From record-breaking performances in cricket to controversies in football and managerial shake-ups in English football, this week’s sports action has been nothing short of dramatic. Shakib Al Hasan’s all-round brilliance wasn’t enough to save the Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10, while Marco Jansen’s career-best spell left Sri Lanka reeling in their lowest-ever Test score. In women’s cricket, Bangladesh celebrated a historic victory against Ireland, bolstering their ODI series hopes. Meanwhile, Stuttgart fans faced appalling treatment in Serbia during a Champions League match, and Red Star claimed a resounding win on the pitch. Lastly, Frank Lampard is back in the managerial spotlight, aiming to rejuvenate Coventry City in the Championship. Here’s a closer look at these major headlines.

Cricket Highlights

Shakib Al Hasan delivered a solid all-round performance in the Abu Dhabi T10 but could not prevent Bangla Tigers from losing to Azman Bolts by 31 runs. Alex Hales powered Bolts with an unbeaten 75 off 30 balls, setting a daunting 133/1. In response, Bangla Tigers managed just 102/6, with Shakib scoring 29* off 19 balls and taking 1/17 in two overs. This defeat placed the Tigers eighth on the points table with two wins from five matches. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Marco Jansen took a career-best 7/13 to dismiss Sri Lanka for 42—their lowest-ever Test score—giving South Africa a 149-run lead in the first Test.

Women’s Cricket Update

In the ongoing ODI series against Ireland, Bangladesh Women added wicketkeeper Dilara Akter to their squad for the remaining matches. The team leads the three-match series 1-0 after a record-breaking 154-run victory in the first game. This win, their biggest in history, showcased the team's growing strength, as they aim to clinch the series with another win on Saturday.

Football Controversies and Achievements

Stuttgart criticized the treatment of their fans by Serbian authorities during their trip to Red Star Belgrade for a Champions League match. Reports of harassment, physical violence, and degrading treatment at the Serbian border forced 500 fans to abandon their journey. The German club called the behavior "unacceptable" and is considering filing a formal complaint with UEFA. Meanwhile, Red Star secured a dominant 5-1 victory on the field.

Managerial Changes in English Football

Frank Lampard has been appointed manager of Coventry City on a two-and-a-half-year contract. The former Chelsea boss aims to rejuvenate his coaching career, taking charge of a side currently sitting 17th in the Championship. Coventry's owner, Doug King, expressed confidence in Lampard's ability to guide the club towards their ambition of reaching the top level. Lampard will debut as manager in Saturday’s match against Cardiff City.