Mexican side Monterrey sent Lionel Messi and Inter Miami crashing out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday after completing a 5-2 aggregate victory in their quarter-final clash.   Goals from Brandon Vazquez, German Berterame and Jesus Gallardo sealed a deserved 3-1 win on the night for the Liga-MX side, who advance to a semi-final with Major League Soccer champions Columbus.   Trailing 2-1 after last week's first leg in Florida, Inter Miami recalled Argentine superstar Messi to their starting line-up for the first time since his near-month-long injury absence.   But the presence of the eight-time Ballon D'Or winner was not enough to inspire Inter against a Monterrey side who looked far sharper in all departments.   Inter goalkeeper Drake Callender was forced into action early on, saving smartly after a bullet header by Monterrey's US international striker Vazquez.   Messi had Miami's best chance of the first half but he shot over the bar from just inside the area on 25 minutes.   Monterrey took the lead on 31 minutes after Vazquez punished a howler from Callender.   The goalkeeper miscued an attempted pass to Sergio Busquets and found Vazquez just yards from the Miami goal.   The American coolly picked his spot, sent Callender the wrong way and tucked away the finish.   Inter Miami created little of note thereafter, with Messi's former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez rightly having a goal disallowed for offside in first-half stoppage time.   On 58 minutes, Monterrey left Miami with a mountain to climb with a fantastic strike from their own Argentine striker Berterame.   After crisp approach play, Berterame jinked clear of his marker on the edge of the area and crashed a thunderous strike into the top corner.   Six minutes later Berterame turned provider, chipping a cross to an unmarked Gallardo, who buried a perfectly timed header past Callender.   A miserable night for Miami ended in acrimony on 78 minutes when former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba was sent off after picking up his second yellow card for a stamp on Gallardo.   Diego Gomez nodded in a late consolation goal for Miami from Messi's inviting free-kick on 85 minutes but it was too little too late for the MLS club.   The CONCACAF Champions Cup is the premier regional club competition for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, with the winner of this year's tournament earning a place at next year's expanded FIFA Club World Cup.   Mexican clubs have dominated the Champions Cup since Guadalajara won the first edition in 1962, lifting the trophy 38 times. Source: BSS  

Bangladesh U-19 team started the World Cup tournament by losing against India. The Junior Tigers secured the Super Six by winning the next two matches of the group stage. However, Bangladesh has lost its way on the verge of the semi-finals.  Despite coming close to winning against Pakistan, the Junior Tigers lost by 5 runs. Bangladesh invited Pakistan to bat after winning the toss on Saturday (February 3).  Facing a target of 156 runs, The Tigers needed to chase it down within 38.1 overs in order to maintain a superior net run rate over Pakistan.Unfortunately Bangladesh lost their wickets for 150 runs in 35.5 overs.  Thus, the dream of the World Cup was broken for 5 runs of the representatives of red and green. On the other hand, five-time champions India, three-time champions Australia and South Africa have already confirmed their places in the last four recently.  

Sri Lanka's white ball series against Zimbabwe starting at the weekend is a chance for the team to show improvement after last year's dismal World Cup campaign, skipper Kusal Mendis said Friday (Jan 5). Mendis led the team to a second-from-bottom placing at the World Cup, after captain Dasun Shanaka withdrew injured, finishing ahead only of the Netherlands.  Appointed one-day captain this week, Mendis said the team had trained intensely to bolster their fielding, after 16 catches were dropped in India.    "Fielding is one area that we have worked really hard during the last two weeks. It was a big letdown for us during the World Cup," he said. "It was bitterly disappointing. We could have fared better in the World Cup had we been more disciplined on the field," he added.  "I can promise you that there's been a lot of hard work and you can see the results in this upcoming series." Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will play three ODIs starting Saturday followed by three T20 fixtures, all in Colombo.    The one-day matches form part of the Super League that will determine qualification for the next ODI World Cup, in southern Africa in 2027. The past two World Cups were restricted to 10 teams, meaning two-time champions West Indies missed out on the Id=ndia showpiece.  Eleventh-ranked Zimbabwe also missed the last two tournaments, after attending every World Cup from 1983 to 2015, and captain Craig Ervine welcomed plans to accommodate more teams in the next edition.   "It is hugely important that more teams compete in global events such as World Cups. It's better for cricket," he said. "Teams like us don't get to play top teams like India, Australia and England often and events like the World Cup are the only occasion we get to compete against the best."

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-member Under-19 team today (1st January) with an aim to win the trophy for the second time. The selectors have retained the same squad for the World Cup that had won the U-19 Asia Cup in Dubai recently. Left-arm spinner Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby will lead the side with Ahrar Amin as his deputy. "After winning the trophy in 2020, we hoped to retain it in 2022 too but it eluded us. However, we now have strong hopes to regain the title this year," U-19 team selector Hannan Sarkar told the media at a press conference at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur Monday (1st January). The young Tigers will be in Potchefstroom for a pre-event camp from January 9-12. Bangladesh are slotted in Group A in the tournament alongside India, Ireland and the USA. The youngsters in red and green open their campaign against holders India in Bloemfontein on January 20. The top two teams of the group will move on to the quarter-finals of the 16-team event. Squad: Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (Captain), Ashiqur Rahman Shibli, Jishan Alam, Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan, Adil Bin Siddik, Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Boranno, Ariful Islam, Shihab James, Ahrar Amin (Vice Captain), Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Rafi Uzzaman, Rohanat Doullah Borson, Iqbal Hasan Emon, Wasi Siddiquee, Maruf Mridha Standby: Nayeem Ahmed, Rizan Hossan, Ashraful Hasan, Tanvir Ahammed, Akanto Sheikh

A successful execution of a six-month plan led Bangladesh Under-19 to clinch the coveted Asia Cup title, said captain Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby. The Junior Tigers crushed United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 195 runs in the final to secure their first Asian title as an unbeaten champion. On the way to move to the final they beat UAE, Japan and then Sri Lanka convincingly in the group phase before beating the tournament's most successful team India by four wickets in the semifinal.   UAE might be a weaker opponent on paper but they played excellent cricket to move to the final. Despite being beaten by Bangladesh in the group phase, they beat Sri Lanka and Japan in the group phase and then stunned Pakistan in the semifinal.   But against a spirited Bangladesh, they couldn't put up minimum resistance. "With an aim to secure the title we went to play the Asia Cup but we took it as match by match," said Rabby after arriving in the country from UAE today to a hero's welcome. "We have to give the due credit to our coaches and the team management. Everyone was desperate to win the title. Cricketers executed the plan in the ground. We have devised a plan six months ago for this tournament. From that time, we dreamt of winning the title," he added without elaborating their plan.   Ahead of the tournament, Bangladesh played a tournament in India, featuring India A team, B team and England Under-19 team but they didn't do quite well in that tournament. Despite that hiccup, they were not mentally shattered as they learnt from their mistakes and showed the unwavering resolve, required to win a title. Rabby in fact was given captaincy, replacing Ahrar Amin after that tournament.   The Under-19 team clinched a World Cup, led by Akbar Ali in 2020. Most of the players of that team have already made it to the national team. Rabby said their prime target is to win the Under-19 World Cup, which will be held in South Africa next year. "All of our players have been in good touch. The Asia Cup victory obviously boosted us to win the World Cup. Hopefully we'll translate this performance into the World Cup to make the nation proud again," he remarked.   Opener Ashiqur Rahman Shibly was instrumental in clinching the title, scoring tournament's highest 378 runs in five matches. He hit two centuries including one in final and two half-centuries. Only against India, he failed to reach fifty. He was however adjudged man of the series.   Shibly who idolizes Indian great Virat Kohli, said he played as per match situation and tried his best to contribute for the team. "I have no mindset that I have to be the best scorer of the tournament. I tried to play as the team demands from me," he said.   "It's obviously a good feeling that the team became champions and I scored highest runs. Now our target is to do well in World Cup. This is the only target now. I am not thinking about national team or anything else at this moment," he added.   Source: BSS

Opener Ashiqur Rahman Shibli struck a brilliant century as Bangladesh Under-19 team crushed United Arab Emirates by 195 runs to clinch their maiden Under-19 Asia Cup at ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai today (Dec 17). The victory became sweeter more for the young Tigers, considering that they won the title as unbeaten champions. Asked to bat first, Bangladesh put up a daunting 282-8,thanks to a 149 ball-129 of Shibli. Thereafter the bowlers came up with disciplined bowling to wrap up UAE innings for just 87 in 24.5 overs.  Shibli who scored two centuries and as many half-centuries ended the tournament as highest run-getter with 378 at a staggering average of 126. Bangladesh made a disappointing start, losing opener Jishan Alam for just 7 but Shibli and Chowhdury M Rizwan got the side back on track with 125-run partnership for the second wicket. Rizwan was dismissed for 60 but Ariful Islam hit 40 ball-50 to help Shibli in taking the total out of UAE's reach. After the dismissal of Ariful, Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals but Shibli kept the runs flowing to put the side on top. Ayman Ahmed claimed 4-52 for UAE. However, UAE batters never could raise the hope of overhauling the total as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Only two batters could reach double digits with Dhruv Parashar making highest 25 and Akshat Rai scorung 11. A total of 14 runs came from sundries. Maruf Mridha and Rohanat Doullah Borson claimed three wickets apiecewhile Iqbal Hossain Emon and Sheikh Parvez Jibon took two wickets each. Bangladesh beat UAE, Japan and Sri Lanka in the group phase before beating mighty India by four wickets in the semifinal.  The UAE beat Sri Lanka and Japan in the group phase and then stunned Pakistan in the semifinal but their dream run ended against the spirited Bangladesh youngsters, who now gave the country two multinational trophies, something which the national team is yet to do. Earlier, in 2020, Bangladesh won the Under-19 World Cup, beating India.   Source: BSS

Ariful Islam hammered a brilliant 90 ball-94 as Bangladesh sealed a spot in the final of Under-19 Asia Cup, securing a four- wicket win over mighty India at ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai today (Dec15). Bangladesh bowled India out for just 188 in 42.4 overs but India had Bangladesh wobbled at 34-3 before Ariful's sensible knock became instrumental in helping the side overhaul the target in 42.5 overs. Bangladesh will take on United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final of youth Asia Cup on Sunday. UAE stunned Pakistan Under-19 team in the other semifinal by 11 runs today to confirm the final. Ariful got ably support from Ahrar Amin as they shared a 138-run partnership for the fourth wicket to edge the side closer to victory. As he closed in on century, medium pacer Raj Limbani had Ariful caught by Shahran to deny him the century by six runs. But Ariful who smashed nine fours and four sixes, including three sixes in an over of Saumy Pandey by then kept the side's nose ahead. Ahrar Amin played a laborious 44 off 101 with three fours and was out when Bangladesh was just two runs away from the victory. Earlier being sent to bat first, India were strangled by Maruf and were reduced to 61-6. Murugan Abhishek and Musheer Khan added 84-run for the seventh wicket to help the side recover from the ultimate shamble. Abhishek hit 74 ball-62 with six fours and two sixes while Musheer made 50 off 61, sending the ball across the ropes for three times. Source: BSS

Bangladesh Under-19 team made a good start to the Youth Asia Cup beating United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 61 runs at ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai today (Dec 9). Being sent to bat first, Bangladesh put up 228 before being all out in 49.3 overs, thanks to 71 of opener Ashiqur Rahman Shibli. Another opener Jishan Alam made 42 as the opening pair shared 74 run partnership. But later they lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out at a total, that not looked intimidating. UAE’s bowler Dhruv Parashar claimed 6-44 to rip through Bangladesh batting line up. However Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (4-32) and Parvez Rahman Jibon (4-26) shared eight wickets between them to wrap up UAE for 167 in 47.4 overs. Bangladesh which was drawn in Group B will take on Japan U19 in their second match on December 11. Sri Lanka are the other team in Bangladesh’s group. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Nepal. Two teams from each group will move to the semifinal. Source: BSS

Lionel Messi is not ruling out another bid for World Cup glory with Argentina in 2026 despite acknowledging that time is working against him. Messi, who recently won his eighth Ballon d'Or, raised the World Cup almost a year ago after starring for Argentina in the final against France in Doha. The 36-year-old had suggested at the time that the tournament in Qatar would be his last and that he wouldn't be around for the next tournament which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. But having moved to Major League Soccer's Inter Miami and continued performing for the national team in qualifiers for 2026, he says the door remains open. "I'm not thinking about the World Cup and I'm not saying 100 percent that I won't be there because anything can happen. Because of my age, the most normal thing is that I won't be there. Then we'll see," said Messi in an interview with Argentina's Star+. The Argentina captain said his focus on June's Copa America which will be held in the United States. "Maybe we'll do well at the Copa America and everything will work out for us to continue. Maybe not. Realistically it's difficult," he said of the chance of a sixth consecutive appearance in the World Cup. Messi said he would be "the first to know when I can be there and when I can't. I'm also aware that I've gone to a lesser league. But it's all about the personal side of things and the way you deal with it and how you compete. "As long as I feel I'm well and can continue to contribute, I'm going to do it. Today all I'm thinking about is getting to the Copa America. After that, time will tell if I'm there or not. "I'm going to arrive at an age that, normally, doesn't allow me to play in the World Cup. I said I don't think I'm going to be there. It looked like after the World Cup I was retiring and it was the opposite. Now I want to be there more than ever," he added.   Source: BSS

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formed a three-member Special Committee to look into the performance of the Bangladesh national team in the ICC Cricket World Cup India 2023. The committee comprises BCB directors Enayet Hossain Siraj (convenor), Mahbubul Anam (member) and Akram Khan (member), a press release of the board revealed. The committee's objective is to scrutinise the factors to the team's underperformance in the tournament and it will subsequently present its findings to the board. Bangladesh went to the World Cup with an aim to seal the semifinal spot for the first time in their history but ended up winning two matches from nine. They have also lost to Netherlands, which was considered as their low point. There were also some off-the-field issues that are believed to impacted their performance.   Source: BSS