The New Nation - Internet Edition

Abahani beat archrival Mohammedan 1-0 in semis

UNB, Dhaka

Abahani Limited set up final clash with Arambagh KS beating archrival Mohammedan SC by a solitary goal in the second semi-final of the Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup Football Tournament at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.

The final match of the tournament will be held on Sunday at 4:15 pm at the same venue. Private satellite channel ATN Bangla will directly telecast the match from BNS.

Earlier, on Thursday, Arambagh KS booked the final berth eliminating Badda Jagarani Sangsad by 2-0 goals in the first semi-final.

In the day's match, Mehedi Hasan Uzzal scored the all-important goal for Abahani Limited in the 50th minute with a placing shot from inside the D-box capitalizing on a Zahid Pervez right wing cross (1-0).

The popular Dhanmondi-based sky-blue outfit launched several attacks while formidable Mohammedan SC was totally off-color in the match except creating a lone scoring chance.

Abahani Limited got the first opportunity in the 15th minute, but Siraji's long-range shot sailed harmlessly over the cross bar.

Zahid Pervez must consider him unlucky when his goal-bound ball from the vantage position was cleared by Mohammedan captain Biplob in the 28th minute.

Abahani Limited was again denied a goal in the 54th minute as Mohammedan custodian brilliantly gripped a Prantosh close header off a right wing Siraji cross.

Shakil again frustrated the Abahani fans when he foiled Tipu's close rage shot in the 59th minute at the cost of corner.

The 'black & white' Motijheel outfit got only a real scoring chance in the 38th minute, but despite a vantage position striker Farhad failed to send the ball home off a Figo pass.

Bangladesh U-19 team leaves for Malaysia today

UNB, Dhaka

A 15-member Bangladesh Under-19 squad, led by Suhrawardy Shuvo, leaves here for Malaysia today to participate in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup that begins on February 17.

On the eve of its departure, team sponsors AB Bank Ltd., at a function at Hotel Sheraton in the city, wished the young tigers utmost success in the U/19 World Cup.

AB Bank president and managing director Kaiser A Chowdhury, deputy managing director Niaz Habib, BCB member Col. (retd) MA Latif Khan and CEO Mahmudur Rahman, team manager GS Hasan Chowdhury and captain Shuvo along with the other team members and officials were present.

"We'll try to give some extra efforts. We'll definitely try to bring the World Cup," Shuvo said, explaining their special target of the upcoming mission.

Replying to a question, he said: "We don't know much about our group opponents like Ireland and Bermuda, but England is definitely a good team. We've the confidence to beat teams like England."

The young captain, however, said anything could happen in the competition. He mentioned that before the last World Cup, Bangladesh U-19 team beat England U-19 team in six preparation matches, but conceded defeat to them in the World Cup.

Asked about the strong point of his team, Shuvo said they are very much confident of playing good cricket, especially as their spinners are playing vital role in winning matches in recent times.

"We've been playing together for the last three months and this helped us to overcome our batting problems," he added.

Shuvo said that after the group stage, Pakistan, India, Australia, England and South Africa could be their toughest opponents.

Bangladesh, placed in group D, will play their first match against Bermuda on February 18 at Bayueams Oval, the 2nd match against Ireland on Feb 20, also at the same venue, and the 3rd and last group match against England on Feb 22 at Royal Selangor Club. Prior to the group matches, they will play two practice matches on Feb 11 and 13.

In recent times, Bangladesh Under-19 cricket team clinched the one-day series against visiting West Indies U-19 team 2-1 and whitewashed Nepal U-19 team 3-0. Before that they became runners-up in the Triangular Series conceding defeat to India in the final, which also involved hosts South Africa.

U-19 Squad: Suhrawardy Shuvo (captain), Dollar Mahmud, Rubel Hossain, Syed Gulam Kibriya, Rony Talukder, Mahmudul Hasan Limon (vice captain), Nasir Hossain Nasir, KM Shakil, Mohammad Nadimuddin Mintu, Mithun Ali, Saikat Ali, Amit Majumder, Ashiqul Islam, Shuvashish Roy and Ashraful Hossain.

Officials - GS Hasan Chowdhury (team manager), ESM Ashfaq ul Islam (operations manager), Nazmul Abedin Fahim (head coach), Minhajul Abedin Nannu (assistant coach), Emdadul Huq (fielding coach), Tusher Kanti Howlader (fitness trainer), Azmal Ahmed Mithu (Physio), Mohammad Salahuddin (computer analyst).

Trophy award ceremony of Metropolis Cricket Leagues today

UNB, Dhaka

The trophy awarding ceremony of the Dhaka Metropolis Cricket Leagues (Premier Division, 1st Division, 2nd Division, 3rd Division & 3rd Division Qualifying) from 2000 to 2007 will be held today (Saturday) at Hotel Sheraton.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Maj. Gen. Sina Ibn Jamali will be the chief guest at the function.

After no trophies were awarded to the champions and runners-up teams from 2000-2007, the present Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) has taken the initiative to hand over the trophies to the clubs that finished first and second in Dhaka Metropolis Cricket Leagues. The CCDM hopes that this will encourage and inspire the clubs and the players.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) meanwhile has substantially increased grants and prize money for the League clubs for the 2007-08 season and the trophy awarding ceremony is another example of the BCB and CCDM's commitment towards Dhaka leagues and domestic cricket.

The CCDM has invited officials and representatives from the trophy-winning clubs and the sponsors of the Leagues to be present on the occasion.

17 men's singles matches of National Badminton decided

UNB, Dhaka

Seventeen players won their men's singles matches of the Islami Bank 28th National Badminton Championship at the Paltan Wooden Floor Gymnasium on Friday.

They are Parash, Enayet and Tushar (Biman), Saif, Hannan, Gautam and Raju (Narayanganj), Lalchand and Rana (Pabna), Osmani (Bogra), Sohag (Jessore), Shahabuddin (Khulna), Mamun and Enam (Sylhet), Zahed (Sylhet Division), Sajjad (Bagerhat) and Khaled (Kushtia).

In the lone women's singles match, Elina (Narayanganj) beat Rojina of Rangpur.

Chapainawabganj crush Joypurhat 36-2 in Exim Bank Handball

UNB, Dhaka

Chapainawabganj DSA crushed Joypurhat DSA by 36-2 goals in an opening day match of the Exim Bank 18th National Men' s Handball Competition (Zone Ka) at the Jamalpur Stadium on Friday.

The winners led the first half 19-2.

In the day's other two matches, Natore DSA outclassed Joypurhat DSA by 21-6 goals after leading the first half 12-2 while Gaibandha DSA beat hosts Jamalpur DSA by 11-9 goals in the opening fixture, after trailing 2-5 in the first half.

Earlier, Jamalpur Police Super Aminul Islam inaugurated the competition as chief guest. Bangladesh Handball Federation vice president and Jamalpur Poursava chairman Adv Shah Mohammad Wares Ali Mamun was present as special guest.

National cricket team begins practice camp today ahead of home series against Proteas

UNB, Dhaka

Newly announced 17-member Bangladesh cricket team begins practice camp today at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) ahead of their home series against South Africa.

All the players, excepting the reserves, have been advised to report to national coach Jamie Siddons at the SBNS on Saturday at 8:45am.

During the first day of the camp, the tigers are likely to be given fitness tests as well as some batting practice in the nets and fielding practice.

South Africa team will arrive here on February 14 to play three ODIs and two tests.

The Proteas will begin their tour with a test match February 22-26 at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) while the 2nd test will be held at the Bir Shreshtha Ruhul Amin Stadium (BSRAS) in Chittagong on Feb 29-March 4).

The 1st ODI between the two sides will also be held at the BSRAS on March 9, the 2nd and the 3rd ODIs on March 12 and 14 at the SBNS.

Bangladesh Squad: Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Habibul Bashar, Aftab Ahmed, Zunaed Siddiqui, Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (vice-captain), Shahadat Hossain Rajib, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sajedul Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Rajin Saleh, Farhad Reza, Abdur Razzak, Enamul Haque Jr., Mohammed Rafique and Syed Rasel.

Reserves - Khaled Mashud, Nazim Uddin, Talha Jubaer, Dollar Mahmud, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mosharraf Hossain Rubel.

Meanwhile, the BCB also announced a 14-member squad for the three-day (Feb 17-19) warm-up match against South Africa to be held at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS).

Warm-up squad - Zunaed Siddiqui, Shahriar Nafees, Nazim Uddin, Rajin Saleh, Shakib Al Hasan, Aftab Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim, Enamul Haque Jr., Sajedul Islam, Talha Jubaer, Farhad Reza, Syed Rasel, Roqibul Hassan and Habibul Bashar.

Clarke, Bracken lead Australia to easy win over Sri Lanka

AP, Sydney

Michael Clarke top-scored with an unbeaten 77 and Nathan Bracken took five wickets as Australia beat Sri Lanka by 128 runs Friday in a tri-series limited-overs match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Australia scored 253-6 after Ricky Ponting won the toss and decided to bat. Sri Lanka was bowled out in the 32nd over for 125, meaning Australia picked up a bonus point to move to the top of the tri-series standings with seven points.

Bracken took a career-best 5-47 and was named man of the match. Retiring wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist scored 61, his 54th half-century, including three fours and one six.

Matthew Hayden, returning from a hamstring injury, hit 42 to dominate an opening stand of 65 with Gilchrist before Hayden fell caught at mid-wicket in the 13th over.

Chaminda Vaas dismissed Ponting, who caught at slip for nine, as Australia's scoring rate slowed, leaving the home side at 88-2 from 20 overs in overcast conditions.

Gilchrist, who has made five of his 15 centuries against Sri Lanka, went for one big swing too many and was out lbw to Chamara Kapugedera at 139-3.

Andrew Symonds (12) chipped a catch to extra cover as left-armer Vaas (2-34) completed a strong spell.

Mike Hussey (10) also fell cheaply, caught at backward point trying to force the pace off the bowling of third-gamer Ishara Amarasinghe (2-66).

James Hopes, pushed down to No. 7 with Hayden's return, made 34 off 29 balls and shared a 63-run partnership with Clarke. Offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan (0-42) was struck in the face by the ball while diving forward at mid-on in the 48th over. He immediately left the field for treatment and one of his teeth was loosened, but he was able to bat in his team's innings. In reply, Sri Lanka started badly when openers Sanath Jayasuriya (7) and Upul Tharanga (10) fell in successive balls to the bowling of Brett Lee and Bracken.

Kumar Sangakkara and captain Mahela Jaywardene (6) steadied as they added 39 runs for the third wicket before the skipper was caught behind off Mitchell Johnson, reducing Sri Lanka to 57-3. Sangakkara continued to anchor the Sri Lanka innings but Bracken struck in the 20th over when he trapped the left-hander lbw for 42 off 41 balls, as the visitors collapsed.

Sri Lanka's middle-order lost two more wickets in the next two overs as spinner Brad Hogg removed Chamara Silva (7) caught behind, then Bracken had Chamara Kapugedera caught at slip for a duck. Left-armer Bracken also had Tillekeratne Dilshan (14) caught at long-off to claim his fourth wicket and the paceman removed Muralitharan caught in the deep in his ninth over to end the match.

"Gilly (Gilchrist) played really well, and Clarke played a sensible knock," said Ponting. "We got to 250 and I knew that as the game wore on our bowlers would be able to take the pace off the ball."

Youzhny beats late replacement Zimonjic to give Russia 1-0 lead over Serbia

AFP, Moscow

Mikhail Youzhny rallied to beat Nenad Zimonjic 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the opening singles Friday and give Russia a 1-0 lead over Serbia in the World Group first round of the Davis Cup.

Youzhny was drawn to play Novak Djokovic, but the Australian Open champion became the second player after teammate Janko Tipsarevic to pull out of the opening singles because of the flu.

Zimonjic, a doubles specialist ranked No. 689, was playing his first competitive singles match since April. He broke Youzhny with a drop shot in the third game and held on to win the first set. Youzhny had an early break in the second set and rallied from love-40 in the seventh game to level at 1-1.

He then dominated the match, breaking the Serb twice in the third set and once in the fourth.

Youzhny said Zimonjic's late substitution after Djokovic had felt sick all week was difficult for him.