The New Nation - Internet Edition

Ispahani SC book final berth upsetting Abahani by 12 runs

UNB, Dhaka

Ispahani Sporting Club ensured their final berth in the Parachute Women's Cricket Tournament upsetting Abahani Limited by 12 runs in the final round at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS) here on Wednesday.

Ispahani SC will meet Bangladesh Ansar & VDP in the final on Friday. Earlier, Ansar & VDP moved to the final beating Abahani Limited by 21 runs on Tuesday.

Opting to bat first, Ispahani SC scored 161 runs for 5 wickets in the allocated 35 overs with two useful half-centuries from Rumana Ahmed and skipper Salma Khatun.

Middle order Salma top scored 56 runs off 67 balls with five fours and a six, while Rumana made 54 off 57 balls with seven fours. Tahera and Jahanara Alam remained unbeaten on 7 and 3 runs respectively.

Sanjida Islam bagged two wickets for 12 runs while Reshma Akhter Aduri and Shirin Ruby took one wicket each.

In reply, Abahani Limited were all out for 149 in 34.3 overs with opener Papiya Haque making 35 off 68 balls that featured two fours while innings highest 44 runs came from extras.

One down Yamin Rupa 18, skipper cum opener Farzana Rahman 13, Lily Rani Biswas 10 and Mousumi Rahman 9 were the other notable scorers for Abahani.

Salma Khatun, Rumana Ahmed and Jahanara Alan grabbed two wickets each.

Brief score: Ispahani SC - 161 for 5 in 35 overs, Salma 56, Rumana 54, Irin 12, Tahera not out 7, Jahanara not out 3, extras 23, Sanjida 2/12, Reshma 1/28, Ruby 1/32. Abahani Limited - 149 for all in 34.3 overs, Papiya 35, Yamin 18, Farzana 13, Lily 10, Mousumi 9, Sanjida not out 8, extras 44, Salma 2/5, Rumana 2/24, Jahanara 2/24.

Veterans' SC arrives; 1st exhibition match today

UNB, Dhaka

A 26-member Veterans' Sporting Club of Kolkata, led by Biswajit Bhattacharjee, arrived here Wednesday evening to play three exhibition matches with Dhaka Sonali Otit Club.

The visiting team comprising ex-national footballers and former players Bengal, Mohan Bagan and East Bengal play the first match with the hosts at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday at 3:45 pm. The two sides will play the 2nd match on Jan 26 at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong and the 3rd and last match on Jan 28 at Manikganj Stadium.

All the matches will be of 60 minutes.

Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed will lead Sonali Otit Club, which also comprises former national players of the country.

Sonali Otit Club first visited Kolkata in 1997 to play against Veterans' Sporting Club aimed at consolidating the fraternal relations between the two countries.

Last year, Sonali Otit Club became runners-up in the three-nation football tournament in Kolkata held at the invitation of Veterans' Sporting Club.

Sonali Otit Club general secretary Mosabber Hossain briefed reporters at the club office this (Wednesday) afternoon.

Former national player Badal Roy and Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu were, among others, present.

11 players move to boys' singles 2nd round

UNB, Dhaka

Eleven players including two Bangladeshi advanced to the 2nd round in boys' singles of the 'Mobil ITF Asian 14/Under Asian Championship, Group-2' winning their respective first round matches at the Ramna National Tennis Complex on Wednesday.

They are Aaquib Munir Chowdhury and Biplob Ram of Bangladesh, Dissayake Sharmal, Wijesuriya Madusha and De Alwis Vimuktha of Sri Lanka, Nakhle Roudy of Libya, Ko One Ko of Myanmar, Orn Sambath and Long Chomnith of Cambodia, Kwah Ji Kent of Malaysia and Wanghchuk Tandin of Bhutan. In the girls' singles, six players including three from Bangladesh advanced to the 2nd round. They are Tamalika Khatun, Sharda and Anika of Bangladesh, Lham Rinzin of Bhutan, and Tayakaran Shankari and Ranasinghe Pinushki of Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh National Golf team win championship trophy of 107th All India Amateur Golf Tournament

A five-member Bangladesh National Golf Team comprising 4 players and a Team Manager participated in "107th All India Amateur Golf Championship 2008" held at Chandigarh Golf Club, India from 14 to 20 January 2008.

Besides Bangladesh, national teams of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Iran, Philippines and Taipei took part in the tournament. The Bangladesh 'A' team comprising Md Shahid Khan and Mr. Zamal Hossain Mollah clinched 'Championship Trophy'.

It may be mentioned that Bangladesh Team participated the said championchip as the defending champions.

The National Team was given a reception at Kurmitola Golf Club on 22 January, where high officials of Bangladesh Golf Federation and Kurmitola Golf Club were present.

Nepal U-19 face Bangladesh : U-19 today in 1st one-day match

UNB, Dhaka

Visiting Nepal Under-19 team will face play Bangladesh Under-19 team today in the 1st one-day match at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS) at Fatullah. Ahead of the match, the 18-member Nepalese squad led by Paras, made nearly three-hour practice Wednesday afternoon at the Nabin Sangha Ground at city's Mohammadpur.

Earlier, on Tuesday afternoon, the Nepal U-19 team comprising 15 players and three officials arrived here on a weeklong tour to play three one-day matches against their Bangladesh counterparts.

Former Sri Lanka batsman Roy Dias is accompanying the side as coach.

The 2nd one-day match between the two sides will also be held at the same venue on January 26 while the 3rd one-day match on January 28 at the BKSP in Savar.