The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Two centuries by Farhad Hossain and Anisur Rahman helped Rajshahi Division to make 256 for the loss of five wickets in the first innings against Sylhet Division on the first day of the four-dayer match of the Ispahani Mirzapur Tea 9th National Cricket League at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium on Tuesday.

Rajshahi lost their early two wickets for 16 runs but later, Farhad Hossain and Anisur Rahman repaired the damage adding together 205 runs in the third wicket stand.

Farhad Hossain knocked a painstaking 106 facing 252 deliveries. He cracked 12 boundaries in his 290-minute innings.

Anisur Rahman made a superb 102 using 209 balls before he was retired hurt. He hit 12 fours in his 305-minute knock.

Right -arm medium pacer Tapash Baisya of Sylhet bagged a couple of wicket instead of 14 runs while Alok Kapali and Enamul Haque (Junior) plucked one wicket each conceding 36 and 56 runs respectively.

Meanwhile,Shahriar Nafees's captain's knock of 108 guided Barisal to score 264 for the loss of nine wickets in the first innings against Chittagong Division on the first day of the four-dayer at the Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium in Chittagong on the same day.

Shahriar Nafees played 141 deliveries in his 222-minute knock, which was studded with16 shots across the ropes.

Besides, Raisul Islam made a polished 40 off 113 balls.

Tareq Aziz and Kamrul Islam of Chittagong bagged altogether six wickets sharing three wickets each for 77 and 83 runs respectively.

Besides, Faisal Hossain, Saju Datta and Yasin Arafat took one wicket apiece.

BBC Online

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen hit half-centuries as England won their final warm-up match in Sri Lanka.

James Anderson recovered from his ankle knock to take the final wicket, and bowl the Board President's XI out for 81, setting England 246 to win.

Cook (58) and Michael Vaughan (28) put on 50 for the first wicket, before Cook and Pietersen (59) added 65.

The five-wicket victory in Colombo came after England were bowled out for 134 on Monday to concede a 165-run lead.

Matthew Hoggard was the only specialist seamer operating when the President's XI began their second innings after tea on Monday, with Anderson and Steve Harmison out of action.

Anderson wrapped up the innings in the first full over of the day when a bouncer to Chanaka Welegedara was gloved to Matt Prior.

Cook and Vaughan then gave England a fast start.

But it was a shame Vaughan was not able to produce a more substantial innings after collecting three boundaries in one over from Sujeewa de Silva, including an exquisite back-foot drive.

With the team half-century posted as early as the 10th over, home team skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan was forced to turn to the part-time medium pace of Jehan Mubarak.

The change worked, as an over-confident Vaughan advanced down the track and sliced to backward point.

Ian Bell lasted just 19 balls, perishing as he tried to hit off-spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan over the infield, only to pick out mid-on.

His lack of runs was a worry given that he was one of many batsmen to fail in the first innings.

But Pietersen was in even more desperate need of some time in the middle after scores of four and one in his two previous innings.

He hit an early boundary to be 10 not out in the lunchtime score of 88-2, and expanded his repertoire in the afternoon session.

Soon after Cook had reached his half-century, Pietersen reverse-swept a six over point off the off-spinner Dilshan.

Pietersen timed the ball impressively, hitting five other boundaries in a polished 59.

UNB, Dhaka

Former star footballers Tuesday demanded postponement of election to the District Football Associations (DFAs), as the process is not suitable for the country at present.

They also raised question about the formation of DFAs leaving out government officials as per the FIFA guideline.

The celebrated booters of yesteryears also appealed to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to introduce an appropriate system for the formation of DFAs in consultation with local organisers, former footballers and other authorities concerned.

Addressing a press conference at the National Sports Council (NSC) conference room, they said the FIFA formula for constituting the DFAs excluding government officials is an "absurd proposition" for the time being.

"We're not against the FIFA guidelines. But it will be quite impossible to run football properly on the ground without government involvement in the DFAs," said Sheikh Mohammad Aslam, a football legend in the country.

He added: "BFF should have discussed the matter with us and also with the district organisers before taking the decision (about formation of DFAs)."

Aslam explained that football is losing its past glory for lack of financial support, adequate ground facilities and proper patronization. The situation will further worsen if football is deprived of government support, he said.

"If BFF would be able to project the real picture of Bangladesh football to FIFA, we are sure FIFA will be convinced about our proposal," he added.

Earlier, FIFA imposed certain restrictions on DFA elections, including one that no government officials will be eligible to participate in the DFA elections.

Golam Sarwar Tipu, Badal Roy, Abdus Salam Murshedi, Shafiqul Islam Manik, Kaiser Hamid, Satyajit Das Rupu and Syed Rumman Wali Bin Sabbir were, among others, present at the press conference.

BBC online

Leading Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been sent to hospital suffering from fever and exhaustion three days before the second Test against India.

It is the latest concern for Pakistan who have skipper Shoaib Malik nursing an ankle injury suffered during a game of soccer after the defeat in Delhi.

Batsman Misbah-ul Haq is recovering from a fever and throat infection.

But seam bowler Umar Gul has recovered from a back problem which kept him out in Delhi and is available for Calcutta.

Injury-prone speedster Shoaib took six wickets in the opener, his first Test appearance since January.

While he was Pakistan's best bowler in Delhi, Misbah was their most effective batsman with scores of 82 and 45.

Pakistan will be desperate to have both men fit as they bid to stop India winning their first home series against their neighbours since 1979-80.

Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf are the likeliest men to step in if Pakistan require a stand-in captain, but the PCB is confident Malik will be fit to play.

Sports Reporter

Khulna Division posted 239 for the loss of seven wickets in the first innings against Dhaka Division on the first day of the four-dayer match of the Ispahani Mirzapur Tea 9th National Cricket League at the Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Matiur Rahman Stadium in Khulna on Tuesday.

Mostafizur Rahman of Khulna hit the team's highest of 62 off 94 balls amid nine fours while opener Nazmus Sadat hit a fine 61 off 133 balls including five boundaries.

Tushar Imran was the other notable run getter of Khulna who notched up 54 off 146 balls.

Mohammad Ashraful of Dhaka captured three wickets at the cost of 56 runs while Mosharrof Hossain bagged a couple of wickets conceding 68 runs.

Besides, Mahbubul Alam and Mohammad Sharif took one wicket each.

UNB, Dhaka

After a humiliating defeat in the first one-day match, visiting Bangladesh U-19 team face Pakistan U-19 team in the 2nd one-dayer today (Wednesday) at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad.

The two teams will travel back to Karachi to play the 3rd one-day match 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.

Earlier, on Monday, Bangladesh U-19 team suffered a massive 144-run defeat against their Pakistani counterparts in the first one-day match, also at the Niaz Stadium in Hyderabad.

Reuters, Mumbai

Former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten is being considered for the vacant India cricket coach job, the Indian board said on Tuesday.

Kirsten, 40, was interviewed by members of the board's special coach committee on Monday, secretary Niranjan Shah said in a statement and a decision is expected within a week.

India have been without a coach since Australian Greg Chappell resigned after their first-round exit at the World Cup in March and the team has had interim managers since the tour of Bangladesh in May.

South African Graham Ford turned the coach's job down in June and the board has since advertised the post. Shah told reporters on Monday that the committee had received more than 20 applications for the job but did not divulge names.

Kirsten played 101 tests and 185 one-day internationals for South Africa in an 11- year career that ended in 2004.