Life gives and takes away, says Lo Celso amid ‘a very emotional moment’
Argentina’s seven-goal demolition of visitors Curacao on Tuesday saw the return of Giovani Lo Celso who demonstrated why the three-time world champions badly missed the on-loan Villarreal midfielder during their Qatar World Cup campaign last year despite eventually having gone on to bag the ultimate prize in the sport.
3d ago
The need for proper exposure in ‘herstory’
It seems that culturally we are inclined, as if somewhat programmed, to do the bare minimum in providing deserving attention and a wide-scale media coverage when it comes to women’s sport in the country despite the fact that women athletes have had been giving their all, working just as hard as their male counterparts, day in day out over the years.
3w ago
A CATHARTIC MIND-BENDER
Utterly unforgettable was the delivery of sports in 2022, a year jam-packed with major events – a few of which were postponed since 2020 by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Messi solves the Argentina puzzle
Prior to the Qatar World Cup, Lionel Andres Messi had all but conquered everything for his country and the clubs he represented – prestigious titles, individual awards, accolades from teammates, opponents, and critics alike.
Scaloni irked by Messi and Co watching Tigers play India
It seems that Lionel Messi’s quest for the elusive World Cup title is going to be a much tougher task than expected and, quite surprisingly,
Describing Messi’s Eroica Symphony
The world has long run out of superlatives to describe Lionel Messi in a new light. “Don’t describe him, just watch him,” one of Messi’s mentors Pep Guardiola had said.
Football fever takes over
Sports and politics had long been interlocked in such a way that the intention to view sports from an apolitical lens becomes, like it or not, a political stance.
Desert fest: Upset oasis stays fertile
“Fantastic atmosphere, great goals, incredible excitement, surprises, small teams beating big teams,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said yesterday. 56 of the 64 matches have so far played out but, prior to it,
The last of its kind?
A football World Cup offers a spectrum of gifts -- superstars lighting up the centre stage, rising stars becoming household names, nerve-wracking encounters between powerhouses, stunning upsets,
Desert fest: Traditions stay alive
If one match in the 2022 World Cup so far had to be nominated to represent what football offers in the present era, Sunday night’s encounter between Spain and Germany stands out as the obvious candidate despite yielding just a draw.
Desert fest: Crunch time closing in
Based on the first of three rounds of group-stage games, it is fair to conclude that football fans have been treated to a variety of scrumptious dishes -- a platter that is expected from the Greatest Show on Earth.
Desert fest: Must make hay while sun shines
If we could only extrapolate what transpired in the Qatar World Cup till date, it would appear that we are definitely in for an unprecedented rollercoaster ride.
Shakib’s misplaced aggression
The way Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan handled questions related to tactics in the pre-match press conference today -- ahead of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup opener against the Netherlands tomorrow -- became a testament to the notion that the Tigers have miles to go before they become a formidable side in T20s.
Historic female-inclusive Asia Cup commences today
The much-awaited Women’s Asia Cup, played in the 20-over format since 2012, returns with its eighth edition in Sylhet as the curtain-raiser sees defending champions Bangladesh take on Thailand at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Ground 2 (SICS Outer) today from Bangladesh Standard Time 9:00 am.
Tenacious Maria Manda
A common scene preceding a friendly neighbourhood football match is random players gathering and two seniors-turn-captains taking turns in picking the players. Usually, the top strikers are recruited first, followed by playmakers, wingers, and so on.
Bangladesh’s indomitable band of sisters
Before emerging as champions of the just-concluded 2022 SAFF Women's Championship, the women in red and green had played a final once before – during the regional competition's 2016 edition. But as the in-form Sabina Khatun, Sanjida Akhtar, Maria Manda and company prepared to encounter hosts Nepal, the Bangladesh head coach Golam Rabbani Choton deemed his charges as favourites -- not based on the track records against the four-time champions but on their current form.
Order meets chaos
As the five-time Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka are set to battle it out against two-time winners Pakistan in the final of the continental tournament’s 15th edition in Dubai tonight at 8:00pm Bangladesh Standard Time, the task of picking the favourites on paper becomes virtually impossible.
Are govt officials mulling cosmic tours now?
Elon Musk yesterday took to social media to post the following after the top billionaire and notorious bluff master lost a small fraction of his wealth, worth billions of dollars, to Twitter.
Almost-deceived Lankans have the last laugh
The Asia Cup encounter between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka yesterday in Dubai became an Asia Cup classic as the game lived up to its billing, triggered by a war of words and mind games from the two sides leading into the do-or-die fixture with the winner promised a place in the Super 4.
‘Tigers must establish bold intent quick’
Bangladesh have a stern test in their Asia Cup opener on Tuesday against Afghanistan and that they have to grab the proverbial bull by the horn right from the onset for success, reckons veteran coach Nazmul Abedeen Fahim.
Beyond bragging rights
The Asia Cup is just a day away from making the much-awaited comeback after a four-year interval -- the longest since the 2008 edition -- with some of the world’s top teams prepared to lock horns in the United Arab Emirates, where its maiden edition commenced in 1983.
Cricketer won’t say sorry after breaking world record for apologies
The most prolific money-making superstar of cricket, Becash All Hashi, has decided to no longer apologise to his fans after extending his own world record for most official apologies made by a professional athlete in any sport.
Raza shows pressure makes diamonds
The best of players are known to crave the pressure of performing against the wind, when chips are down. On Friday, Sikandar Raza made audiences witness once again that pressure makes diamonds as his gem of a knock, a 109-ball 135, entered into Zimbabwe cricket folklore.
Credit where it is due?
Like every other decision from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the appointment of Nurul Hasan Sohan as the T20 captain of Bangladesh team for the tour of Zimbabwe caused surprise among the cricket fraternity in the country. However, this particular decision from the management might end up being one of the few rational ones in recent memory.
Has Mahmudullah muddied the waters further?
“Our bowlers should have stuck to their lines,” Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah Riyad said after his side suffered a five-wicket defeat over West Indies in the third and final T20I at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday.
‘Nameless’ 12th man grabs Bangladesh’s attention
For the cricket fans in general, it was surprising to see a formidable Test side like New Zealand suffer a batting collapse in the manner they did against England in the Lord’s Test yesterday, and that too after having elected to bat first. However, when it came to the Bangladeshi audiences, one incident during the end of the visitors’ innings perhaps had warranted a higher element of surprise.
What 'process' behind Mominul’s U-turn in 47 days?
Bangladesh cricketer Mominul Haque's declaration to quit Test captaincy may not have shocked the cricketing fraternity, given his persisting off-form with the bat. However, those who have been following what Mominul had said of late, would know that the decision does guarantee a few raised eyebrows.
This just in Football isn’t dead
A lot had changed in the world of football since 2019: Real Madrid, once a European powerhouse, stooped to the lowest of lows, having failed to win any Champions League in the previous three attempts.
Musk to make Trump relevant again
In the midst of being involved in “super embarrassing” allegations that cannot be repeated here due to considerations of decency, tech billionaire Elon Musk almost did what an average person might have done in such trying circumstances: spend on comfort stuff, you know, pastries, a monster deliciosa, a case of carbonated beverage, electric guitars and all that.
A case of faulty pawn structure
Bangladesh, a country which produced the first grandmaster in the subcontinent through Niaz Murshed back in 1987, quite arguably, has miserably failed to live up to its expectation in the game of chess whereas neighbouring India, who had their first GM in Vishwanathan Anand in 1988, progressed in leaps in bounds over the years to become a global powerhouse at present.
Joy gave a really good example of how to bat in Tests, says Siddons
Bangladesh opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy's brief journey in international cricket has been nothing short of incredible.
A curious ebb and flow of inspiration
Fast bowler Ebadot Hossain mentioned that Bangladesh team, preparing to embark for a two-match Test series against hosts South Africa from March 31, are oozing with confidence following their unprecedented fifty-over series win against the Proteas at their den.
A first-class second fiddle in his third innings
Imagine being Yasir Ali Rabbi, arriving into the crease for the third time in a one-dayer for Bangladesh, the first ODI away from home, and that too in South Africa, walking in the centre stage following batting mainstay Mushfiqur Rahim’s departure, with Super League points at stake, on the backdrop of Tigers’ abysmal record against the Proteas in their own backyard, and so on.
Match made in heaven: Aussie couple bat at same time
Australia national players Mitchell Starc and Alyssa Healy make the ideal power couple in cricket. Yesterday, an unprecedented event occurred as the two were seen to simultaneously bat for the Aussies.
Shane Warne, you crazy diamond!
Some were young and somewhat loyal, but mainly it was because they were committed to teams not named Australia. But when emotions had subsided, the same people could not help but love him for the player he was.
A star from each country: 8 must-watch players in the WWC
The wait is finally over as the ICC Women's World Cup arrives. Eight teams packed with seasoned campaigners and rising stars, the 12th edition of the mega event is geared to captivate audiences with all the talent on offer. Although it was a daunting task to narrow down the players to watch, but here are the eight excellent cricketers, one curated from each country.
Is ‘Afif possibly best fielder in world’?
In social media yesterday, Bangladesh batting coach Jamie Siddons complimented the key performers of the Tigers in the second one-dayer against Afghanistan, played on Friday in Chattogram.
Novax Djocovid doesn’t endorse hypocrisy, but...
When little Novax was young, he got what he wanted every time his birthday arrived. He had a way to get his stuff, for he had discovered the magic word, what he thought was the “Philosopher’s word”.
About last night: The surreal Messi-Ronaldo entanglement
Last night’s European football action absolutely had it all.
BPL: The GOAT tourney at evoking nostalgia
Remember the time when you had to flee the streets impromptu to dodge “a stunner” right after you or one of your mates had hit a well-timed lofted shot, which triggered the arrival of a certain Stone Cold Steve Austin as the sweet sound of timbre preceded a crash?
‘My daughters were born as pearls in a poor household’
“When the twins were born, we were struggling to make ends meet. We could not even feed them properly and had to rely on rice powder. But my daughters were born as pearls in a poor household,” recollected an emotional Ripru Mog, the proud father of Anai Mogini, after his daughter landed among the stars by striking the all-important goal that presented Bangladesh a memorable triumph for the ages.
U-19s are the stuff of champions
It can be argued that a hypothetical audience who only watched the last ten minutes of the Under-19 SAFF Championships final while somehow being unaware of the score-line might have gotten the impression that Bangladesh were desperately chasing the game in search of a late equaliser.
Conquering tomorrow’s first session can rule them all
Often a team do not need to dominate every session, or the majority even, to win a Test match as the fate of the great game invariably hinges on whoever stamp their authority on the key ones. Such a session is tomorrow's first session when Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir walk out to the middle at the Zahur Ahmed Cricket Stadium in Chattogram.
4 disappointing audience reviews of Rehana Maryam Noor
The following is a small compilation of unconstructive reviews from Dhokaites, who watched the critically acclaimed film “Rehana Maryam Noor” after it hit theatres on November 12.
Long live the sporting spirit
New Zealand’s outstanding five-wicket victory over hot favourites England in the first semifinal of the T20 World Cup is destined to go down as one of the classics, given how the game unfolded.
Finish-line anxiety and dubious refereeing decisions bring down Bangladesh
‘Fortune favours the brave’ as they say, and when a team play the beautiful game as if they are a man down before actually becoming one, it is akin to playing with fire, especially on the big stages like the virtual semifinal match that was played between Bangladesh and Nepal in the National Stadium of Maldives in Male yesterday.
Mystique around Mustafizur continues to grow
Mustafizur Rahman may have gone wicketless in the third T20I between Bangladesh and Australia on Friday, but the wily left-arm pacer was the player that took control of the most important stage of the game.
Dream comes true for Brazil, Argentina fans
Football fans around the globe have been surfing the tides of sheer entertainment, the kind matched on by a World Cup, for almost a month since Euro 2020 and the 2021 Copa America began.
June 15, 2021
Djokovic: The people’s champion
Novak Djokovic may not seem like the intimidating tennis virtuoso athlete from the outset; rather, like somebody one might approach in a room full of strangers to ask for the Wi-Fi password, for instance. Fondly referred to as the Djoker, his demeanour in general, feels so vibrant and likeable that one might feel like cracking an informal joke with him; and he seems humble and humane- way more than an average superstar athlete or a comic superhero, yet he has morphed into a champion hero for the ages and for all ages.
May 29, 2021
High-stakes and a battle of mind games
Apart from the playing style, the only predictable feature of Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola’s game is the unpredictability of his starting eleven and consequently the formation, especially when it comes to huge occasions such as the Champions League final.
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