Drama defines Round of 32
2 hour(s) ago
The inaugural Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup delivered on every front. There were shocks and surprises, thrilling comebacks, heartbreaking exits and the fall of several giants.
2 hour(s) ago
Fairytale Cape Verde stand in Argentina's way
3 July 2026, 17:00 PM
Before the 2026 World Cup got under way, few would have predicted a Round-of-32 meeting between defending champions Argentina and debutants Cape Verde. Yet after the group stage, it has become one of the tournament's most captivating ties.
3 July 2026, 17:00 PM
World Cup lives up to hype as knockouts beckon
28 June 2026, 01:32 AM
Following a hectic 17-day schedule featuring 72 group-stage matches, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is finally entering its business end, as hosts Canada take on South Africa in the opening Round of 32 match at Los Angeles Stadium tonight.
28 June 2026, 01:32 AM
Mbappe, Haaland set for World Cup duel
26 June 2026, 14:30 PM
Having already secured their places in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup by winning their opening two Group I matches, tournament favourites France and dark horse Norway will face off in a highly anticipated clash in Boston tonight to determine the group champions.
26 June 2026, 14:30 PM
World Cup woes return to haunt Bielsa and Uruguay
23 June 2026, 14:00 PM
Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa finds himself under mounting pressure once again.
23 June 2026, 14:00 PM
Hosts rising to the occasion
21 June 2026, 12:00 PM
Hosting a FIFA World Cup is a matter of immense pride for any nation. Countries spend billions of dollars on infrastructure development, building and renovating stadiums, and upgrading facilities to stage the greatest show on earth. In return, they receive significant economic benefits through the arrival of millions of football fans from around the world.
21 June 2026, 12:00 PM
Africa’s time to shine?
20 June 2026, 00:30 AM
Traditionally, African nations have been among the most underrated sides in the FIFA World Cup. Although no African nation has ever won the tournament or reached the final in any of its previous 22 editions, their steady rise on the global football stage has gradually changed perceptions about their prospects in the sport’s biggest event.
20 June 2026, 00:30 AM
A never-seen-before race for the summit
18 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, one of the most anticipated storylines was the race to break Germany striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup goalscoring record.
18 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Afif’s struggle mirrors Bangladesh’s woes
There was a striking similarity between the starts of New Zealand and Bangladesh in the opening ODI of the three-match series in Mirpur on Friday, but the contrasting approaches that followed ultimately defined the outcome.
19 April 2026, 08:00 AM
Experience fails to translate as middle order falters
Bangladesh players had a combined 761 ODI appearances compared to New Zealand’s 368 before Friday's series opener.
18 April 2026, 00:30 AM
BCB in turmoil as resignations mount, probe adds pressure
Since returning from Melbourne in late March, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul has remained active in board affairs even as growing internal instability has continues casting a shadow over his tenure.
6 April 2026, 07:00 AM
Six in PSL signals shifting tide
For years, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and pacer Mustafizur Rahman were Bangladesh’s only regulars in franchise-based T20 leagues around the world before leg-spinner Rishad Hossain joined their ranks with recent appearances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Big Bash League (BBL).
26 March 2026, 10:00 AM
‘Performance must be first priority’
One of the country’s most consistent domestic performers, the 39-year-old spoke about his shift to selection, his goals in the new role, and the need for greater transparency.
25 March 2026, 08:00 AM
Win brings relief but exposes conservative mindset
Bangladesh’s 11-run victory over Pakistan in the series-deciding third ODI on Sunday brought much-needed relief, helping them climb to ninth in the ODI rankings, but even in victory, the team’s conservative batting approach raised concerns.
17 March 2026, 08:10 AM
Players frustrated as inaugural Women's BPL shifted to July
The national team will feel the impact most, as the tournament could have offered valuable preparation for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales in June–July.
13 March 2026, 09:30 AM
Beyond the boundary
For many years, women’s involvement in cricket in Bangladesh was largely confined to playing on the field. Recently, however, a new pathway has emerged as women step into officiating roles, proving that their contribution to the sport can extend further.
8 March 2026, 08:00 AM
Will India-England clash again decide T20 World Cup fate?
For the third successive time, India will face England in a T20 World Cup semifinal as the two heavyweights meet at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.
3 March 2026, 12:30 PM
‘Women’s team needs exposure’
Since her appointment as a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director in November last year, renowned corporate figure Rubaba Dowla has been actively involved in several key areas of women’s cricket. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan, Rubaba shared her experience at the BCB so far, her vision for women’s cricket and various challenges.
3 March 2026, 08:30 AM
Shakib’s return in balance amid legal hurdles
With Pakistan scheduled to arrive on March 9 for a three-match ODI series, anticipation is mounting over whether Shakib could return during the tour.
2 March 2026, 08:00 AM
Unbeaten run fuels redemption bid
Head coach Nasiruddin Faruque said several players are ready to challenge for national selection.
22 February 2026, 08:00 AM
Bulbul relieved but debate rages on
No sanctions and the promise of hosting an ICC event -- Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul on Monday was thrilled with the outcomes of his “unbelievably successful” trip to Lahore, but not everyone shared his enthusiasm.
11 February 2026, 08:00 AM
‘Winning World Cup will come down to individual moments’
James Neesham, during his recent stint with the Rajshahi Warriors in the Bangladesh Premier League, spoke to The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan about New Zealand’s chances in the tournament, the team’s past World Cup heartbreaks, and the belief that still drives the side forward.
8 February 2026, 08:00 AM
‘The hard work starts now because they have set the standard’
David Hemp, the batting coach during the Tigresses’ successful campaign in Nepal, shared his thoughts on the team’s performance in a conversation with The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan on Monday.
3 February 2026, 12:40 PM
‘Future of cricket is based on aggression’
Despite playing more than 30 matches in the lead-up to the ICC Under-19 World Cup, Bangladesh failed to reach the semifinals.
30 January 2026, 08:00 AM
ICC’s ‘unfair’ schedule hits Bangladesh U-19s
This year, the ICC prohibited domestic air travel during the tournament, requiring teams, officials, and staff to move by bus.
28 January 2026, 09:21 AM
BPL 12: More drama than delivery
The 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) reinforced the tournament’s reputation as a magnet for controversy, where off-field volatility consistently eclipsed the on-field action, requiring the governing body to repeatedly overhaul the schedule just to keep the league afloat.
24 January 2026, 10:45 AM
‘Should never go hardline from the start’
With Bangladesh now on the brink of facing an exit from the T20 World Cup due to stalled negotiations with the ICC, Syed Ashraful Huq spoke to The Daily Star’s Samsul Arefin Khan over the phone from Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, sharing his concerns and insights. Excerpts from the interview are as follows:
23 January 2026, 07:00 AM
From chaos to the final
Chattogram Royals will play the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur tomorrow.
22 January 2026, 11:12 AM