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Tamim Announces Decision Not to Return to International Cricket
Sports Desk
11 Jan 2025, 09:19
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Former captain of the Bangladesh national team, Tamim Iqbal, has made a final decision regarding his retirement from international cricket.
On Friday night (January 10), in a Facebook post, he wrote, "I have been away from international cricket for a long time. That distance will not be bridged. My chapter in international cricket is over."
Tamim Iqbal said, "I have been contemplating this for a long time. Now, with a major event like the Champions Trophy ahead, I do not want any discussions about me to disrupt the team's focus. I never wanted that before either. That’s why I removed myself from the BCB's central contract a long time ago. Although many have said, and it has often been reported in the media, that I was the one keeping things hanging, I have not been part of any BCB contract for over a year, having voluntarily stepped aside. So, there should be no discussions or plans involving me. Despite this, there have been unnecessary discussions."
He further wrote, "The decision to retire or continue playing is a right every cricketer or professional athlete has. I have given myself time. Now I feel the time has come."
Tamim Iqbal said, "Captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to return. Discussions were also held with the selection committee. I am grateful to them for still considering me suitable. However, I have listened to my heart."
He said, "What happened before the 2023 World Cup was a big shock for me because I did not leave the team for cricketing reasons. Still, wherever I went, many cricket fans expressed their wish to see me in the national team again. I have thought about their love. There is also a fan at home—my son. He never directly told me, but he repeatedly told his mother that he wants to see his father play in the national jersey again."
The former captain of the national team said, "I am sorry for disappointing the fans. I tell my son, 'When you grow up, you will understand your father.'"
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Yamal: The Rising Star Where Messi Sees Himself
In a short span of time, Lamine Yamal has dazzled the football world with his performances for Barcelona and Spain. Already breaking numerous records, Yamal is hailed as one of the brightest young talents in global football today. Many see shades of Lionel Messi in him, and Messi himself agrees.
During a recent event at the Adidas headquarters in Germany, Messi was asked to name a standout player from the new generation. The football legend highlighted Yamal.
Messi remarked, “There’s a great generation of young footballers coming through. They have many years ahead of them. If I had to choose one, based on age and potential, I’ve heard many name Lamine Yamal—and without a doubt, I would too.”
He added, “I agree with that assessment, but ultimately, it depends on him and many other factors, because that’s how football is. But there’s no doubt he has a fantastic future ahead.”
Yamal joined Barcelona’s academy at the age of seven and made his first-team debut at just 15. He has already played over 70 matches for the club and was instrumental in Spain’s recent European Championship victory.
At the last Ballon d’Or ceremony, Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best young footballer of the year. He also recently became the youngest player to win the prestigious Golden Boy award.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, left Barcelona in 2021 against his wishes after a 21-year career that saw him win a record 34 trophies for the club. He remains Barcelona’s all-time leader in appearances and goals.
Since Messi’s departure, Barcelona has struggled to replicate its former glory. However, under German coach Hansi Flick, the team is currently leading La Liga this season and has climbed to second place in the newly revamped Champions League standings.
Germany's 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Depend on Italy Game
Despite their strong Nations League performance, Germany are left in the awkward position of not yet knowing their exact 2026 World Cup qualifying path — even after Friday's draw.
After finishing top of their Nations League group, Germany will face Italy in the quarterfinals in March 2025. The outcome of that game will affect which World Cup qualifying group Germany ends up in.
If Germany win their quarterfinal against Italy, they will be in Group A with Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg, and will start their campaign in September. Germany haven't played Slovakia since Euro 2016. They also played Northern Ireland in that tournament, but beat them more recently in qualifiers for Euro 2021. Germany haven't played Luxembourg in nearly 20 years.
If they lose to Italy, they will be in Group I with Norway, Israel, Estonia and Moldova and start their qualifying campaign in March. Being in this group would mean a return to Germany for Erling Haaland and a first-ever qualifier against Israel for Germany's men. Germany would also face Moldova for the first time since 1999, and play Estonia again, having last faced them in qualifying for Euro 2021, winning the home game 8-0.
In short, beating Italy would not only give Germany a chance at winning the Nations League but also place them in a smaller World Cup qualifying group that would start later in the year.
“I think group A is a little more comfortable but it’s hard to know right now," said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. With draws, it can always be worse or better. I think in group I, Norway are a very good team with many good and experienced players. Group A might be the easier path but we have to beat Italy first. That’s the next step.”
Germany dominated their 2022 World Cup qualifying group, losing just once albeit notably at home to North Macedonia. Under Julian Nagelsmann, Germany have been rejuvinated, losing only one game in all of 2024.
A complicated draw
Elsewhere in the European part of the World Cup qualifying draw, Thomas Tuchel's England were drawn in Group K with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra.
With the 2026 tournament set to be the first World Cup with 48 teams, UEFA now has 16 qualifying spots on offer. They will be secured by the 12 group winners, and the runners-up (plus four teams with the best Nations League records) will go into the playoffs for the final four European spots.
In addition to the 16 European teams, there will be nine teams from Africa, eight from Asia and six from South America. Canada, the US and Mexico all qualify automatically as hosts and there will be three more teams from North and Central America (CONCACAF). Oceania have an automatic spot for the first time and two more will qualify through the intercontinental playoffs in March 2026.
Thrilling World Cup Qualifier Draw Unveils Europe's Groups
The excitement of the World Cup has spread across Europe through an exhilarating draw. On Friday (December 13), the draw for Europe's World Cup qualifiers took place in Zurich, Switzerland. However, many heavyweight teams have not yet been placed in their groups, as the outcome depends on the Nations League results.
Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup has already begun in other continents, but due to the ongoing Nations League in Europe, the qualification process has started later. As a result, many teams have not yet been assigned to groups, as the final groups will be determined after the Nations League quarterfinals.
To clarify, an example can be given: If Germany beats Italy in the Nations League quarterfinals, they will move to Group A, where they will be joined by Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg. However, if Germany loses to Italy, they will move to Group I, where their opponents will be Norway, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova. The same situation applies to Spain-Netherlands, France-Croatia, and Portugal-Denmark.
Although eight groups are still incomplete, the remaining four groups are fully settled in the draw. England, the 1966 World Cup champions, will play in Group K, alongside Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra. Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein will be in Group J. In Group B, Switzerland will face Sweden, Slovenia, and Kosovo. Additionally, Group H consists of Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, and San Marino.
The 12 groups are not all evenly matched. Six groups have been formed with four teams each, while six other groups consist of five teams, who will play in a home-and-away round-robin format. The top team from each group will directly qualify for the World Cup, while the runners-up will play in the playoffs. In total, 16 European teams will secure their places in the World Cup from the 12 groups.
UEFA has also announced the dates for the European qualifiers. The matches will be held from March 21-25, June 6-10, September 4-9, October 9-14, and November 13-18, 2024. The playoffs will take place from March 26-31, 2026. The World Cup will begin in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, with the final in New Jersey on July 19.
Group Draws:
Group A: Germany/Italy (Nations League match winner), Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Portugal/Denmark (Nations League match loser), Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: France/Croatia (Nations League match winner), Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Spain/Netherlands (Nations League match winner), Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Portugal/Denmark (Nations League match winner), Hungary, Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Spain/Netherlands (Nations League match loser), Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Germany/Italy (Nations League match loser), Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: France/Croatia (Nations League match loser), Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
Neymar Reveals His Plans for 2026 World Cup
On October 17 last year, Neymar Jr. sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while playing in a World Cup qualifying match. Although he returned to the field after 369 days, he couldn't complete even two matches before being sidelined again. According to Brazil's coach Dorival Junior, Neymar will need more time to make a full recovery.
The Brazilian team is unwilling to take any risks with their star player as they gear up for the 2026 World Cup. Recently, Neymar shared his plans for the upcoming tournament in an interview with French media outlet RMC. He revealed his aspiration to play in his fourth World Cup and lead Brazil to glory.
"Every player dreams of the World Cup. I've played in three World Cups, and I want to play in my fourth. Now, I need to regain my fitness and prepare well," Neymar said.
So far, Neymar has scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists in 13 World Cup matches. However, his World Cup journey has been fraught with challenges. In 2014, a back injury prevented him from playing in the semifinal against Germany, where Brazil suffered a humiliating 1-7 defeat.
In 2018, Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Belgium. And in the 2022 World Cup, Neymar's dream was shattered when Brazil lost to Croatia in a penalty shootout.
Neymar is celebrated as an extraordinary talent in football history. His stellar career with Santos, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain has mesmerized football enthusiasts. However, during his current stint with Al-Hilal, injuries have prevented him from showcasing his best form. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation after a hamstring injury.
If all goes well, Neymar is expected to return to the national team next year in World Cup qualifying matches and prepare himself for the 2026 World Cup.
SAFF U-20 Women's Football Championship to be Hosted in Bangladesh in July
According to the new schedule of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the SAFF Under-20 Women's Championship will take place in July.
This decision was made during a meeting of the SAFF Competition Committee on Tuesday, December 17. Bangladesh will be the host country for the event, which is scheduled to take place from July 1 to 11, 2025.
The SAFF Under-20 Women's Championship was originally set to be held in February 2025, with Bangladesh announced as the host. However, a few days ago, the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) postponed the event.
The rescheduling of the AFC's 2025 calendar led to the SAFF authorities revising the dates for all their competitions. Since the SAFF age-group tournaments are considered preparatory rounds for the AFC's age-group competitions, the SAFF age-group events have been rescheduled to align with the AFC's calendar.
FIFA The Best Awards 2024: Announced Nominees, Where to Watch
On Tuesday (December 17), FIFA will reveal the winners of the ninth edition of the FIFA The Best Football Awards. The awards ceremony will take place at a gala dinner in Doha, Qatar, at the Aspire Academy.
Brazil has several nominees: striker Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid and goalkeeper Ederson from Manchester City are in contention for the best player and best goalkeeper awards, respectively; while Arthur Elias, the coach of the Brazilian National Team, is nominated for the women's football category.
Marta is in the running for the award named after her (Marta Award), which recognizes the most beautiful goal of the season. Vasco supporter Guilherme Gandra Moura, affectionately known as "little Gui," is among the nominees for the FIFA Fan Award.
Where to Watch?
The announcement of the winners will be live on FIFA.com starting at 2 pm (Brasília time).
The event will feature the presence of dignitaries, football legends, and various local and regional ambassadors, alongside pioneers of the sport.
All winners of the awards were selected through a voting system that equally weighs votes from fans, national team captains, and coaches from both women's and men's national teams, as well as media representatives.
Fans also participated in the voting for the formation of the FIFA The Best women's and men's teams. For the selection of the starting eleven, fans had access to a list of 77 players, selecting them in predefined formations. The results were based on this voting and the consultation of a panel of experts.
Starting this year, The Best will include the "Marta Award," given to the scorer of the most beautiful goal in women's football for the year. Voting on this matter was divided between fans and the FIFA Legends panel. The FIFA Fan Award winner was chosen solely by fans, while the FIFA Fair Play Award was determined by experts.
FIFA 'The Best' Awards Ceremony: Nominees
Men's Player
Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid
Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City
Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid
Florian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer Leverkusen
Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe (France), Paris Saint Germain/Real Madrid
Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona
Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami
Rodri (Spain), Manchester City
Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)
Vinicius Junior (Brazil), Real Madrid
Women's Player
Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Barcelona
Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride
Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona
Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona
Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City
Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City
Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyonnais
Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea
Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal
Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave
Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona
Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona
Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais
Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit
Women's Coach
Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil
Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic
Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USA
Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan
Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City
Jonatan Giraldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea
Men's Coach
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina
Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain
Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City
Women's Goalkeeper
Alyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham
Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City
Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona
Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain
Men's Goalkeeper
Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid
David Raya (Spain), Arsenal
Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Aston Villa
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain
Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan
Unai Simon (Spain), Athletic Club
Bangladesh Sweeps West Indies with an 80-Run Victory
Bangladesh Sweeps West Indies with an 80-Run Victory
After the disappointment of being whitewashed by the West Indies in ODIs, the Tigers redeemed themselves in style, handing the hosts a T20 series whitewash on their own turf, bringing joy to their fans.
On Friday (December 20), at the Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent, Bangladesh defeated the West Indies by a massive 80 runs in the third and final T20 match of the series.
Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh set an imposing target of 190 runs. In response, the West Indies suffered an early setback when Brandon King was dismissed by Taskin Ahmed for a duck in the first over. After a brief rain interruption, Sheikh Mahedi struck in the very next over, further unsettling the hosts.
Bangladesh had never won a T20 series on West Indies soil before. This time, after achieving that milestone, the Tigers made history by whitewashing the hosts for the first time. This marks the second time Bangladesh has whitewashed an opponent in an away series consisting of three or more matches. Overall, it’s the third time Bangladesh has achieved a T20 series whitewash, with the previous instances being against Ireland and England.
In the mission to complete the whitewash, Bangladesh set a challenging target of 190 runs for the West Indies. The hosts stumbled right at the start, losing two wickets within just seven runs. Taskin Ahmed trapped Brandon King LBW for a duck on the second ball of the innings, and Sheikh Mahedi removed Justin Greaves (6 off 5) in the next over.
Nicholas Pooran and Johnson Charles then built a 38-run partnership off 24 balls. However, Mahedi broke the stand by bowling Pooran (15 off 10) in the sixth over. In the following over, Hasan Mahmud dismissed Roston Chase for a duck, while Charles (23 off 18) fell to a direct hit from Rishad Hossain at midwicket. Three wickets fell for just one run, pushing the West Indies out of contention.
Captain Rovman Powell also failed to deliver, edging a delivery from Rishad Hossain to Liton Das. He managed only 2 runs off 12 balls.
With the West Indies struggling at 60 for 6, Romario Shepherd tried to steady the innings with the lower order. However, Rishad struck twice in the 15th over, dismissing Gudakesh Motie and Alzarri Joseph in the space of four balls, effectively ending the fightback.
Shepherd, realizing the battle was lost, gave away his wicket in the next over, caught off Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Shepherd top-scored for the West Indies with 33 off 27 balls, including one four and three sixes. The hosts were bowled out for 109 in 16.4 overs.
Rishad Hossain was the standout bowler with figures of 3 wickets for 21 runs in 4 overs. Taskin Ahmed and Sheikh Mahedi each claimed 2 wickets, conceding 30 and 13 runs, respectively.
Earlier, Bangladesh posted a formidable total of 189 for 7, thanks to a blistering innings from Zakir Ali, who smashed six sixes.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh skipper Liton Das saw a strong start from Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored 39 off 21 balls with four boundaries and two sixes. However, Liton managed only 14 off 13, and Tanzid Tamim added 9 off 9. Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributed 29 off 23 before Zakir stole the show.
Zakir remained unbeaten with 72 off 41 balls, featuring 3 fours and 6 sixes, taking Bangladesh to 189. Tanzim Hasan Sakib chipped in with 17 off 12, hitting one boundary and one six.
