<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
                        <id>http://www.presstoday.news/feed/sports</id>
                                <link href="http://www.presstoday.news/feed/sports"></link>
                                <title><![CDATA[The Press Today sports Feed]]></title>
                                <description>The Press Today Latest sports News Feeds</description>
                                <language>bn-BD</language>
                                <updated>Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:18:57 +0000</updated>
                        <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Shakib Al Hasan returning soon!]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/276" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/276</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that former captain Shakib Al Hasan is once again eligible for national team selection, marking a major development amid Bangladesh&rsquo;s recent exclusion from the T20 World Cup.

The decision followed a lengthy eight-hour BCB board meeting that concluded late on Saturday night. BCB Media Committee Chairman Amjad Hossain told reporters that the board has removed any internal barriers to Shakib&rsquo;s return, leaving the matter in the hands of the selectors.

&ldquo;If Shakib is available, fit and can physically access the match venues, the board and the selection panel will definitely consider him,&rdquo; Amjad said.

However, Shakib&rsquo;s return remains complicated by circumstances beyond cricket. The veteran all-rounder, who served as a Member of Parliament for the now-ousted Awami League government, has not returned to Bangladesh since the regime&rsquo;s fall in August 2024.

He contested the controversial 2024 election under Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s leadership, which was widely criticised over alleged irregularities and opposition boycotts.

Shakib last represented Bangladesh during the Test match against India in Kanpur. He was unable to play his planned farewell Test at Mirpur after public protests and security concerns made his return unsafe.

Addressing questions about the legal cases reportedly filed against Shakib, BCB officials were clear that such matters fall outside the board&rsquo;s jurisdiction.

&ldquo;Whether he is a criminal or needs to be judged is a government issue, not BCB&rsquo;s,&rdquo; Amjad said.

BCB director Asif Akbar echoed the stance, stating, &ldquo;Whether he is a fallen fascist or a former MP is not our concern. We want the player Shakib.&rdquo;

The board has reportedly assigned its president to engage with government authorities to explore ways to ensure Shakib&rsquo;s safe return, should the selectors decide to include him in future squads.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:18:57 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[No T20 World Cup in India: Asif Nazrul]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/271" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/271</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Bangladesh have decided not to participate in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in India.

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed the information after a meeting held with the players named in the World Cup squad on Thursday. After the meeting, he spoke to the media and criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC), alleging unfair treatment towards Bangladesh. He said the decision not to travel to India for the T20 World Cup is final and was taken by the government. &ldquo;There is no opportunity to change our position on not going to India to play the World Cup,&rdquo; the adviser said, adding that the ICC failed to ensure justice by not considering Bangladesh&rsquo;s request for a venue change.

Asif Nazrul further stated that the security concerns which led to the decision remain unchanged. &ldquo;Naturally, we all wanted to play in the T20 World Cup. But the security risks associated with playing in India still exist,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;These concerns are not based on assumptions or theoretical analysis. They arose from real incidents.&rdquo;

Following Asif Nazrul, BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul also spoke to the media, reiterating that Bangladesh still wants to play its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka and will continue to pursue that option with the ICC.

Addressing the ICC&rsquo;s description of the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid protests by hardline groups as an &lsquo;isolated incident&rsquo;, the BCB president disagreed.

He said Mustafizur was dropped from an IPL team due to security reasons, not because of injury, personal withdrawal, or cancellation of his No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the BCB.

&ldquo;Mustafizur did not pull out on his own, he was not injured, and the BCB did not cancel his NOC,&rdquo; Aminul Islam said. &ldquo;He was excluded due to security concerns. After that incident, we contacted the ICC and requested to play at an alternative venue.&rdquo;

The decision is expected to have significant implications for Bangladesh cricket and the overall structure of the tournament, as the ICC weighs its next steps.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:42:15 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[PCB supported Bangladesh for WC]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/267" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/267</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[A day before the ICC is expected to take a final call on Bangladesh&#39;s participation at the 2026 men&#39;s T20 World Cup, the PCB on Tuesday wrote to the governing body stating that it supports the BCB&#39;s stance on not wanting to play in India at a time of political turmoil in the neighbourhood. ESPNcricinfo has learned that that PCB also copied the members of the ICC Board in it.

It is understood that the ICC has called a Board meeting on Wednesday to address the matter of the BCB asking for Bangladesh&#39;s matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka because of security concerns in India. It could not be ascertained if the PCB&#39;s email led to the Board meeting being called, reports cricinfo.

The timing of the PCB email could raise eyebrows, but it is understood that it will not impact the ICC&#39;s stance so far, of not changing the World Cup schedule and allowing Bangladesh to play in Sri Lanka, co-hosts of the tournament with India. The ICC has been firm on this and has conveyed the same to the BCB during its interactions last week.

The BCB, with the Bangladesh government&#39;s support, has refused to travel to India for the team&#39;s group-stage games.

The ICC and the BCB have met several times to discuss the issue, most recently in Dhaka last weekend. But neither side has shifted their stances - the ICC insisting matches must go ahead as planned and the BCB that it cannot send its team to India. January 21 - Wednesday - had been set as a deadline for a decision, less than three weeks before the start of the tournament.

The PCB&#39;s late involvement in the matter comes on the back of a week of speculation around their possible ways out of the impasse. There were unverified reports that the PCB had offered to stage Bangladesh&#39;s games in Pakistan and, more dramatically, that the PCB was reviewing Pakistan&#39;s participation in the World Cup, contingent on what happens with Bangladesh.

The PCB has not commented publicly on the matter, or responded to ESPNcricinfo&#39;s queries.

The stand-off began when the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to remove Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for IPL 2026. The reasons for that have never been fully explained, though a worsening of political ties between Bangladesh and India has been cited. That prompted the Bangladesh government to formally state that the Bangladesh team would not play its matches in India.

The situation has spiralled since then, even leading to a player boycott in Bangladesh, which affected the ongoing BPL, after a senior BCB official spoke disparagingly of the country&#39;s premier players when asked about the financial implications for the BCB if Bangladesh ended up staying away from the T20 World Cup altogether.]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:23:15 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Pakistan offers to host Bangladesh WC matches]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/261" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/261</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Pakistan has expressed interest in hosting Bangladesh&rsquo;s matches as the tigers may not travel to India for the upcoming ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup due to security concerns, according to a report by Pakistani media outlet Geo Super.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has remained firm on its position that the national team will not play in India under the current circumstances. It is still unclear whether Bangladesh&rsquo;s World Cup matches will be shifted to Sri Lanka.

Amid this uncertainty, the Pakistan Cricket Board has indicated its readiness to host those matches if relocation becomes necessary.

Security concerns had intensified after Kolkata Knight Riders dropped Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, reportedly following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

The decision further fueled fears over player safety and raised doubts about Bangladesh&rsquo;s participation in the tournament in India.

Following instructions from Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, the BCB formally wrote to the International Cricket Council requesting that Bangladesh&rsquo;s matches be moved out of India.

The ICC responded by seeking specific details regarding the security concerns. After further consultations with Asif Nazrul, the BCB, led by president Aminul Islam Bulbul, sent a second letter outlining the full scope of its concerns.

After receiving the follow-up communication, ICC Chairman Jay Shah decided to hold discussions with the BCCI in search of an acceptable solution.

In the meantime, a PCB source told Geo Super that Pakistan would be willing to host Bangladesh&rsquo;s matches if Sri Lanka is unable to do so, claiming that all Pakistani venues are ready to stage World Cup fixtures.

However, the likelihood of Pakistan hosting Bangladesh&rsquo;s matches remains slim. Sri Lanka is India&rsquo;s co-host for the tournament, and if matches are moved from India, they are expected to be held only in Sri Lanka.

Additionally, due to political tensions, Pakistan is set to play its own matches in Sri Lanka rather than at home, further reducing the chances of Bangladesh playing in Pakistan.

Bangladesh are placed in Group C of the T20 World Cup alongside England, West Indies, Nepal and Italy. Three of their group matches are scheduled at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, with one match set for Mumbai. The tournament is due to begin on February 7, with the final of the 20-team competition scheduled for March 8.]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sun, 11 Jan 2026 13:39:28 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[No Indian host in BPL]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/258" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/258</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday removed Indian presenter Ridhima Pathak from the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) broadcast panel. This year&rsquo;s BPL had introduced a fresh presentation lineup, with Pakistani presenter Zaynab Abbas joining Ridhima as hosts.

The commentary panel featured former Pakistan captain and PCB chief Ramiz Raja, along with English cricket legend Darren Gough. However, following recent Bangladesh-India political strains, Ridhima&rsquo;s involvement in the BPL came to an end.

The move came in the wake of Kolkata Knight Riders dropping Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad on January 3, following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and threats from extremist Hindu groups.

The decision came amid allegations of communal attacks on Hindu minority in Bangladesh and rising &ldquo;anti-Bangladeshi&rdquo; sentiment.

In response, the BCB held an emergency meeting and cited security concerns to inform the ICC that Bangladesh may be unable to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The board has also requested that Bangladesh&rsquo;s World Cup matches be moved to venues outside India.

Subsequently, on January 5, the Bangladesh government issued a ban on domestic broadcasters airing the IPL in the country.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:00:53 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Surprising and embarrassing : Shashi Tharoor]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/opinion/252" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/opinion/252</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[India and Bangladesh are once again at the centre of a cricket and political row. This time, it involves the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League. Bangladesh has asked that their matches at next month&rsquo;s T20 World Cup not be played in India. Instead, they want the games moved to Sri Lanka. The request came after Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from his IPL team following advice from the BCCI.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reacted sharply to the development. He took to social media and criticised India&rsquo;s role in the situation. &quot;Hardly surprising. We have brought this embarrassment upon ourselves,&quot; Shashi Tharoor wrote on X.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) held an emergency meeting on Sunday. After the meeting, the board said it had &ldquo;formally requested&rdquo; the ICC to shift their World Cup matches out of India.&quot; The Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,&quot; the BCB said in a statement.

The board explained that the decision was taken because of &ldquo;growing concerns regarding the safety and security&rdquo; of its players. It also said the move was based on advice from the Bangladeshi government. The issue escalated after Mustafizur Rahman was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders.

The IPL franchise was &ldquo;advised&rdquo; by the BCCI to do so amid rising tensions between the two countries.

Bangladesh&rsquo;s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul reacted strongly. He said the country would not tolerate any disrespect. &quot;will not accept any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers and Bangladesh under any circumstances.&quot; &quot;The days of slavery are over,&quot;. &quot;Where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being contracted, the entire Bangladeshi cricket team cannot feel safe going to play in the World Cup,&quot; he wrote.

The T20 World Cup begins on February 7 and is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh were scheduled to play all four of their group matches in India. Pakistan, meanwhile, will play their matches in Sri Lanka as part of a neutral-venue agreement.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul said that &ldquo;the dignity and security of our cricketers are our top priorities&rdquo;.

Mustafizur had been bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for over $1 million at the IPL auction in December. But BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that &ldquo;considering recent developments&rdquo; the franchise had been &ldquo;advised to release&rdquo; him. &quot;I have requested the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to stop the broadcasting of the IPL tournament in Bangladesh,&quot; he said.Kolkata Knight Riders later said Mustafizur&rsquo;s &ldquo;release has been carried out following due process and consultations&rdquo;.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time. Political relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained since a mass uprising in 2024 removed Sheikh Hasina from power. Bangladesh will also hold elections on February 12.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:54:07 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[&quot;I am officially not retired from all formats. - Sakib]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/204" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/204</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has reversed his retirement from Tests and T20Is and wished to play all three formats. &quot;I am officially not retired from all formats,&quot; Shakib said on the Beard Before Wicket podcast on Sunday. &quot;This is the first time I&#39;ll be revealing that. My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series of ODI, Test, and T20, and retire.&#39;&#39;

Shakib has not played international cricket for more than a year and had announced his retirement from Tests and T20Is last year. &quot;I mean, [I can] retire from all formats in a series. So it can start from T20I, ODI and Test, or Test, ODI, T20I. Either way, I&#39;m fine, but I want to play a whole series and retire. That&#39;s what I want.&quot; Shakib hasn&#39;t returned to Bangladesh since May 2024, once the Awami League government was dethroned on August 5. Shakib was an MP for that party.

When asked whether he will return to Bangladesh, Shakib said, &quot;I am hopeful. That&#39;s why I&#39;m playing [T20 leagues]. I think it will happen.&quot; Shakib further said that he will not be burdened by results and he wants to &quot;give something back to the fans&quot; for years of support in a home series. &quot;I think when a player says something, they try to stick to their words,&quot; he said. &quot;They normally don&#39;t change it all of a sudden. It doesn&#39;t matter if I play well or not. I might play a bad series after that, if I want to play. But I don&#39;t need to do that.

&quot;I think this is enough. It&#39;s just a nicer way to say bye to the fans that they supported me always, give something back to them, playing a home series.&quot;

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Mon, 08 Dec 2025 06:19:12 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Mushfiq: 100 in 100th Test]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/186" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/186</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Mushfiqur Rahim etched his name permanently into cricket history on Thursday, becoming the first Bangladeshi to play 100 Tests and marking the occasion with a century in the same match.

Resuming on 99 not out at the start of day two, Mushfiqur faced the entire first over without adding to his score. In the following over from Jordan Neill, he calmly nudged a single to bring up his hundred, joining the elite group of just 10 players who have scored centuries in their 100th Test appearance.

Bangladesh had elected to bat in Mushfiqur&rsquo;s milestone match, making a steady opening through Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam, who added 52 for the first wicket. Both openers got starts but fell in the 30s, with Andy McBrine striking twice to remove Shadman for 35 and Mahmudul for 34.

Ireland struck again before Bangladesh reached 100, dismissing captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, but the hosts regained control through a 107-run stand between Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur. Mominul, looking in good touch, made 63 before again falling to McBrine.

Mushfiqur then combined with Litton Das for an unbroken 90-run partnership that strengthened Bangladesh&rsquo;s hold on the innings. At the close of day one, Bangladesh were 292 for 4, with Mushfiqur unbeaten on 99 and Litton on 47 &mdash; setting the stage for the historic moment achieved the following morning.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 09:03:41 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Rubaba Dowla Matin finally made BCB Director]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/152" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/152</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially confirmed the appointment of Rubaba Dowla Matin as its Director. The National Sports Council (NSC) on Monday issued a letter confirming her as one of its two nominated directors on the 25-member BCB board, completing the lineup under newly elected president Aminul Islam.

Rubaba&#39;s appointment had been pending since early October due to procedural formalities related to her corporate role. The newly formed BCB board is expected to hold its upcoming meeting with Rubaba joining as an official director for the first time. Her nomination replaces that of businessman Isfak Ahsan, whose inclusion in October had drew criticism because of his political affiliation with the Awami League and his participation in the 2024 national election, according to UNB reports. The NSC&#39;s latest communication stated that Ahsan had &quot;resigned,&quot; paving the way for Rubaba&#39;s formal appointment.

Currently serving as Country Director of Oracle for Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, Rubaba is one of the most prominent women executives in the country&#39;s corporate sector.

Beyond business, she has long been involved in sports administration - leading the Bangladesh Badminton Federation from 2009 to 2015 and serving on the board of Special Olympics Bangladesh.

Her association with cricket dates back to her years at Grameenphone, when the company sponsored the national team between 2003 and 2011. She also played a key role in setting up the National Cricket Academy in Mirpur in 2007 in collaboration with the BCB.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:27:15 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Shanto is the Test Captain till 2027]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/148" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/148</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed today (Saturday) Najmul Hossain Shanto will continue as Bangladesh&rsquo;s Test captain until 2027. Shanto will lead the team through the remainder of the 2025&ndash;2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Since taking over as Test captain in 2023, Shanto has led Bangladesh in 14 Tests. Earlier this year, he had stepped down following disputes over the ODI captaincy, but BCB has now reinstated him ahead of the November series against Ireland.

BCB President Aminul Islam said, &ldquo;The board has confidence in Shanto&rsquo;s leadership and wants to maintain continuity in red-ball cricket. His patience, dedication, and deep understanding of Test cricket have been exemplary.&rdquo;

Shanto expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, &ldquo;Continuing as Bangladesh Test captain is a great honor. I will do my utmost to uphold this responsibility.We have many talented players, and the upcoming season will be a fantastic opportunity for the team. We look forward to starting the new Test cycle against Ireland later this month.&rdquo;

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:50:56 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[BOA election is on 29 Nov 2025]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/121" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/121</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Election of the executive committee of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) will be held on 29 November 2025.

The decision has been taken at an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) of BOA held at the Banquet Hall of the Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka Cantonment today with BOA president and Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman in the chair.

The proposed constitution was also unanimously approved at a special meeting of the general assembly and a decision was made to send it to the International Olympic Committee for necessary vetting as per the rules.
A total of 85 members of the Executive Committee and General Assembly were present at the meeting.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:04:07 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Messi&#039;s India visit this Dec]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/87" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/87</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has officially confirmed his much-speculated visit to India this December, marking his return to the country after 14 years. In a post shared on his official Facebook page, the World Cup-winning captain said, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m truly excited to be visiting a beautiful country like India this December.&rdquo; Messi will take part in several events during his tour, including a concert, a youth football clinic, the inauguration of a padel cup and various charity initiatives. These programmes will be held in major Indian cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi, with the possibility of an additional location.

According to his post, all event tickets will be exclusively available on District app. He also mentioned that he looks forward to meeting some of India&rsquo;s biggest stars and influential personalities during the tour. Indian media had earlier reported that Messi would be on a three-day tour of India from December 13 to 15. One of the key highlights of the trip is expected to be a special 7-a-side cricket match at Mumbai&rsquo;s iconic Wankhede Stadium, where Messi may share the field with cricket greats like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma.

Fans could witness the rare spectacle of Messi trading his football boots for a cricket bat; a moment bound to be unforgettable for Indian sports lovers. Messi&rsquo;s Kolkata visit will also be significant. He is expected to receive a grand felicitation at the historic Eden Gardens stadium, hosted by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The football legend will also conduct a football workshop for children and inaugurate a youth football clinic in the city. A special 7-a-side tournament named the &ldquo;GOAT Cup&rdquo; will be organised in his honour.

This will be Messi&rsquo;s second visit to India. His first was in 2011 when he played an international friendly for Argentina against Venezuela at Kolkata&rsquo;s Salt Lake Stadium. Now 38, Messi plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. He has already indicated that 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the USA, could be his final appearance in the tournament.

With his December tour officially announced, excitement is already building among fans across India who will be eager to catch a glimpse of the footballing GOAT live in action and perhaps, even holding a cricket bat.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sat, 04 Oct 2025 05:45:37 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[FIFA&#039;s official ball for 2026 WC]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/86" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/86</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[FIFA has unveiled the official match ball for the 2026 World Cup, combining high-tech refinements and design details celebrating the three co-host countries -- the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The ball, called Trionda, was again designed by German manufacturer Adidas, provider of the official World Cup balls since the 1970 tournament. &quot;I am delighted and proud to present the Trionda,&quot; FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the ball was revealed at an event in New York on Thursday. The first World Cup organized by three countries, with 48 teams competing, inspired both the name and the design of the ball featuring red, blue and green colors.

Iconography from each host nation -- maple leaves from Canada, the eagle from Mexico and stars from the United States also feature, with a triangle referring to the unity of the three countries. Less visible are technological advancements that include deep seams designed to produce &quot;optimal in-flight stability&quot; and embossed icons that improve grip in wet or humid conditions. A motion sensor chip will relay information on the ball&#39;s movement, sending data to the video assistant referee (VAR) system. The unveiling marks another step in the countdown to the North American World Cup, which will be held June 11-July 19 next year.

FIFA has launched its online phased ticket sales procedures, with more than 4.5 million fans from 216 countries and territories entering the presale draw.

The tournament draw will be held in Washington on December 5. AFP

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sat, 04 Oct 2025 05:28:47 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Sohan shines in T20I against Afghanistan]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/85" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/85</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Nurul Hasan Sohan once again proved his finishing credentials, steering Bangladesh to a tense two-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second T20I at Sharjah on Friday. The win gave the Tigers an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one game to spare.

Chasing 148, Bangladesh lost both openers early and slipped to 24 for 3. Debutant Saif Hassan made a brisk 18, before skipper Jaker Ali (32 off 25) and Shamim Hossain (33 off 22) rebuilt with a 56-run stand. But it was Sohan&rsquo;s calm, unbeaten 31 off 21 balls &mdash; supported by Shoriful Islam&rsquo;s handy 11* &mdash; that saw Bangladesh home at 150 for 8 in 19.1 overs. Afghanistan&rsquo;s Azmatullah Omarzai was the standout bowler, claiming 4 for 23.

Earlier, Afghanistan posted 147 for 5 after being put in to bat. Ibrahim Zadran (38) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (30) provided the foundation, while Mohammad Nabi&rsquo;s late 20 off 12 lifted the total. For Bangladesh, Nasum Ahmed (2 for 25) and Rishad Hossain (2 for 45) struck key blows, while Shoriful Islam conceded just 13 runs in his four overs.

The series win followed Bangladesh&rsquo;s four-wicket success in the opener, underlining their dominance. The final T20I will also take place in Sharjah on October 5.

PT/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Sat, 04 Oct 2025 05:20:09 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
            <entry>
            <title><![CDATA[Bangladesh is in strong position in Galle]]></title>
            <link rel="alternate" href="http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/17" />
            <id>http://www.presstoday.news/news/article/sports/17</id>
            <author>
                <name> <![CDATA[The Press Today Admin]]></name>
            </author>
            <summary type="html">
                <![CDATA[Sports Reporter: Mushfiqur Rahim has crafted a superb century after his captain Najmul Hossain Shanto completed his as Bangladesh forged ahead to a commanding position after early losses against Sri Lanka on the first day of the Galle Test.

Bangladesh were 280 for 3 in the 86th over with Shanto (129*) and Mushfiqur (100*) going strong with the daylight dying at the Galle International Stadium on Tuesday. Mushfiqur scraped a single from an inside edge that could have easily hit the stumps, but dashed to the other end with the reprieve to complete his 176-ball century with only five boundaries in a rigorous show. It was also Shanto&rsquo;s first Test century since November 2023 as he laced his knock with 11 boundaries and a six after the visitors elected to bat. Earlier, Bangladesh were off to an inauspicious start as Tharindu Rathnayake and Asitha Fernando rattled the top order with three early wickets.

Shanto and Mushfiqur then steadied a wobbling innings with deliberation, and watchfully carried the team without further damage into the final session, pairing in a staggering unbroken 193-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Bangladesh went into lunch on 90 for 3 after the veteran duo fended off the first-session blow, leaving the hosts&#39; bowlers searching for wickets. The Tigers won the toss and chose to bat in their first match of the fresh round of the World Test Championships 2025-2027.

Bangladesh did not win a single match in the first iteration of the Test tournament. In the second they won one match but remained at the bottom of the standings. But in the 2023-25 tournament, Shanto&rsquo;s side beat New Zealand, Pakistan twice, and the West Indies to claim seventh spot. Now the Tigers hope to step up their game and claim sixth or higher on the table.

Bangladesh are without allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the starting eleven due to an illness, fielding four specialised bowlers in his absence.

pt/ra]]>
            </summary>
            
            
            <updated>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:59:42 +0000</updated>
        </entry>
    </feed>
