A pall of gloom descended over the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on Saturday as Mahbub Ali Zaki, the assistant coach of Dhaka Capitals, passed away after collapsing on the field just moments before his team's season opener against Rajshahi Warriors. The tragic incident occurred around 1:30 pm at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium during the pre-match warm-up session. Zaki, 59, suddenly fell to the ground while overseeing training drills, approximately 20 minutes before the scheduled start of play. Immediate medical assistance was provided on the pitch, where team staff and medical personnel administered Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). He was subsequently rushed by ambulance to the Al Haramain Hospital in Sylhet, where he was tragically pronounced dead. Read More England Set 175-Run Target to Secure First Ashes Win In an official statement, the Dhaka Capitals confirmed that Zaki had felt unwell during practice before the collapse.  The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also expressed profound grief over the loss of the veteran coach, who was a respected figure in the cricketing community and previously served as the fast-bowling coach for the U-19 World Cup-winning Bangladesh team in 2020. Despite the shocking event, the match proceeded as scheduled following a brief delay.  Dhaka Capitals captain Mohammad Mithun won the toss and elected to field. As a mark of respect, players and officials observed a one-minute silence during the innings break to honor the memory and legacy of the beloved coach, who is also widely respected for his role in Bangladesh's 2020 U-19 World Cup triumph. Cricketers from Sylhet Titans, Noakhali Express and Chattogram Royals went to Al Haramain Hospital as news of the incident spread. Meanwhile, overcoming a profound personal tragedy, Dhaka kicked off their BPL campaign with a dominant 5-wicket win over Rajshahi. The win was overshadowed by the sudden passing of Mahbub Ali Zaki. Despite the heartbreak, the Capitals delivered a resolute performance to honor the memory of the veteran coach. Dhaka Capitals' Litton Kumar Das plays a shot during their BPL match against Rajshahi Warriors. -Collected Photo  After opting to bowl first, Dhaka’s bowling unit put on a clinic. Pakistani all-rounder Imad Wasim was the standout performer, ripping through the Rajshahi lineup to finish with exceptional figures of 3-16 in his four overs. He was well-supported by Nasir Hossain, who claimed 2-32. The Warriors, fresh off a victory in their opening game, struggled to find their rhythm. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto provided some resistance with a 28-ball 37, but the team never recovered from early blows and was restricted to a modest 132-8. Dhaka’s chase was anchored by Abdullah Al Mamun, who played a steady knock of 45 from 39 balls. While the middle order faced some pressure from Rajshahi's Mohammad Nawaz (3-21), Sabbir Rahman ensured there were no late hiccups. Sabbir’s aggressive cameo of 21 off just 10 balls*—including a towering six to finish the game—saw Dhaka reach 134-5 with seven balls to spare.

European Union Ambassador Michael Miller visited the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Sunday to participate in the 'Strengthening Partnerships Through Football' initiative. BFF said in a press release that the Ambassador discussed strategic ways to enhance football development through international cooperation during a meeting with BFF President Tabith Awal and and members of the Executive Committee.    They also discussed on sports diplomacy and future collaboration for football development in the country. Read More New Zealand's Conway Joins Elite Club with Century, Double Ton in Same Test As a symbol of the growing partnership, the BFF presented Ambassador Miller with an official Bangladesh women’s national team jersey and the federation’s crest. BFF Photo The visit concluded with a tour of the BFF Astro Turf Field, where Ambassador Miller observed firsthand the federation's efforts to promote football nationwide.  The BFF continues to prioritize international partnerships as a core pillar of its mission to elevate the standard of football in Bangladesh.

The good news? FIFA responded to outrage at the most expensive World Cup ever with discount tickets comparable to the cost of a normal game for "loyal fans." The bad news? It's for a tiny share of the tickets. FIFA introduced a new category of ticket prices called "Supporter Entry Tier" tickets on Tuesday, following uproar from national supporters' associations about the cost of World Cup entry for traveling fans.  World football's governing body said the discounted USD 60 (roughly Euro 51) tickets would be available for all 104 matches of the tournament, including the final. This is significant as original plans for final tickets foresaw no prices below USD 4,000 for supporters buying via their national football associations.  The competition in the US, Mexico and Canada between June 11 and July 19 next year looks sure to be the most expensive World Cup for supporters ever, comfortably outstripping even the record prices in oil-rich Qatar in 2022.  How Many USD 60 Tickets are Available and for Whom?  The new tier of tickets will make up 10% of the tickets allocated to Participating Member Associations (PMAs), FIFA said. In other words, of the limited number of tickets FIFA allocates to the national associations competing in a given match to sell to loyal fans, 10% will be priced this way.  "In total, half of each PMA's ticket allocation will fall within the most affordable categories: 40% under the Supporter Value Tier and 10% under the new Supporter Entry Tier," FIFA said in a statement. Read More Neymar Staying at Santos Through 2026 World Cup! FIFA said it would be up to individual national associations to define the eligibility criteria and application process.  "They are requested to ensure that these tickets are specifically allocated to loyal fans who are closely connected to their national teams," it said. As an example, let's take Scotland, whose FA had published itemized data on its ticket allocation for its first World Cup since 1998. Its football association has just under 4,000 tickets to distribute among fans, at various prices ranges, for its three group games in Massachusetts and Miami — in stadiums that seat more than 60,000. So on that basis, taking FIFA's 10% figure at face value, it should now have between 370 and 390 tickets costing USD60 for each game. FIFA also said it would waive the administrative fees paid by fans applying for knockout stage tickets, in the hope that their national team advances, when issuing refunds if their team failed to progress to the latter stages.  Hundreds for a Group Stage Match, Thousands for the Final The reduced price comes a week after sharp criticism of the World Cup ticket prices from the Football Supporters Europe (FSE) group, which described the prices as "extortionate" and calculated that a hypothetical supporter following their country in every game to the final in July would have to spend "a minimum of USD 6,900" if buying tickets from their national football association. The three-country World Cup in North America, which for the first time will feature 48 teams rather than 32, is expected to bring in billions in revenues for FIFA.  FIFA says demand is high, with more than 20 million ticket applications received in its latest sales phase.  Prior to Tuesday's announcement, the cheapest group stage tickets for supporters of countries other than co-hosts the US, Mexico and Canad ranged from USD 140 to USD 265, with higher prices typically applying to games involving more presitigous and well-supported teams.  Eight years ago when vying for the rights to hold the competition, the hosts had pledged that hundreds of thousands of tickets costing USD 21 would be made available for group stage games. The most expensive tickets for the 1994 World Cup in the US sold for USD 475, rather than the USD 8,680 currently foreseen for the coming year. The current phase of the ticket applications began on December 11 and will run until January 13 when the draw is scheduled to take place.

Luca Zidane, son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, was named to Algeria's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday, set to begin on December 21 in Morocco. The 27-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for Spanish second-tier club Granada, previously represented France at the youth level before switching his international allegiance to Algeria.  He debuted for the Desert Foxes in a World Cup qualifier against Uganda two months ago and is one of three goalkeepers selected, alongside Oussama Benbot (USM Alger) and Anthony Mandrea (Caen). "It is an honour for me, and I will give 100% to make the Algerian people proud," said Zidane after his son's debut.  "I'm sure the players will arrive highly motivated and ready to play in this AFCON," said Algeria coach and former Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic after announcing the squad. "The main objective is to get past the first round... with the ambition to go as far as possible in the tournament." Algeria start their Group E campaign against Sudan on December 24, then face Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea. Read More Green Cautions Against Complacency Ahead of Third Test Group winners and runners-up automatically qualify for the round of 16. The best four of the six third-placed nations also advance to the knockout stage. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw selected six Premier League players in his squad for the AFCON, where they face Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin in Group D. They are defender El Hadji Diouf (West Ham), midfielders Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham) and Habib Diarra (Sunderland) and forwards Iliman Ndiaye (Everton) and Isma‹la Sarr (Crystal Palace). Algeria Squad Goalkeepers: Luca Zidane, Oussama Benbot, Anthony Mandrea Defenders: Rafik Belghali, Rayan A‹t-Nouri, Youcef Atal, Mehdi Dorval, Jaouen Hadjam, Zinedine Belaid, Ramy Bensebaïni, Samir Chergui, Aïssa Mandi, Mohamed Tougai  Midfielders: Ismael Bennacer, Rami Zerrouki, Adam Zorgan, Hicham Boudaoui, Houssem Aouar, Ibrahim Maza, Fares Chaibi Forwards: Mohamed Amoura, Ilan Kebbal, Riyad Mahrez, Anis Hadj Moussa, Adil Boulbina, Monsef Bakrar, Baghdad Bounedjah, Redouane Barkane  Source: AFP 

Football superstar Lionel Messi's three-day tour of India descended into chaos when the Argentine abruptly left a stadium, leading to angry spectators breaking down barricades and storming the pitch. As part of the so-called "GOAT Tour," the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami star arrived in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday. He was greeted by exuberant fans chanting his name. Hours later, thousands of fans, many wearing Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag, packed into the Salt Lake Stadium in the state capital, Kolkata. However, heavy security surrounding the footballer made it difficult for fans to catch a glimpse of him, fueling the discontent that led to the breach. Messi walked around the pitch waving to fans and left the stadium earlier than expected. Frustrated fans, many having paid more than USD 100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the track. Many others stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents. "For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium," businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told a media. Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue which shows him holding aloft the World Cup. He was also expected to play a short exhibition game at the stadium. Another angry fan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent "a month's salary" to see Messi. Read More FIFA Introduces Mandatory 'Hydration Breaks' for 2026 World Cup "I paid INR 5,000 (USD 55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame," Ajay Shah, told PTI. State chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was "disturbed" and "shocked" at the mismanagement. "I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident," she said in a post on X, adding that she had ordered a probe into the incident. Messi will now head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi as part of the four-city tour. His time in India also includes a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Messi won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award this week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker will spearhead Argentina's defence of the World Cup in June-July in North America. Source: AFP