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BPL Fever Kicks Off: Full Schedule Announced
Sports Desk
24 Dec 2024, 11:36
Photo: BCB
The 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is set to begin on December 30 at Mirpur. However, the excitement has already started a week earlier with the Dhaka leg of the BPL Music Fest held on Monday, December 23, marking the official kickoff of the tournament festivities.
BCB President Faruk Ahmed and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud graced the stage, with the latter inaugurating the tournament under the theme "A New BPL for a New Bangladesh," recalling the transformation after the July revolution.
The event featured electrifying performances by artists like Jafar, Muza, and Sanjay, followed by renowned band Miles and a grand finale performance by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The night concluded with a spectacular fireworks display around the stadium.
The Music Fest will continue in Chattogram on December 25 and conclude in Sylhet on December 27. Afterward, the on-field competition begins.
Teams and Matches
This season features seven teams:
- Dhaka Capitals
- Chittagong Kings
- Durbar Rajshahi
- Fortune Barishal
- Khulna Tigers
- Rangpur Riders
- Sylhet Strikers
The opening match will see Fortune Barishal face Durbar Rajshahi, followed by a second match between Rangpur Riders and Dhaka Capitals on the same day. The group stage concludes on February 1 with a match between Barishal and Chittagong Kings.
Venues and Schedule:
- Mirpur, Dhaka: First 8 matches (Dec 30 - Jan 5)
- Sylhet: 12 matches (Jan 6 - Jan 13)
- Chattogram: 12 matches (Jan 16 - Jan 23)
- Dhaka Final Leg: Eliminator, Qualifiers, and Final (Jan 26 - Feb 7)
Key dates include:
- Eliminator & 1st Qualifier: February 3
- 2nd Qualifier: February 5
- Final: February 7
To ease ticketing, the BCB has introduced an e-ticketing system, allowing fans to purchase tickets from the comfort of their homes.
Let the cricketing excitement begin!
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13-year-old Becomes Youngest IPL Auction Signing
An Indian teenager made history in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he became the youngest ever player to be sold at the tournament's annual auction where teams compete to sign players. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 13, was sold for 11 million rupees (roughly €125,000 or $130,000) to the Rajasthan Royals in the world's most lucrative domestic cricket competition.
He will be coached by former Indian cricket Rahul Dravid and joins a squad that includes a number of first-team Indian national players, including batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Who is Vaibhav Suryavanshi?
The left-handed batter comes from the eastern state of Bihar, and came to the fore during 2024 after being selected to play for his local state side in January when he was just 12.
As a powerful opening batsman, in September this year Suryavanshi was chosen to play for the India under-19 team against Australia under-19s in the longest format of cricket, where he scored a century against opponents much older than himself.
The IPL is a "T20" tournament of short-format, high-scoring games, with Suryavanshi only having played one professional game in this format to date. That match, for Bihar, was against the local state side of Rajasthan — just three days before the Rajasthan Royals' franchise team moved to sign him.
Will Suryavanshi play in this year's IPL?
There are no age limits for players looking to compete in the IPL, or entering its auction, so in theory at least, Suryavanshi could start competing immediately.
However, Suryavanshi is unlikely to feature during the upcoming 2025 tournament, with the world’s best player taking part in the ten-week tournament between 14 March - 25 May.
While he may not take to the field, the teenager will be coached by Dravid who along with being one of India’s greatest ever cricketers also served as head coach of the Indian national team between 2021 and 2024.
And, Suryavanshi will spend over two months being guided by not only some of the best Indian batters including Jaiswal and Sanju Samon but also those from across the globe that will play for the Rajasthan Royals.
How does Suryavanshi's fee compare to that of adult stars?
Suryavanshi's 11 million rupee fee is not enormous by IPL auction standards, certainly not compared to the record 270 million rupees paid for Indian superstar Rishabh Pant on the opening day of the auction on Thursday.
However, it is still far more than the 3 million base price he had set for himself, and a higher price than established international stars like the West Indies' Roston Chase and England's Chris Jordan could command.
Bangladesh Faces Crushing Defeat Amid Batting Collapse
Despite Taskin Ahmed's career-best bowling performance, which dismissed the West Indies for just 152 runs in their second innings, Bangladesh's significant first-innings deficit of 181 runs left them chasing a daunting target of 334. However, the red-and-green team failed to mount any serious challenge, inching closer to a heavy defeat instead.
No batsman showed resilience or intent to stay at the crease. By the end of the fourth day, Bangladesh stood at 109 for 7 in 31 overs, requiring 225 runs on the final day with only three wickets in hand. Zakir Ali remains unbeaten on 15, while Hasan Mahmud is yet to open his account. Mehidy Hasan Miraz top-scored with 45 runs. For the West Indies, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales claimed three wickets each, while Alzarri Joseph took one.
Earlier on the fourth day, the Bangladeshi bowlers delivered a commendable performance once again. Bangladesh had declared their first innings still trailing by 181 runs, aiming to exploit the new ball and quickly restrict the hosts. The plan worked as Taskin Ahmed, coincidentally on the day he missed out on an IPL call, scalped six wickets.
None of the West Indies batters managed to settle at the crease. Despite their lead, the hosts set Bangladesh a stiff target of 334. With over a day and a half left to bat, Bangladesh's long batting lineup crumbled under pressure. A series of weak dismissals added another frustrating chapter to their Test woes.
On the fifth and final day of the Antigua Test, Mehidy Hasan Miraz's team faces the near-impossible task of chasing 225 more runs. The play will resume at 8 PM Bangladesh time.
Cristiano Ronaldo Nears 1,000 Career Goals with Latest Brace
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy expectations with his exceptional form, steadily approaching the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals. Though he recently mentioned focusing more on the present than future achievements, his relentless momentum suggests he’s on track to reach this feat sooner rather than later.
In his last three games, Ronaldo has netted five goals, showcasing his consistency across various competitions. During the international break, he scored twice against Poland in the Nations League. Back with Al Nassr, he found the net in their recent match against Al Qadsiah, and followed it up with a crucial brace in Al Nassr’s 3-1 win over Al Gharafa in the AFC Champions League.
His goals, scored in the 46th and 64th minutes, came from inside the box—a header and a well-placed finish—bringing his career total to an impressive 913 goals. This season, Ronaldo has accumulated 13 goals and 3 assists in 17 matches for Al Nassr. He has also reached 40 goals for 2024, surpassing 550 combined goals and assists since turning 30.
After the match, Ronaldo reflected, “My main focus is always the team's success. Goals come naturally when the team performs well. I dedicate this win to the fans, the club, and my teammates.”
Tigresses Crush Ireland for Record-Breaking ODI Victory
The Bangladesh women’s cricket team, led by captain Nigar Sultana Joty, delivered on her pre-match assertion that they were favorites at home. In the first ODI at Mirpur, the hosts dismantled Ireland with a commanding 154-run victory, marking the largest win in the history of Bangladesh women's cricket.
On Wednesday (November 27), Bangladesh set a daunting target of 253 after batting first. In reply, Ireland collapsed for just 98 runs, giving the Tigresses a historic win.
Previously, Bangladesh’s largest victory margin was 119 runs against South Africa in December last year. This time, Joty and her team shattered that record to script a new milestone.
Ireland’s chase faltered early, with skipper Gaby Lewis dismissed for 5 in just the fourth ball. Marufa Khatun took two wickets in consecutive balls, sending Asim Hunter back alongside Lewis.
Opener Sarah Forbes, alongside Orla Prendergast, tried to stabilize the innings, but Orla was dismissed for 19, leaving Ireland at 48/3. Forbes resisted valiantly with 25 runs before being run out, while the rest of the batting lineup crumbled.
Leah Paul (0), Laura Delany (22), Una Raymond-Hoey (7), and Ava Canning (0) failed to make an impact. Late dismissals of Amy Maguire (0) and Freya Sargent (9) sealed Ireland’s fate as they were bowled out for 98.
For Bangladesh, Sultana Khatun and Nahida Akter each claimed three wickets, with Marufa Akter contributing two.
Earlier, Bangladesh started strong after winning the toss, with openers Fargana Hoque and Murshida Khatun adding 59 runs. Murshida scored 38 off 61 balls before falling in the 19th over, while Fargana continued her composed innings to score 61 off 110 balls.
Sharmin Akter, with a steady 50, and Nigar Sultana Joty provided support. Shamima Sultana came agonizingly close to her century, scoring 96 before being caught out. Contributions from Sobhana Mostary (5) and unbeaten Swarna Akter (13) helped Bangladesh post a formidable 252.
This emphatic win underscores the growing strength of Bangladesh women’s cricket on the international stage.
Sri Lanka Crumbles for 42: Historic Low in Test Cricket
Sri Lanka was bowled out for their lowest score in Test history—just 42 runs. Additionally, in terms of balls faced, they registered the second-lowest total in Test history, lasting only 83 balls. Moreover, the team now holds the record for the third-lowest score in Test matches on South African soil.
On Thursday (November 28), during the first Test of the series in Durban, South Africa's innings was wrapped up for 171 runs in the morning, courtesy of Sri Lanka's bowling lineup.
However, when Sri Lanka came to bat, South African pacer Marco Jansen produced a devastating spell that led to this ignominious record. Jansen bowled 6.5 overs, conceding just 13 runs and taking 7 wickets. Gerald Coetzee claimed two wickets, while Kagiso Rabada took one.
Previously, Sri Lanka's lowest Test score was 71 runs, against Pakistan in Kandy in 1994. This new low in Durban surpasses that record.
Ronaldo Shines at Al-Awwal Park, Leads Al-Nassr to 2-0 Win
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to shine with exceptional form, scoring back-to-back braces in consecutive matches to secure wins for his team. The Portuguese star’s brilliance helped Al-Nassr secure a 2-0 victory against Damac in their latest Saudi Pro League encounter. Previously, Ronaldo had scored twice against Al-Gharafa in an AFC Champions League match.
On Friday, November 29, Al-Nassr faced Damac at King Saud University's Al-Awwal Park. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 17th minute after Abdelkader Bedrane committed a foul inside the box, earning a yellow card. The Portuguese star converted the penalty without mistake, giving the home team a 1-0 lead before halftime.
In the second half, Damac pushed hard for an equalizer but was reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute. Al-Nassr doubled their lead in the 79th minute when Ronaldo scored from close range after receiving a teammate's pass.
Ronaldo was named the man of the match for his brace, making it three consecutive matches where he has earned the honor. The 39-year-old now boasts 915 career goals, with 42 goals in 50 matches this year.
Al-Nassr currently sits third in the Saudi Pro League standings with 25 points from 12 matches. Al-Ittihad leads the table with 30 points, followed by Al-Hilal with 28 points from the same number of games.
FIFA: List of 32 Qualified Teams for Club World Cup
The 21st edition of the Club World Cup will kick off in the United States on June 15 next year. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13. For the first time, this tournament will feature 32 teams. FIFA has finalized 12 venues for it.
With Botafogo's triumph in the final of the Copa Libertadores on Saturday night, the lineup for the Club World Cup is now complete.
Two weeks ago, the world football governing body 'FIFA' unveiled the trophy for the mega event. This year's trophy has been designed inspired by NASA's Voyager Golden Records. The 24-carat gold cup also features many graphics that illustrate the periodic table, astronomy, and the football's magnificence.
The competition, organized by FIFA, is facing increasing criticism from football stakeholders who are frustrated with the congested schedule. "I'm not sure if it will actually take place," recently said Javier Tebas, president of La Liga.
The 32 clubs that qualified for the Club World Cup are:
Chelsea (England)
Real Madrid (Spain)
Manchester City (England)
Bayern Munich (Germany)
PSG (France)
Inter Milan (Italy)
FC Porto (Portugal)
Benfica (Portugal)
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Juventus (Italy)
Atlético Madrid (Spain)
Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
Al Ain (UAE)
Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Wydad (Morocco)
Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Club León (Mexico)
Rayados (Mexico)
Pachuca (Mexico)
Seattle Sounders (USA)
Palmeiras (Brazil)
Fluminense (Brazil)
Flamengo (Brazil)
Botafogo (Brazil)
River Plate (Argentina)
Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Auckland City (New Zealand)
Inter Miami (USA)
