Chelsea's ability to grind out victories will make it very difficult for anyone to catch them in the Premier League, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has said.

Wayne Rooney still has an important role to play in manager Gareth Southgate's England squad, former national manager Roy Hodgson has said after the striker's leadership was recently called into question.

Pakistan say they have the momentum heading into the Boxing Day Melbourne Test after giving Australia a mighty fright during an epic run-chase in the opening clash of the series.

The result of Bangladesh's tour match against New Zealand XI at the Cobham Oval in Whangarei yesterday was a three-wicket defeat for the tourists, but it was a fruitful outing for Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's team ahead of the first ODI at Christchurch on Boxing Day.

Pakistan spearhead Mohammad Amir is expected to play the Boxing Day Test against Australia despite stiffness and a bruised thigh, officials said Thursday.

Bangladesh national cricket team tasted defeat in their 43-over tour match against New Zealand XI when they went down by three wickets at Cobham Oval, Whangarei today.

Bangladesh lost the 43-over tour match against New Zealand XI by three wickets at Cobham Oval, Whangarei today.

Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club returned to the top of the Marcel Bangladesh Championship League with a single goal win over Bangladesh Police FC at the Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur yesterday.

Bangladesh's bowling department has been significantly boosted for their tour of New Zealand. Talented left arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman has been included in the 15-strong squad, who start the limited-overs leg of their tour with the first ODI at Christchurch on Boxing Day.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique says Neymar's performances remain at their peak, despite the Brazilian's flagging goal tally this season.

England captain Alastair Cook heads home for Christmas with calls for his resignation ringing in his ears after what turned into an embarrassing subcontinental tour.

Bangladesh Air Force thrashed Chandgaon Sporting Club of Chittagong 12-1 in the Marcel Victory Day Hockey Competition at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium yesterday.

The prolific Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson all enhanced their burgeoning reputations in 2016 but, aided by the screams of commentator Ian Bishop to "remember the name", the year will forever belong to Carlos Brathwaite.

Nice fans are dreaming of seeing their Mario Balotelli-fuelled underdogs do a Leicester and steal the French title from the likes of crisis-stricken Paris Saint-Germain.

Australia head to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan with some festive cheer after winning the series opener in Brisbane but Steve Smith's side will not find many Christmas presents under the tree from local media.

English champions Leicester City appealed on Monday against striker Jamie Vardy's red card in Saturday's ill-tempered 2-2 Premier League draw with Stoke City.

Kolkata won the Indian Super League title Sunday after beating Kerala Blasters 4-3 on penalties.

The Football Associations of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have been fined for displaying poppies during World Cup qualifiers last month, world soccer's governing body said on Monday.

Bayern Munich face an acid test of their status as Bundesliga leaders in Wednesday's crunch showdown when they host second-placed RB Leipzig, who know they have nothing to lose.

Dries Mertens put four goals past England's Joe Hart as rampant Napoli completed a memorable 5-3 win over Torino to move up to third place in Serie A Sunday.