Articles by Star Sports Report

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Bangladesh make flying start with 5-0 win

Bangladesh made a commanding start to their AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a resounding 5-0 victory over Timor-Leste in their opening Group A match in China on Saturday. Bangladesh took just 11 minutes to break the deadlock. Mohammad Manik, operating brilliantly down the left flank, delivered a superb cross into the box, where Rifat Kazi rose highest to head home the opener. The early goal set the tone for a one-sided contest, with Bangladesh maintaining sustained pressure on Timor-Leste's defence. The second goal came in the 28th minute. After Bangladesh won a free-kick in a promising position, captain Nazmul Huda Faysal floated in a measured delivery, which Manik met with a composed left-footed strike to double the lead. Manik struck again just before half-time to make it 3-0. With the Timor-Leste box crowded with defenders, he seized upon a loose ball and drove home a direct effort in the 43rd minute, giving Bangladesh a comfortable cushion heading into the break. Bangladesh resumed the second half with the same attacking intent. Four minutes after restart, Azam Khan released a well-timed pass to Bayezid Bostami, who controlled neatly before finishing confidently past the keeper to extend the margin to 4-0. The team continued to create chances throughout the match, with several efforts narrowly missing the target – and a few striking the woodwork – as they kept Timor-Leste under constant pressure. The final flourish came late, in the 88th minute. Substitute Akash Ahmed unleashed a breathtaking long-range strike that sailed into the net, sealing a dominant 5-0 win and putting the perfect finishing touch on Bangladesh's opening performance.

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Taijul, Hasan strike as Ireland lose three

The left-arm spinners struck in tandem, with Taijul Islam picking up two wickets to reduce Ireland to 88-3 at Tea. Hasan Murad accounted for the other wicket to cap off another dominant session for the the Tigers. Ireland face a daunting task and are 421 runs away from an improbable victory. Harry Tector and Curtis Campher remained unbeaten on 25 and 10, respectively. Earlier, Taijul surpassed Shakib Al Hasan to become the country's all-time highest Test wicket-taker. Taijul, who was level on 246 scalps after bagging four wickets yesterday, made the record when he trapped Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie lbw. Tigers declare after Lunch; Ireland need 509 runs to win Mushfiqur Rahim followed up his first-innings century with a half-century as Bangladesh reached 297 for 4 before declaring, setting Ireland a daunting target of 509 in the second Test of the two-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday. Mushfiqur, playing his 100th Test, added to his 106 in the first innings with an unbeaten 53 off 81 balls, an innings that included two fours and a six. He shared a 123-run fourth-wicket stand with Mominul Haque, who looked poised for a century of his own. Bangladesh resumed after lunch on 280 for 3 with the intention of helping Mominul reach the milestone, but the left-hander fell for 87, prompting the declaration. By then, Bangladesh had extended their overall lead to 211. With a target of 509 now in front of them, Ireland face a monumental task. The highest successful run chase in Test history remains West Indies' 418 against Australia in 2003, meaning Ireland would have to surpass that world record to pull off a victory. Tigers dominate as lead nears 500 Bangladesh extended their lead past 400 at lunch on the fourth day to stay firmly in control of the second and final Test against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today. Having started the day at 156 for the loss of one wicket -- with a lead of 367 runs -- Bangladesh reached 280 for three in the second innings. They now lead by 491 runs. Bangladesh added 124 runs in 29 overs in the session, with Mushfiqur Rahim (44* off 70) and Mominul Haque (79* off 111) putting together an unbeaten 106-run fourth-wicket stand. The Tigers lost two wickets in the first hour of play. Offspinner Andy McBrine trapped Shadman Islam (78 off 119) in front before skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (1 off 5) became pacer Jordan Neill's maiden Test wicket. Ireland could also have had the crucial wicket of Mushfiqur -- who is playing his 100th Test and scored a century in the first innings -- when he was on 16 and mistimed a slog sweep, but Cade Carmichael failed to hold on to a straightforward catch at backward point.