Despite not qualifying through the AHF Cup in April, the Bangladesh national hockey team are likely to get an opportunity to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup, replacing Pakistan, who may withdraw due to security concerns.

The eight-team Asia Cup is scheduled to take place from August 29 to September 7 in Bihar, India. The tournament was originally supposed to feature the top two finishers from April’s AHF Cup — Oman and Chinese Taipei — alongside six automatic qualifiers: India, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and China.

However, recent international media reports suggested that Pakistan government unwilling to send teams to India in either of the tournaments to be held this year in that country – the Asia Cup and the FIH Junior World Cup.

Bangladesh finished third in the AHF Cup after losing to Oman in the semifinals, marking the first time in 43 years that the four-time champions failed to secure an Asia Cup berth.

Lionel Messi has been suspended for one game after sitting out the MLS All-Star Game without prior approval, the league said on Friday.

The Inter Miami forward and his teammate, Jordi Alba, did not compete on Wednesday despite not being injured, even though they were included in the All-Star roster.

“Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match,” MLS said in a statement.

The suspension will see them miss Inter Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Messi has scored 18 goals so far this season.

Messi rested this week, according to Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.

“Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days,” Mascherano was quoted as saying by ESPN.

Bangladesh’s women’s football team secured the championship in dominant fashion, defeating Nepal 4-0 in their final round-robin match at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Monday (July 21).

The win confirmed Bangladesh as undefeated champions, having won all six of their matches in the four-nation tournament.

Forward Sagarika was the star of the match, scoring all four goals for the home side. Her performance marked a remarkable return to form after serving a three-match suspension.

The match began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the tragic Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara, which occurred earlier in the day. The somber moment set the tone for a spirited and emotional game.

Bangladesh dominated from the outset. In just the second minute, Sagarika tested the Nepal goalkeeper with an early effort. She broke the deadlock in the 8th minute, timing her run perfectly to beat the offside trap and finishing with a sharp diagonal shot.

Nepal nearly equalised in the 18th minute due to a defensive error, but the ball rebounded off the post. Bangladesh came out even stronger in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Sagarika netted her second with a composed finish after controlling a pass with her first touch.

She completed her hat-trick minutes later, lobbing the ball over the goalkeeper from a long ball received near the edge of the box. Her fourth came in the 76th minute following a solo run that sliced through Nepal’s defence before calmly placing the ball past the keeper.

Coach Peter James Butler substituted Sagarika after her four-goal haul to a round of applause from teammates and fans.

Sagarika had earlier scored a hat-trick against Sri Lanka in Bangladesh’s 9-1 victory at the start of the tournament but missed three subsequent matches due to a red card against Nepal. Her return proved crucial as she led the team to victory and the title.

Bangladesh topped the table with a perfect record of six wins and 18 points. Nepal finished second with 12 points.