The New Nation - Internet Edition

Revitalised New Zealand make short work of England

AFP, Wellington

In a stunning reversal of form, New Zealand thrashed England in their opening one-day cricket international by six wickets and with 20 overs to spare at Westpac Stadium here today.

The win came just days after England thoroughly outplayed New Zealand in all departments in two Twenty20 matches.

Given an extra 30 overs, New Zealand lost the toss but from then on won everything in a morale-boosting performance.

England, opting to bat first, were all out for 130 in the 50th over and New Zealand knocked off the target with the loss of four wickets in 30 overs.

Bolstered by the return of captain Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram, New Zealand showed no sign of the fragility evident when they spent the two shorter matches firmly on the back foot.

They started on Saturday by keeping England openers Alastair Cook and Phil Mustard pinned down-the first boundary from Mustard came only in the seventh over-and the run rate seldom rose above three.

After Chris Martin made the initial breakthrough bowling Cook for 11 in the 10th over, the wickets fell at regular intervals.

Martin bowled Ian bell for five, Oram bowled dangerman Kevin Pietersen for six and Scott Styris bowled Mustard for 31 to have England at four for 67 by the 22nd over.

England didn't help their cause with three run-outs before off-spinner Jeetan Patel cleaned up the tail to finish with two for 14 while Martin and Styris both took two for 22.

While the England batsmen played as if the slow pitch held demons, Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum played three overs with caution and then launched into the run chase.

A six from Ryder and a four from McCullum lifted New Zealand to 18 without loss and they never dropped below four runs an over after that.

By the 12th over, they had hit seven boundaries, as many as England scored in their entire innings.

Ryder survived a chance on 21 when dropped by Graeme Swann at mid-wicket and added another 10 runs before being caught by substitute Luke Wright off the bowling of Stuart Broad for 31.

McCullum also received a second chance, dropped by a diving Mustard when on 27 and went on to make 42, at a run a ball, before giving Broad his second wicket when Mustard made amends by taking a fine legside catch.

New Zealand were then two for 83 in the 19th over and well in control as Jamie How and Ross Taylor stepped up the pace.

How was eventually dismissed for 28, with New Zealand nine runs short of victory and it was left to Taylor, not out 24, and Peter Fulton on one to take New Zealand across the line.

The second game in the five-match series is in Hamilton on Tuesday.

National cricket team begins practice ahead of home series against SA

UNB, Dhaka

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

All the members of the squad joined the first day's camp. Three more players -- reserves Nazimuddin and Talha Jubair, and Roukibul Hasan from the warm-up match squad -- also took part in the training session.

National coach Jamie Siddons supervised the day's camp. Assistant coach Shaun Williams and trainer Shane Mcdermott also assisted the coach.

During a break in the practice session, skipper Mohammad Ashraful said, "We played practice matches in three teams from the very first of this month so that we could adjust ourselves with the wicket. But, unfortunately we were unable to become successful as there were problem's in our batting."

The ace batsman thinks that the three-day warm-up match before the test series will give some opportunity to the batsmen to get rid of their problems.

Asked what would be his team's plan while facing teams like South Africa, he said, "We know that South Africa are usually used to play on seeming and bouncy wicket, but here they'll find slow and turning wicket, which may create some problems for them."

Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak Raj said, "Normally our spinners do well but it's not always right to think that the spinners will get preference from slow and turning wicket. Sometimes, the opposite thing can also happen."

They would try to get advantage from the home series, he said adding, "Every match will be a total team game and all of us will have to work hard. If we can put up a good score then that would be easier for our bowlers to dominate the opponents."

South Africa will arrive here on February 14 on a month-long trip 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 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.

Chief Adviser expected to inaugurate five-day Indo-Bangla Games

UNB, Dhaka

The 2nd Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games'2008, involving hosts Bangladesh and Bengal team of India, will begin here on February 22 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS).

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed is expected to inaugurate the five-day meet Friday (Feb 22) afternoon at a gala opening ceremony.

Some 478 athletes and officials, including 228 from West Bengal, will participate in the game's second version in nine disciplines of sports-- athletics, swimming, shooting, basketball, volleyball, kabaddi, kho kho, football and cricket.

Out of the nine games, both the men's and women's events have been included in four disciplines --football, shooting, athletics and swimming. Cricket, the hot favorite game of the subcontinent, has been included in the ensuing games for the first time.

The Bengal team of India will arrive here on February 21 through Benapole boarder. On their way to capital Dhaka, the team will be accorded receptions at six points.

The four-and-half-an-hour opening ceremony will start at 3:30pm soon after arrival of the chief guest at the stadium, followed by landing of four paratroopers of Bangladesh Army carrying the flags of Bangladesh, India, BOA and Indo-Bangla Games.

BOA President and Army general Moeen U Ahmed, West Bengal's State Minister for Sports and Transport Subhash Chakrawarty will address the ceremony before the chief guest declares the meet open.

Popular band star Ayub Bachchu will present theme song written by Major (retd) Anis. Performers of Shilpakala Academy will present their traditional songs and dances in the 30-minute function before the massive fireworks at the country's premier stadium.

Artistes of Kolkata cultural teams will stage a 20-minute show.

A live concert, led by Ayub Bachchu, will be the another attraction of the opening ceremony. The concert will begin at 6:35pm at the big bowl.

A dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony was held earlier on Jan 30 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Earlier, the BOA formed a strong ceremonies committee, headed by BDR director general Major General Shakil Ahmed.

Games venues: Shooting - BKSP, athletics - Banani Army Stadium, swimming - Mirpur National Swimming Pool, basketball - Mirpur Shahid Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium/BKSP, kho kho - Outer Stadium, kabaddi - Kabbadi Stadium, volleyball - Dhaka and Gazipur, Twenty/20 cricket -Bogra, Rajshahi and Fatullah.

Bangladesh U-19 team leaves for Malaysia

UNB, Dhaka

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

Bangladesh, placed in group D, will play their first match against Bermuda on February 18 at Bayueams Oval, the 2nd against Ireland on Feb 20 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, the 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 a 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).

Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj move to final

UNB, Dhaka

Rajshahi DSA and Chapainawabganj DSA moved to the final of the Exim Bank 18th National Men's Handball Competition (Zone Ka) beating their respective opponents in the semis at Jamalpur Stadium Saturday.

The final match between the two sides will be held on Sunday at 10:00 am.

On their way to the final, Rajshahi DSA beat Natore DSA by 28-20 goals in the first semifinal and Chapainawabganj DSA defeated Gaibandha DSA by 20-6 goals in the 2nd semifinal.

Earlier, in the group stage matches, Chaipainawabganj DSA beat Natore DSA by 25-16 goals while Rajshahi DSA defeated Jamalpur DSA by 13-4 goals.

Moni flies for Malaysia to officiate in ICC U19 CWC 2008

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh's ICC International Panel Umpire and former national cricketer Enamul Haque Moni is to leave here for Malaysia Saturday night to officiate in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, beginning in Malaysia on February 17.

BCB announces itinerary of Ireland and Indo-Bangla Games

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the itinerary of the home series against Ireland and the ensuing Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games.

The Ireland team, scheduled to arrive here on March 15 to play three-match ODI series, will play their first match against Bangladesh on March 18, the 2nd on March 20 and the 3rd on March 22, all at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).

Before that, the visiting Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) team will play three Twenty20 matches against the combined divisional team of Bangladesh in the Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games.

The first match between the two sides will be held on February 23 at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium (SCS) in Bogra, the 2nd on February 24 at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium (RDVS) while the 3rd and last match on February 26 at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS).

BCB selects 31 eve players for two-week training

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has selected 31 players for a two-week camp for the national women team at the Ansar & VDP Academy.

The selected players have been requested to report to Zafrul Ehsan and Parveen Nahar Putul on February 14 at 4:00pm at the Ansar and VDP Academy.

Squad: Panna Ghosh, Salma Khatun, Resma Akhter, Irene Sultana, Shuktara, Ayesha Akhter, Shathira Jakir Jessie, Chammely Khatun, Shamima Akhter Pinky, Tithi Rani, Papiya Haque Babu, Champa Chakma, Mina Khatun, Monjila Khatun, Khadija Akhter China, Fatema Tuzzohura, Saria Tanjin Sumona, Rumana Ahmed, Yamim Rupa, Manisha Kundu, Rifat Ara, Jerin Dastagir, Jahanara Alam, Tahin Tahera, Minara Alam, Sohely Akter, Mahmuda Khan, Lily Rani, Hasina Akhter, Lata Mondol and Dolly Dey.

16 advance to men's singles pre-quarterfinal

UNB, Dhaka

Sixteen players moved to the pre-quarterfinal of the men's singles of the Islami Bank 28th National Badminton Championship at the Paltan Wooden Floor Gymnasium on Saturday.

They are Parash, Enayet, Mahbub, Rois and Tushar (Biman), Mokhter, Hannan, Javed, Saif, Gautam and Raju (Narayanganj),

Mashrafe and Pesta (Bogra), Shoaib (Railway), Enam (Sylhet), Zahed (Sylhet Division).

In the women's singles, four players -- Konika, Sima (Biman) and Shapla, Nabila (Narayanganj) -- moved to the semifinal after beating their respective opponents.

Federation team beat national team

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Volleyball Federation team beat Bangladesh national team here Saturday by 12-25, 25-18, 15-9 points in the first match of a five-match challenge series arranged in preparation for the ensuing Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games.

Deputy secretary general of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu witnessed the match as chief guest at the Volleyball Stadium.

Federation vice-president Mustafizur Rahman Mintu and general secretary Anisur Rahman were also present.