The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

A 5-day Inter-Base Kabadi Competition of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) began here on Sunday at BAF Base Kurmitola.

Air Officer Commanding of the local Base Air Commodore Moshiul Azam inaugurated the competition as the chief guest, said ISPR press release.

In the opening match, BAF Base Zahurul Haque team defeated BAF Base Kurmitola team by 47-35 points.

Some six teams of the BAF are taking part in the 5-day Kabadi competition.

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh conceded a humiliating 0-5 goals defeat against Tajikistan in their away match of the 2010 World Cup Pre-Qualifiers played at the Dushanbe Stadium in Tajikistan on Sunday afternoon.

With this frustrating defeat, Bangladesh has been eliminated from the race in the Pre-Qualifying stage of the World Cup Football to be held in South Africa in 2010.

Bangladesh, which earned appreciation from soccer lovers after playing a 1-1 draw against Tajikistan in the home match in Dhaka on October 8, again frustrated their fans with the day's humiliating defeat.

After a barren first half, Bangladeshi players failed to adjust with the local cold weather of 12 degree Celsius and conceded the first three goals within five minutes -- in the 46th, 47th and 50th minutes.

Bangladesh conceded two more goals in the 70th and 75th minutes, the last came from a penalty due to defender Hasan Al Mamun.

Two players of Bangladesh team, including Zahid Hossain, had to leave the field with sickness.

Earlier, Bangladesh played four matches against Tajikistan managing only one draw (1-1) in the home match in Dhaka on October 8 this year.

Bangladesh suffered identical 0-2 goals defeat in the prior home and away basis Pre World Cup qualifier matches and conceded a humiliating 1-6 goals defeat in the AFC Challenge Cup in Dhaka last year.

Sports Reporter

Khulna Division set a target of 367 runs to win for Chittagong Division when Khulna Division made 204 in the second innings on the third day of the four-dayer match of the Ispahani Mirzapur Tea 9th National Cricket League at the Bir Sreshtha Motiur Rahman Stadium in Khulna on Sunday.

Electing to bat first, Khulna Division posted a huge 410 in the first innings on the second day.

In reply, Chittagong Division made 248 in the first innings on the third day.

Later, Khulna Division scored 204 in the second innings on the third day.

Shakib Al Hasan of Khulna again got success in batting. He top-scored with exact 50 off 69 balls including three fours and a six.

Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan knocked a superb 108 in the first innings.

Mashrafee Bin Mortaza, Tushar Imran, Shagir Hossain, Ziaur Rahman added 30, 26, 23 and 23 runs to Khulna second innings total.

Medium pacer Tareq Aziz of Chittagong captured four wickets in lieu of 25 runs while Ehsanul Haque and Suja Datta bagged a pair of wickets each for 46 and 52 runs respectively.

Besides, Rubel Hossain and Ashiqur Rahman got one wicket each for 44 and 51 runs respectively.

Needing 367 runs to win, Chittagong Division scored 25 for the loss of none in the second innings before the two umpires drew the bails for the third day.

Nafees Iqbal and Tamim Iqbal of Chittagong were at the crease on 19 and 9 at the close of the third day play.

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka DSA emerged champions of the First Invitational Women's Handball Tournament beating hosts Panchagarh DSA by 19-16 points in the final at the Tetulia Pilot High School ground in Panchagarh on Sunday.

Dhaka led the first half by 10-9 points. Akherunnessa scored six goals for the winners while Shahida also netted six goals for the losers.

Later, Shahida of Panchagarh DSA was adjudged best player of the tournament.

UNO of Tetulia Upazilla Manjoor Alam Pradhan was the chief guest in the final and later distributed the prizes.

On way to the final, Dhaka DSA crushed Dinajpur by 15-3 goals while Panchagarh DSA eliminated Rajshahi DSA by 15-10 goals on Saturday.

UNB, Dhaka

The 11-day annual sports competition of Jatiya Press Club (JPC) began Snday at the club's conference lounge.

Jatiya Press Club president Shawkat Mahmud and general secretary Kamaluddin Sabuj were present at the opening function of the meet, organised on the occasion of the Club's 53rd founding anniversary.

Syed Mohammad Mamun of BSS and Asif Iqbal of Dainik Janakantha reached the men's singles final of the Table Tennis competition on the first day. The final match will be held tomorrow (Monday) morning at the same venue.

Syed Mamun beat Abdullah Al Faruk by 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 points while Asif Iqbal defeated compatriot Uttam Chakravorty 14-6, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10 to advance to the final.

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh lost to Pakistan by six runs in the quarterfinals of the Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes '07 at the Kowloon Cricket Club ground on Sunday.

Batting first, Pakistan scored 98 for 3 in stipulated five overs. In reply, Bangladesh were restricted to 92 for 2 in five overs with skipper Mohammad Ashraful scoring 31 runs.

Earlier, Bangladesh moved into the quarterfinal beating hosts Hong Kong by nine runs in a qualifying match at the same venue today.

Bangladesh team returns home today (Monday).

Sports Reporter

Dhaka Division registered a formidable an innings and 34-run victory over Sylhet Division on the third day of the four-dayer match of the Ispahani Mirzapur Tea 9th National Cricket League at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra on Sunday.

Sent into bat first, Dhaka Division piled up a mammoth 351 for the loss of nine (declared) in the first innings on the second day.

Later, the bowlers of Dhaka Division bundled out Sylhet Division for just 96 runs and forced to follow-on.

After conceding follow-on Sylhet scored one for the loss of none before the bails were drawn for the second day.

Resuming with the over-night score of one for the loss of none Sylhet Division were bowled out for 221 in the secnd innings.

Mehrab Hossain (Junior) of Dhaka Division played the key role in demolishing Sylhet second innings and finished his spell as 18-7-43-5.

Earlier, Mehrab Hossain (Junior) knocked a fine 60 off 171 balls in the first innings and was adjudged the Man of the Match for his all-round performance.

Meanwhile, Barisal Division were facing sure defeat when they made 216 for the loss of nine in the second innings against Rajshahi Division a lead of only 2 runs, before the two umpires pocketted the bails for the third day at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium on the same day.

Earlier, Barisal were skittled out for just 87 runs in the first innings on the third day and conceded follow-on.

Rajshahi Division posted 301 in the first innings on the second day.

Suhrawardy Shuvo of Rajshahi grabbed three wickets giving away 66 runs while Mohammad Shahzada and Farhad Reza bagged a couple of wickets each at the cost of 25 and 47 runs respectively.

Raisul Islam and Talha Jubaer of Barisal tried to resist Rajshahi bowling attack.

Raisul Islam knocked a painstaking 52 playing 121 deliveries. He hit five fours in his 143-minute innings while Talha Jubaer hit a fighting 45 off 43 balls amid five fours and two sixes.

Ali Arman (23) and Sajedul Islam (9) were at the stumps.