match scoring the 3rd goal in the 76th minute (3-0). Karimul Hassan of the Bogura DSA was adjudged the best player of the match.

Rishabh Pant lit up the opening Test against England with yet another audacious century, reaffirming his reputation as one of cricket’s most unpredictable yet thrilling performers. The flamboyant Indian wicketkeeper-batter, known for his high-risk strokeplay, reached his seventh Test hundred—and third against England—on Saturday at Headingley in spectacular fashion. Starting the day on 65, Pant unleashed a flurry of unorthodox shots, including a falling-over ramp for four and a pulled six that propelled him into the 90s. In typical fashion, he bypassed a safe single on 99 and instead launched a towering six over cow corner to bring up his century, drawing rapturous applause from the Leeds crowd. “Rishabh’s falling paddle sweep is not accidental. It is intentional and extremely clever,” cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar posted on X, praising Pant’s ability to manipulate the ball with flair. Pant’s explosive 134 came off 178 balls and featured six sixes and 12 boundaries. His four-hour stay at the crease included a 209-run stand with captain Shubman Gill, anchoring India's dominant performance. Despite past criticism for his risky decisions—including a much-talked-about failed scoop shot that led Sunil Gavaskar to label him “stupid, stupid, stupid” during a radio broadcast—Pant's aggressive approach has proven effective. With this knock, he surpassed Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s tally to become India’s most prolific Test centurion among wicketkeepers. Captain Shanto becomes first Bangladeshi to score centuries in both innings twice India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak defended Pant’s unique style. “Rishabh Pant makes his own plans. He decides and he bats. Just because he plays aggressively doesn’t mean he can’t defend,” Kotak said. Pant also became the only visiting wicketkeeper to score more than one Test century in England. Remarkably, for the third time, he reached a Test hundred with a six—all against England—joining Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar in that rare feat. Even Gavaskar, who once harshly criticised Pant, was won over this time. As Pant celebrated, Gavaskar hailed the moment on air, saying, “Superb, superb, superb." Source: With inputs from agency 

Borussia Dortmund capitalised on an early defensive error and held off a late surge by Mamelodi Sundowns to secure a 4-3 win in a sweltering Club World Cup group stage clash at TQL Stadium on Saturday. Both players and the crowd of 14,006 endured intense heat, with on-field cooling breaks implemented as temperatures soared to nearly 90°F (32°C) under a heat advisory. The Sundowns struck first with a swift counterattack that Lucas Ribeiro Costa finished in the 11th minute. But Dortmund responded five minutes later when goalkeeper Ronwen Williams mistakenly passed the ball to Felix Nmecha, who easily converted the opportunity to level the score. The Bundesliga side took full momentum from the miscue, building a 3-1 lead by halftime through goals from Serhou Guirassy in the 34th minute and Jobe Bellingham in the 45th. An own goal by Khuliso Mudau, who misdirected Daniel Svensson’s cross in the 59th minute, gave Dortmund a 4-1 advantage. However, the South African champions mounted a strong response. Iqraam Rayners struck in the 62nd minute after his initial header bounced off the post, and Lebo Mothiba netted in the 90th to make it 4-3. Nuno Santo signs new three-year deal to stay at Nottingham Forest Despite the late push, the Sundowns could not recover from earlier defensive lapses. Notably, American midfielder Gio Reyna, who is with Dortmund instead of the U.S. national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, remained on the bench for the second match in a row. Key Moment:Nmecha’s equaliser — gifted by a misplaced pass from the Sundowns keeper — swung the match’s momentum in Dortmund’s favour. Group Implications:The result sends Dortmund to the top of Group H, overtaking Sundowns, who now face a must-win clash against Fluminense on Wednesday. Dortmund will meet Ulsan the same day. What They Said:“I think we did very well first of all, but we just lacked a bit of concentration in a few little bits. … We gave them a hard time,” said Sundowns forward Tashreeq Matthews. Jamal Musiala suffers another injury for Bayern Munich at Club World Cup “It was really difficult, especially for us, being a European team. They played a fantastic game, and I’m sure they’re used to that kind of weather. … In the game, you have to find little fixes,” said Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham. Source: With inputs from agency