The New Nation - Internet Edition

Kumble captures 600th Test wicket

BBC Online

India captain Anil Kumble has become the third bowler to take 600 Test wickets, joining fellow spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.

The 37-year-old leg-break bowler reached the milestone on day two of the third Test against Australia in Perth.

Kumble struck when Andrew Symonds was caught by Rahul Dravid at slip for 66.

He said: "It means a lot. You never think when you first start off that you will reach that milestone. Rahul has taken so many catches off my bowling."

Dravid, during his own stint as India captain, once called Kumble the "greatest Indian cricketer of the last 15 years".

That comment exalted him above record-breaking batsman Sachin Tendulkar, a player who has always commanded more box-office appeal.

And the 600th wicket was a crucial one, giving India the advantage in Perth as they attempt to win their first Test of the series after losing the first two.

Adam Gilchrist, Symonds' non-striking partner when Kumble reached the landmark, took off his helmet and congratulated the bowler.

It was a welcome cordial gesture within a series that became dogged by rancour in the aftermath of the Sydney Test.

Kumble went on: "Having played this long you keep crossing landmarks and milestones.

"I'd like to thank my family, my wife, my kids and all the team-mates right though my career, the 18 years I have playedt and the bowlers who have actually bowled from the other end, and the catchers.

Kumble said he had enjoyed some of the best form of his Test career in since recovering from shoulder problems in the 2000-2001 season.

"I'm probably more relaxed and all the experience I have had in different conditions, I have used that," he said.

30th Senior, 19th Junior Gymnastics Competition begin tomorrow

UNB, Dhaka

The 30th National Senior and 19th National Junior Gymnastics Competition, organised by Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation, will be held January 19-22 at the National Sports Council (NSC) Gymnasium.

NSC secretary Akbar Hussain will formally inaugurate the meet as chief guest.

Gymnasts from Dhaka and different DSAs across the country will take part in the meet.

Irfanul Haq, Emdadul Haq emerge joint champions in Shahidullah Hall Sports

UNB, Dhaka

Irfanul Haq and Emdadul Haq, both from the Statistics Department, emerged joint champions in the annual sports competition of Dhaka University's Dr Mohammad Shahidullah Hall held at the university central playground on Thursday.

Towhidul Islam and Applied Physics and Zinnatul Islam of Chemistry Department finished joint runners-up in the daylong meet participated by some 100 athletes in 20 events.

Earlier, DU Treasurer Prof Syed Abul Kalam Azad inaugurated the meet in the morning while DU Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr AFM Yousuf Haider was the chief guest in the closing function and distributed the prizes

Dhaka XI vs Sylhet XI: Exhibition football match to be held for Sidr-effected people

Sports Reporter

Atiq Gold Cup Football Tournament Committee will arrange an exhibition football match between Dhaka Eleven and Sylhet Eleven today at the Sylhet Stadium. The exhibition match will be held for the financial support of the Sidr-effected people. The gate money will be donated to the relief fund of Bangladesh Army. Bangladesh Army will distribute the money among the Sidr-effected people. Besides, Atiq Gold Cup Football Tournament Committee will donate the gate money, which they earned from the Fifth Atiq Gold Cup Tournament, to the relief fund of Bangladesh Army.

Major General Abdul Hafiz, psc, Area Commander and GOC of Comilla, Bangladesh Army will inaugurate the exhibition match today as the chief guest.

It may be mentioned that Dhaka Eleven and Sylhet Eleven have been formed by the players of Bangladesh National Football team.

Dhaka Deputy Commissioner's School Kabaddi begins

UNB, Dhaka

Ansar & VDP High School made a good start in the Dhaka Deputy Commissioner's School Kabaddi Competition beating Brahmanchiron School by 44-15 points with three creditable "lonas" in a match at the Outer Stadium Kabaddi Court here on Thursday.

Additional deputy commissioner of Dhaka division Syed Lokman Ahmed formally inaugurated the meet as chief guest.

In the day's other matches, Nawabpur Govt. High School defeated Islambagh High School 48-13 with four creditable `lonas' while Nawabpur Govt. High School crushed Tegharia High School 43-12 with four `lonas' at the same venue.

Youngmen's Club beat Mohakhali Ekadash 2-0

UNB, Dhaka

Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool tasted the first win beating Mohakhali Ekadash by 2-0 goals in a match of the Metropolis Senior Division Football League at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium at Kamalapur on Thursday.

Sabuj and Titon scored for the winners in the 38th and 85th minutes.

In the day's other match at the same venue, Dhaka Wanderers Club played to a 1-1 draw with Wari Club.

Mithun Kumar Das put Dhaka Wanderers ahead in the 35th minute while Anwar scored the equalizer for Wari in the 61st minute.

Army beat Navy by 3-2 sets

UNB, Dhaka

Came from behind, Bangladesh Army beat Bangladesh Navy by 24-26, 18-25, 25-17, 25-14, 25-12 points in the last league match of the President Cup Super-Four Volleyball Tournament at the Dhaka Volleyball Stadium on Thursday.

After the day's match, Bangladesh Army clinched the top slot with an all-win run while Bangladesh Navy finished second with a defeat.

The two teams will meet each other again in the final on Saturday at 3:pm at the same venue.

Managing Director of National Bank Limited Abdur Rashid Sarker will be the chief guest in the final.

Mobil ITF Asian 14/U boys & girls championship begins tomorrow

UNB, Dhaka

The 1st round of the Mobil ITF Asian 14/U boys' & girls' Championship, organized by Bangladesh Tennis Federation, begins Saturday (Jan 19) at the Ramna National Tennis Court Complex.

Tennis Federation president MM Nasir Uddin is expected to inaugurate the meet as chief guest.

Eight teams -- seven country teams and an International Tennis Federation (ITF) team -- will take part in the championship.

Participating teams: Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, hosts Bangladesh and ITF.

Of the total budget of Tk 1,150,000 for the championship, ITF will provide Tk 945,000 and sponsors Jamuna Lubricants Limited Tk 500,000.

Some players will be selected based on their performance in the championship for inclusion in the ITF 14 and Under team for the ITF 14 and Under Asian Championship to be held here in March this year.

Tennis Federation general secretary Sanaul Haq disclosed the details at a press conference at the federation conference room on Thursday afternoon.

Tennis Federation president MM Nasir Uddin, tournament director Manjoor Ur Rahman, and Jamuna Lubricants vice-president Liakat Ali Khan and secretary Warisul Abid also spoke on the occasion.

Booters threaten BFF of movement

UNB, Dhaka

The former and present national booters on Thursday demanded early start of League and player transfer with threat of agitation.

They have threaten to go for movement if the demand is not met by January 24.

National defender Hasan Al Mamun expressing anger at the inaction of BFF said they would take up the matter with National Sports Council (NSC) chairman Moeen U Ahemd.

He was talking to newsmen after the exhibition match with Bengal Tigers Club at the BUET ground.

"We are passing the days with uncertainty as no date of player transfer and domestic league has been announced by BFF," said Mamun. "We cannot keep quit and wait indefinitely."

Earlier, BFF took initiative to begin the 2nd B. League by January but failed to roll due to lack of sponsors.

Good start for Abahani, Ansar

Sports Reporter

Abahani Limited and Ansar & VDP made a good start in the First Parachute Women's Open Cricket Tournament on Thursday.

At the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium, Abahani Limited beat Prantik KC by 28 runs.

Sent into but first, Abahani Limited made 164 for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 35 overs and then they restricted Prantik KC to 136 for the loss of seven wickets in 35 overs.

Opener Papiya Haque of Abahani Limited led his team from the frontline making an undefeated 80 off 102 balls. She sent the ball seven times beyond the ropes.

Mrs Extra contributed 37 runs to the Abahani total.

NR Mahamuda of Prantik KC plucked three wickets at the cost of 36 runs while Sazia Chowdhury and Towhida Zaman got a couple of wickets each conceding 33 and 36 runs respectively.

Later, Dolly Day was the only notable run getter for Prantik KC. She notched up 39 off 50 balls amid three fours.

Reshma Akter of Abahani Limited bagged a pair of wickets in the space of 21 runs while Sheerin Ruby, Supriya Rani, Papiya Haque and Lili Rani took one wicket apiece.

Papiya Haque of Abahani Limited was adjudged the player of the match for the all-round performance.

At the Dhanmondi Club Ground, Ansar & VDP crushed Jahangirnagar University by 224 runs thanks to Panna Ghosh, who notched up a super undefeated 108 off 81 balls. She struck 15 fours and a huge six.

Electing to bat first, Ansar & VDP piled up a huge 286 for the loss of one wicket in the allotted 35 overs.

Chemcly Khatun of Ansar & VDP also shone with the willow. She remained undefeated with a run-a-ball 82. She hit 10 strokes across the ropes.

After dismissal of first wicket for 63 runs, Panna Ghosh and Chamely Khatun added an undefeated 223 runs for the second wicket stand.

Fatematuz Johra of Jahangirnagar University got one wicket for 28 runs.

Later, none of the players of Jahangirnagar University failed to reach double-digit-figures. They were skittled out just for 62 runs off 31.3 overs.

Chamely Khatun of Ansar & VDP captured four wickets giving away 15 runs while Rifat Ara chipped in with two wickets for just one run.

Besides, Khodeza Akhter, Tithy Rani, Sohely Akhter took one wicket each.

Panna Ghosh was adjudged the player of the match for her outstanding batting performance.