Conquering New Zealand in New Zealand At in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, Bangladesh’s year in sports began with the miracle. After 36 defeats, for the very first time Bangladesh men’s cricket team conquered New Zealand in New Zealand, that too in Tests, the format where they are the most vulnerable. The Test began on 1 January. Tigers squad was without Tamim and Shakib, so naturally, not much was expected from them against the reigning ICC World Test Champions. But Mominul Haque’s team outclassed everyone’s expectations and scripted an upset, which according to many cricket analysts is the biggest in the storied history of the game. Pacer Ebadot Hossain was the star of the match as it was his fiery spell on the fourth day after half-centuries from Mominul, Liton Das, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto in Bangladesh’s first innings that set up a landmark eight-wicket win over the Black Caps. ODI series win in South Africa After the conquest down under, the men’s cricket team went to South Africa and notched up another remarkable win. On 18 March, the Tigers won their very first ODI against the Proteas in South Africa, defeating the hosts by 38 runs. That win was enough to term the South Africa tour a success for Bangladesh. But on March 23rd, in the third and final match of the ODI series, the Tigers went one step further and sealed their maiden ODI series win against South Africa away from home. Pacer Taskin Ahmed was the star performer for Bangladesh in that series, with eight wickets in those two wins. Women’s team register maiden win in World Cup In March this year, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team began their maiden ODI World Cup campaign. Nigar Sultana’s team didn’t head into the tournament with lofty dreams. Realistically, there were only two opponents Bangladesh could target for a win in the eight-team competition– West Indies and Pakistan. Against the West Indies, Bangladesh lost by four runs in a nail-biter. However, against Pakistan, it was Bangladesh who ended up on the winning side. Bangladesh posted 234-7, their highest total in a Women’s ODI, thanks to Fargana Hoque’s 71, Nigar’s 46 and Sharmin Akhter’s 44. With Captain Sidra Ameen’s 104 Pakistan got near the target but Fahima Khatun’s three-wicket haul helped Bangladesh seal a historic nine-run win. The SAFF triumph This calendar year in September, the most joyous moment came in Bangladesh sports. At the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu the likes of Sabina Khatun, Maria Manda, Sanjida Akhtar ran circles around their opponents with eye soothing football at the SAFF Women’s Championship. Bangladesh won all three of their matches at the group-stage, thrashed Bhutan 8-0 in the semifinal to set up a final against hosts Nepal. In the final, Krishna Rani Sarkar scored a brace and Shamsunnahar Junior scored once to help Bangladesh win 3-1 and lift their first ever women’s SAFF Championship title. What happened after the triumph, was something the country’s sports hadn’t witnessed before. The champion team arrived in Dhaka to a grand reception, with thousands flocking the airport to catch a glimpse of the golden girls. Then, the team got on an open top bus and paraded their trophy throughout Dhaka in a joyride that will be remembered forever. Defeating India at home, again After a lull in between, the men’s cricket team finished the year on a high note, defeating India 2-1 in a three-match ODI series. A star-studded Indian team arrived in Dhaka for a bilateral series after seven years at a time when the entire country was obsessing over the FIFA World Cup. The Bangladesh team then forced the countrymen to take interest to the series by defeating India in the first ODI by one wicket, thanks to a remarkable unbeaten 38 from Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s bat. Miraz didn’t stop there, as in the following match he brought up his maiden ODI century to rescue Bangladesh from 69-6 and claimed a couple of wickets, which ensured a series winning five-run win for the hosts. Source: Daily Prothom Alo

Considered by many to be the greatest footballer ever, Pele is the only player in history to win three World Cups, the first when he was a teenager. Brazilian football player Pele died on Thursday, at the age of 82. He had been battling cancer, as well as kidney and heart problems. Pele was hospitalized on November 29. He had been regularly receiving hospital care since September 2021, when a tumor was removed from his colon. His daughter, Kely Nascimento, confirmed his death in a post on Instagram, sharing a picture of the family holding the hands of the late soccer giant. "We love you endlessly. Rest in peace," she wrote. In a post on Pele's official Instagram account, a statement read that Pele "enchanted the world with his genius in sport" and helped to spread a message of love. "His message today becomes a legacy for future generations. Love, love and love, forever," the post reads. Tributes pour in for 'King Pele' Pele's death sparked a wave of condolences from around the world, with the government of Brazil declaring three days of mourning. Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva posted an extended tribute to Pele on Twitter, writing how he felt privileged to have seen the late star in action. "There was never a Number 10 like him," Lula wrote, referencing the number Pele wore while playing for Brazil's national team. Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar Jr. wrote that "Pele changed everything," giving a voice to the poor, to Black people and giving visibility to Brazil. Brazil's CBF soccer federation said Pele "gave us a new Brazil and we can only thank him for his legacy." Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo posted a tribute on his Instagram page, offering his condolences to the people of Brazil, saying the death of "King Pele" has sent great pain throughout the football world. Argentina's Lionel Messi, team captain of the recently crowned World Cup champions, paid tribute to the star in a post on Instagram. Kylian Mbappe, who helped lead France to the most recent World Cup final in Qatar against Argentina, offered his condolences in a post on Twitter. "The king of football has left us but his legacy will never be forgotten," Mbappe wrote. Football clubs around the world posted their condolences, including Chelsea FC, Manchester United and England's national football team as well as Croatia's football federation. The German Football Association (DFB) wrote on Twitter that "German football is in mourning. We already miss you." World leaders also reacted to Pele's passing, with French President Emmanuel Macron writing on Twitter: "The Game. The King. Eternity." Pele: One of football's greatest players Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele is widely considered one of football's greatest players ever. He is the only player in history to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970). In the first of those triumphs, he became the youngest-ever scorer in a World Cup final, netting twice at the age of 17 years and 249 days. He played for Brazil and club sides Santos and New York Cosmos as a striker. Pele was the Brazilian national team's all-time top goalscorer, with 77 goals in 92 games. Following his playing career, Pele went on to hold a number of posts, including as a UNESCO Goodwill ambassador

A few days ago, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman was reshuffled. Ramiz Raja has been dismissed and Nazam Shetty has been taken in charge.  Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed Shahid Khan Afridi as an interim chief selector. The former Pakistan captain will be in charge from the upcoming home series against New Zealand. Along with Shahid Afridi, former pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and former pacer Rao Iftikhar Anjum are also include in the selection panel. PCB Chairman Najam Sethi welcomed the interim selection committee and said, " I have no doubt that even in this limited time they will take some bold decisions. Which will help us to build a strong and competitive team against New Zealand" PCB Chairman added, "Shahid Afridi was an aggressive cricketer who played cricket without any fear. He has 20 years of cricketing experience. He has been successful all the formats, helping youngsters. I am confident about him. He will select the best cricketers and help the team to achieve success." Shahid Afridi  expressed his feeling with joy, "I am proud of this responsibility. I will give my best to fulfill my duty. I will soon call a meeting where I will discuss the plans for the upcoming matches with the other selectors."

The 82-year-old World Cup veteran has been receiving treatment for cancer since having a tumor removed in late 2021. New health complications mean he will spend the holiday in the hospital. Brazilian soccer legend Pele will spend Christmas in the hospital after his health worsened during a visit to regulate his cancer medication. Doctors at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo said on Wednesday that Pele requires "elevated care" related to kidney and cardiac dysfunction. "Our Christmas at home has been suspended," his daughter Kely Nascimento said on Instagram on Wednesday. "We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay here with all the care that this new family at Einstein gives us. "We will even make some caipirinhas (not kidding!!)," she added. "We love you and we will give an update next week." The 82-year-old soccer player — widely considered to be one of the world's greatest — has been in the hospital since late November. Pele has been undergoing chemotherapy since having a tumor in his colon removed in September 2021. Brazilian national team honors a great Pele led Brazil to victory in the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups. He remains the national team's all-time leading scorer with 77 goals. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Brazilian team held a banner on the pitch honoring Pele while fans also unfurled a giant banner that read: "Pele, get well soon." Following Argentina's victory against France on Sunday, Pele hailed performances from Argentinian squad leader Lionel Messi and France's rising star Kylian Mbappe, as well as semi-finalists Morocco. "Today, football continues to tell its story, as always, in an enthralling way," he said in an Instagram post. "What a gift it was to watch this spectacle of the future of our sport.

Goal festival, one sided final to the bone-chilling battle. Exciting 120 minutes, repeated twists and turns, nerve-wrecking tiebreaker at the end in a breathless title fight! Lionel Scaloni's Argentina won the title with 100% success. Lionel Messi got the adorable golden trophy. After 36 long years, the whole Argentina is floating with the joy of becoming the World Champion. The city of Buenos Aires is now a festival city. The country's government has also announced a one-day general holiday to celebrate this festival. Lionel Messi returns home with the trophy - this joy to celebrate by the Argentines from today. President Alberto Fernández announces a public holiday in Argentina today. The plane carrying Messi is scheduled to land at 11:30 a.m. Bangladesh time today at Ezeiza International Airport. Fans already have welcomed the world champions. Earlier President Alberto Fernández said in a message on Twitter, "Thanks to the players and the entire team. They set an example that we should not give up, we are great people and have a great future.'' President Fernández  also posted a photo of him celebrating the World Cup win with his wife Fabiola Yáñez and son Francisco. In a second message later on Twitter, Mr. Fernández wrote, 'Always together, always united. We are world champions. There is no other word. Argentine President also posted a photo with this post. Where it can be seen - the star player Lionel Messi is raising the World Cup in Qatar while surrounded by his teammates.