The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

League leaders Rajshahi Division retained their winning streak in the Ispahani Mirzapur Tea 9th National Cricket League when they defeated Khulna Division by five wickets in their one-dayer match at the Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Motiur Rahman Stadium in Khulna on Wednesday.

After yesterday's outcome, Rajshahi Division led the points table securing eight points from four matches while Khulna collected six points in as many matches.

Chasing Khulna's total of 187 off 47.5 overs, Rajshahi Division sailed home in 45 overs scoring 188 for the loss of five wickets.

Rajshahi lost their early three wickets for 53 runs. Later, Nayeem Islam and Farhad Hossain mended the innings adding together 95 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Nayeem Islam was cleanly bowled by Jamal Uddin making 66 when the team's score was 148 for the loss of four wickets.

Nayem Islam struck six fours in his 68-ball knock.

Farhad Hossain hit a quick-fire 43 off 32 balls amid two fours.

Left-arm medium pacer Syed Russel of Khulna got three wickets at the cost of 35 runs.

Earlier, Shakib Al Hasan of Khulna hit a fine 52 off 67 balls including two boundaries.

Nayeem Islam, Suhrawardy Shuvo, Mahbub Alam, Farhad Hossain of Rajshahi chipped in with two wickets each for 16, 26, 34 and 55 runs respectively.

Sports Reporter

Chittagong Division earned a thrilling three-wicket victory over Dhaka Division in their one-dayer match of the Ispahani Mirzapur Tea 9th National Cricket League at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.

Electing to bat first, Dhaka Division posted a fighting 253 for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 50 overs.

In reply, Chittagong Division reached the winning spot making 254 for the loss of seven wickets when they had just three balls to spare.

Faisal Hossain of Chittagong Division notched up a notable 52 using 62 balls with three shots across the ropes while Nafees Iqbal hit a sedate 50 off 80 balls including three fours.

Besides, Mahbubul Karim, Aftab Ahmed, Nazim Uddin, Dhiman Ghosh contributed 46, 38, 34 and 20 (not out) to the Chittagong total.

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique of Dhaka shone with the cherry claiming three wickets giving away 40 runs.

Earlier, Mosharrof Hossain, skipper Mohammad Ashraful, Mehrab Hossain (Junior) added 69, 45 and 34 runs to the Dhaka total.

Kamrul Islam of Chittagong grabbed three wickets in the space of 35 runs while his teammates Sabbir Khan and Tareq Aziz bagged a couple of wickets for 46 and 52 runs respectively.

Chittagong Division and Dhaka Division earned four points each from their respective four matches.

A superb 100 by Golam Mabub guided Sylhet Division to achieve a norrow 14-run win over Barisal Division in their one-dayer clash at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium on the same day.

Golam Mabub faced 116 deliveries, which innings was laced with 12 fours and two sixes.

Sent into bat first, Sylhet made 225 for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs and then they restricted Barisal to 211 for the loss of eight wickets off 50 overs. It was first win for Sylhet in their campaign so far.

Sharif Ullah and Ezaz Ahmed added 38 and 30 runs to the Sylhet total.

Sumon Kumar of Barisal plucked three wickets at the cost of 38 runs while Arafat Salahuddin and Sajidul Islam bagged a couple of wickets for 23 and 37 runs respectively.

Later, Rakibul Hasan of Barisal remained undefeated with 87 off 128 balls with five fours and a six but his sparkle effort went in vain as his teammates failed to give him proper support.

Enamul Haque (Junior) of Sylhet captured four wickets in exchange of 50 runs while Shubashish Roy took two wickets for 35 runs.

Sylhet Division collected two points from four matches while Barisal Division remained with nought from as many matches.

UNB, Dhaka

The 22nd National Swimming Championship began Wednesday at the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur with two national records bettered on the first day, both in women's short distance swimming.

On completion of the day's eight events, BKSP dominates the medal table securing three gold and two silver. Bangladesh Navy followed closely with two gold, two silver and two bronze while Bangladesh Ansar remain at third position winning one gold, three silver and one bronze medal.

Famed BJMC swimmer Sabura Khatoon created the day's first record in the women's 50-meter backstroke with a timing of 35.56 seconds improving the previous mark of 35.97 seconds.

Laboni Akhter Chameli of Bangladesh Ansar won the event's silver while Rima Khatoon of BJMC took the bronze.

In the women's 50-meter freestyle, Afsana Talukder of BKSP made the day's second record clocking 30.21 seconds to better the old mark of 30.79 seconds.

Sonia Akhter, also from BKSP, secured the event's silver while Sonia Parveen of Rajshahi Division took the bronze.

Earlier, in the morning, LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal formally inaugurated the four-day meet, organised by Bangladesh Swimming Federation and jointly sponsored by Keya Cosmetics Ltd and Mercantile Bank Ltd.

Managing Director of Mercantile Bank M Mujibur Rahman and senior executive of Keya Cosmetics Dewan Akkas Ali Pathan were present as special guests.

The LGRD Adviser witnessed few of the opening day's events and later distributed the prizes at a simple ceremony, chaired by Swimming Federation President and Navy Chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam. Federation general secretary Commodore (retd) MS Kabir was also present.

Results of the day's events: -

50-meter backstroke (men's): 1st - Rubel Rana (Navy), 2nd - Munmun Ahmed (Navy), 3rd - Wasiul Islam (Army).

50-meter backstroke (women's): Ist - Sabura Khatoon (BJMC), 2nd Laboni Akhter Chameli (Ansar), 3rd - Rima Khatoon (BJMC).

200-meter butterfly (men's): Ist - Sujon Ali (Army), 2nd- Niamul Haque (Army), 3rd - Jewel Ahmed (Navy).

200-meter butterfly (women's): Ist - Sonia Akhter (BKSP), 2nd- Laboni Akhter Jui (Ansar), 3rd - Lovely Khatoon (Ansar).

400-meter individual medley (men's): Ist - Nazmul Haque (BKSP), 2nd - Rubel Rana (Navy), 3rd - Karar Samedul Islam (Navy).

400-meter individual medley (women's) : Ist - Lovely Akhter (Ansar), 2nd - Laboni Akhter Jui (Ansar), 3rd - Labonya (Jessore DSA).

50-meter freestyle (men's): Ist - Nazrul Islam (Navy), 2nd - Mahfuzur Rahman (BKSP), 3rd - Rezaul Karim (Army).

50-meter freestyle (women's): Ist - Afsana Talukder (BKSP), 2nd - Sonia Akhter (BKSP), 3rd - Sonia Parveen (Rajshahi Division)

UNB, Dhaka

Orient Cricket Academy will play Bodyline Cricket Coaching School in the final of the Metropolis Third Division Qualifying Cricket League today (Thursday) at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

Both teams have already earned the right to play in the Third Division Cricket League from next season.

In the day's super league match, despite an all-round performance by Asif, Badda Jagarani Sangsad conceded a two-wicket defeat against Sonali Metro Cricket Academy at the Dhanmondi Club ground.

Batting first after winning the toss, Badda Jagarani were all out for 136 in 36 overs with Asif scoring 23 runs. Haider claimed two wickets for 20 runs.

In reply, Sonali Cricket Academy reached the target making 138 for 8 in 27.1 overs with Minhazul contributing 31 runs. Asif grabbed six wickets for 26 runs.

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka Mohammedan SC will take on Friends Club of Nepal in the inaugural match of the Friendship Cup Football to be held on Nov 28-Dec 10 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Talking to the reporters on Wednesday, organising committee secretary Badal Roy informed that the second match of the tournament would be a day-night match between Malaysia's Perak FA and Kolkata Mohammedan SC.

Friends Club of Nepal is expected to be the first foreign team to arrive in the city on Nov 26 while Malaysia's Perak FA and Kolkata Mohammedan SC are due on Nov 27, he said.

UNB, Dhaka

Defending champion Viquarunissa Noon School & College made a good start in the 11th Delta Life Women Handball Competition, beating Narayanganj Govt Women College by 19-1 goals in an opening day match at the Dhanmondi Women's Sports Complex on Wednesday.

The winners led the first half 13-0.

In the day's other opening matches, Holly Cross College beat last year's runners-up Shiddheshwari Girls College 16-3 after leading the first half 10-2 while Scholastica blanked Mohammadpur Preparatory School & College 11-0 after dominating the first half 5-0.

Earlier, chief adviser of private satellite channel ATN Bangla Saiful Bari inaugurated the meet.

AFP, Gwalior

Fiery Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar admitted Wednesday he was not in shape for the ongoing series against India, despite impressive recent performances.

The 32-year-old returned to international cricket last month after serving a 13-match ban, primarily for striking team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat ahead of the inaugural Twenty20 world championships in South Africa in September.

Akhtar grabbed four wickets in his comeback one-dayer against South Africa at home in October and six in three matches against India on the current tour.

Pakistan trail 2-1 in the five-match series with the fourth game to be played here on Thursday.

"I was not ready for the one- dayers," Akhtar told reporters. "I wanted to play three-four games before playing in the series. I also needed to train more in the gym and get into shape before the series.

BBC Online

India have recalled spinners Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik to their Test squad for the series against Pakistan.

The selectors have named a 14-man party for the first two games, which start in Delhi on 22 November and Calcutta (Kolkata) eight days later.

Harbhajan has not played Test cricket since July 2006, while Kartik has been out of favour for three years.

They will provide slow bowling back-up to leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who was named as India's new captain last week.

And the inclusion of off-spinner Harbhajan and left-armer Kartik means India have a full range of options available if the pitches are conducive to spin.

There are no major surprises in the squad, although batsman Gautam Gambhir can consider himself a little unlucky after some good innings for the one-day side.

Virender Sehwag also missed out as the selectors kept faith with Dinesh Karthik and Wasim Jaffer, who both played in the 1-0 series victory in England during the summer.

Former captain Rahul Dravid keeps his place despite being left out of the current one-day series against Pakistan, and he will be looking to return to his best form after averaging only 25 against England.

The squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan, which starts in Bangalore on 8 December, will be named at a later date.

India Test squad: A Kumble (captain), W Jaffer, D Karthik, R Dravid, S Tendulkar, S Ganguly, V Laxman, Y Singh, MS Dhoni (wkt), H Singh, Z Khan, RP Singh, S Santh, M Kartik.

Reuters, Madrid

Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 away win over Segunda B (third division) Alcoyano in the first leg of their King's Cup last 32 round tie on Tuesday, while holders Sevilla were held 1-1 away to Denia.

Barcelona's France striker Thierry Henry finished off a slick move involving Xavi and Eidur Gudjohnsen in the 25th minute, and Iceland forward Gudjohnsen put away a penalty three minutes from time.

Youngster Bojan Krkic added a third in the last minute after Alcoyano, who had rarely threatened, lost their heads. They finished with nine on the pitch after having two players sent off in the last 10 minutes.

The victory eased the pressure on coach Frank Rijkaard, who had been under fire over their poor away form, as the side showed far greater commitment than they had in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Getafe in the Primera Liga.

Sevilla were given a run for their money by another Segunda B side Denia, as they were held to a 1-1 away draw on an artificial pitch.

Uruguayan striker Ernesto Chevanton, in a rare appearance, put Sevilla in front, diverting Jesus Navas's cross into the net in the 75th minute.

But they only held the lead for two minutes before Pablo Vidal headed the home side level.

In the day's other game, second division Hercules gave visiting Athletic Bilbao a scare as they took a two-goal first-half lead.

The home side were reduced to 10 men just before the break and Bilbao restored their pride with goals from Fernando Llorente and Asier del Horno, to scramble a 2-2 draw.

There are six more first legs being played on Wednesday, including two between top-flight sides, with Levante hosting Almeria and Real Murcia travelling to Valladolid. The Primera Liga's second-placed club Villarreal visit second division basement side Las Palmas.

The remaining seven ties have been postponed until next month at the request of clubs exercising the option due to international call ups.

The return legs are due to be played on Jan. 2.

AFP, Sydney

Former Australian cricket captain Greg Chappell believes he was subjected to a racist attack while coaching India and that the authorities there tried to cover it up, reports said today.

He makes the charge in a documentary about his troubled two-year stint as India coach which is to be shown on national television next week, The Australian newspaper reported.

Chappell said he was punched and pushed by a disgruntled fan as the Indian team arrived in Bhubaneswar in Orissa state for a one-day clash against the West Indies in January this year.

"I got hit on the side of the head and my immediate reaction was 'he's broken my jaw'," Chappell said. "Indians are very quick to complain about racism. There are plenty of Indian cricketers the guy could have attacked but he chose to attack me," he said.

"I don't really buy the fact that he was talking about the lack of Orissa players in the Indian team.

"If that was the case why didn't he accost the chairman of selectors or someone else who might have been involved in the selection process?

"Why would he attack one of the foreigners in the group-me as coach? There's a bit more to it than that."

Chappell, who left the post after India's poor showing at the World Cup, said he was still upset about the attack and the lack of action taken by officials.

"As I said to the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) in a letter, had it been one of the players who was attacked there would have been an outcry, but because it was me, no one seemed to care," Chappell told The Australian.

"The reply came back talking about my racist comments. It was quite obvious it was a serious assault. It wasn't just a push in the back as the media was led to believe. There was a cover-up. Everyone went into cover-up mode. The whole thing was played down."

The accusation by Chappell follows Australian complaints that Indian crowds racially abused black Australian batsman Andrew Symonds with monkey chants and gestures during a tour last month.