The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Johannesburg

The young guns of India and Pakistan will square off in a dream final of the Twenty20 world championships Monday at the culmination of a tournament which has changed the face of cricket

After a clinical Pakistan performance saw off the challenge of New Zealand at Cape Town in the first of two semi-finals on Saturday, India recorded a stunning victory in Durban against the previously all-conquering Australians.

Less than six months after both sides returned in disgrace from the 50-over World Cup, they now have a perfect opportunity for redemption, albeit with vastly different line- ups since their early departure from the Caribbean.

Rookie Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik and incoming India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni have the chance to lift a major trophy after a tournament that has packed in more thrills and close finishes in a fortnight than six weeks in the West Indies.

After another six-packed bating peformance propelled his side to victory against Australia, India's hero Yuvraj Singh declared that a match against arch-rivals Pakistan was the icing on the cake.

"India-Pakistan is always a huge competition. It's just like a dream for us," said Yuvraj after smashing 70 off just 30 balls.

With fellow master-blasters Dhoni and Pakistan's Shahid Afridi both due to take the field at the batsman-friendly Wanderers here, a sell-out crowd on what is a bank holiday in South Africa can expect another run-fest

Dhoni's swashbuckling style is in stark contrast to that of his predecessor as captain, Rahul "The Wall" Dravid, who was rested for the tournament along with India's other long- time star batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.

After so often being crushed by the weight of expectations from their vast fanbase, India's new generaton has been revelling in the role of underdogs.

"We never started out as favourites, nobody expected us to reach the semi-finals," said Dhoni after victory over the Australians.

"You can expect a healthy rivalry over there (against Pakistan in Johannesburg) and a tough game of cricket"

Victory for Pakistan would be even more unexpected and mark a dramatic reversal in fortunes after a year of hell for India's neighbours.

After a drugs scandal and defeat to Ireland in the World Cup, even worse was to follow with the death in Jamaica of their coach Bob Woolmer who was initially presumed to have been murdered.

Captain Inzamam ul-Haq then quit, star batsman Mohammad Yousuf was cast adrift for signing up to a rebel Twenty20 tournament and controversy even continued to dog the team in South Africa with controversial speedster Shoaib Akhtar sent home for assaulting a team-mate on the eve of the tournament The 25-year-old Malik however has been a breath of fresh air, inspiring Pakistan to become arguably the sharpest fielders in the competition.

While Inzamam was famously inept between the wickets, Malik volunteered to act as a runner when Imran Nazir pulled a hamstring against the Kiwis.

Malik has been trying to keep his team's feet on the ground but believes that victory is within their grasp.

"In Pakistan we have lots of talent which, Inshallah, we are going to utilise and, Inshallah, the Pakistan team will be number one very soon."

Victory over India would make Malik the skipper of the first Pakistan team to ever beat their arch rivals in a major international tournament The only other time they have played each other in a final was back in Australia in 1985 when India won the world championship of cricket in Melbourne.

AFP, Barcelona

Barcelona's under-fire Brazil forward Ronaldinho has pulled out of Saturday's title clash with Sevilla at Camp Nou complaining of a calf problem in his right leg.

"The player finished Friday's training session with discomfort due to a pulled calf muscle in his right leg and this has continued today," read a statement on the Barcelona website.

"He is out of the match against Sevilla and in the next few days we'll see if his progress will allow him to be available for the upcoming games."

It has been a difficult time for Ronaldinho who was jeered by his own supporters this week and substituted during the second half of Barcelona's 3-0 Champions League win over Lyon.

Sections of the Spanish media claim Ronaldinho's poor form is due to his penchant for late night partying. The 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year was reportedly spoted at a nightclub 48 hours before last weekend's scoreless draw with Osasuna.

Sports Reporter

The 21st National Youth Hockey Competition begins today at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium. BKSP will face Joypurhat District team in the inaugural match which begins at 3.30 PM.

A total of 19 teams spliting into six groups will take part in the hockey meet

BKSP, Rangpur, District team, Joypurhat District team are in the Group A, Dhaka District team, Chitagong Division team, Jhenaidah District team are in Group B, Munshiganj District team, Tangail District team, Gaibandha District team are in Group C, Mymensingh District team, Gazipur District team Chitagong District team are in Group D, Rajshahi District team, Dinajpur District team, Sylhet District team, Panchghar District team are in Group E, Faridpur District team, Rajshahi Division team, Comilla District team are in Group F.

Top team from each group will move into the Super League. The two top teams of Super League will play in the final.

The budget of the competition has been estimated at Tk seven lakh while Araf Apparels, the sponsor of the meet has given Tk three lakh to Bangladesh Hockey Federation. Bangladesh Hockey Federation will bear rest of the expenditure.

Sports Reporter

Notredame College blanked Teachers Training College by 5-0 points in their Super League match of the Foamex Foam First College Rugby Competition at the Paltan Maidan on Sunday.

The winners led the first half 5-0.

Nuel of Notredame College scored five points.

Tomorrow Notredame College will take on Imperial College at 3.30 PM at the Paltan Maidan.

Notredame College need just a draw to gain the championship title.

Gazir Chat, Friends Social win

Sports Reporter

Gazir Chat SC and Friends Social Welfare recorded wins in the Third Division Football League on Sunday.

In the day's first match, Gazir Chat SC defeated Rainbow SC by 3-0 goals at the Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium.

Ovi, Pashbon, Faruque scored one goals each for Gazipur Chat SC.

In the day's other match, Friends Social Welfare beat Jirabo SC by 3-1 goals at the same venue.

Abu Hanif of Friends Social Welfare Scored two goals and his teammate Chowmrin neted one while Milon of Jirabo pulled off one.