PHOTO: FIROZ AHMED

DHAKA MONDAY MAY 11, 2026, BAISHAKH 28, 1433 BS

Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed set the tone for the day with a fiery spell in the morning session, removing centurion Azan Awais and Shan Masood and cornering Pakistan in their first innings of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur yesterday. (Inset) However, it was Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 14th five-wicket haul which helped bundle out the visitors and eventually helped the hosts to a 34-run lead at the end of the third day’s play.

SPORTS REPORTER

Fortis FC and Bangladesh Police FC are ahead in the race to represent Bangladesh in the upcoming AFC Challenge League for the first time, regardless of their final standings in the ongoing Bangladesh Football League.

Usually, the BFL champions receive an indirect slot in the AFC Challenge League, subject to obtaining the AFC club licence. However, Bashundhara Kings and Abahani -- currently locked in the title race with only two rounds remaining -- are facing complications after FIFA imposed registration bans on the two clubs.

A source within the Bangladesh Football Federation said the federation’s First Instance Body (FIB), responsible for assessing club licensing criteria, recommended Fortis FC and Police FC for AFC club licences during Saturday’s meeting. Six other clubs, including Abahani and Kings, reportedly failed to meet all requirements.

Abahani and Kings, however, will have until May 25 to appeal before the AFC makes its final decision on May 31.

“We have sought time until June to fulfil all club licensing conditions, especially clearing unpaid wages of foreign players to lift the FIFA registration ban,” Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu told The Daily Star.

No official from Bashundhara Kings was available for comment regarding the matter.

Fortis FC manager Rashedul Islam said the club remained optimistic about securing the licence.

“We have fulfilled all the requirements for club licensing. If we can finish among the top two, we are interested in playing the AFC Challenge League,” he said.

Eight clubs expressed interest in obtaining AFC club licences before the December 28 deadline. The licensing process officially began on January 1, with March 31 set as the deadline for document submission.