Mourinho calls Arbeloa ‘one of my children’ ahead of Real Madrid reunion

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho said his Real Madrid counterpart Alvaro Arbeloa was like a child to him ahead of their Champions League battle on Wednesday.

Mourinho’s Benfica side will face Real Madrid on Wednesday in a make-or-break Champions League encounter, marking an emotional reunion for the Portuguese manager with his former club and one of his most trusted ex-players, Alvaro Arbeloa.

The veteran Portuguese manager coached Arbeloa at Madrid during his time at the helm of Los Blancos between 2010-2013, and had a strong relationship with the former defender in a dressing room that was splintering.

After a comment from Mourinho last week about being “surprised” when inexperienced managers lead big European clubs was viewed as a dig at new Madrid coach Arbeloa, he said he would never try to make life hard for his former charge

Former Inter Milan coach Mourinho said in Italy his words were also being taken as criticism of the appointment of Cristian Chivu at the Serie A side last summer.

“There is one problem — both Chivu and Arbeloa are my children, they are not just ex-players of mine, but they are special,” Mourinho told a news conference Tuesday.

“Speaking about Alvaro, I would say that he is one of the players — from a human point of view, from a personal point of view, and personal empathy — he is one of my favourites of them all.

“Obviously he is not the best player who has played for Real Madrid, but he is certainly one of the best men who has played for me at Real Madrid.”

Mourinho said he was surprised when he himself was offered the chance to lead Benfica at the beginning of his coaching career in 2000, so his words could not be taken as an insult.

“The last thing I would do would be to put pressure on him,” explained the 63-year-old. “I want everything to go well for him, and for him to have a fantastic career as a coach.”

– ‘No call necessary’ –

Mourinho said he had not spoken to Arbeloa since the 43-year-old replaced Xabi Alonso at the helm but that there was no need to.

“My telephone number is very complicated, because there’s only the club’s number, and after that only my family has it, and then my other phone is always changing, changing, changing,” explained Mourinho.

“People lose my contact and I lose theirs too, and with Alvaro it’s not necessary to have a call to say ‘good luck’, he knows it.

“In the same way that I (want Real Madrid to win games), Alvaro wants to beat Benfica but then after that, he hopes Benfica always win, that’s for sure — no call is necessary.”

Mourinho admitted he could not speak for Arbeloa’s quality as a coach yet because he had not watched Madrid’s reserves or youth teams play.

“I cannot analyse him as a coach because I do not know him,” said Mourinho.

“I’ve only seen results, not followed with my own eyes the trajectory of the youngsters at Madrid…

“I have no advice to give him. The only thing that is important for me is that he is happy, that he likes it, because coaching these days is a very difficult mission.”

Madrid can seal their spot in the last 16 with a victory, while Benfica need to win and hope other results go their way to reach the play-off round.

Arbeloa said he could have contacted Mourinho but he tries “not to bother him too much”.

“I was really proud to hear everything he said about me, emotional and happy,” continued the Madrid coach, who admitted listening to Mourinho’s news conference.

“Jose has been more than a coach for me, on all levels.

“(He was) really important during my career and today I consider him a great friend, so I thank him for his words, I’m looking forward to seeing him tomorrow and giving him a big hug.”

Madrid defender Alvaro Carreras, facing his former side, said even though the team have won three games in a row they will be criticised heavily if they slip up.

“We might be arriving in a good moment, but if tomorrow something bad happens it would be the ‘worst period’ of Madrid (again),” said Carreras.

“I like the pressure, I feel good… without this pressure it would not be the club that all the fans love.”
 

Yousuf questions ‘fairness’ of ICC decision to exclude Bangladesh from T20 WC

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf criticised the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to replace Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup, set to be played in Sri Lanka and India from February 7, questioning its “fairness”.

“The combined cricket viewership of New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Nepal, the Netherlands, Ireland, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan is broadly equivalent to the viewership Bangladesh generates on its own,” the legendary batter wrote on his official X account yesterday.

He further pointed out that while the aforementioned 10 nations combined account for “178 million” in viewership, Bangladesh alone accounts for “176 million”.

“In a sport driven by global audiences, sidelining Bangladesh’s legitimate security concerns raises serious questions about consistency and governance. When accommodation becomes selective, fairness disappears. Cricket cannot be administered by influence — only by principle,” he stated.

Rejecting the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to relocate Bangladesh’s matches outside India, the ICC announced last Saturday that Bangladesh had been replaced by Scotland in the tournament, citing logistical challenges in altering the schedule so close to the start of the event.

In a statement, the ICC said the decision was taken after it found no “credible or verifiable security threat” to the Bangladesh national team in India.

Rajshahi Warriors parade through city in BPL celebration

Rajshahi Warriors, champions of the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20, were accorded a warm reception in Rajshahi as they paraded through the north-western city on an open-top bus today.

The team arrived in Rajshahi on Monday morning, reaching Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R.) Airport at around 10:30 am, where an open-top bus was waiting. 

Carrying the BPL 12 trophy, the cricketers boarded the bus and began their celebratory procession.

Escorted by police, the bus moved towards the city, surrounded by a large number of cricket fans on motorcycles. 

Supporters waved placards reading “Gorber Joy” (“Joy of the Gorbers”), “Birer Shohor” (“City of Heroes”) and “Joy esheche, cup utheche” (“Victory is here, the cup is lifted”), while the front of the bus bore the slogan, “Cup aise bari te” (“The cup has come home”).

The procession travelled from the airport along the Rajshahi–Naogaon highway, passing Amchattar, Biman Chattar and the RUET flyover before reaching Paris Road of Rajshahi University. 

University students welcomed the team by showering flowers, as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim repeatedly held the BPL trophy aloft.

From the university, the bus moved through Talaimari and Shaheb Bazar to Rajshahi Collegiate School, where students again gathered to greet the players. 

Similar scenes were witnessed in front of Rajshahi College. The procession later continued through Lakkhipur, Darikharbona, Railgate and Amchattar before concluding at Nabil Industrial Park in Paba.

Bayern confirm talks to extend Kane’s contract

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl on Monday confirmed the club are in talks to extend Harry Kane’s deal at the club.

The 32-year-old England forward, who joined Bayern in 2023, has a deal until 2027.

“We’re talking to Harry, we’re talking,” Eberl said at a Bundesliga event in Frankfurt.

“Everyone knows at some point a decision has to be made,” he added.

Club CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said on Monday: “Harry has great confidence in us and he feels comfortable in Munich.

“He and his family are settled in. Therefore we’ve got absolutely no reason to rush.”

Long without a team trophy, Kane broke his drought in 2025 when Bayern won the Bundesliga.

This campaign, Bayern are eight points clear in the league and sit second in the 36-team Champions League table.

Speaking in October, Kane said he could “definitely imagine” extending his stay in Germany.

Kane has scored 119 goals in 126 games for Bayern, while adding 30 assists.

This campaign, Kane has 34 goals in 30 games. With 21 goals in 19 Bundesliga matches, Kane is on track to break the single season league record of 41 goals set by Robert Lewandowski in 2020-21.

We do feel for Bangladesh’: Scotland name squad after unlikely call-up

When Trudy Lindblade, the chief executive of Cricket Scotland, said, “We do feel for the Bangladesh team,” her words captured both empathy and the strange, sudden opportunity now facing Scottish cricket. 

Scotland’s invitation to the T20 World Cup came not through qualification, but through extraordinary circumstances—Bangladesh’s last-minute withdrawal after the ICC refused to shift their fixtures out of India. For Scotland, it was a lifeline. For Bangladesh, it was heartbreak.

The news arrived late on Saturday, catching Cricket Scotland off guard. Defeats to Italy and Jersey at the Europe Regional Final had ended their World Cup hopes months earlier. Now, as the highest-ranked team not already qualified, Scotland were offered a place at the tournament. “This is not how we wanted to go to a World Cup,” Lindblade admitted.

 “There is a qualification process, and nobody wants to be invited in this way. We acknowledge it’s unique circumstances, and we do feel for the Bangladesh players.

The scramble that followed was intense. Within 48 hours, Cricket Scotland had to assemble a 15-man squad, arrange travel, and begin the complex visa process for India. The uncertainty surrounding Indian visas—particularly for players with Pakistani heritage—loomed large, especially for fast bowler Safyaan Sharif, born in Huddersfield to Pakistani parents and raised in Scotland from the age of seven.

Cricket Scotland received assurances from the ICC that a team was working “very, very hard” to ensure visas would be granted in time. Lindblade described the process as an “unknown,” regardless of how much notice a team receives. Head of performance Steve Snell praised the ICC’s support and expressed confidence that Scotland would reach India, noting that it would reflect poorly on global cricket if an invited team could not enter the host country.

Despite the chaos, Scotland announced a squad blending experience and fresh promise. Richie Berrington will captain the side, joined by familiar faces such as George Munsey, Mark Watt, and Safyaan Sharif. Tom Bruce, a former New Zealand international who switched allegiance to Scotland, and 19-year-old Afghanistan-born fast bowler Zainullah Ihsan headline the new inclusions. Ihsan, the only uncapped player, has impressed at youth and ‘A’ level and now stands on the brink of an international debut.

Notable absentees include express pacer Chris Sole, who has stepped away from professional cricket, and Scott Currie, now ineligible after being selected by England. The squad is supported by two travelling reserves and three non-travelling reserves, ensuring Scotland can field a team even if visa delays occur.

Preparation time is limited. Warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Namibia in Bengaluru on February 2 and 4 offer rare opportunities to adapt before the opening fixture against West Indies at Eden Gardens on February 7. Scotland’s group also includes England, Italy, and Nepal, with the top two teams advancing to the Super 8s.

Steve Snell believes Scotland can compete despite being underdogs. “The pressure will be on the other teams,” he said, “because they’ve had all this preparation time.” New head coach Owen Dawkins echoed that sentiment, calling the past 48 hours a “whirlwind” but expressing confidence that Scotland’s players can make an impact.

This is not the first time Scotland have entered a World Cup late. In 2009, they replaced Zimbabwe under similar circumstances. History, it seems, has repeated itself.

Yet, amid the urgency and excitement, Cricket Scotland has not forgotten the human cost of this opportunity. “We certainly have for the Bangladesh team,” Lindblade reiterated. In a sport defined by competition, Scotland’s World Cup journey now begins with compassion—an acknowledgment that their chance was born from another team’s loss, and a resolve to honor that opportunity with respect, humility, and fierce determination.
 

England’s Dawson wants to be fifth time lucky with World Cup debut at age 35

Liam Dawson, who has been with the England squad at four different World Cups but never played a match, is hoping to make his debut at the global tournament in next month’s Twenty20 World Cup at the age of 35.

Dawson was in the squad at the T20 World Cup in 2016 and the 50-over one in 2019. He was a travelling reserve in the T20 World Cups of 2021 and 2022 and last month was named in England’s 15-man party for this year’s tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

He has scored one fifty and taken 33 wickets for England in 33 matches across all formats and has been the team’s most economical bowler in the ongoing one-day international (ODI) series against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Left-arm spinner Dawson conceded 31 and 40 runs from his 10 overs in both matches, with the series level at 1-1 going into Tuesday’s decider.

“Obviously, the older you get. Sometimes you don’t expect to be involved. I’m 35 now but it’s amazing to be back involved. And obviously, the World Cup is going to be a really cool occasion if I’m selected to play,” Dawson told reporters on Monday.

England will play three T20 matches against Sri Lanka before kicking off their World Cup campaign against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.

Swiatek survives roller coaster to reach Australian Open last 16

Six-time major champion Iga Swiatek endured a roller-coaster ride before sealing her place in the Australian Open last 16 on Saturday.

The Polish second seed, who is chasing a maiden Melbourne title, wobbled before beating 31st Russian seed Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 1-6, 6–1.

Swiatek faces qualifier Maddison Inglis next after Naomi Osaka pulled out of her third-round match against the Australian because of injury.

The former world number one Swiatek had no idea at the end of her match that Osaka had withdrawn.

“I don’t know what my reaction should be,” she said when told the news by the on-court interviewer.

“But I hope Naomi is well and it’s exciting to be in the fourth round again.”

Swiatek has won four French Opens, the US Open and Wimbledon, but a title at Melbourne Park has proved elusive.

Last year, she surged into the last four but failed to get past eventual winner Madison Keys.

Swiatek made a fast start, breaking Kalinskaya for an immediate 2-0 lead at Margaret Court Arena, where the roof was shut because of the hot weather.

It was 3-0 in 10 minutes as the 24-year-old threatened a quick conclusion.

The Pole wrapped up the first set up in 24 minutes, after which Kalinskaya needed a medical timeout and was seen by a physio. She had strapping on her lower back.

Next it was Swiatek’s turn to suffer and go down by the same 6-1 scoreline. She then too had medical treatment.

They came out for the deciding set and it was all change again, Swiatek flipping a switch and smiling broadly at the end as she emerged victorious from a topsy-turvy encounter.

“I did not feel I was playing any worse in the second set, she just played in all the balls that went out in the first set,” she said.

“I just kept going because the momentum can change for sure.”

Swiatek arrived in Melbourne on the back of two singles defeats at the United Cup and was then pushed hard by Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue in round one.

She was more impressive in the second round, soaring past Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic for the loss of just five games.

‘Please save cricket’

Cricketers plead as Najmul reinstated

“Please save cricket, that’s all there is to say.”

The comment, made on condition of anonymity by a leading Bangladesh cricketer, reflects growing frustration among players after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) reinstated director M Najmul Islam to his previous role as finance committee chairman, highlighting the sense of helplessness felt by cricketers under a board perceived to be failing to honour its commitments.

For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel.

Bangladesh cricket in disarray

Najmul had earlier been relieved of his duties as finance committee chairman following a wave of protests by cricketers. The protests stemmed from remarks Najmul made on January 14, when he said the board did not owe players any compensation if Bangladesh missed out on the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, arguing that the board does not seek refunds from players for poor performances at global events.

“This is good news,” one player remarked sarcastically after Najmul’s reappointment. “You can understand how things are happening here,” he added, underscoring the prevailing sense of discontent.

Najmul’s comments prompted cricketers to boycott all forms of cricket, leading to the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) being halted for a day. Players eventually returned to the field “for the greater interest of cricket,” scaling back their initial demand for Najmul’s complete removal from the board. Instead, they sought a public apology and the continuation of the process regarding his directorship, as promised by the board.

However, no apology was issued. Najmul also responded to a show-cause letter from the BCB a day after the stipulated deadline.

In fact, it was learned that during a board meeting on Saturday, Najmul enjoyed the support of board directors when the decision to reinstate him was taken. A BCB source further claimed that the disciplinary committee had submitted its observations to the board and that “by the president’s direction, he [Najmul] was reappointed.”

Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) president Mohammad Mithun, visibly unhappy with the development, was reluctant to dwell on the matter but made clear where cricketers stand in the board’s list of priorities.

“We made our demands known openly and they made commitments openly. So who is not keeping the commitments should be clear. The responsibility also lies with those who are not keeping commitments,” Mithun told The Daily Star on Sunday.

The BCB media committee could not be reached for comment regarding Najmul’s reinstatement at the time of filing this report.

With the Najmul issue unfolding alongside Bangladesh’s absence from the upcoming T20 World Cup — following the ICC’s rejection of the board’s request to relocate matches outside India — the current state of affairs has understandably left the game’s primary stakeholders increasingly concerned about the future of cricket in the country.

Man Utd stun leaders Arsenal to open up title race

Manchester United loosened Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League title race with a 3-2 win in north London on Sunday thanks to stunning second-half goals by Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha.

Victory would have restored Arsenal’s seven-point lead over chasers Manchester City and Aston Villa, both of whom won this weekend, but Mikel Arteta’s side instead left the door open as they lost at home for the first time this season.

United’s win, their first in the league at Arsenal since 2017, lifted them to fourth, and while they are not in the title equation themselves, it fuelled the new-found optimism sweeping the club since Michael Carrick stepped in as interim coach.

Everything was going to plan for Arsenal when they took the lead in the 29th minute with a Lisandro Martinez own goal.

But a terrible mistake by Martin Zubimendi in the 37th minute gifted United an equaliser for Bryan Mbeumo.

Dorgu then smashed a ferocious shot in off the crossbar to put United ahead in the 50th minute but substitute Mikel Merino prodded the hosts levelin the 84th.

United were not finished though and substitute Cunha was allowed to advance towards Arsenal’s goal before curling a low shot past the dive of David Raya from 25 metres to spark wild celebrations amongst the visiting fans.

Arsenal, who are now winless in three league games after two 0-0 draws, have 50 points from 23 games with City and Villa on 46. United moved fourth with 38 points.

United’s win followed their 2-0 defeat of Manchester City last weekend in Carrick’s first game of his second spell as the club’s interim manager.

The nerves are clearly starting to show at Arsenal as they seek their first title since 2004.

Even after Martinez got his legs in a tangle and deflected Martin Odegaard’s shot past his own keeper, Arsenal never looked completely at ease and slowly lost control of the game.

The omens still looked bad for United at that stage with Arsenal having won their last 15 Premier League games in which they had taken the lead.

But when William Saliba passed to Zubimendi who in turn gifted the ball straight to Mbeumo to score in style, the visitors suddenly sensed an opportunity.

Things took a dark turn for Arsenal five minutes after the interval. Again their defence was found wanting as Dorgu was allowed to control a bouncing ball before thumping a left-foot volley in off the crossbar past a stunned Raya.

Arteta reacted by making four substitutions, sending on Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Ben White while Noni Madueke also joined the fray later from a stacked bench.

There was huge relief when United failed to deal with a corner and Merino prodded in from close range — the ball being adjudged to have crossed the line after a brief delay.

It looked as though Arsenal had got out of jail and might even snatch a win but United’s belief was unwavering as Cunha delivered a gift to City and Villa.

Perth Scorchers win sixth BBL title over Sydney Sixers

Josh Inglis blasted a six to seal a crushing six-wicket victory for the Perth Scorchers and their record sixth Big Bash League T20 title over the Sydney Sixers in Perth on Sunday.

Inglis hit the winning runs over the long-off ropes in his unbeaten 29 as the Perth franchise comfortably ran down the Sixers’ total of 132 to win with 15 balls to spare before a record 55,018 home crowd at Optus Stadium.

Opener Mitch Marsh topscored for the Scorchers with 44 off 43 balls, while team-mate David Payne was named player of the match for his three for 18 off four overs that put the Sixers on the skids.

“I’m elated for the Perth fans. It was nervy but when you take a couple of wickets it calms the nerves. You always want to contribute and it was nice that I was able to do that tonight,” Payne said.

It was a final between the two most successful clubs in BBL history, with the Sixers chasing their fourth title.

“A sixth title for this club, it’s special. We are incredibly fortunate to have a group of players who’ve pretty much grown up together. That cohesion and connection is something we really pride ourselves on,” Marsh said.

New Zealander Finn Allen capped off a brilliant season by overtaking David Warner’s 433 runs to finish as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 466 after his swashbuckling 36 off 22 balls.

The Sixers were making their return transcontinental trip to Perth in the space of six days, having stumbled in the qualifier.

They were always struggling to match the Scorchers in the final after losing the toss and being sent in to bat.

Steve Smith, Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques were all dismissed for 24, and the Sydney Sixers were bundled out for a below-par score on the final ball of their 20 overs.

Jhye Richardson supported Payne with three wickets for 32 as the Scorchers kept a tight rein on the Sixers’ scoring.

Smith was the crucial wicket, given out lbw to Aaron Hardie on review after looking in good touch with three fours off 13 balls.

Australia’s Test batting star Smith had been in red-hot scoring form in the BBL since the Ashes tour, scoring 299 runs with a century and two half-centuries at an average of 59.80.