The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Barisal Division earned a five-wicket win over Chittagong Division in the 1st round four-day match of the Ispahaini Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League on the final day on Monday at the Shahed Chandu Stadium (SCS) in Bogra.

In the day's other match at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS), Khulna Division held holders Dhaka Division to a draw.

After the day's results, Barisal Division secured 14 points, including six bonus points, while Chittagong Division only managed four bonus points.

Khulna Division collected 11 points, including seven bonus points, while the reigning champions bagged five points, including three bonus points.

Chasing 220 at the SCS, three useful knocks by Raqibul Hasan, Raisul Islam and opener Hannan Sarker guided Barisal Division to a comfortable victory over Chittagong as they reached the target in 75.5 overs for the loss of five wickets.

Raqibul contributed innings highest 55 runs off 132 balls with three fours while Raisul made 2nd highest 54 off 93 balls that featured six boundaries. Hannan narrowly missed his half- century scoring 49 runs off 125 balls with three fours and a six.

Saju Datta captured three wickets for 61 runs in 22 overs while Ashiqur Rahman and Tareq Aziz took one wicket each.

Earlier, in the morning, Chittagong Division resumed their 2nd innings with overnight 307 for 9 in 106 overs and were soon all out for 317 in 114.3 overs.

Overnight batsman Ashiqur scored 6 runs while Saju remained not out on 3.

Sajedul Islam of the winning team, who picked four wickets in the 1st innings, took another three for 68 in the 2nd innings to be adjudged man of the match.

Pacer Talha Jubair claimed four wickets for 80 runs in 31.3 overs while Tariqul Islam took two for 88.

Earlier, Barisal Division posted 274 for all in 91.4 overs in their first innings after dismissing Chittagong Division for 176 in the first innings.

Chasing a target of 314 runs at the SBNS, holders Dhaka Division resuming the 2nd innings with 72 for 2 in 30 overs came close to victory as they scored 284 for 8 in 114 overs at stumps on the 4th and final day.

Skipper Mohammad Ashraful and Mehrab Hossain Jr. tried their best with two nice fifties while opener Javed Omar Belim also made a handy contribution to make the match a close one.

Overnight batsman Ashraful topscored 85 runs off 152 balls with four fours and two sixes while Mehrab remained unbeaten on 62 off 184 balls that featured two fours. Javed contributed a patient 45 runs off 174 balls with three fours.

Left-arm pacer Syed Rasel claimed three wickets for 65 runs in 29 overs while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza grabbed two for 71 runs.

Sakibul Hasan, Dollar Mahmud and Abdur Razzak Raj took one wicket apiece.

National colour Razzak, who scored not out 78 in the first innings and took overall four wickets, was adjudged the best player of the match for all-round performance.

Khulna Vs Dhaka:

Khulna 303/9 (dec) & 184 in 75.3 overs; Nazmus 3, Imrul 0, Tushar 42, Habibul 67, Shakib 2, Sahagir 15, Jamal Babu 0, Mashrafe 31, Razzak 4, Dollar 9, Rasel 3*; Sharif 4/38, Mosharraf 3/32, Rafique 2/26, Shahadat 1/49

Dhaka 174 & 284/8 in 114 overs; Javed 45, Anwar 4, Al Shahriar 24, Ashraful 85, Mehrab 62*, Mahmudullah 14, Nadif 10, Rafique 1, Sharif 1, Mosharraf 9*, Rasel 3/65, Mashrafe 2/71, Shakib 1/20, Dollar 1/38, Razzak 1/67

Chittagong Vs Barisal:

Chittagong 176 & 317 in 114.3 overs; Nazimuddin 79, Tamim 60, Nafees 34; Talha 4/80, Sajidul 3/68, Tarikul 2/88

Barisal 274 & 220/5 in 75.5 overs; Raquibul 55, Raisul 54, Hannan 49; Saju 3/61

UNB, Dhaka

Rajshahi Division made a flying start in the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League with an outright eight-wicket victory over Sylhet Division on the 4th and final day of the first four-day match at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium on Monday.

With the day's victory in the very first match, Rajshahi Division, led by former national skipper Khaled Mashud Pilot, have earned 15 points -- eight points for the straight win and another seven bonus points. Sylhet Division managed only three bonus points.

Sylhet Division, which scored 141 runs in the first innings, today resumed the second innings with overnight total of 167 for 4 and were all out for 258 runs in 112.1 overs with night watch batsman Rajin Saleh (53), making team highest 68 runs off 186 balls, featuring 10 boundaries.

Another night watch-batsman-cum-national wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim (22) made 27 runs off 73 deliveries, including four fours, in addition to Alok Kapali's 35.

Suhrawardy Shuvo was the most successful Rajshahi bowler claiming four wickets for 93 runs while Mohammad Shahazada grabbed three Sylhet wickets for 70 runs.

Chasing an easy target of 99 runs, host Rajshahi Division opened the second innings today and reached their winning target scoring just 99 runs for the loss of two wickets in 28 overs.Opener Jahirul Islam and two down Nayeem Islam were batting with 39 and 23 runs respectively, both hitting four fours. Farhad Reza added 27 runs, also featuring four boundaries. Earlier, Rajshahi scored a formidable 301 runs in the first innings.

Brief Score:

Sylhet Division first innings - 141 all out in 77.4 overs. Imtiaz Hossain 35, Mushfiqur Rahim 32, Farhad Reza 3/33, Delwar Hossain 3/31 and Mohammad Shahazada 2/16.

Second innings - 258 all out in 112.1 overs; Rajin Saleh 68, Alok Kapali 35, Mushfiqur Rahim 27; Suhrawardy Shuvo 4/93, Mohammad Shahajada 3/70.

Rajshahi Division 1st innings - 301 all out in 128 overs; Khaled Mashud Pilot 82, Jahirul Islam 67, Delwar Hossain 40; Rezaul Haque 2/38, Tapash Baishya 2/53, Enamul Haque Jr 2/82.

Rajshahi Division 2nd innings- 99 for 2 in 28 overs; Junayed Siddique 2, Farhad Reza 27, Jahirul Islam batting 39; Nayeem Islam batting 23, Tapash Baishya 1/11, Enamul Haque Jr 1/23.

UNB, Dhaka

The appointment of a new national cricket coach is unlikely before the Bangladesh team's tour of New Zealand in December next as two coaches of a three-man shortlist have virtually been unavailable.

Former Australian test cricketer-cum-Sri Lanka coach John Dyson, who was in touch with the BCB's interim committee, was named West Indies coach.

Former coach of Bangladesh national team from West Indies Gordon Greenidge, also extended his contract as the chief selector of West Indies Cricket Board for another two years, making him virtually unavailable for Bangladesh.

Former Australian test off-spinner Colin Miller is the another man of the three-man shortlist.

BCB cricket operations committee chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, who had earlier told reporters that there was a possibility to have a new coach by this week, today said, "We're unlikely to be able to appoint a new coach in time."

The national team has been without a full-time coach since Dav Whatmore stepped down following a successful World Cup campaign in April last. Whatmore had stayed on for the visit of India in May. Since then, former Under-19 coach Shaun Williams has been overseeing the squad's preparations.

The appointment of a new coach has been an arduous process as three candidates -- John Harmer, Dave Houghton and Jamie Siddons -- withdrew from the race last month.

AFP, Paris

European giants Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal can all take a huge step towards qualifying for the Champions League knock- out phase if they win their respective matches on Tuesday.

All three have a perfect six points from their first two matches and another victory will leave them virtually assured of progression.

United face arguably the toughest task with a trip to the Ukraine captial to face Dynamo Kiev, a task made all the more difficult due to a host of injury problems that sees the likes of Gary Neville, Owen Hargreaves and Louis Saha certain to miss out and Nemanja Vidic doubtful.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson did get the chance to rest key winger Cristiano Ronaldo, though, during Saturday's 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa, meaning the mercurial talent should be fresh and raring to go in Kiev.

United also have England striker Wayne Rooney in fine form following his double strike against Villa and a spectacular goal in England's 2-1 defeat in Russia in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

Most worrying for United is Vidic's absence as he is still struggling from a blow to the head he received against Wigan two weeks ago.

Ferguson admitted: "Vidic is a doubt for Tuesday. He is still feeling some reaction to the knock he got against Wigan and in that situation you can't take a chance.

"He will be close but I'm not so sure he will be ready to play in Kiev."

Kiev are bottom of Group F after losing their first two games - 2-0 at Roma and 2-1 at home to Sporting Lisbon, teams United beat 1-0.

In London, Arsenal take on Slavia Prague with manager Arsene Wenger admitting that last year's painful defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the knock-out stages is motivating his team this time around.

"The big frustration in our throats is how we went out last year against PSV Eindhoven," Wenger said. "That frustration is still very lively.

"To get that out, I do not think we will have any chance to relax against teams like Slavia Prague because we have been knocked out last season by PSV.

"We have a year's more experience now and have a squad which is really of a very good level, where everybody can play."

Arsenal lead group H by three points from Slavia and Sevilla, meaning a victory for them would almost certainly be enough to progress.

They have Robin van Persie currently sidelined through injury, meaning Wenger may turn to English teenager Theo Walcott for some attacking spark, following the forward's star showing against Bolton as a substitute at the weekend.

"He has found the injection of pace he had before and he uses his body better," Wenger said. "When you see what he brings when he came on, you are very excited."

In group E Barcelona travel to Glasgow to face Rangers, who like the Catalans boast a perfect record from their first two matches.

Barca are missing some key players such as Samuel Eto'o, Deco, Yaya Toure and Gianluca Zambrotta and are heading into the game off the back of a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Villarreal while Rangers dominated their big rivals Celtic 3-0 on Saturday.

Barcelona leftback Eric Abidal knows his team are in for a battle.

"I've played against Scotland with France and we lost twice.

Their football is very aggressive and very physical," he said.

"Barca has to develop its play and not fall into playing their style of game, based on the counter-attack and physical battles."

AFP, Faisalabad

South African coach Mickey Arthur said Monday the team was confident of bouncing back in the one-day series against Pakistan after losing the second match last week.

"Lifting the team after the loss is not difficult at all and it will not be an issue," said Arthur ahead of the third match here on Tuesday.

South Africa are level 1-1 with Pakistan in the five-match series after the Proteas won the first by 45 runs before Pakistan clinched the second by 25 runs-both of them played in Lahore.

"We have played really well through the tour, we had a little stutter at Lahore. We have set our team really high standards and need to maintain those standards," said Arthur whose team won the earlier Test series 1-0.

Arthur said he believed that the new-ball-change rule after 35 overs in each innings of a one-day match would increase the run-rate.

"The scores in the last 10 overs especially in the subcontinent will be bigger because of the ball change," said Arthur of the rule recently introduced by the International Cricket Council.

"The ball is not reversing as much as it used to, it is a lot harder and it goes off the bat quicker. Runs are going to be a little bit more plentiful at the back end."

Arthur also said his bowlers need to be more consistent in the final overs of the innings for the rest of the tour.

"We are continually monitoring our death bowling. Sometimes it is a little bit of a lottery. We have specialists who do it for us but we need to be as consistent as we can," he said.

Pakistan will again be without pace spearhead Mohammad Asif, still suffering from a recurrence of an elbow injury which saw him miss the first two matches.

The home team have included opener Khalid Latif in their 15-man squad and dropped Mohammad Hafeez.

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik was confident his team would carry winning momentum into the third match.

"We gave a good team spirit to win the second match and players are responsible enough to carry that momentum because the middle match is always important," said Malik.

Pakistan are likely to replace opener Yasir Hameed with out of form Imran Nazir.

AFP, Chicago

David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy were knocked out of playoff contention Sunday when the Galaxy fell 1-0 to the Chicago Fire on the final day of Major League Soccer's regular season.

The Galaxy, who had mounted a late-season surge to keep their playoff hopes alive, needed a victory in order to advance to the eight-team championship playoffs of the 13-team league.

The Fire only needed a draw but managed to go one better with a 90th-minute goal to claim the last playoff spot.

A sell-out crowd of 21,374 at the Fire's home stadium included standing room temporary seating added during the week in anticipation of seeing Beckham.

The English superstar had logged 25 minutes in a Thursday game against New York in his first appearance since a knee injury on August 29.

While Beckham was likely to play limited minutes, manager Frank Yallop noted that it was not a given.

"There's no guarantee that he will get on the field," he said right before the game. "We have to win this match. If it's the right thing to do then we will do it, and if it's not. Then we won't.

AFP, Kingston

Former Australia player John Dyson has been appointed coach of West Indies cricket team, succeeding compatriot Bennett King who resigned after a dismal World Cup in the Caribbean.

Dyson, a former opening batsman, played in 30 Tests and 29 one day internationals for Australia from 1977 to 1984.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced the appointment of the 53-year- old, who previously served as head coach of Sri Lanka's national team, after a board meeting held in Barbados on Saturday.

According to the WICB's release, "the rest of the Team Management will be identified and appointed subsequently".

On Sunday, the WICB named doctor Donald Peters, as their new Chief Executive Officer.

Peters, a former President of the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago will take up the position on November 5.

He takes over from Bruce Aanensen, who resigned earlier this year,

The Dominican-born Peters, has a wide academic and sports background. He has served as a college President, Provost and University Vice President in the United States and Bermuda.

He was elected as the youngest General Secretary of the Dominica Amateur Sports Association and subsequently was appointed one of the country's representatives on the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control and manager of the national cricket team.

The WICB also agreed this weekend to look into security issues ahead of their scheduled tour of Zimbabwe.

"The Board with the agreement of the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA) has hired a security consultant to report within a week on whether the tour of Zimbabwe should take place," a statement said. "The consultant will look at safety, security and food integrity issues."

AFP, Sydney

Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting Monday returned home from a tour of India marred by racial abuse with a warning to home fans not to retaliate when India visit in December.

Ponting said while some Indian players would likely be given a "hard time" by fans when they played Down Under, he hoped this would not include racial taunts such as those endured by Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds in India.

Symonds, the only black player on the team, was subjected to monkey gestures during the last game of a seven-match one-day series in Mumbai last Wednesday after earlier receiving similar abuse during the fourth game at Vadodara.

Ponting, whose team won the Indian one-day series 4-2 before losing a one-off Twenty20 match, urged Australian fans to treat the subcontinental team as they would any other touring side.

"I don't think they should be treated any differently because of what's happened over there," he said.

"As far as I'm concerned, this whole racism stuff is completely unacceptable in any walk of life, let alone on a sporting field."

Ponting said nobody from the Indian team had spoken to him about the taunts, adding that they should be embarrassed by the crowd's attitude towards Symonds.

"I imagine they would be. They should be. I would be, in Australia," he said.

Australian cricket crowds do not have a lily-white reputation, with racial slurs and chants directed at some of the South African team in previous years.

"When that stuff happens I think all of Australia and all of India should be embarrassed about it," Ponting said.

The Australian skipper singled out paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, who has been involved in on-field verbal clashes with Symonds, as one likely target of crowds Down Under.

"I'm sure that at different times Sreesanth and a few of the guys will cop a hard time from the Australian fans," Ponting told reporters in Sydney.

"That will generally happen at some stage to most teams that tour here, but I just hope-I'll keep my fingers crossed-there's no racial stuff (that) comes up at all through the summer."

Australia and India will play four Tests and one Twenty20 game during the summer tour which begins in December in Melbourne. Both teams will also take part in a triangular one-day series with Sri Lanka.