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MIRPUR: Veteran batter and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim etched his name further into Bangladesh’s cricket history after achieving a major milestone during the opening Test against Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The experienced right-hander resumed Day Two unbeaten on 48 and soon brought up his 29th half-century in Test cricket with a single off Shaheen Shah Afridi.

In doing so, Rahim surpassed former opener Tamim Iqbal to register the most 50-plus scores for Bangladesh in the longest format.

Rahim now has 42 scores of 50 or more in Test cricket, including 13 centuries and 29 half-centuries. Tamim previously held the record with 41 fifty-plus scores, which included 10 centuries and 31 fifties.

Most 50+ scores for Bangladesh in Test cricket

• Mushfiqur Rahim – 42
• Tamim Iqbal – 41
• Mominul Haque – 39
• Shakib Al Hasan – 36
• Habibul Bashar – 27

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Rahim also remains Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer in Test cricket, with 6581 runs at an average of 38.94.

The veteran batter extended his innings to 71 off 179 deliveries before being cleaned up by Afridi, leaving Bangladesh at 380-8.

Pakistan tightened their grip immediately afterwards as Mohammad Abbas completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Ebadot Hossain for a duck in the following over.

However, Bangladesh’s innings did not end quietly as tailender Taskin Ahmed launched a brief counterattack.

Taskin smashed 28 runs from just 19 deliveries and stitched together a handy 29-run stand for the final wicket before Shaheen ended the resistance, bowling Bangladesh out for 413.

READ: Azhar Ali joins Scotland men’s team for Nepal tour

Formula One bosses have responded to the criticism of this season’s power unit modifications by agreeing to “further evolutionary changes” before a revamp for the 2027 season, the FIA announced on Friday.

Motorsport’s governing body said that an agreement had been reached “in principle” between the 11 team bosses and five power unit manufacturers to restore the primacy of combustion power over electric power as early as 2027.

“The measures agreed in principle today for 2027 would see a nominal increase in internal combustion engine power by 50 kilowatts with a fuel-flow increase and a nominal reduction of the energy recovery system deployment power by 50 kilowatts,” the FIA said in a statement.

This decision, which still has to be discussed in detail, let alone approved, would in effect put an end to the 50/50 parity in hybrid engines, half electric, half combustion, introduced this season by the FIA.

The new regulations have created exciting racing for viewers but have met with a varied reception from the drivers, with four-time champion Max Verstappen describing it as “Formula E on steroids” and hinting he might step away from Formula One if it did not change.

The 50/50 system involves a complex management of the battery during overtakes and then during the necessary recharging of electrical energy when slowing down and braking.

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This has triggered safety concerns, notably when Oliver Bearman had a dramatic crash at the Japan GP as he closed on Alpine’s Franco Colapinto.

The significant difference in speed between the two cars as a result of their contrasting states of energy deployment led to Bearman taking evasive action and hitting the wall.

Last month, the FIA announced a new “adjusted” version of the regulation, which came into play at last weekend’s Miami GP.

Friday’s meeting gave the thumbs up to the modifications, saying they had improved competition and were a “step in the right direction”.

The FIA said they would look at “further adjustments at future events”, possibly as soon as the next grand prix in Canada on May 24.

READ: Abbas’ five-for helps Pakistan bowl out Bangladesh for 413 in Mirpur Test

Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the Italian Open in the second round on Friday by Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was making his comeback from a shoulder injury in the last big tournament before the French Open.

Djokovic was playing for the first time since losing in the last 16 at Indian Wells in March, having pulled out of tournaments in Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid.

The 38-year-old had not been knocked out this early in a tournament since the Madrid Open last year, and looked a long way from the player who has won six Rome titles.

“I don’t think I played so bad, to be honest,” Djokovic told reporters. “It was OK, it was a good battle in the end, but obviously I see what I’m missing. I’m late half a step. I’m not definitely where I want to be for the highest level to compete.”

Novak Djokovic added that he hopes he can be in good condition for Roland Garros, which starts later this month, saying, “let’s see what happens”.

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Playing with a shoulder brace, Djokovic had breezed through the first set, helped by Prizmic’s 13 unforced errors.

But the world number four’s hitting started to look increasingly tentative as Prizmic rattled off four straight games at the start of the second set, with his powerful ground strokes finding their mark.

Prizmic came to the Italian capital with a career-high ranking of 79 after reaching the third round in Madrid — beating world number six Ben Shelton in the process — and had also dispatched Marton Fucsovics to set up his clash with Djokovic.

The 20-year-old reached the third round of a second consecutive Masters 1000 event with the biggest scalp of his career to date.

Djokovic is Prizmic’s idol, and a landmark win gives the young talent a match with either Ugo Humbert or Vit Kopriva and a chance to make the fourth round of a top-tier event on the ATP Tour for the first time.

READ: Lionel Messi backs Neymar for Brazil’s World Cup squad despite fitness concerns

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has voiced his support for former Barcelona and PSG teammate Neymar, insisting the Brazilian star still deserves a place in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 despite ongoing injury and fitness concerns.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, has not represented the national side since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023.

Since returning to Santos FC last year, the 33-year-old has struggled to regain rhythm and consistency.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti, however, has repeatedly kept the door open for Neymar’s return and recently stated that the forward still has time to prove his fitness ahead of the tournament.

Speaking on the Lo del Pollo show, Messi stressed that players of Neymar’s calibre should always be considered for football’s biggest stage.

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“We want the best players to be there and Neymar, no matter his form, will always be one of them,” Messi said. “It would be wonderful to see him at the World Cup because of what he means to Brazil and to football.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also named Brazil among the favourites for the 2026 World Cup, alongside reigning champions Argentina, as well as Spain and France.

“I still believe Brazil is always a contender and has the players necessary to compete for the title in any major tournament,” he added.

Messi, who famously guided Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, is expected to feature in what could be his final appearance at the global event.

The FIFA World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on June 11.

READ: Abbas strikes thrice as Pakistan fight back against Bangladesh

MIRPUR: Debutant opener Azan Awais starred with an unbeaten half-century as Pakistan finished the second day of the opening Test against Bangladesh in a commanding position at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors ended the day on 179-1 in reply to Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 413, with Azan unbeaten on 85 alongside fellow debutant Abdullah Fazal, who will resume Day 3 on 37*.

After a disciplined bowling display earlier in the day led by Mohammad Abbas, Pakistan carried their momentum into the batting innings and dominated the final two sessions.

Azan and Imam-ul-Haq laid the foundation with a solid 106-run opening stand, frustrating Bangladesh’s bowlers on a surface that had offered assistance earlier in the match.

The young left-hander brought up his maiden Test fifty during an assured knock filled with patience and composure, while Imam contributed 45 before Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided Bangladesh with the breakthrough.

Following Imam’s dismissal, Azan found another reliable partner in Abdullah Fazal as the two debutants comfortably negotiated the final session. The pair added an unbeaten 73 runs for the second wicket, taking Pakistan safely to stumps.

Earlier, Pakistan bowled Bangladesh out for 413 shortly after Lunch. Shaheen Afridi struck immediately after the break to remove veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who made a gritty 71 from 179 deliveries.

In the following over, Abbas completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Ebadot Hossain for a duck, leaving Bangladesh nine down.

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However, Pakistan were forced to wait for the final breakthrough as Taskin Ahmed launched a counter-attacking cameo. The tailender smashed 28 runs off just 19 balls before Shaheen eventually dismissed him to bowl Bangladesh out for 413.

Abbas was the standout performer for Pakistan with figures of 5-92, while Shaheen Afridi claimed three wickets. Hasan Ali and Noman Ali chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Bangladesh had resumed the day on 301-4 with Mushfiqur Rahim (48*) and Litton Das (8*) at the crease after the hosts dominated the opening day. The pair initially looked comfortable before Abbas broke through by dismissing Litton for 33.

The experienced pacer then removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10) and Taijul Islam (17) to leave Bangladesh at 378-7 before the Lunch.

Despite the collapse around him, Mushfiqur held firm to guide the hosts to 380-7 at Lunch before Pakistan completed the job in the second session.

The first day had largely belonged to the hosts, who piled up 301-4 courtesy of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s impressive 101 off 130 balls.

Mominul Haque also played a major role in the dominance, narrowly missing out on a century after falling for 91.

READ: Real Madrid fine Tchouameni and Valverde 500,000 euros over bust-up

Real Madrid announced on Friday that they had fined Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde 500,000 euros ($588,000) each after a training ground clash that left the latter needing hospital treatment.

The club did not impose any sporting sanctions on the two players, saying in a statement that the fine “thereby concludes the internal procedures” launched against them.

Valverde will miss Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona as a result of the head injury he suffered during the altercation. The club said he would be out for up to two weeks.

Tchouameni took part in training on Friday and could feature at Camp Nou this weekend.

Real Madrid said both players “expressed their complete remorse for what happened and apologised to each other” while taking part in a club investigation.

“They extended their apologies to the club, their teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans, and both have made themselves available to Real Madrid to accept whatever sanction the club deems appropriate,” read a club statement.

Uruguay international Valverde was accompanied to the hospital facility near the club’s Valdebebas training complex by Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, according to Spanish reports, which stated that the player required stitches to treat a facial wound.

Uruguay midfielder Valverde sought to downplay the severity of the altercation with the France midfielder.

“The strain of the competition and frustration caused the situation to escalate,” Valverde wrote on social media, expressing regret at the media coverage of the incident.

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“I accidentally hit a table during the argument, causing a small cut on my forehead that required a routine visit to the hospital,” he said.

“At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either.”

Tchouameni admitted that what had happened was far from acceptable.

“Regardless of who is right and who is wrong, we should always look for a peaceful resolution to any dispute,” said the Frenchman.

“There’s no point going on about who did what or who said what, and I accept the fine,” he said. “Now we have to move forward and play this Clasico and make sure the club does as well as is still possible.”

According to reports, the two players clashed on Wednesday during training, and their argument continued on Thursday, both during and after the session.

Spanish media reported Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand and later fouled him in Thursday’s training session, with the pair scrapping afterwards in the dressing room when the injury occurred.

Tensions are running high at Real Madrid with the club on the verge of a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Los Blancos trail Barca by 11 points at the top of La Liga, with Hansi Flick’s side able to clinch back-to-back league titles on Sunday if they do not lose.

READ: Najmul Hossain Shanto creates history during Pakistan Test

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has been named as the Scotland men’s team consultant for the forthcoming ICC World Cricket League (CWCL) 2 tour of Nepal. 

The tour starts on May 12 with Scotland competing against Nepal and the USA in four matches at Kritipur.

Azhar — 97 Tests and 53 ODIs for Pakistan, will assist Scotland head coach Owen Dawkins during the tour of Nepal.

Following the appointment, Azhar expressed gratitude and reflected on his association with Cricket Scotland since his earlier playing days.

“Azhar also holds deep personal ties to Scotland, as at the start of his career he spent six seasons as a professional with Huntly Cricket Club in Aberdeenshire,” the Cricket Scotland statement read.

“I am really looking forward to linking up with the Scotland team, especially since I have an association with Scottish cricket going back many years from my early playing days,” Azhar said.

The 41-year-old added that he was excited to start working with a talented team and to help them progress on the tour.

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“I’m excited to start working with what is clearly a talented team and looking forward to helping them to progress on this tour.”

Meanwhile, Cricket Scotland Head of Performance Steve Snell said they were always looking at ways to improve the support environment within their squads, and that having someone of Azhar’s calibre.

“We’re always looking at ways to improve the support environment within our squads, and to have someone of Azhar’s calibre and experience of playing in Asia available to us for a short time is really exciting for everyone involved.”

“He’s obviously attained a huge amount of international experience at the top level, and he’ll provide a different voice and squad dynamic for us during this important tour,” he said.

Scotland squad

Richie Berrington (c), Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Jasper Davidson, Oliver Davidson, Michael English, Owen Gould, Jack Jarvis, Ollie Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, and Mark Watt.

Fixtures:

12 May – Scotland vs Nepal at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur

14 May – Scotland vs USA at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur

18 May – Scotland vs Nepal at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur

20 May – Scotland vs USA at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur

READ: IPL 2026: Finn Allen century powers KKR to big win over Delhi Capitals

Finn Allen’s blistering century powered resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a fourth consecutive win in IPL 2026 against Delhi Capitals on Friday.

The New Zealander brought up his ton with his tenth six, which sealed a victory which had been set up by a superb exhibition of spin bowling masterminded by Sunil Narine,

West Indian off-spinner Narine took one for 17 from his four overs as the Kolkata spinners established a middle-overs stranglehold, restricting Delhi to 142-8 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Narine was well supported by left-armer Anukul Roy and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.

Between them, the trio snared three for 76 from 12 exceptional overs, derailing a Delhi innings that had begun with great promise after Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka made a polished half-century.

Nissanka and KL Rahul put on 49 for the first wicket on being put in by Ajinkya Rahane, but once the spinners came on, the scoreboard came to a virtual standstill.

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Delhi were strangled by the brilliance of the Kolkata tweakers and failed to score a boundary for 38 deliveries at a stretch in the second half of the innings before Ashutosh Sharma provided the late impetus with 39 off 28 deliveries.

Allen, who came on as the impact substitute for a hobbling Chakravarthy, hadn’t survived the Powerplay in his previous six innings but he bided his time after losing Rahane, run out at the non-striker’s end backing up, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, bowled off his shoulder trying to sweep Axar Patel, in quick succession.

Allen found an able ally in Cameron Green, the powerful Australian all-rounder who was content to play second fiddle during a match-sealing unbroken third-wicket alliance that yielded 116 runs in 64 deliveries.

Dropped on 42 at long-on by Tristan Stubbs, Allen brought up his fifty off 32 deliveries before switching gears effortlessly.

He took down wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam with consummate ease, needing a mere 15 deliveries for his second fifty.

Allen breached the three-figure mark with the last of his 10 sixes, off paceman Mukesh Kumar, the boundary also muscling three-time former champions Kolkata home with 34 deliveries to spare.

Kolkata swapped places with Delhi on the points table, climbing to seventh and keeping their playoff hopes alive, while Delhi slumped to their ninth defeat at home in 11 outings since the start of the 2025 season.

READ: BCCI issues stern warning to IPL franchises amid controversies

MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a stern advisory to all Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises over misconduct and protocol violations. 

In a seven-page advisory sent on Thursday to all teams, the board said the violations could cause significant reputational harm to the IPL, the respective outfits, and the board.

The advisory, without naming any team, highlighted areas of misconduct and protocol breaches that have occurred during the league.

It mentions actions such as “Unauthorized visitors in hotel rooms, Franchise owners interacting in person with players and team officials in restricted areas during a live match, Vaping at a match venue, and leaving team hotels without permission.

The Board secretary, Devajit Saikia, highlighted violations and certain incidents, adding that if these issues remain unaddressed, they could pose a significant reputational harm to the tournament.

“It has come to the attention of the BCCI that certain incidents of misconduct and protocol violations have occurred involving players, support staff, and team officials during the course of the current IPL season,” Saikia said in the advisory.

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“These incidents, if left unaddressed, carry the potential to cause significant reputational harm to the tournament, the franchise concerned, and the BCCI as the governing body. They may further expose individuals and franchises to legal liability and security risks of a serious nature,” he added.

The advisory follows recent statements by Saikia and IPL Governing Council chair Arun Dhumal, who both mentioned that the BCCI’s anti-corruption and security team had identified several “anomalies’ related to the presence of unauthorized personnel within the team environment.

For the unversed, IPL 2026 has been marred by numerous controversies.

On April 28, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag had been caught vaping during his team’s win over Punjab Kings in Match No. 40 of IPL 2026. TV cameras had shown Parag lighting an e-cigarette.

On April 10, during Match No. 16 between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, RR manager Romi Bhinder was spotted using a cell phone in the team dugout, resulting in a notice from the BCCI.

READ: Mohammad Abbas calls Pakistan ‘unlucky’ after frustrating day

MIRPUR: Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas said the bowlers were ‘unlucky’ after a difficult opening day against Bangladesh in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

Asked to bat first, Bangladesh closed out day one in a strong position at 301-4, largely due to a 170-run partnership between skipper Najmul Hosain Shanto and Mominul Haque.  Shanto scored 101 while Haque was dismissed on 91.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, and Noman Ali picked up one wicket each, as the visitors endured a frustrating day.

Speaking to the media after day one of the first Test, Abbas said they had worked hard and rejected the suggestion that it was a frustrating day.

“I don’t think so, it was a frustrating day,” he replied to reporters.

“We worked really hard and, at some points, we didn’t bowl well, but at other stages we bowled really well and were a little unlucky as well,” he added.

The pacer mentioned the day’s play, in which Pakistan bowlers created some chances, and acknowledged good batting from the opposition.

“There were plenty of play-and-miss moments throughout the day. I think it was a very good cricketing pitch and we have the new ball in our hands. We will come back tomorrow, take early wickets, and try to finish the job as soon as possible,” he explained.

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“There is grass on the pitch, but underneath it is very dry. We have played enough cricket to understand that we need to work really hard,” Abbas observed.

Regarding bowling discipline, he considered no-balls crucial, stressing that luck played a vital role.

“The weather is also very hot, but I still think it is a very good cricketing pitch.”

“It is not like there was frustration among the bowlers or spinners. If I talk about myself, I bowled two no-balls. That can happen when you are putting in extra effort. They were very close no-balls and, of course, they should not have happened,” Abbas stated.

The 36-year-old also backed skipper Shan Masood’s decision to bowl first, saying that any captain would have chosen to bowl on that pitch.

“The bowling was good overall, but there were a few no-balls. There were a lot of play-and-miss moments and, if luck had been on our side, the scenario could have been different.”

“I think any captain winning the toss on this pitch would have chosen to bowl first. The pitch is dry underneath, although there are green patches on it,” the seamer concluded.

READ: Najmul Hossain Shanto creates history during Pakistan Test