The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka Division finished runners-up in the one-day Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 9th National Cricket League beating new champions Rajshahi Division by 51 runs in the 10th and final round at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) on Tuesday.

Both Dhaka Division (+0.31) and Khulna Division (+0.25) have secured 12 points, but Dhaka placed second by virtue of better run rate while Khulna placed third. Rajshahi Division earlier clinched the title after the 8th round with 14 points.

In the day's other two matches, opener Imrul Kayes hit yet another century as Khulna Division outplayed Barisal Division by seven wickets at the Bir Shreshtha Shahid Matiur Rahman Stadium (BSSRAS) in Khulna. Chittagong Division also crushed Sylhet Division by seven wickets in the day's other match at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS).

Sylhet Division finished 4th with 8 points while Barisal Division finished 5th, also securing eight points. Chittagong Division remained at the bottom with 6 points.

Opting to bat first at the SBNS, two useful half centuries by opener Anwar Hossain and middle order Mahmudullah Riyadh enabled Dhaka Division to post 254 for 8 in the allocated 50 overs.

Anwar top scored 65 runs off 91 balls with six fours while Riyadh made 52 off 82 balls with three fours. Nazmul Hossain hammered 42 runs off 31 balls that featured one four and three sixes.

Middle order Nadif Chowdhury 34, opener Javed Omar 29 and Mosharraf Hossain Rubel 10 were the other notable scorers for hosts Dhaka Division.

Saqlain Sajib claimed four wickets for 52 runs in 10 overs while medium pacer Mushfiqur Rahman took two wickets for 52 runs.

In reply, Rajshahi Division were all out for 203 in 48.5 overs with number six Nayeem Islam making team highest 43 off 57 balls that included two fours.

Mahbubul Alam Mustakim and tail-ender Mohammad Shahjada scored 41 runs each while opener Shakil Haider made 27, Delwar Hossain 12 and Farhad Hossain 11.

Veteran spinner Mohammad Rafique grabbed three wickets for 29 runs in 9.5 overs while Mehrab Hossain Jr. took two wickets for 53 runs.

Anwar Hossain of Dhaka Division was adjudged man of the match.

Sent into bat first at the BSSRAS, Rokibul Hasan hammered 133 runs off 131 balls with nine fours and three sixes as Barisal Division piled up 265 for 6 in the allocated 50 overs.

After early exit of openers Hannan Sarker and Nasiruddin Faruque, both at 4, Kamrul Islam and Rokibul put up a good partnership of 156 runs in the 3rd wicket before Kamrul returned to the pavilion making 43 leaving team total at 165 for 3.

Number seven Arafat Salahuddin and Shaheen Hossain remained till the end with 48 and 16 runs respectively to enable Barisal Division make a fighting total.

Pacer Zaiur Rahman took two wickets for 76 runs while Nazmus Sadat, Monjurul Islam and Nahidul Huq took one wicket each.

In reply, Kayes, who earlier hit 121 against Sylhet Division, was on high note again today as his unbeaten 133 off 151 balls with 11 fours and four sixes guided Khulna Division to reach 268 for 3 in 47.4 overs. Kayes was later named man of the match.

After the departure of three top order batsmen -- Nazmus Sadat 21, Mostafizur Rahman 36 and Monirul Islam 0, Kayes along with wicket keeper Sahagir Hossain Pavel did the rest putting up 168 runs in the 4th wicket stand to earn the fresh four-day champions an outright victory. Sahagir remained unbeaten on 75 off 78 balls that featured five fours and two sixes.

In the day's other last round match at the NOS, Sylhet Division were all out for 198 in 50 overs after sent into bat first by Chittagong Division.

Number five Golam Mabud contributed innings highest 69 runs off 100 balls with five fours and a six while Sharifullah 28 and Rana Mia not out 20 were the other notable scorers.

Right-arm pacer Tareq Aziz Khan captured three wickets for 25 runs in 8 overs while Kazi Kamrul Islam took two wickets for 34.

In reply, Faisal Hossain Dickens and Dhiman Ghosh scored unbeaten fifties as Chittagong Division reached the target scoring 202 for 3 in 30.1 overs.

Dhiman remained not out on 73 hitting 11 fours and a six while Faisal remained unbeaten on 71 off 77 balls with nine fours and two sixes.

Earlier, after the early exit of Elias Sunny 8 and Mahbubul Karim 1, one down Nazimuddin scored 33 runs.

Saif Mahmud, Golam Rahman and Rashedur Rahman took one wicket each.

Dhiman Ghosh was adjudged man of the match.

Barisal vs Khulna: Barisal 265/6 in 50 overs; Hannan 4, Nasiruddin 4, Kamrul 43, Roquibul 133, Raisul 0, Abul Bashar 0, Arafat 47*, Shaheen 16*; Ziaur 2/76, Nazmus 1/36, Monjurul 1/39, Nahidul 1/51 Khulna 268/3 Over -47.4; Nazmus 21, Mostafizur 36, Monirul 0, Imrul 133*, Sahagir 75*; Monwar 1/30, Sumon 1/60

Dhaka vs Rajshahi: Dhaka 254/8 in 50 overs; Javed 29, Anwar 65, Mosharraf 10, Mehrab jr 0, Mahmudullah 52, Nadif 34, Nazmul 42*, Rafiq 9, Sharif 6; Saqlain 4/52, Mushfiqur 2/52, Delwar 1/26, Jubaer 1/36 Rajshahi 203/10 Over -48.5; Shakil 27, Robiul 10, Mizanur 5, Farhad 11, Mahbubul 41, Naeem 43, Mushfiqur 4, Jubaer 0, Shahzada 41, Delwar 12, Saqlain 0*; Rafique 3/29, Mehrab jr 2/53, Mahbubul 1/26, Mosharraf 1/26, Sharif 1/37

Sylhet vs Chittagong: Sylhet 198/10 in 50 overs; Golam Mabud 69, Sharifullah 28, Rana 20; Tareq 3/25, Kamrul 2/34 Chittagong 202/3 Over -30.1; Nazimuddin 33, Elias 8, Mahbubul 1, Faisal 71*, Dhiman 73*; Golam Rahman 1/21, Saif 1/24, Rashedur 1/30

Reuters, India

India's cricket board (BCCI) expressed satisfaction at the International Cricket Council's decision to drop umpire Steve Bucknor from the third test but has yet to reach a decision on the future of the Australia tour. "We are happy that this issue (umpiring) has been resolved, but the working committee will meet tonight (Tuesday) and decide on the future course," board secretary Niranjan Shah told Reuters on Tuesday.

On Monday, the BCCI suspended the tour pending the outcome of an appeal for banned spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was handed a three-test suspension by match referee Mike Procter for racially abusing Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the second test in Sydney.

India reacted with anger and disappointment at the series of umpiring blunders that led to their second test defeat as well as the controversial ban on Harbhajan.

The hosts won by 122 runs to equal their own record of 16 consecutive test victories and lead the four-test series 2-0. The third test is scheduled to be played in Perth from Jan. 16.

On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council replaced West Indian Bucknor with Billy Bowden of New Zealand and appointed match referee Ranjan Madugalle to act as mediator in the row between rival captains, Anil Kumble and Ricky Ponting.

The ICC also said Harbhajan may continue to play pending the verdict of his appeal, although a date has yet to be set for the spinner's hearing.

AFP, Sydney

India's cricketers headed for Sydney's famous Bondi Beach instead of the training ground Tuesday as the fate of their Australian tour hung in the balance over a bitter race row.

The Indians had been scheduled to travel to Canberra Monday to prepare for a tour match but remained in Sydney following the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decision to informally suspend the tour.

The row erupted after Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh received a three-match racism suspension for allegedly calling Australia's Andrew Symonds a "monkey" and the Indians accused the host nation of breaching the spirit of the game.

There was little evidence of the tensions that have wracked the team since Australia's ill-tempered win in the second Test in Sydney as India's players emerged from their hotel late Tuesday morning.

Officials offered no word to the waiting media on whether the tour would resume, although Singh nodded his head and said "yes" when asked if he was confident about successfully appealing the suspension.

Making the most of the unplanned rest day, the Indian players made a short coach trip to Bondi, some playing an impromptu game of beach volleyball with local surf lifesavers before having lunch at a surfside restaurant.

The match in Canberra against an ACT Invitation XI is supposed to begin Thursday but organisers said Cricket Australia had not announced whether it will go ahead.

No date has yet been set to hear Singh's appeal, with the Indian camp expected to submit the necessary documentation to start the process sometime Tuesday.

Officials, players and fans will be hoping the impasse can be resolved in time to save the third Test in Perth beginning January 16.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph estimated Cricket Australia could lose 50 million dollars (43.5 million US) if India withdraws from the tour and the sporting body has to pay compensation to television broadcasters.

Sports Reporter

The Exim Bank Women's Kabaddi League begins tomorrow at the Kabaddi Stadium. A number of six teams splitting into two groups will take part in the kabaddi meet for women. Exim Bank Limited will sponsor the kabaddi competition.

Jatrabari KC, Azad Sporting Club, Matuail Milon Smriti Sangsad have been pencilled in Group A while Victoria Sporting Club, Dhaka Wanderers Club, Jurain Janata Club have been taken place in Group B.

The champions of Group A will take on the runners-up of Group B in the first semifinal on January 13 while the champions of Group B will face the runners-up of Group A in the second semifinal on the same day.

The winners of the two semifinals will meet each other in the final on January 14.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF) Md Nazrul Islam disclosed all the matters related to the competition at the press conference held at the conference room of National Sports Council on Tuesday. Senior Executive Vice- President of Exim Bank Limited Md Haidar Ali Mia, Vice-President of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation Md Amir Hossain Patwary, Vice-President of BKF Mohammad Shah Alam, Vice-President of the federation Rawshan Akhter Chobi, Convener of the Tournament Committee SM Alam, Member Secretary of the Tournament Committee Amzad Hossain Majnu were present, among others.

Reuters, Melbourne

As one of the most recognisable faces in India, Sania Mirza is already something of an expert when it comes to dealing with pressure.

The eyes of a sporting nation will again be upon her at next week's Australian Open but Mirza believes her relaxed nature, as much as her ability, will be a key factor in helping her to have a strong run at Melbourne Park.

Having broken into the top 30 last year, Mirza, one of the hardest hitters on the women's tour, has been tipped as one of the players to watch in 2008.

However, she said she was in no hurry to prove herself.

"It's getting better, and it will come-if not next week then by Melbourne and if not by Melbourne then in Fed Cup," the world number 31 told Reuters in an interview.

"I am obviously not completely happy because I still feel like I have a few things to improve, but it's coming together."

Mirza missed two months in early 2007 after knee surgery and struggled with right wrist and abdominal injuries late last year, causing an early end to her season.

Staying fit, Mirza said, was her immediate priority.

"At this point I would just like to stay healthy. Last year I said I wanted to be top 30, I said it to myself-I didn't really tell anyone else.

"When I did get injured, it seemed like everything was going out the window, I really don't want to look too far ahead of myself."

'FREAK OUT'

Mirza suffered from soreness in her first outing of the year, at the Hopman Cup in Perth, and admitted that every time she feels some pain, she worries it might be a long-term injury.

"You don't freak out but it is a bit concerning," she said.

"But you just have to live with the injuries, it's part of sport. You just have to keep taking care of yourself but I think it's only early season soreness."

Mirza's best grand-slam showing was a fourth round appearance at the U.S. Open in 2005 and she has never been beyond round three in three visits to Melbourne Park.

"Most probably I will be seeded, which is a good thing. You don't meet one of the big players in the first or second rounds which is obviously good," she said.

To achieve a place in the top 20, though, Mirza said she would need to become more consistent.

"Every step (in the rankings) gets bigger," she said.

"Not in terms of just playing, it's not about the way you play because anyone can beat anyone in the men's game or in the women's. It's really not about the ranking, it's about consistency and being able to do it over and over again, week in, week out."

Mirza's popularity in India rivals that of the country's revered cricketers, who are currently touring Australia.

The 21-year-old was raised in Hyderabad, the same city as the likes of batsman Vangipurappu Laxman, but she said that she and the cricketers did not compare notes on dealing with expectations.

"You're a sportsman, so you almost have this respect for each other, naturally, and you kind of know what each other's going through," she said.

"But we meet like two normal people. We don't say, 'what's the pressure like for you?'. I always say they are 11 and I am one, they can always blame the other person."

Mirza will continue her preparations for the Australian Open in this week's WTA event in Hobart.

AFP, Sydney

Australian media turned on the nation's world champion cricketers over a bitter dispute with India Tuesday, branding their behaviour "boorish" and "arrogant", with one newspaper demanding captain Ricky Ponting be axed.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph said the crisis that had engulfed the game since Australia's ill-tempered second Test victory over India here on Sunday was the worst since the infamous Bodyline series against England in 1932-33.

The row erupted after Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh received a three-match suspension for allegedly calling Australia's only black player Andrew Symonds a "monkey" and the Indians accused the host nation of not playing in the spirit of the game.

"The arrogant Ponting must be sacked," ran the front page headline in the Sydney Morning Herald, while the banner heading The Australian newspaper's feature page screamed "Ugly Australians".

With India delaying the next stage of its tour Down Under over spinner Singh's suspension for racism, the media turned the spotlight on the Australian behaviour that has left the tourists seething.

"It has become apparent in recent years that the attitude and behaviour of Australian players worsens the moment their superiority is seriously challenged," The Australian's Mike Coward wrote.

He said the Australian cricketers regarded themselves as hard-nosed and aggressive but failed to understand that many in their own country and beyond found their antics "boorish, arrogant and ungracious".

The Sydney Morning Herald's Peter Roebuck singled out Ponting as the main culprit, saying he should be sacked because he was so intent on victory that he allowed his team to behave in a way that embarrassed Australia.

"He turned a group of professional cricketers into a pack of wild dogs," Roebuck wrote, citing the failure by some players to walk when clearly out, the sledging aimed at the Indians and Australia's strutting victory celebrations.

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Army brightened the chance to reach the final of the Dhaka Bank Victory Day Hockey Tournament beating their contender BKSP by 2-1 goals at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium here on Tuesday.

In four league matches, this was the first defeat for BKSP and the third victory for Army, who lost the only match to Sonali Bank.

Bangladesh Army will play against comparatively easier opponent Bangladesh Air Force today (Wednesday) while BKSP face league leaders Sonali Bank SRC on Thursday in their remaining league matches.

Sonali Bank SRC dominated the league with all-win record securing full 12 points while both Bangladesh Army and BKSP follow the leaders with nine points.

The two top teams of the league will play the final on Saturday at 2:45 pm at the same venue.

In the day's vital match, all the three goals came in the first half.

Didar Hossain Chowdhury put Army team ahead in the 15th minute with a field goal (1-0) while Jamil Bin Talib restored the parity for BKSP in the 27th minute, also by a field goal (1-1).

Sanwar Hossain scored the match-winner for Army in the 31st minute by a field goal (2-1).

Today's matches: Bangladesh Army vs Bangladesh Air Force at 1:15 pm, and Bangladesh Navy vs Barnak Samaj at 3:00 pm.