The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Wellington

Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori, New Zealand captains past and present, shared a common fate on the second day of the second cricket test against Bangladesh on Sunday.

Fleming, who captained New Zealand in 80 tests, and Vettori, who succeeded him ahead of this series, were both out within reach of a century as New Zealand replied with 393 to Bangladesh's first innings of 143, a lead of 250.

By stumps, Bangladesh was 51-5 in its second innings, still 199 runs behind with a key batsman out of action and its tail order exposed.

OpenerTamim Iqbal, Bangladesh's most consistent performer in the two-test series, is unlikely to bat because of a broken thumb, leaving veteran Habibul Bahsar (21 not out) to lead the tourists' resistance.

Earlier, New Zealand took command of the match in an inconsistent innings which saw a mixture of authority and indiscipline.

Fleming was out for 87 - his 43rd half century in tests and 13 runs short of his 10th century - while Vettori fell for 94, only six runs from his third test century after compiling his 13th test 50.

Fleming had some small compensation in claiming a catch to dismiss Aftab Ahmed (5) during Bangladesh's declining second innings to move to second on the all-time list of test catches.

He tied Brian Lara at 164 catches during the Bangladesh first innings and moved to 165 with his catch Sunday, 17 behind all-time leader, Australian Mark Waugh on 181.

Bangladesh staggered when faced with New Zealand's heavy first innings lead Sunday, losing five quick wickets and showing little determination to stave off its sixth loss in six tests against New Zealand.

It lost the first test of this series by nine wickets at Dunedin, the first occasion in tests against New Zealand in which they have prevented an innings defeat.

After Fleming had revived the innings, which was in difficulty at 35 for two on Saturday, Vettori led a late-order charge which made New Zealand's lead substantial.

Fleming highlighted an unfortunate record, however, when he expanded one of the poorest conversion rates of 50s to 100s among world class batsmen. His record of 43 half centuries and nine centuries has become a small blemish on an impressive career.

Only two of Fleming's test centuries - one of which was against Bangladesh - have been made in New Zealand and none at the distinctive central city oval at which Fleming plays occasional first class matches for Wellington.

Fleming came to the wicket when New Zealand was 35 for two on Saturday, replying to Bangladesh's paltry first innings, and he ensured his team restored its authority in the match and series.

He put on 83 with Craig Cumming for the third wicket Saturday, then 96 in fourth wicket stand with Mathew Sinclair, which continued with New Zealand's resumption Sunday at 134 for three.

Sinclair battled an abject lack of form to make 47 and left Fleming at the crease, in command and with the innings largely revived, at 214-4.

Fleming's innings was far from chanceless and he managed to mix grace, fluidity and command with moments of recklessness and technical deficiency.

His innings allowed Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum to attack the Bangladesh bowlers around the introduction of the second new ball and both did so with gusto.

McCullum made 42 with four fours and two sixes and Vettori's 94 came from 87 balls with 17 fours.

New Zealand quickly got amongst the Bangladesh batsmen as they batted again and Shahrian Nafees, opening in place of Tamim, Zunaed Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed and Mushfiqur Rahim were all out before stumps.

UNB, Dhaka

An Open Women's Cricket Tournament, organized by Women's Wing of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), is scheduled to begin on January 17.

Ten teams, split into three groups, will take part in the tourney, initially on league basis matches to be held in Dhaka and Khulna, BCB Women's Wing chairman Monwar Anis Khan told UNB on Sunday.

Later, three group champion teams will play in the final to be held in Dhaka.

Participating teams: Dhaka Abahani Limited, Ansar and VDP, Jahangirnagar University, Tetulia Upazilla, Prantik KC, Digital Vision, Ispahani Club, Khulna Women's Cricket Academy, Narail and Chuadanga.

Of the participating teams, four teams -- Abahani Limited, Ansar & VDP, Jahangirnagar University and Tetulia upazilla --have sent their team lists, each comprising coach, manager and 14 players.

Abahani Limited - Farzana Rahman, Papiya Haq Babu, Saria Sumona, Reshma Akhtar Aduri, Mousumi Rahman, Lily Biswas, Yamim Rupa, Shirin Rubi, Anna Purification, Supriya Das, Maksuda Lisa, Farida Akhtar Kajol, Sushmita Banik and Sharmin Akhtar; Sheikh Mamun (coach), Ayesha Zaman (manager).

Ansar & VDP - Khadiza Akhtar China, Tithi Rani Sarkar, Mina Khatun Mona, Chameli Khatun, Ayesha Khatun, Shamima Akhtar Pinki, Shahnaz Parvin, Rifat Ara Moyna, Marzia Akhtar Momy, Panna Ghosh, Salma Akhtar, Soheli Khatun, Dulali Haldar and Nadia Parvin Lucky; Farida Begum (coach), SM Alam (manager).

Jahangirnagar University - Fatema-tuz-Johra, Monisha Kundu, Nuzhat Nahreen Nivel, Solnara Akhtar Tania, Dina Chakma, Mahfuza Akhtar Munni, Nazma Akhtar Kajol, Shah Rubinaj Lipi, Nasrin Sultana Munni, Zakia Sultana, Nazma Khatun Munni, Cynthia Zaman, Nahida Akhtar Nawrin and Nahid Nazma Sultana;

Coach - M Nurul Haque, and Manager - Habiba Yasmin

Tetulia Upojela Team - Shahida Niaz, Shelly, Moni Parvin, Nasima Khatun, Rikta Khanam, Rotna Khanam, Rumi Akhtar, Sumi Parvin, Rojina Khatun, Jyotsna Begum, Ismat Ara, Kamla, Chhanda and Rina Akhtar;

Coach - Kazi Mahmudur Rahman Dablu, and Manager - Khondokar Shamsujjoha Niazid.

Sports Reporter

Jatrabari KC and Matuail Milon Smriti Sangsad moved into the final of the Exim Bank Women's Kabaddi League on Sunday.

Today Jatrabari KC will face Matuail Milon Smriti Sangsad in the final. After the final match President of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation and Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Noor Mohammad will distribute the prizes among the winners as the chief guest while sponsor of the Exim Bank Limited Md. Nazrul Islam Shawpan and Managing Director of the Exim Bank Kazi Moshihur Rahman will be present with him as special guests.

In the day's first semi-final, Jatrabari KC defeated Dhaka Wanderers Club by 66-35 points with four lonas at the Kabaddi Stadium.

In the day's second semi-final, Matuail Milon Smriti Sangsad beat Jurain Janata Club by 54-46 points including two lonas at the same venue.

Metropolis Senior Division Football League resumes today

UNB, Dhaka

After a four-day recess, the 1st phase of the Metropolis Senior Division Football League resumes Monday with two lowly clubs -- Arambagh KS and City Club - playing in the day's lone match at the Bir Shreshtha Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium in city's Kamalapur.

On Tuesday, Purbachal Parishad will take on Sunrise SC at 3:00 pm, also at the same venue.

Badda Jagarani Sangsad currently dominate the league table securing six points from two matches, followed by Jatrabari KC in the 2nd position, also with six points from three matches.

Victoria SC and Agrani Bank are in the joint 3rd position securing four points from two matches, while Arambagh KS and City Club both have one point from two matches.

Handball training camp for under-16 boys begins

UNB, Dhaka

A handball training camp for the Under-16 Boys, organized by Bangladesh Handball Federation, began on Sunday at the Outer Stadium Handball court.

Federation's senior vice president Kazi Mahtabuddin Ahmed inaugurated the weeklong camp for the new handball players. Federation general secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor was present.

Thirty-five budding players from different metropolis schools are taking part in the training program to be held 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm every day.

Japanese handball coach Sympe and local coach Amjad Hossain are conducting the camp.

UNB, Dhaka

Ahead of the ensuing ICC Under-19 World Cup, Bangladesh U-19 team will host Nepal U-19 team and West Indies U-19 team in several one-day preparation matches later this month.

Nepal U-19 team will arrive here on January 22 on a weeklong tour to play three one-day matches against their Bangladesh counterparts. All the matches will be held at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Matiur Rahman Stadium (BSSRAS) in Khulna.

West Indies U-19 team is expected to arrive here on January 29 to play four one-day matches against the junior tigers. Of the matches, three will be held at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium (SCS) in Bogra while the other one likely to be held at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS) at Fatullah.

During their recent tour to South Africa, the Bangladesh U-19 team drew the lone three-day match against the hosts and reached the final of the triangular one-day series where they were eventually beaten by India U-19 team in the final.