The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Hosts Dhaka Division took command of their 4th round four-day match of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League against Chittagong Division as the visitors still trailed by 11 runs on the 3rd day at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Monday.

Replying to Chittagong Division's 1st innings total of 200, Dhaka Division resumed the day with overnight 1st innings score of 300 for 5 in 95 overs and carried the team total to 376 for all in 130.3 overs.

Overnight middle order batsman Mehrab Hossain Jr. remained unbeaten on 45 playing 178 balls that featured three fours while all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad contributed 28 runs off 62 balls with four fours. Earlier, on Sunday, opener Javed Omar set the tempo for the reigning champions scoring a splendid 101.

Faisal Hossain Dickens captured three wickets for 54 runs while pacer Saju Datta also grabbed three wickets for 103 runs.

Trailing the 1st innings by 176 runs, Chittagong Division began their 2nd innings to score 165 for 4 in 50.2 overs when the bails were drawn for the 3rd day.

Left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal showed promise with the bat, but could not carry too long as he scored 70 runs off 132 balls with seven fours while number four Aftab Ahmed hammered 32 runs off 31 balls with four fours.

Skipper Ehsanul Haque Shezan and Dickens, who remained unbeaten on 18 and 17 runs respectively, will resume the innings today.

Spin trio Mehrab, Mohammad Ashraful and Mosharraf Hossain Rubel took one wicket each for the holders.

Chittagong vs Dhaka:

Chittagong 1st innings 200 & 165/4 in 50.2 overs; Tamim 70, Masum 19, Nazimuddin 2, Aftab 32, Ehsanul 18*, Faisal 17*; Mehrab 1/21, Ashraful 1/24, Mosharraf 1/46

Dhaka 1st innings - 376/10 in 131.3 overs; Javed 101, Anwar 62, Al Shahriar 44, Ashraful 35, Mehrab 45*, Shamsur 6, Mahmudullah 28, Mosharraf 4, Rafique 0, Sharif 2, Mahbubul 16; Faisal 3/54, Saju 3/103, Rubel 2/65, Ehsanul 1/56

UNB, Dhaka

Riding on a hattrick by Mamunur Rahman Chayan, Firoz Land Properties booked the last semi-final berth of the Office Hockey League beating all-losers Afsar Limited by 8-1 goals at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium on Monday.

Earlier, three teams -- Bangladesh Army, Sonali Bank SRC and Araf Apparels -- confirmed their semi-final berths from respective groups with unbeaten run.

The day's match between Firoz Land Properties and Afsar Limited ended 1-1 in the first half.

National player Mamunur Rahman Chayan made a hattrick scoring four goals, all from penalty corners. National forward Maksud Alam Habul struck twice while another national player Mazharul Islam Moksed and captain Ashiquzzaman scored one each for the winners.

Shantu netted the consolation goal for the losers from a penalty corner.

Today's match: Bangladesh Navy vs Rising Group.

UNB, Dhaka

Team North earned an emphatic innings and 45-run victory over Team South on the third day of the four-day match of the Challenge Cup Cricket at BKSP ground in Savar on Monday.

Replying to Team North's first innings total of 263 runs, Team South resumed their second innings today with overnight 40 for 1 and were all out for 168 runs in 58.1 overs to concede the humiliating defeat.

Earlier, on Sunday, Team South were forced to follow-on as they were bundled out for paltry 50 runs in 24 overs.

Rabiul Karim and Ahsanullah Hasan contributed 39 runs each for Team South while opener Ashiqur Rahman added 32 runs in the second innings. Fariduddin claimed three wickets for 29 runs.

Skipper Kamrul Islam, who scored a polished 93 runs for Team North, was adjudged man of the match.

Brief score: Team North - 263/10 in 139.1 overs; Mahmudul Hasan 35, Kamrul Islam 93, Arman Hossain 16, Gazi Alamgir 47, Shoaib 6/44, Ahsanullah Hasan 2/47, Mazharuddin 1/10.

Team South - 50 & 168/10 in 58.1 overs; Ashiqur Rahman 32, Rony Talukder 15, Rabiul Karim 39, Ahsanullah Hasan 39, Mazharuddin 18, extras 10, Fariduddin 3/29, Shafiul Alam 1/2, Gazi Alamgir 1/21.

UNB, Dhaka

The 11th Delta Life Women Handball Competition begins Wednesday (Nov 14) at the Dhanmondi Women Sports Complex with two matches billed for the day.

In the opening day's matches, last year's runners-up Siddheshwari Girls College will take on Holy Cross College at 9:00 am while Scholastica meet Mohammadpur Preparatory School & College at 10:00 am.

Nine women's colleges of the metropolis, split into three groups, will take part in the six-day meet organised by Bangladesh Handball Federation.

Later, the top team from each group will play in the super three that will begin on Nov 17 at the Outer Stadium handball ground.

Sponsors Delta Life will provide Tk 250,000 of the nearly Tk 400,000 budget for the competition.

Tournament committee secretary Nurul Islam disclosed the details of the meet at a press conference at the Handball Federation office room Monday afternoon.

Handball Federation general secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor, tournament committee chairman Hamida Ali and Delta Life executive director Akram Hossain also spoke on the occasion.

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Under-19 team will leave here for Karachi on Friday (Nov. 16) as per a rescheduled tour itinerancy.

Earlier, the U-19 team was scheduled to leave here on Nov 9 but the BCB had to postpone the departure considering the current volatile situation in Pakistan.

The young cricketers will play five one-day matches and one four-day match against Pakistan Under-19 team before returning home on December 8.

Bangladesh U-19 will begin the tour with a four-day match beginning on Nov 20 at the National Stadium in Karachi and will travel to Hyderabad to play the first two one-day matches on Nov 26 and Nov 28 at the Niaz Stadium.

After traveling back to Karachi, the 3rd one-day match between the two youth teams will be played on Dec 2 at the DHA Ground. The 4th one-day match will be held at the Quaid-e-Azam Park (Steel Mills Karachi) on Dec 5 and the 5th and last one-day match on Dec 7 at the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) ground.

UNB, Dhaka

Sylhet Division needs five Barisal Division wickets today (Tuesday) to register yet another win in the 4th round four-day match of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League.

Chasing a target of 172 runs, Barisal Division lost five wickets for 41 runs in 17 overs in their 2nd innings when the play was called off early Monday due to bad light at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS).

Number four Raqibul Hasan and Arafat Salahuddin were batting on 21 and 13 runs respectively.

Defending a moderate total, Sylhet Division pacer Shuvashish Roy gave an early blow to Barisal Division sending back opener Imran Ahmed and number three Mohammad Shahin for ducks in the opening over of the innings.

And in the next over, Rashedur Rahman Rasel took the wicket of national discard opener Hannan Sarker (1), leaving the team score at 2 for 3 in 1.3 overs.

Shuvashish finished the day with three wickets for 23 runs in 7 overs while Rasel took one for 14 runs.

Trailing by 120 runs in response to Sylhet Division's 1st innings score of 335 for 9 (dec.), Barisal Division earlier resumed the day with overnight 215 for 6 in 78 overs to be all out for 259 in 104.2 overs.

Lower middle order Abul Bashar returned to the pavilion at his overnight 56 off 173 balls that featured eight fours while number 11 Sajidul Islam made 18.

Rasel and Shuvashish also bowled brilliantly in the 1st innings capturing four wickets apiece for 54 and 64 runs respectively.

Having a 76-run 1st innings lead, Sylhet Division collapsed in the 2nd innings managing only 95 runs for all in 36.2 overs, giving a mere 172-run target to the opponents.

Alok Kapali, who made a slick 168 in the 1st innings, scored 32 runs off 47 balls with six fours while Mohammad Mithun made 24.

Right-arm pacer Talha Jubair grabbed four wickets for 34 runs while pacers Arafat Salahuddin and Sajidul Islam took three wickets each.

In the day's other match at the Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Khulna, Rajshahi Division took overall 191-run lead on the 3rd day against Khulna Division as the visitors were 192 for 7 in 78 overs in the 2nd innings at stumps on day three.

Number three Farhad Hossain scored innings highest 49 runs off 157 balls with three fours while Zahirul Islam made 29. Skipper Khaled Mashud Pilot and all-rounder Mushfiqur Rahman remained unbeaten on 29 and 5 runs respectively.

Murad Khan and national all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan took two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Khulna Division declared their 1st innings at 204 for 9 in 85.1 overs after resuming the day with 190 for 7 in 76.2 overs. Apart from opener Nazmus Sadat's 95, Sahagir Hossain Pavel 34 and captain Habibul Bashar 31 were the other notable scorers.

Medium pacer Farhad Reza claimed three wickets for 29 runs while spinner Suhrawardy Shuvo and Alamgir Kabir took two wickets each.

Rajshahi vs Khulna:

Rajshahi 203 & 192/7 in 78 overs; Jahirul 29, Junaed 22, Anisur 10, Sohrawardi 0, Naeem 28, Farhad Hossain 49, Farhad Reza 7, Khaled Mashud 29*, Mushfiqur 5*; Shakib 2/37, Ziaur 1/23, Rasel 1/30, Murad 1/34.

Khulna 1st innings 204/9 (dec) in 86.1 overs; Imrul 5, Nazmus 95, Habibul 31, Tushar 4, Shakib 2, Mostafizur 6, Sahagir 34, Ziaur 4, Dollar 3, Rasel 5*; Farhad 3/29, Sohrawardi 2/37, Alamgir 2/59, Shahzada 1/31.

Sylhet vs Barisal:

Sylhet 1st innings 335/9 (dec) & 95/10 in 36.2 overs; Imtiaz 0, Golam Rahman 5, Mithun 24, Rajin 12, Golam Mabud 5, Alok 32, Rezaul 5, Saif 0, Nabil 0, Rasel 1, Shuvashish 0*; Talha 4/34, Arafat 3/20, Sajidul 3/28

Barisal 1st innings 259 & 41/5 in 17 overs; Hannan 1, Imran 0, Shaheen 0, Raisul 4, Abul Bashar 0, Raqibul 21*, Arafat 13*; Shuvashish 3/23, Rasel 1/14

BBC Online

Justine Henin completed a magnificent season with an epic victory over Maria Sharapova in the final of the Sony Ericsson Championships in Madrid.

The Belgian won 5-7 7-5 6-3 in three hours 25 minutes to retain her title.

She saved seven set points before losing the opener but edged the second and was the stronger in the decider.

Henin equals Steffi Graf's 25-match unbeaten run of 1989 and becomes the first player to win 10 titles in a season since Martina Hingis in 1997.

She is also the first woman ever to win over US$5m in one year.

"I think I can still improve a lot, in my attitude especially," said the 25-year-old champion.

"I wouldn't say I played my best tennis, I was just fighting a lot. I played with my heart and it was great because that brings a lot of emotions.

"But I have to keep improving my aggressive game, moving forward and taking my opportunities."

With Sharapova still on her way back from a shoulder injury, the Belgian went into the final as a strong favourite.

But Sharapova had surprised everyone with her form in Madrid and her ever-present battling qualities were soon in evidence as she recovered from an early break in game four.

A break point went begging for Sharapova in game eight but the first real drama came with Henin serving at 5-6.

The Belgian was edgy and in a pulsating game hit four double-faults and saved seven set points before finally cracking, sending a forehand flying into the stands off the frame.

Sharapova screamed in delight but was quickly back to business, regaining her focus to fight off three break points in an equally intense game at the start of the second set.

Henin's own serve was faltering but she got the first breakthrough of the second set at 4-4, only for Sharapova to hit straight back and level for 5-5.

With both players tiring another two break points came and went for Henin in game 11 before she forced an error on the third, and then served out to love to level the match.

Now the momentum was well and truly with the champion and she broke in game three of the decider, but still had to fend off three break points from the willing but exhausted Sharapova in the next.

When Sharapova then took a medical timeout for breathing difficulties the end appeared in sight but an incredible match had another twist as the Russian came out and broke back.

At 3-3 in the deciding set, and with fatigue and nerves threatening to overcome both players, Henin landed the telling blow with a break when Sharapova double-faulted.

The world number one then had to survive yet another nerve-shredding game before converting her fifth match point to ensure she went undefeated from Wimbledon until the end of the year.

· Cara Black and Liezel Huber won their ninth title of the year when they beat Katarina Srebotnik and Ai Sugiyama 5-7 6-3 10-8 in the doubles final.

BBC Online

Australia have sealed a comprehensive win over Sri Lanka by an innings and 40 runs in the first Test in Brisbane.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 300 in their second innings on the final day, which was twice interrupted by rain.

Aussie paceman Brett Lee wrapped things up, taking four second innings wickets to add to his four in the first innings and win the man of the match award.

Chamara Silva (43) offered some resistance but when Stuart Clark bowled Muttiah Muralitharan it was all over.

The Aussies went into the final day needing just five Sri Lankan wickets to wrap up an innings victory in their first Test match for 10 months.

Silva was dropped by Phil Jaques at midwicket off Stuart Clark in the fourth over of the day but Clark was not to be denied for long, trapping Prasanna Jayawardene lbw for one soon after.

Farveez Maharoof (18) helped Silva add 33 for the seventh wicket before Lee kocked over his off stump and the only hold up for Australia was the two rain delays that followed.

When they came back out Silva crashed three fours off one expensive Lee over before the fast bowler struck, Silva caught at third man by Michael Hussey.

Dilhara Fernando was cleaned up by Lee for four before Clark wrapped up proceedings when he yorked Muralitharan for Australia's 13th Test win in a row.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he hoped his new-look side would continue to improve.

"You can expect us to maintain some very high standards," he said.

"The young guys have a chance to forge identities and hopefully we can keep this group together and widen the gap between us and the other teams."

Sir Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene admitted they had blown a chance to put the Aussies under pressure in their first Test without Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer.

"It is an opportunity that we should have exploited, but we were not capable enough to do it over the first two days," said Jayawardene.

· The world's three leading news agencies have not been providing material from the Brisbane Test due to a dispute with Cricket Australia.

As a result, any pictures used are not from the current match.