The New Nation - Internet Edition

Japan, West Bengal advance to final

UNB, Dhaka

Japan and West Bengal advanced to the final of the Fresh Independence and National Day Women's Kabaddi Championship after eliminating their opponents in the semis at the Kabaddi Stadium here on Wednesday.

In the first semifinal, Japan crushed Bangladesh Ansar by 33-16 points with 1 lona after leading the first half by 16-6 points. Takaoaka of the winning team was adjudged player of the match.

In the 2nd semifinal, West Bengal outclassed Tripura by 65-18 points with five creditable lonas after having a 40-13 first half lead. Banasree Das of West Bengal was named player of the match.

Private satellite channel ATN Bangla telecast both the matches live.

The final between Japan and West Bengal will be held today at 3:30pm.

Mohammedan, Biman maintain their joint lead

UNB, Dhaka

Mohammedan SC and Biman Bangladesh Airlines jointly maintained their lead in the Metropolis Premier Division Cricket League after beating their respective opponents in the 5th round matches at different venues on Wednesday.

Mohammedan outclassed Sonargaon Cricketers by 8 wickets at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS) while Biman Bangladesh Airlines beat Surjotarun Club by 3 wickets at BKSP Ground-2.

In the day's other match, a spectacular 116 by opener Mohammad Mithun enabled BKSP to secure a 80-run win over Victoria SC at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS).

After the 5th round, both Mohammedan SC and Bangladesh Biman collected 10 points in five matches. Abahani Limited is in the 2nd position with nine points while BKSP in the 3rd slot with 7 points, both playing five matches.

Sent into bat first Sonargaon Cricketers were bundled out for just 139 in 43.3 overs in the face of some hostile bowling by pacer Monjurul Islam and Adeel Arshad.

Number seven Elias Sunny contributed innings highest 50 off 103 balls that featured four fours followed by Ezaz Ahmed with 26.

Skipper Monjurul claimed four wickets for just 5 runs in 7 overs while Aqeel Arshad captured four wickets for 25 runs. Monjurul was adjudged man of the match.

Replying to a poor total, Mohammedan SC eased to the victory scoring 142 for 2 in 29.4 overs with opener Imtiaz Hossain playing an unbeaten 80 off 92 balls that included 12 boundaries.

Number four Nadimuddin Mintu not out 29 and one down Rashedul Haque 22 also contributed to the emphatic win.

Elias Sunny and Kazi Kamrul Islam shared both the wickets for Mohammedan SC.

After being put into bat first Surjotarun Club could manage 179 for 9 in the stipulated 50 overs with former Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar contributing 42 off 80 balls with three fours.

Lower order Mohammad Sharif not out 28, captain Khaled Mashud Pilot 23 and Nayeem Islam 23 helped their side to post a respectable total.

Pacer Mahbubul Alam, spinners duo -- Nabil Samad and Mosharraf Hossain Rubel -- bagged two wickets apiece.

In reply, Biman Bangladesh Airlines cantered to victory scoring 183 for 7 in 49.3 overs with right-hand opener Nafees Iqbal top-scoring 55 off 101 balls featuring four fours.

Rubel not out 33, Mahbubul not out 21 and Ejaj 32 helped their side to earn a close win. Rubel of Biman was adjudged man of the match for his all round performance.

Mohammad Yunus scalped three wickets for 31 runs while Delwar Hossain took two wickets for 42 runs.

Mithun's 116 off 115 balls coloured with 11 fours and two sixes propelled BKSP to post 267 runs for 6 in the allocated 50 overs. Mithun was given the man-of-the-match award.

Middle order Nasir Hossain came close to score a century as he made 85 off 88 balls fashioned with six fours and two sixes while skipper Mushfiqur Rahman not out 21, Mahmudul Hasan not out 7 also made some contributions in posting a fighting total.

Mohammad Rubel scalped four wickets for 45 runs while pacer Mohammad Shahjada took two wickets for 36 runs.

In reply, Victoria SC were bowled out for 187 in 45.1 overs with Farhad Hossain making team highest 59 off 90 balls with five fours while one down Labbayek 28, opener Iqbal 26 and Wasel Uddin 26 were the other notable scorers.

Taposh Ghose caused the major damage in the Victoria SC batting line bagging four wickets for 36 while Mahmudul took two wickets for 37 runs.

Old Dhaka team earns 2nd successive victory beating Police AC 6-0

UNB, Dhaka

Old Dhaka Hockey Association registered a thumping victory, 6 goals to nil, against Police AC in the Independence Day Hockey Tournament at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.

It was the second successive victory of the Old Dhaka team in the tournament. It won 5-2 goals against Bangladesh Air Force in their opening match.

All the six goals were scored in the first half.

National forward Maksud Alam Habul struck twice, Iqbal Nader Prince, Rasel Mahmud Jimmy, Abdus Samad and Asaduzzaman netted one each.

In the day's other match, Bangladesh Navy beat Mirpur Academy by 3-2 goals at the same venue in the afternoon. The sailors went down 1-2 goals in the first half.

Mortuza, Azad and Mustaque scored one each for the winners while Ronny netted both the goals for losers.

Today's matches: Bangladesh Air Force vs Mirpur Academy (2:pm), Bangladesh Army vs Bangladesh Navy (3:30 pm).

Chatgaon SC beats Madaripur Samaj Kalyan Samity by 4 wickets

UNB, Dhaka

Chatgaon Sporting Club earned a four-wicket victory over Madaripur Samaj Kalyan Samity in a super-six match of the Keraniganj AK Housing Cricket League at Kalindi Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Madaripur Samaj Kalyan Samity bating first scored 140 for all in 30.2 overs. In reply, Chatgaon Sporting Club reached their target scoring 142 for 6 in 22.2 overs.

Petrobangla sports meet on Saturday

UNB, Dhaka

The Central Sports Meet-2008 of Petrobangla will be held on Saturday (Mar 22) at the Armed Police Battalion ground at Uttara.

Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor Prof M Tamim will inaugurate the meet as chief guest while secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Mohammad Mohsin will be present as special guest.

Several hundred athletes and sportsmen of Petrobangla and its subsidiary companies will compete in the daylong annual sports meet.

Purbachal Parisad shares points with Agrani Bank

UNB, Dhaka

Purbachal Parisad shared points with Agrani Bank SC as the relegation league match of the Metropolis Senior Division Football between them ended in 3-3 goals draw at the Bangabadhu National Stadium here on Wednesday.

Purbachal Parisad led the first half by 3-2 goals in the day's lone match.

Tutul, Swapan and Pashban scored one each for Purbachal Parishad while Mifizullah struck twice and Mamun netted one for the bankers.

After the day's result, both Purbachal Parisad and Agrani Bank SC have secured 19 points each playing 16 matches to take a joint lead in the points table. Mohakhali Eleven bagged 19 points from 15 matches.

Today's matches: Youngmen's Club vs Sunrise SC (4:pm) at BNS, and Arambagh KS vs Wari Club (4:pm) at Kamalapur ground.