The New Nation - Internet Edition

Tendulkar century inspires upset Indian win

AFP, Sydney

A historic Sachin Tendulkar century ensured India claimed first blood in the tri-series finals with a stunning six- wicket win over Australia at the SCG here on Sunday.

With Tendulkar making an unbeaten 117 from 120 balls and youngster Rohit Sharma offering wonderful support, India made 242 for six in 45.5 overs in reply to the home side's 239 for eight to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three finals.

After the war of words between the sides preceding the match, the Indians had extra reason to celebrate when they notched their first ever one-day international win at the SCG and just their third win in their past 20 matches against the home side in Australia.

The result followed a tense week since their last encounter, with Matthew Hayden calling Harbhajan Singh an "obnoxious weed," the Indian spinner responding by saying the opener was one of the last liked players in world cricket.

And the Indians lodged an official complaint about provocative behaviour by the Australians on the field.

Criticised for not batting well in run chases recently, Tendulkar had a point to prove and did it emphatically, placing the ball exquisitely to score his first one-day international century in 39 matches in Australia, and 42nd overall, to lead his side to victory.

He and Robin Uthappa (17) set the foundation with India's highest opening partnership of the series in putting on 50, but India then wobbled in the chase, slipping to 87 for three when Yuvraj Singh again fell cheaply.

However, Tendulkar looked in total command and joined with Sharma to put on 123 and take the game away from the Australians, who were beaten in last year's tri-series finals by England.

Tendulkar brought up his hundred with an easy single off James Hopes, having faced only 106 deliveries and hit eight boundaries.

Sharma fell the very next ball, bowled by Hopes (2-42) for a fine 66 from 87 balls, but it was academic, with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Tendulkar guiding their side home.

Earlier, Hayden made 82 from 88 balls, but Harbhajan had the last laugh in his bitter rivalry with the Australian opener, claiming the wicket of the opener as one of two crucial scalps that turned the match India's way.

The Australians were again in early trouble after winning the toss and electing to bat, slumping to 24 for three, but Hayden led their fightback and Mike Hussey chipped in with 45.

Hayden struck a number of powerful boundaries, including six in Irfan Pathan's wayward first two overs, as he raced to his half-century in just 43 balls despite the loss of wickets at the other end.

He and Symonds (31) revived the Australian innings by putting on 100, but both were caught near the boundary from the bowling of Harbhajan in quick succession.

Hayden seemed set for a century, but swept Harbhajan to deep square leg, where shock inclusion Piyush Chawla charged in off the fence to complete a fine catch.

Moments earlier, Symonds had also fallen to his arch-rival, caught on the mid-wicket boundary after advancing at Harbhajan.

Harbhajan had been struggling to get his line and pace right before that dismissal, but his confidence surged once he had a wicket and the rest of his spell was impressive as he finished with 2-38.

Australia's top order woes continued when Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke all failed to reach double figures.

The teenage Chawla impressed with his leg-spinners, with 0-33 from his 10 overs, while Praveen Kumar made the important early breakthroughs to finish with 2-49.

Ishant Sharma had 1-32 from eight overs, but was forced from the field by an apparent hand injury.

The second final is on Tuesday in Brisbane.

BFF president Sultan apologise for his comment about media

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President SA Sultan Sunday apologised to the pressmen for his earlier comment that "media cannot be controlled without deal."

"When people get older, they unwittingly make some mistakes. I feel I have made the same mistake. I have understood my mistake and seek pardon from you (media)," he said at a press conference at the National Sports Council (NSC) conference room.

Earlier, on November 17 last year, Sultan wrote a letter to NSC chairman Gen Moeen U Ahemd mentioning that "media cannot be controlled without deal," following a dispute between him and former sports adviser Tapan Chowdhury.

The BFF boss kept himself aloof from football since December 27 last year and gave the charge to senior vice president Monir Ahmed, citing his inability to carry out the responsibility on personal ground.

"I again want to take charge to carry on with my responsibility until the BFF election on April 30," Sultan told the press.

Admitting failure for the development of football during his tenure, he said they did not get enough sponsors and proper government cooperation for the development of football.

Replying to a question, the BFF president said it would not be possible to develop country's football without government patronage.

Asked if he would contest in the upcoming BFF election, Sultan said: "I have no such plan right now… I want to give more time to my family."

Victoria SC, Bangladesh Biman make good start

UNB, Dhaka

Victoria SC got off to a good start in the Metropolis Premier Division Cricket League with a 89-run win over Kalabagan KC at the BKSP ground 2 in Savar on Sunday.

Sent into bat first, Victoria SC amassed 275 for 9 in stipulated 50 overs with two down Farhad Hossain contributing match highest 74 runs that featured six fours to be adjudged man of the match.

After the dismissal of three top batsmen -- Gazi Salauddin (4), Nasiruddin Faruk (5) and Enamul Haque Jr -- for 50 runs in 15 overs, Farhad Hossain pairing with skipper Ehsanul Haque put up 111 runs in the 4th wicket stand.

Skipper Ehsanul Haque made 75-ball 59 runs with five fours and a six, while wicket keeper Dhiman Ghosh blasted 26 runs off 14 balls with two fours and a six.

Nazmus Sadat grabbed four wickets for 57 runs while Aslam Khan and Rabiul Islam took two wickets each.

In reply, Kalabagan KC were all out for 186 in 47.5 overs with opener Arif Reza scoring 36 runs that included two fours and a six.

Ehsanul Haque and Pakistani Jafar Quraishi picked up three wickets each conceding 12 and 28 runs respectively.

Brief score: Victoria SC - 275 for 9 in 50 overs; Farhad Hossain 74, Ehsanul Haque 59, Dhiman Ghosh 26, Enamul Jr 24, Zafar Quraishi 20, Mahmudullah 19, Saqlain Sajib not out 16, Shahzada 15, extras 12, Nazmus Sadat 4/57, Aslam Khan 2/61, Rabiul Islam 2/65.

Kalabagan KC - 186 all out in 47.5 overs; Arif Reza 36, Hannan Sarker 27, Shahbaz Butt 26, Syed Rasel 20, Murad Kahn 19, Rabiul Islam 18, Fariduddin 14, extras 14, Ehsanul Haque 3/12, Jafar Quraishi 3/28.

At the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium, an all round performance by Mosharraf Hossain Rubel guided Bangladesh Biman to a 26-run victory over Partex SC in the day's another match.

Sent into bat first, the national flag carrier Biman scored 260 runs for 8 in 50 overs and later they restricted Partex SC to 234 for 9 in quota 50 overs.

One down batsman Mosharraf Hossain, who top scored 86 runs with the help of seven fours and two sixes and later claimed four wickets for 48 runs in 10 overs, was adjudged man of the match.

Brief score: Bangladesh Biman - 260 for 8 in 50 overs; Mosharraf 86, Asif 65, Javed Omar 29, Alok Kapali 23, Alamgir Kabir not out 17, Sajjad Kadir 10, extras 18, Rezaul Haque 3/28, Traiqul Islam 3/60.

Partex SC - 234 for 9 in 50 overs; Tareq 67, Ariful 30, Raisul 29, Shahin 28, Rafiqul 19, Rashed Hanif 19, Forkan not out 17, Tariqul not out 12, extras 6, Mosharraf 4/48, Alamgir 2/22, Alok Kapali 2/37.

At the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium, Young Pegasus Club beat Old DOHS SC by eight runs.

Batting first, Young Pegasus scored 217 for 6 in 50 overs and later they dismissed Old DOHS SC for 209 in 49.5 overs.

Muktar Ali of Pegasus Club picked up four wickets for 35 and was adjudged man of the match.

Brief score: Young Pegasus Club - 217 for 6 in 50 overs. Ashiqur Rahman 58, Sabbir Rahman not out 44, Tamiul Alam 35, extras 32, Rashedur 2/37.

Old DOHS - 209 all out in 49.5 overs; Anisur Rahman 61, Hamidul Islam 44, Shafiul Islam not out 25, Monir Ahmed 19, Mahbub Alam 15, extras 21, Muktar Ali 4/35.

Armanitola clinch School Hockey title

UNB, Dhaka

Armanitola High School clinched the title of the Dhaka Bank Shaheed Smriti School Hockey Tournament beating Ahmed Bawany Academy by 4-3 goals in tiebreaker in the final at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

Bangladesh Hockey Federation president and Air Chief Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman was the chief guest on the occasion and distributed the prizes among the winners.

The match rolled into tiebreaker after the regulation period ended 1-1.

In the day' match, Adnan put Armanitola High School ahead in the 49th minute (1-0) while Faisal Hossain scored the equalizer for Ahmed Bawany Academy in the 61st minute (1-1).

Earlier, on way to the final, Ahmed Bawany Academy crushed Narayanganj High School by 13-0 goals in the 1st semi-final while Armanitola High School defeated Mirpur Academy by 2-0 goals in the 2nd semis.

Steyn piles misery on Bangladesh

BBC Online

Bangladesh are staring at the prospect of a resounding defeat to South Africa in the second Test after being asked to follow on and ending day three on 54-5.

They were all out for 259, replying to South Africa's 583-7 declared, despite Shahriar Nafees making 69.

Dale Steyn (4-66) and Makhaya Ntini (4-35) did the damage and Steyn then took 3-4 in their second innings.

Left-arm spinner Robin Peterson weighed in with two wickets as Bangladesh ended play still 270 runs in arrears.

On a pitch still conducive to good batting the hosts began well, Shahriar Nafees and Abdur Razzak adding 58 to the overnight score before nightwatchman Razzak was taken by Ashwell Prince attempting to loft Peterson over the on side.

Nafees and Aftab Ahmed saw Bangladesh through to lunch with a dogged display but the former was caught by Graeme Smith off Steyn with the fifth ball after the re-start and the latter retired hurt three overs later.

Aftab top-edged Jaques Kallis through the gap between his helmet and visor and was stretchered from the Chittagong field clutching his head.

Saqibul Hasan, dropped early on in his innings, and Mushfiqur Rahim provided stubborn resistance until Ntini had the pair snapped up by Mark Boucher in quick succession.

The 30-year-old quick, playing his 84th match, surpassed Allan Donald's tally of 330 Test wickets and became the second most successful South African bowler ever with Rahim's scalp.

He then accounted for Mohammad Rafique and Mashrafe Mortaza as Bangladesh were left needing 325 just to make the tourists bat again.

And they got off to the worst possible start when Junaid Siddique got a thick outside edge to a Steyn delivery, presenting Boucher with an easy take.

Sensing a hasty conclusion, South Africa looked to make further inroads and in the 19th over Tamim Iqbal miscued Peterson to Steyn at mid-on and, three balls later, a befuddled Nafees edged Peterson to Kallis.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful clipped Steyn to Boucher for four and the same bowler compounded the home side's woes when he forced Saqibul to glove to Neil McKenzie at forward short-leg with the third-from-last ball of the day.

CCS earn 9-wicket win over Uttara SC

UNB, Dhaka

CCS earned an emphatic nine-wicket win over Uttara SC in a match of the Metropolis First Division Cricket League at the City Club ground on Sunday.

Sent into bat first, Uttara SC were all out for 87 in 27 overs with Salahuddin Pappu scoring 37 runs. Arman Badsha and Neeyamur Rashid captured four wickets each for 25 and 27 runs respectively.

In reply, CCS easily reached their target of 88 runs in 16 overs for the loss of one wicket with Shuvagato Hom and Amit Majumder contributing unbeaten 39 runs 35 runs respectively.

Shahadat Hossain took the only wicket for eight runs.

Results of the day's other two matches: Gazi Tank (171/4) notched a 6-wicket victory over Sadharan Bima (169/10) at the Jahangirnagar University ground, while Jatrabari KC (224/5) beat Badda Ekota SS (222/10) by 5 wickets at the Dhaka University ground.

8-member Bangladesh athletics team leaves for India Tuesday

UNB, Dhaka

An eight-member Bangladesh athletics team will leave here for India Tuesday to take part in the South Asian Athletics Championship to be held in Cochin March 7-8.

The team comprises seven athletes and one official.

Bangladesh team: Shamsuddin, Selim Miah, Azharul Islam, Sajib Hossain, Nazmun Nahar Beauty, Asadul Islam and Afzal Hossain (athletes), Nazrul Islam Rumi (manager cum coach).

Rani Hamid takes solo lead in Women Chess after 9th round

UNB, Dhaka

Defending champion IWM Rani Hamid took solo lead in the 29th Aromatic Gold National Women Chess Championship with eight points after the 9th round matches at the Chess Federation on Sunday.

WFM Shamima Akter Liza closely followed the leader with 7.5 points while Nazrana Khan Eva of Manikganj came 3rd with seven points.

In the day's 9th round matches; Rani Hamid beat Nazrana Khan Eva. She played with white pieces in Taimanov variation of Sicilian Defense of Eva and won at 50th moves. Liza beat Sharmin Sultana Shirin of Narayangonj. Liza played with white pieces in the main line of Slav Defense of Shirin and won at 35th moves.Masuda Begum of Barisal beat Rokshana Titli.

WFM Tanima Parveen of Chittagong played with WFM Zakia Sultana, WFM Syeda Shabana Parveen Nipa played with Jahanara Haque Runu and Shamiha Sharmin Shimmi with Arifa Khatun Moni.

Sunrise notch 6th victory beating Dhaka Wanderers 3-2

UNB, Dhaka

Sunrise SC registered their 6th victory in the Metropolis Senior Division Football League beating Dhaka Wanderers Club by 3-2 goals at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Sunday.

With this win, Sunrise SC retained the third slot in the league table securing 23 points, while Dhaka Wanderers remained at 15 points, both playing 12 matches.

Atiq, Mahfuz and Rubel scored for Sunrise SC while Aminul and Tito netted for Dhaka Wanderers.

In another match between two lowly teams, Purbachal Parishad beat Dipali Jubo Sangha by 2-1 goals at the same venue.

Mamun struck twice for the winners, one in either half, while Shahadat Hossain Babu netted the lone goal for the losers.

Purbachal Parishad collected 11 points while Dipali Jubo Sangha remained bottom of the table with four points, both playing 12 matches.

In the day's other match at the Kamalapur Stadium, Jatrabari KC played to a one-all draw with City Club. Bashir put Jatrabari ahead in the first half, but Mehdi Hasan restored parity for City Club in the second half.

Cox's Bazar reach final round beating Chittagong 6-5

UNB, Dhaka

Hosts Cox's Bazar DSA emerged zonal champion to advance to the final round of the 4th JFA Cup Under-15 Football Championship beating Chittagong DSA by 6-5 goals in tiebreaker in the zonal final at the Cox's Bazar Stadium on Sunday.

The match rolled into tiebreaker after the stipulated period ended goalless.

Earlier, Dinajpur, Narayanganj, Moulvibazar, Khulna, Bhola, Kushtia DSAs and BKSP confirmed their final round berth.

Jessore beat Madaripur DSA 19-16 in an opening match

UNB, Dhaka

Jessore DSA beat Madaripur DSA by 19-16 goals in one of the opening matches of Ga Zone of the EXIM Bank 18th National Handball Championship (men's) that began at the Jessore Stadium on Sunday.

The winners led the first half 12-6.

In the day's other matches, Faridpur DSA beat Bagerhat DSA 22-7 (first half 9-4), Madaripur DSA defeated Khulna DSA 21-18 (first half 11-12) and Patuakhali DSA outplayed Khulna DSA 14-10 (first half 7-4).