Category: Sports

Former Bangladesh cricket captain Tamim Iqbal has been hospitalised after suffering a major heart attack during a Dhaka Premier League (DPL) match in Savar on Monday.

The 36-year-old cricketer, who was leading Mohammedan Sporting Club against Shinepukur Cricket Club at BKSP, started feeling chest pain while on the field. He was quickly given medical help and taken to a nearby hospital for further tests.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief physician Debashish Chowdhury shared details about his condition.

“He complained of chest pain and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he underwent an ECG,” said Chowdhury. “There was a minor issue, and sometimes, it is difficult to assess the condition of the heart immediately,” he said.

According to reports, some irregularities were detected during the first blood test. He was feeling uncomfortable and wanted to return to Dhaka. An ambulance was arranged, but when he was leaving the hospital and returning to the field, he experienced chest pain again. He was then taken back to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he had suffered a major heart attack. He is now under observation at Fazilatunnesa Hospital.

Doctors have started an emergency procedure to insert a stent in Tamim’s heart to restore normal blood flow. His condition is being closely monitored, and he remains under medical observation.

Following the incident, several Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) directors are travelling to Savar to check on Tamim. The board meeting scheduled for Monday has also been postponed following the emergency.

Tamim, one of Bangladesh’s greatest cricketers, retired from international cricket in 2023 but continued playing in domestic tournaments. His fans and the cricket community are eagerly waiting for updates on his health.

Portugal has secured a spot in the Nations League semi-finals with a thrilling 5-3 aggregate victory over Denmark on Sunday, winning the second leg 5-2 after extra time. 

Cristiano Ronaldo missed an early penalty but later redeemed himself by scoring a crucial goal, while Francisco Trincao’s late brace helped Roberto Martinez’s men seal their place in the semis. Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel denied Ronaldo’s stuttering run-up by diving left to comfortably save the spot-kick in the sixth minute.

Despite Denmark twice regaining the aggregate lead, Portugal pushed the tie to extra time at 3-2 on the night.

Portugal first levelled on aggregate when Joachim Andersen’s attempted clearance went horribly wrong, looping into his own net in the 38th minute. However, Denmark restored their advantage when Rasmus Kristensen, unmarked at a corner, guided a precise header into the net in the 56th minute.

Ronaldo made amends for his penalty miss by capitalizing on a rebound to score with 18 minutes left, only for Christian Eriksen to silence the home crowd with a tap-in just four minutes later.

Playing at his home ground in Sporting Lisbon, substitute Francisco Trincao forced extra time with a late left-footed strike. Just after the restart, he found the net again with a precise shot through a crowded box, putting Portugal ahead for the first time in the tie.

Trincao then played a key role in the build-up for Goncalo Ramos’s late goal, sealing a pulsating encounter.

Denmark, who arrived with a first-leg advantage, put up a valiant fight but ultimately succumbed to Portugal’s relentless attacking display. Their stoic resistance and Portugal’s determination made for a gripping contest that swung back and forth multiple times.

Winners of the inaugural tournament in 2019, Portugal are now aiming to become the first team to claim the Nations League trophy twice.

Portugal will now face hosts Germany in June after overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit against a resilient Danish side.

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who is part of the commentary panel for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, found himself embroiled in controversy on Sunday.

During his commentary in the IPL match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, Harbhajan made a peculiar reference to English pacer Jofra Archer, comparing him to London’s black taxis.

“London me kaali taxi ka meter tez bhaagta hai, Aur yaha pe Archer sahab ka meter bhi tez bhaaga hai (Like the meter of London’s black taxis, Archer’s meter has also been on the higher side),” Harbhajan remarked during the live broadcast.

His comments sparked outrage on social media, with many fans criticising the former spinner and demanding an apology. Harbhajan, who has himself faced racism during his playing career, has yet to issue a clarification or an apology regarding the remark.

As for the match, Sunrisers Hyderabad put up a massive total of 286 runs, the second-highest in IPL history, powered by stellar performances from Ishan Kishan and Travis Head. Rajasthan Royals, despite their efforts, fell short in the chase, managing 242 runs.

Jofra Archer had a poor outing with the ball, conceding 76 runs in his four-over spell without taking a wicket.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan is not part of the commentary panel for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

According to media reports, Irfan has not been included in this year’s IPL commentary panel. Since his retirement, Irfan has been a regular member of the panel and has become one of the most recognized voices in the tournament.

However, he was noticeably absent during the IPL 2025 opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday.

Reports stated that Irfan was left out of the panel because broadcasters were unhappy with former Indian all-rounders bringing personal grudges into their commentary and social media activities.

The report stated that Irfan had past disagreements with certain players. Since then, he has been making indirect references to those cricketers, both in commentary and on social media.

Irfan Pathan was accused of making sarcastic remarks about players, which ultimately led to his exclusion from the commentary panel.

Irfan is not the first cricketer to be removed from commentary duties. 

In 2016, renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle was also excluded from the IPL commentary panel. At the time, Harsha posted on social media: “I still don’t know why I am not doing commentary in the IPL. I can accept that people may not like me, but I really hope it’s not because cricketers had issues with my opinions.”

Similarly, in 2020, former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar was dropped from the commentary panel by the BCCI during the ODI World Cup after he passed objectionable remarks on Ravindra Jadeja.

New Zealand secured the five-match T20I series with a commanding 115-run victory over Pakistan in the fourth match at Bay Oval on Sunday.

Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first, but New Zealand made the most of their batting opportunity, posting a massive 220 for 6 in 20 overs.

Finn Allen led the charge with a blistering 50 off just 20 balls, smashing six fours and three sixes. Tim Seifert provided a fiery start with 44 off 22, while Michael Bracewell anchored the innings with a steady 46 off 26. Daryl Mitchell chipped in with 29 off 23 to keep the momentum going.

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the most effective bowler, picking up three wickets, while Abrar Ahmed grabbed two scalps.

Pakistan’s chase never gained momentum as they were bundled out for just 105 in 16.2 overs.

Abdul Samad was the lone fighter, scoring 44 off 30 balls, including four fours and two sixes. Irfan Khan Niazi contributed 24 off 16, but the rest of the batting line-up crumbled under pressure.

New Zealand’s bowlers dominated the innings, with Jacob Duffy leading the attack with four wickets. Zakary Foulkes and Mitchell Hay took two wickets each, ensuring Pakistan never found their footing.

With this dominant victory, New Zealand now lead the series 3-1, sealing the series with a game to spare.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to introduce additional points in the World Test Championship (WTC).

The final of the World Test Championship will take place at Lord’s from 11 to 15 June 2025, and ticket sales are already underway.

According to media reports, significant changes will be made to the points system in the fourth edition of the WTC. The ICC has faced criticism for its current league-stage format, which has been described as unclear and unfair. This feedback has prompted the decision to revamp the system.

The ICC plans to award extra points for dominant victories, following the structure of domestic first-class tournaments such as the Ranji Trophy and Sheffield Shield. This change aims to encourage teams to play more aggressive cricket.

Additionally, efforts are being made to improve the tournament format, as the current system does not allow all 10 participating teams to play against each other.

The new points system will be discussed at the ICC meeting in April.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been a vocal critic of the current format. Despite hosting all three WTC finals so far, England has failed to qualify for any of them.

ECB chairman Richard Thompson has emphasised the need for a fairer and more competitive World Test Championship.

Pakistan Hasan Nawaz has made headlines after scoring the fastest T20I century for his country, reaching the milestone in just 44 balls against New Zealand in the third match of the five-match series.

Hasan Nawaz, 28, was born in Layyah, Punjab, but grew up in a small town six kilometres away. A lack of proper cricket facilities in his hometown forced him to move to Islamabad under the pretext of studying and joined a local cricket club. His sister supported him during his early days in the city.

Hasan got his first major break when he was picked by the Mirpur Royals for the Kashmir Premier League (KPL) in 2022. Playing alongside former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, he finished as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament. His impressive performances led to his selection in Northern’s squad for the National T20 Cup.

He was later signed by Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), but he didn’t get many chances to showcase his talent. However, his standout performances in the T20 Champions Cup in December 2024 caught the attention of national selectors, earning him a place in Pakistan’s squad for the T20I series against New Zealand.

Hasan made his T20I debut on March 16, 2025, in Christchurch but was dismissed for a duck. In the second match in Dunedin, he once again got out without scoring, falling to the same bowler, Jacob Duffy.

Despite back-to-back failures, Hasan bounced back in style in the third T20I in Auckland. Playing with complete confidence, he smashed 105 runs off just 45 balls, hitting seven sixes and ten fours. He played shots all around the ground with an aggressive approach, showcasing the kind of fearless cricket that Pakistan has been searching for.

Backed by his captain and vice-captain, Hasan overcame early struggles and delivered a match-winning performance. He was named Man of the Match for his extraordinary innings.

Speaking after the game, Hasan said, “The way I got out in the first two matches, I was very disheartened. But the captain and Shadab supported me. They told me I am a match-winner, and that gave me confidence.”

He added, “The way other teams are playing cricket, that is the kind of cricket we want to play. Sure, we’ll fail at the start, but we are determined to play fearless cricket.”

Hasan’s remarkable turnaround has given Pakistan fresh hope for their aggressive cricket approach in T20Is.

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, known for his legendary fight against Muhammad Ali in the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” and his remarkable comeback two decades later, passed away on 21 March 2025 at the age of 76. His family shared the news in a heartfelt statement on his official Instagram page.

“With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr, who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones,” the statement read. The family expressed gratitude for the love and prayers received and requested privacy as they honoured his life.

Born on 10 January 1949 in Texas, Foreman grew up in Houston. After having a tough childhood, he discovered later in life that the man who raised him, J.D. Foreman, was not his biological father. His real father, a World War II veteran, reached out to him after he became world champion.

As a teenager, Foreman became involved in crime and dropped out of school at 16. His younger brother, Roy, once recalled that George was a dominant figure in their neighbourhood.  “At 13, he was about 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and the terror of the area,” he said in an interview with the BBC in 2024.

At 16, Foreman started boxing. Initially, he wanted to play football but took up boxing to prove his toughness. Just a year later, he won an Olympic gold medal at the 1968 Mexico Games, dominating the super-heavyweight division. After his victory, he waved an American flag in the ring, just days after fellow African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos made history with their Black Power salute at the 200m track final.

At 6-foot-4 (1.93m), Foreman was a powerful and agile heavyweight. He quickly rose through the professional ranks and defeated Joe Frazier in just two rounds to win the heavyweight championship.

By the time Foreman defended his title against Muhammad Ali in 1974, he had an undefeated record of 40 wins, with most victories coming by knockout. However, Ali used his famous ‘rope-a-dope’ strategy, tiring Foreman out before knocking him out in the eighth round.

Though he lost the title, Foreman later made an incredible comeback, reclaiming the heavyweight championship two decades later. His legacy extends beyond boxing, as he became a successful entrepreneur and an inspiration to many.

Pakistan has bounced back strongly in the third T20I at Dunedin, defeating New Zealand by nine wickets in a dominant run chase to keep the five-match series alive at 2-1.

Pakistan won the toss and invited the host team to bat first.

New Zealand posted a challenging total of 204 in 19.5 overs. Mark Chapman starred with a brilliant 94 off 44 balls, smashing 11 fours and four sixes. Michael Bracewell played a quickfire 31 (18), while Tim Seifert contributed 19 (9).

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi were the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets each. Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed claimed two wickets apiece.

Pakistan’s batters made light work of the target, chasing 205 down in just 16 overs with only one wicket down.

Hassan Nawaz stole the show with a stunning 105 off 45 balls*, hitting 10 fours and seven sixes. Salman Ali Agha remained unbeaten on 51 (31), while Mohammad Haris provided an explosive start with 41 (20).

New Zealand bowlers struggled at the pitch, with Jacob Duffy taking the only wicket.

With this dominant win, Pakistan have kept their hopes alive in the series. The fourth T20I on March 23 is set to be a crucial battle as New Zealand lead by 2-1.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to begin on Saturday with a big clash between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), led by Virat Kohli. The opening ceremony will feature performances from popular artists like Disha Patani and Shreya Ghoshal.

However, just a day before the match, worrying news has emerged from Kolkata. The opening game is in danger of being completely washed out due to bad weather. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for 22 March, warning of thunderstorms and heavy rain in South Bengal. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Sunday.

According to Accuweather, there is a 74 percent chance of rain in Kolkata on Saturday, with 97percent cloud cover. The situation is expected to worsen in the evening, with rain chances rising to 90 percent. Given these conditions, there is a high possibility of heavy showers at Eden Gardens, making it uncertain whether enough overs will be played for a result.

Apart from the rain concerns, another match at Eden Gardens is already being moved. KKR’s home game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on 6 April is set to be shifted to Guwahati amid security concerns with Navami celebrations in Kolkata on that day.

Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehasish Ganguly confirmed that Kolkata Police had informed them they would not be able to provide security for the match. Since rescheduling the game in the city is not possible, it will now likely take place in Guwahati.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari mentioned that over 20,000 Ram Navami processions are planned across West Bengal, making it difficult to manage security for the IPL match.

The KKR vs LSG match is expected to have a full crowd, as both teams enjoy strong local support. However, fans will now have to watch this exciting contest in a different city.