The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh face Ireland in the first ODI today

UNB, Dhaka

After a dismal performance in the home series against South Africa, Bangladesh faces visiting Ireland in the first of the three-match Ispahani ODI Series today at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).

State run BTV will telecast live the match from 9:30am. However, due to equipment constraints, no Third Umpire referrals will be made and all decisions of on-field umpires will be final.

Ahead of the encounter, both the teams made practice sessions at the SBNS, the home side in the morning and the visitors in the afternoon.

During a pre-match press briefing at the match venue Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful said, "I'm looking forward to tomorrow's match. I'm not in under any sorts of pressure about the series and hope to leave the field with win."

Showing full respect to the Ireland team he said, "Ireland is a good team and they play well. There is no reason to take them as minnows."

Asked about the wicket at Mirpur, the out-of-form captain said, "It is difficult to play flurry of shots here (Mirpur) and this time we want to play according to our game plan."

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons said, "Preparation is good. It was difficult against South Africa but the boys are fired up and raring to go. It would be nice if we could win and I am pretty confident that we will win."

Asked about the touring side, the Aussie coach of the national team said, "There are lots of cricket to play. They (Ireland) are a good team. They are only just bellow us in the ranking and last time we played I think they beat us. I am expecting to win."

On the other hand, Ireland coach, Phill Simmons said, "I think his team will perform to the best of their ability and they have the capability of winning here."

Asked about his expectation the former West Indian international said, "In any game you go to play, especially one-day cricket you go to win. So, at the end of the day that is the result we are looking for. I want them to play like they played in the World Cup and add something to that. If we can do that, the game will be closer."

Skipper Trent Johnston said, "We really want to perform against you guys. We have come here to be very competitive and we think we can walk away with the series victory. Bangladesh are going through a tough period at the moment. Hopefully we can capitalize on that."

The visiting captain also hinted at tough competition saying, "Bangladesh are favourite to win the series, but we can also have a ride. We have proved that in the World Cup. We are a good side."

Replying to a question he said, "I think toss will be crucial. Hopefully we will win that, place a good score and defend it in the afternoon."

Ireland will play the 2nd ODI on March 20 and the 3rd on March 22 also at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).

Ireland had defeated Bangladesh by 74 runs in the lone encounter in the ICC World Cup Super-eight in West Indies last year.

Ireland Squad: Trent Johnston (captain), William Porterfield (vice captain), Kyle McCallan, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, Reinhardt Strydom, Thinus Fourie, Gary Kidd, Greg Thompson, Eoin Morgan, Paul Stirling, David Langford-Smith and Phil Eaglestone.

Bangladesh Squad: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Vice captain), Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddiqui, Aftab Ahmed, Nazimuddin, Shahriar Nafees, Shakib Al Hasan, Dhiman Ghosh, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain Razib, Mahmudullah Riyad, Farhad Reza and Rokibul Hasan.

Desperate England satisfied with victory : Vaughan

Reuters, Wellington

England were "desperate" to win the second test against New Zealand to end an eight-match streak without a victory, captain Michael Vaughan said on Monday.

England bowled New Zealand out for 311 early on the final day of the second test at the Basin Reserve to record an 126- run win -- their first since they beat West Indies by seven wickets in Durham last June.

It was also England's first win overseas since they beat India by 212 runs in Mumbai in March 2006. Vaughan had not won a test overseas since beating South Africa by 77 runs in Johannesburg in January 2005. "We were all desperate to win a game of cricket," Vaughan told reporters.

"I can only say how delighted I am for that set of players and the management, we've not won many games and we've all been working very, very hard.

"It's just nice to be sat in the dressing room with a victory under our belts.

"We won't go over the top, we'll treat the game with respect, we know New Zealand are hard to beat on their home soil.

Vaughan had said before the match his side needed to improve from their performance in Hamilton, where they lost by 189 runs, and while he was pleased with the outcome there was still work to be done.

"There's an improvement from Hamilton but there's still a long way to go before we can say we're a proper team again," said Vaughan.

"As a bowling unit I thought we were excellent throughout the match, catching unit not so good and as a batting unit we got a little bit better but we've still a long way to go in that."

The final test begins in Napier on March 22.

Inter-club booter transfer formalities postponed

UNB, Dhaka

The inter-club player transfer for the Metropolis football leagues and tournament has been postponed at the request of the participating metropolis clubs.

The inter-club booter transfer formalities will now be held after the election of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) scheduled for April 28.

The inter-club transfer that began a few days back had to be postponed due to nonparticipation of the metropolis clubs.

The decision was taken at a joint meeting of BFF and the representatives of metropolis clubs at the BFF Bhaban this evening.

The meeting was also attended by BFF president SA Sultan, vice president Abdur Rahim and acting general secretary Manzur Hossain Malu.

The meeting also decided to kick off the Independence Day Cup Football tournament on March 25.

Six teams-Abahani Limited, Mohammedan SC, Arambagh KS, Sheikh Russell KC, Rahmatganj MFS and Bangladesh Navy - have agreed to participate in the meet.

Besides, Brothers Union and Farashganj SC is likely to participate in the meet.

Independence & National Day Women's Kabaddi begins

UNB, Dhaka

The Japanese team made a flying start in the six-team Fresh Independence & National Day Women's Kabaddi Championship beating Jatrabari KC by 32-13 points in the inaugural match at the outer stadium Kabaddi court on Monday.

The visitors, which earned two creditable lonas, clearly dominated the first half by 17-6 points over the local side. Eki of Japan was adjudged the best player of the match.

In the day's other match, Bangladesh Ansar outplayed Nepal team by 54-35 points with two lonas after leading the first session by 28-19 points. Quamrunnahar Shila of Ansar was named as the best player of the match.

Four foreign teams -- Japan, Nepal, West Bengal and Tripura team of India -- alongside two local teams -- Jatrabari KC and Bangladesh Ansar -- are taking part in the four-day meet in two groups.

Earlier, Chairman of the tournament's media partner ATN Bangla Mahfuzur Rahman inaugurated the meet in the afternoon. Chairman and Managing Director of the tournament sponsor Meghna Group Mustafa Kamal was present as special guest.

Four matches will be held today (Tuesday) -- two in the morning and the rest two in the afternoon.

Today's matches: Jatrabari KC vs Tripura (8:30 am), West Bengal vs Nepal (9:15 am), Tripura vs Japan (3:30 pm), and West Bengal vs Bangladesh Ansar (4:15 pm).

Victoria SC draws goalless with Sunrise SC

UNB, Dhaka

Victoria SC played to a one-all draw with their nearest rival Sunrise SC in the super six match of the Metropolis Senior Division Football League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Monday.

After the day's outcome, Victoria SC remained at the second place securing 26 points from 15 matches while Sunrise SC also remained at the third slot with 24 points from 13 outings. Youngmen's Club dominated the league collecting 36 points from 15 matches.

In the relegation league, Wari Club earned the third victory in their 14th match beating bottom ranked Dipali Jubo Sangha by 2-0 goals.

After a barren first half, Selim put Wari Club ahead in the 54th minute while Babu doubled the margin in the 75th minute.

Today's matches: Badda Jagarani Sangsad vs Dhaka Wanderers Club (Kamlapur), and City Club vs Mohakhali Eleven (BNS).

Brothers Union earn 1-wicket victory over Agrani Bank

UNB, Dhaka

Despite a century by Zahid Hossain of Agrani Bank CC, Brothers Union Club earned a hard-fought 1-wicket victory over Agrani Bank in the Metropolis First Division Cricket League at the Dhaka University ground (DUG) Monday.

Coin-favoured, Agrani Bank CC batted first to pile up 184 for all in 35.4 overs with opener Zahid Hossain topscoring 112 off 105 balls that featured 14 fours and 3 sixes.

Opener Shahriar Rumi 27 and number seven Subrato Sarker 12 were the other two batsmen to reach the double figures.

Shahriar Hassan claimed four wickets for 34 runs while Nazrul Haque captured three wickets for 39.

In reply, Brothers Union Club reached their target scoring 187 for 9 in 48.5 overs with skipper Mukter Siddiqui contributing team highest 49 off 56 balls, including five fours. Nazrul Haque 40, Saiful Moazzem 28, opener Golam Fayaz also contributed to earn the close win.

In the day's other matches, Azad SC (141/1) crushed Khelaghar SKS (138/10) by nine wickets, Orient SC (143/3) outplayed Dhaka Mariner Youngs (140/10) by seven wickets, Bangladesh Boys (296/5) beat Dhaka Wanderers (280/7) by 16 runs while Young Pegasus B (190/9) defeated Lalmatia Club (189/9) by 1 run.

Independence Day Karate Training Camp to begin on March 28

UNB, Dhaka

The two-day Independence Day Karate Training Camp, organised by Bangladesh Karate Federation, will begin in the city on March 28 at the Mirpur Shahid Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium.

The interested participants have been requested to send their entries in prescribed forms with a fee of TK 50.

Independence Day : Gymnastics Competition on March 31

UNB, Dhaka

The daylong Independence Day Gymnastics Competition, organised by Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation, will be held here on March 31 at the National Sports Council (NSC) conference room.

The competition will be held in four categories -- senior, junior, boys' and girls' sections.

Meanwhile, the interested participants have been requested to send their entries on or before March 27 by 7:00pm to the Federation office.