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MIRPUR: Najmul Hossain Shanto scripted history on Friday by becoming the first Bangladesh captain to score five Test centuries. 

The left-handed batter surpassed Mushfiqur Rahim’s record during the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Shere-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

He reached the milestone with a boundary in the 52nd over of the innings. However, shortly after completing his century, he was dismissed for 101 off 130 balls, hitting two sixes and 12 fours. This was also Shanto’s ninth Test century in his 40th match.

Most centuries by Bangladesh Test captains:

Najmul Hossain Shanto – 5

Mushfiqur Rahim – 4

Mominul Haque: 3

Powered by Shanto’s century, Bangladesh finished the opening day at 301 for the loss of four wickets in 85 overs.

Mushfiqur Rahim remained unbeaten on 48 with the aid of six boundaries while Litton Das held firm, scoring eight not out off 35 deliveries.

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Najmul Hossain Shanto was well supported by Mominal Haque, who fell short of a century. The left-hander was trapped lbw for 91 by Noman Ali in the dying hours of the day.

The pair arrived at the crease when their side was reduced to 31-2 in the morning session. Both batters shared a mammoth 170-run stand from 257 deliveries, which took the sting out of Pakistan’s three-pronged pace attack.

For Pakistan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Abbas picked up one wicket each, while Noman Ali also managed to scalp one.

READ: Ramiz Raja labels Shaheen Afridi as ‘medium pacer’

Arne Slot said even three wins from Liverpool’s final three Premier League games would not silence the critics after their shocking title defence as he focused on wrapping up Champions League qualification.

The Reds, fourth in the table and close to securing a place in Europe’s top club competition next season, host Chelsea on Saturday before finishing the season with matches against Aston Villa and Brentford.

Liverpool started the campaign with five straight league wins after a huge financial outlay but collapsed from late September onwards and will end the season without silverware.

“Even if we have three wins and three very positive results I don’t think everyone will still be positive about how we ended the season and how the season has been,” Slot said Friday.

“It’s important that we, as I’ve said now so many times, get at least one win over the line, which we think is enough to qualify (for the Champions League). We’re not sure, because four points makes it completely clear.”

The Dutchman said the season had been tough for his team, who celebrated a record-equalling 20th English title last season.

“It always weighs heavy on the players if you lose more games than you would want, especially at a club like this, because these players are used to winning,” he said.

“So the moment they start to lose, that’s never a nice feeling to have, especially not if you play for this club.

“Underperformance, clearly, clearly, clearly, in the Premier League. We didn’t pick up the points we should have picked up.

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“Also, if you look performance-wise. Again, I’m not saying we had a very good season in the Premier League, but we’ve played better and deserved more points than we have.”

Slot played down fears that next season could be another campaign of major transition, with senior players Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson among those leaving the club.

“I think as a manager you’re never worried, you just look forward to starting working with a group of players,” he said.

“Indeed, it will be another little transition, probably not as drastic as it was last summer, but we have to change a bit of personnel because of the two players that are leaving, where one of them will probably be replaced with Kostas Tsimikas, because he’s coming back from a loan.

“So no, I’m only looking forward to start again next season, but that’s not my main aim at the moment. My main aim at the moment is getting over the line in the upcoming three games and then go on holiday.”

Forward Alexander Isak and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili are back in training and in contention to face Chelsea at Anfield.

First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Salah have not yet resumed sessions with the team and are unavailable.

READ: Pep Guardiola wants Man City to pile pressure on Arsenal

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City must bounce back against Brentford on Saturday to put pressure back on Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

City’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday handed the destiny of the title to the Gunners.

Arsenal are five points clear with three games to play, while City have four matches remaining.

Victory for Guardiola’s men at the Etihad against Champions League hopefuls Brentford would cut the gap at the top for at least 24 hours before Arsenal visit West Ham.

“Put pressure on Arsenal winning our games,” said Guardiola at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “That’s all we have to do. All we can do.”

City were on course for defeat at Everton until Jeremy Doku’s sensational strike with virtually the last kick of the game salvaged a point.

The Belgian scored twice at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to take his tally to four goals in his last five games and register his best goalscoring season in a City shirt with seven.

“I’m so glad,” Guardiola added on Doku’s development. “Not just the goals, the assists, also contributing defensively. Jeremy has been amazing this season.”

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A seventh league title in nine seasons may prove beyond City’s men, but the club did celebrate a first Women’s Super League success for 10 years this week.

Andree Jeglertz’s side ended Chelsea’s run of six consecutive league titles.

“Today is a reality in the world of football the impact of the women’s team on society and the girls, how they enjoy to play football,” added Guardiola.

“I think it’s the biggest step world football has made in the last decade. Before it started, I think you never could have imagined the impact on the girls, the teenagers, who now say ‘I want to play football’.

“As much as you play a sport, it’s fantastic. And of course, a big compliment (to the City women’s team).”

Guardiola is hopeful Rodri could return from injury against Brentford, while centre-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are also nearing full fitness.

READ: Ramiz Raja labels Shaheen Afridi as ‘medium pacer’

MIRPUR: Former Pakistan cricketer and renowned commentator Ramiz Raja called Shaheen Afridi a ‘medium pacer’ during the first day of the opening Test match against Bangladesh.

During commentary, Ramiz highlighted Shaheen’s pace and compared him to Bangladesh’s fast bowlers.

“We don’t have pacers like Nahid Rana; we have medium pacers. So far, Shaheen Afridi has looked like a medium pacer,” Raja said.

He also mentioned the struggles that modern-day fast bowlers face in the longer format due to playing too much T20 cricket.

Ramiz’s assessment came after Shaheen struggled for pace, bowling between 125 and 134 km/h during his spells. He eventually finished day one with one wicket to his name while conceding 67 in 19 overs at an economy of 3.52.

Bangladesh showcased a commanding display at the end of the opening day of the first Test. The home side racked up 301 for the loss of four wickets in 85 overs, with Mushfiqur Rahim remaining unbeaten on 48 with the aid of six boundaries. On the other hand, Litton Das held firm, scoring eight not out off 35 deliveries.

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The day largely belonged to captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who hit a century. He made 101 off 130 balls, striking two sixes and 12 fours. He was well supported by Mominal Haque, who fell short of a century. The left-hander was trapped lbw for 91 by Noman Ali in the dying hours of the day.

The pair arrived at the crease when their side was reduced to 31-2 in the morning session. Both batters shared a mammoth 170-run stand from 257 deliveries, which took the sting out of Pakistan’s three-pronged pace attack.

For Pakistan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Abbas picked up one wicket each, while Noman Ali also managed to scalp one.

READ: Shaheen Afridi achieves major milestone in first Bangladesh Test

MIRPUR: Pakistan’s premier left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi reached a landmark achievement in Test cricket on Friday, becoming the first Pakistani bowler to complete 100 wickets in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

The milestone came during the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, where Afridi struck early by dismissing opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy on the opening day.

With this breakthrough, Afridi also joined an elite list of bowlers in WTC history, becoming only the 19th overall to reach the 100-wicket mark in the competition since its inception.

Among Pakistan’s leading wicket-takers in the WTC, Afridi now stands at the top with 100 wickets, followed by Noman Ali (89), Sajid Khan (63), Naseem Shah (60), Abrar Ahmed (46), Yasir Shah (41), Hasan Ali (35), and Mohammad Abbas (34).

Most wickets for Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship

• Shaheen Afridi – 100*
• Noman Ali – 89
• Sajid Khan – 63
• Naseem Shah – 60
• Abrar Ahmed – 46
• Yasir Shah – 41
• Hasan Ali – 35
• Mohammad Abbas – 34

At the time of this writing, Bangladesh had reached 244-3 in 63 overs after recovering strongly from an early collapse. The hosts had earlier been reduced to 31-2 before rebuilding through a crucial partnership.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had earlier played a commanding knock of 101 off 130 balls, while Mominul Haque remained unbeaten on 80, holding the innings together after early setbacks.

READ: Nahid Rana headlines ICC Player of the Month nominees for April 2026

The grass pitch for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final was installed on Thursday at the New York New Jersey Stadium, a milestone as anticipation builds for the top football tournament.

The final playing surface is the result of specialist research and was grown for months before being transported across the United States to provide the standard required of the competition.

“It’s only justice that the best players on the planet hopefully get the best grass on the planet, and we’re trying to achieve that,” said David Graham, the senior pitch manager for the world governing body FIFA.

Pitch quality is often heavily scrutinised at World Cups as it can change how the ball travels: past iterations have seen complaints that the grass is too dry, too soft or even slippery.

Graham said that FIFA’s research, including at a dedicated dome stadium in Tennessee for experimenting with grass performance, would ensure the pitch was up to scratch.

“When it comes to delivering a field for the World Cup or for a tournament, to have those numbers, have all the thought process, it’s been very beneficial,” he said. “I couldn’t do my job without any of that information.”

On Thursday, workers were tending to the freshly installed grass, which was laid in dozens of rectangular chunks at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium.

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The venue typically hosts NFL teams that play on artificial turf. That has been removed to host the grass, which was grown in North Carolina and trucked hundreds of miles to New Jersey.

The World Cup pitch sits on 18 inches of sand that contains its own ventilation and irrigation system.

A sewing machine-esque device will stitch together the individual chunks, filling the cracks and creating a seamless layer of grass.

The MetLife Stadium, dubbed the New York New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup — is hosting eight World Cup matches and is one of 16 venues with games across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Located next to several highways, US lawmakers and fan groups have complained about the cost of accessing the stadium.

A round-trip train ticket from New York will cost $105 — down from an initially announced $150 but still well above the typical $12.90 fare.

READ: Nahid Rana headlines ICC Player of the Month nominees for April 2026

DUBAI: Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana has been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for April 2026 following his outstanding performances in the ODI series against New Zealand.

The young pacer emerged as one of the standout performers of the month after playing a decisive role in Bangladesh’s 2-1 ODI series triumph over the Black Caps. Rana claimed eight wickets in three matches at an average of 16.75 while maintaining an economy rate of 4.46.

His most memorable performance came in the second ODI in Mirpur, where he ripped through New Zealand’s batting order with exceptional figures of 5-32.

He also picked up one wicket in the opening match before adding two more in the final ODI, eventually earning the Player of the Series award.

Joining Nahid Rana on the shortlist is Oman captain Jatinder Singh, who enjoyed a prolific run in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign.

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The experienced batter accumulated 266 runs in five ODIs at an average of 53.20 and a strike-rate of more than 115. His month included a fluent 51 against Scotland and a stunning 130 off just 96 deliveries against Nepal in Kirtipur, an innings that underlined his aggressive approach at the top of the order.

Meanwhile, UAE pacer Ajay Kumar completed the three-man shortlist after making a major impact with the ball during the same competition.

The emerging fast bowler took nine wickets in only two ODIs at a remarkable average of 7.66 and an economy rate of 3.66.

After returning figures of 3-34 against Nepal, Ajay followed it up with a sensational 6-35 against Oman, rapidly establishing himself as one of the UAE’s promising bowling prospects.

Although he also featured in a T20I during the month, it was his ODI performances in the Cricket World Cup League 2 that earned him recognition from the ICC.

READ: History-chasing Barcelona eye title party in La Liga Clasico

With the sting of Champions League disappointment fading but still felt, Barcelona aim to secure consecutive La Liga titles on Sunday when they host bitter rivals Real Madrid for El Clasico.

Leading by 11 points, Hansi Flick’s side only need a draw in the Clasico to be crowned champions again, although a victory against a Los Blancos team in crisis would keep them on course to make history — and celebrate in style.

If Barcelona win their last four league games this season, starting with the battle against Alvaro Arbeloa’s fracturing Madrid, they will match the all-time league record of 100 points.

That was first achieved by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in the 2011-12 season and followed by Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona the season after.

Barca’s 29 wins so far this season are the most of any side at this point, and if they win their last four games, they will break the record of 32 victories in a season, shared by the Mourinho and Vilanova sides.

Should Barcelona beat Madrid and also Real Betis the following weekend, they will become the first team to win all their home matches in a 38-game La Liga season.

However, they are without teenage star Lamine Yamal, who is out for the next few weeks with a hamstring injury.

Brazilian winger Raphinha returned to the bench last weekend after injury but did not appear in the win at Osasuna, which moved Barca to the brink of the title.

“I see the team in great shape, very focused, we’re all really looking forward to playing the Clasico,” said Barca defender Jules Kounde this week. “We can win La Liga with a draw, but a win would be the best.”

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This is the first Clasico at the partially rebuilt Camp Nou in over three years.

In March 2023, Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona snatched a late victory with Franck Kessié’s goal, which helped them open up a 12-point lead on Madrid and made them virtually assured of the title.

Only once before in Clasico history has the title actually been decided by the result of the game, as could happen again this Sunday.

Real Madrid won the first of their record 36 leagues by drawing 2-2 against Barcelona in the 1931-32 season to clinch the title.

Barca are aiming to seal their 29th this weekend, with Madrid keen to postpone those celebrations by scoring a second victory over Flick’s team this season.

They are waiting to see if top goalscorer Kylian Mbappe can be involved after a thigh injury, while Vinicius Junior is expected to lead the line for Los Blancos.

“He’s the player who has given me the most problems,” said Kounde of the Brazil international. “He’s a great player, very fast, and he changes direction constantly.”

Madrid face the Clasico in the midst of internal chaos, with Federico Valverde reportedly needing stitches after a training ground bust-up with Aurelien Tchouameni, one of a spate of such incidents.

There is great tension around Arbeloa’s side, about to finish a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Still, for Flick’s young side, wounded in Europe but dominant domestically, beating Los Blancos to claim the title would help them finish the season on a high note.

READ: Aryna Sabalenka edges Barbora Krejcikova to reach Italian Open third round

Aryna Sabalenka breezed into the third round of the Italian Open on Thursday with a straight-sets win over Barbora Krejcikova, 6-2, 6-3.

World number one and favourite for the women’s title in the Italian capital, Sabalenka took one hour and 25 minutes to see off Czech Krejcikova in the final match of the day on centre court.

Sabalenka has never won the Italian Open. Her run to the final two years ago, when she was lost to Iga Swiatek, was her best result.

But with the French Open around the corner, the Belarusian made no mistake against Krejcikova, a former Wimbledon and French Open champion.

Sabalenka lost the first game on her serve, but from there comfortably dealt with Krejcikova to set up a match with Sorana Cirstea in the next round.

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“I’m super happy to be through. She’s a great player. We had a lot of tough matches in the past,” Sabalenka said on court. “I’m of course happy with the level I played and to get this tough win.”

The top seed is on the same side of the draw as Coco Gauff, who beat Sabalenka in last year’s French Open final and made short work of Tereza Valentova in her opening match of the tournament.

American star Gauff beat Valentova 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 34 minutes in front of a sparsely-populated centre court, and will play Argentine Solana Sierra in the next round.

Earlier, Jasmine Paolini launched her title defence by battling back from a set down to beat France’s Leolia Jeanjean 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4.

READ: Carlo Ancelotti set for Brazil contract extension until FIFA World Cup 2030

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to be handed a four-year contract extension, taking him through to the FIFA World Cup 2030, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said Thursday.

Italian legend Ancelotti took over as Brazil coach last year and oversaw the five-time world champions’ successful qualification for next month’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 66-year-old former Real Madrid, AC Milan and Chelsea coach has been in negotiations with the CBF for months concerning a possible extension to his existing deal.

CBF President Samir Xaud said Thursday he is “certain” Ancelotti’s extension will be officially confirmed, “before the World Cup.”

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Xaud, speaking at the FutPro Expo conference in Fortaleza, said the CBF and Ancelotti’s legal advisers were working through aspects of the Italian’s new contract.

Ancelotti has repeatedly expressed his willingness to continue in his current role after this year’s World Cup.

He is due to announce his final squad for the tournament on May 18 in Rio de Janeiro before Brazil gather for a World Cup send-off against Panama at the Maracana Stadium on May 31.

The Brazilians will be based in New Jersey during the World Cup, and face Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.

READ: Pakistan Playing XI for Mirpur Test marks historic first