The New Nation - Internet Edition

India-South Africa test drawn

AP, Chennai

South Africa opener Neil McKenzie scored his second century in successive tests as bat dominated ball again Sunday and the first test against India petered out into a tame draw.

Stumps were called early on the final day, after South Africa declared its second innings at 331-5, with both teams accepting the draw that had long seemed inevitable after massive first innings totals on a lifeless pitch.

Only 25 wickets fell across five days, with 1,498 runs scored. McKenzie scored an unbeaten 155 and Hashim Amla made 81 in South Africa's second innings.

McKenzie struck 13 fours and one six off 339 deliveries in registering the fourth century of his 45-test career, making up for the disappointment of falling six short of a century in the first innings.

Making a comeback after four years out of the test side, McKenzie slammed a double century in his previous test against Bangladesh when he featured in a world record opening stand of 415 with Graeme Smith.

Amla looked capable of becoming the fifth South African to score a century in each inning of a test before edging India skipper Anil Kumble's delivery into the hands of Rahul Dravid at slip. Amla failed to read an away drifting ball to end his 3-1/2 hour knock and the second-wicket partnership of 157 with McKenzie.

Amla, who scored 159 in the first innings, benefited from two dropped catches but failed to convert the chances into a century that would have made him only the second South Africa - after India's current coach Gary Kirsten - to have scored centuries in either innings of a test against India.

Amla struck nine boundaries off 148 deliveries, watching Shantakumaran Sreesanth spill a catch at fine leg off Harbhajan Singh when on 55, and then got a reprieve as Rudra Pratap Singh failed to hold on to return catch on 72.

India spinner Harbhajan Singh (3-101) snared Jacques Kallis (19) and Ashwell Prince (5) in the afternoon session, while A.B. de Villiers (11) fell to part-time spinner Virender Sehwag, whose 319 in the first innings broke the record for the highest score by an India player, and also secured him the man of the match award.

"It was a good Test for me," said Sehwag, who became only the third batsman in test history to score more than 300 twice. Only Don Bradman of Australia and West Indian Brian Lara have attained the feat earlier.

Sehwag's knock, the highest by an Indian in tests, surpassed his own 309 that he made against Pakistan at Multan in 2004.

Rival captains Kumble and Greame Smith complimented Sehwag. "The way Sehwag batted, it was no surprise he did most of scoring," said Kumble, while Smith termed it a "tremendous knock."

Kumble said the conditions were extremely tough for the bowlers with the flat track and the heat.

"We expected the wicket to deteriorate and expected it to have some more pace," said Kumble. "I suppose the rain in the week ahead of the test match hampered the preparations," he said.

Smith said he was pleased at the effort put in by his team. "We've got some really good cricket under out belt, our batsmen had a good test and I'm pretty comfortable with the way we bowled," said Smith.

"Our bowlers have immense talent and they're learning to bowl in different conditions," he said.

In a test where the only interest lay in personal milestones, Rahul Dravid also became just the sixth player to pass 10,000 career test runs.

The second test of the three-match series begins at Ahmadabad on April 3.

Amol Roy clinches men's singles title

UNB, Dhaka

Amol Roy clinched the men's singles title of the Independence Day Tennis Tournament beating Shibu Lal 6-2, 5-7, 5-3 (retired) in the final at the Ramna National Tennis Complex on Sunday.

Rustam Ali won the boys' singles title of 14-year age group defeating Aquib Monir 6-2, 6-1 in the final at the same venue in the afternoon.

Bangladesh Tennis Federation president AMM Nasiruddin witnessed the day' final as chief guest and later distributed the prizes.

Independence Day Gymnastics Competition today

UNB, Dhaka

The daylong Independence Day Gymnastics Competition, organised by Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation, will be held today (Monday) from 9 am at the National Sports Council (NSC) Gymnasium.

Interested teams and participants have been requested to report at the competition venue by 8:30 am.

Mohammedan regains top slot

UNB, Dhaka

After losing the top slot following a defeat against Old DOHS Club in their last match, Mohammedan SC regained supremacy in the Metropolis Premier Division Cricket League beating Bangladesh Biman by four wickets at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) on Sunday.

In the day's other matches, holders Abahani Limited, who suffered two consecutive defeats, notched a 105-run victory over Sonargaon Cricketers at the BKSP-2, BKSP defeated Kalabagan KC by 96 runs at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS), Surjotarun Club beat Young Pegasus by 36 runs at the BKSP-1 while City Club outplayed Partex SC by two wickets at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS).

After the day's matches, Mohammedan SC regained the one spot from Bangladesh Biman securing 18 points while Biman remained at 17 points from 10 matches. Abahani Limited is in the 3rd position with 15 points, also from 10 outings.

Opting to bat first at the SBNS, Bangladesh Biman posted 174 for 8 in 50 overs with left-hand national opener Tamim Iqbal top scoring 65 runs off 113 balls that featured three fours. Skipper Sanwar Hossain scored 2nd highest 31 runs.

Right-arm pacer Tapash Baishya claimed four wickets for 36 runs while spinner Suhrawardi Shuvo took two wickets.

In reply, Mohammedan SC cantered to victory scoring the required 175 runs in 46.4 overs for the loss of six wickets riding on two unbeaten fifties from Rokibul Hassan and Shuvo.

Rokibul contributed not out 55 off 88 balls with one four while Shuvo made 54 off 90 balls with two fours to be adjudged man of the match.

Right-arm national pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza scalped four wickets for 14 runs.

At the BKSP-2, coin-favoured Abahani Limited batted first to amass 325 runs for 5 in 50 overs with the help of three half centuries from Ziaur Rahman, Mahbubul Karim and Jahurul Islam.

Middle order Ziaur belted two fours and seven sixes to remain unbeaten on 60 playing 19 balls while one down Jahurul contributed 84 runs off 87 balls with five fours and five sixes. Opener Mahbubul made 77.

Sanjamul Haque and Fahim Muntasir bagged two wickets each for 66 and 84 runs respectively.

Chasing the massive target, Sonargaon Cricketers were all out for 220 in 46.2 overs with opener Moshiur Rahman scoring 55 runs off 53 balls that included eight fours. Fahad Ullah Khan made 46 and Auntu 42.

Arafat Sunny captured three wickets for 43 runs while skipper Tushar Imran and Zia took two wickets each. Zia was later adjudged man of the match for his hurricane innings of 19-ball 60.

Batting first after winning the toss at the NOS, BKSP posted a fighting 277 for 9 in 50 overs with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim hammering 145 runs off 134 that featured 11 fours and three sixes. Rahim was later named man of the match.

In reply, Kalabagan KC were restricted to 181 for 8 in 50 overs with middle order Jamaluddin Babu scoring not out 48 off 92 balls that included two boundaries. Pakistani recruit Shahbaz Butt made 40 and Fariduddin 24.

Raihan Anas and Nasir Hossain grabbed two wickets apiece.

Opting to bat first at the DCS, Partex SC, riding on Rashed Hanif's 114 off 130 balls, scored 257 for 8 in 50 overs. Hanif, whose innings featured 10 fours and two sixes, was later adjudged the man of the match.

Pacer Arafat Salahuddin scalped three wickets for 59 runs while Shafaq Al Jabir took two wickets for 40.

In reply, opener Imran Ahmed played a useful innings of 96 runs off 120 balls with 10 fours and a six as City Club reached victory scoring 258 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allocated 50 overs.

Apart from Imran, opener Rasel Al Mamun was also impressive with his handy 52 off 33 balls that included seven boundaries.

Tarequl Islam bagged two wickets for 34 runs.

At the BKSP-1, Surjotarun Club batted first to score 238 in the stipulated 50 overs with top order Shamsur Rahman contributing 67 runs off 114 balls. Lower order Nazmul Hossain blasted 54 not out off just 18 balls and was later named man of the match.

Sabbir Rahman took three wickets for 51 runs in nine overs.

In response, Young Pegasus could manage 202 for all in 49.4 overs with Sabbir Rahman making 64 off 65 balls that featured seven fours and two sixes.

Mohammad Yunus claimed four wickets for 20 runs while Monwar Hossain and Faisal Elahi took two wickets apiece.

Independence Day Basketball begins today

Sports Reporter

The Independence Day Basketball Competition arranged by Bangladesh Basketball Federation begins today at the Dhanmondi Basketball Gymnasium. Bangladesh Air Force will face BKSP at 4.00 PM while Dhumketu Club will meet Josephites Club at 6.00 PM.

A total of seven teams splitting into two groups will take part in the first phase of the basketball meet. The first phase will be held on single-league basis. Dhumketu Club, Bangladesh Police, Josephites Club, Eagles Club have been billed in Group A while Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, BKSP have been placed in Group B.

The champions of Group A will take on the runners-up of Group B in the first semifinal on April 5 while the champions of Group B will play against the runners-up of Group A in the second semifinal on the same day.

The winners of the two semifinals will face each other in the final on April 7.

President of Bangladesh Basketball Federation Kazi M Aminul Islam will formally open the basketball competition today as the chief guest.

Inter-Department Cricket of DU Psychology emerge as champions

Sports Reporter

Psychology Department emerged as the champions of the Southern Zone of the Inter-Department Cricket Competition of Dhaka University (DU) when Psychology Department beat Applied Physics, Electronics and Communication Department by 12 runs in the final at the Jagannath Hall ground on Sunday.

Batting first, Psychology Department made 137 runs and then they restricted Applied Physics to 125 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

Emdadul Haque Tapu of Applied Physics Department was adjudged the man of the match for his all-round performance.

After the entertaining final match Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr AFM Yousuf Haidar distributed the prizes among the winners as the chief guest.

Provost of Jagannath Hall Professor Ajoy Kumar Das, Adviser to Physical Education Centre of Dhaka University Professor Didar-ul-Alam, Acting Director of Physical Education Centre Shawkatur Rahman and the provosts of the different halls and other teachers were present at the time.

Women's Beach Kabaddi reaches semi-final stage

UNB, Dhaka

Four teams -- Bangladesh Ansar, Jatrabari KC, Matuail Milan Smriti Sangsad and Jurain Janata Club -- Sunday reached the women's semi-finals of the first-ever Beach Kabaddi tournament being held on Cox's Bazar sea beach.

Both the semis will be held today (Monday) morning, while the final match will be held in the afternoon.

In day's women's group matches, Jurain Janata Club beat Azad SC by 42-18 points, Bangladesh Ansar defeated Matuail Milan Smriti Sangsad 53-23, Jatrabari KC beat Azad SC 42-22 while Bangladesh Ansar again outplayed Cox's Bazar DSA 58-17 at the Laboni point of Cox's Bazar sea beach.

In the men's group league basis matches, Bangladesh Navy beat Fire Service by 38-34 points while Bangladesh Rifles defeated Bangladesh Jail 62-20.

Bangladesh Rifles will play Bangladesh Police in the last league match tomorrow (Monday), the concluding day of the three-day meet.

Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar Sajjadul Hasan will be the chief guest at the Monday's closing function and distribute the prizes.

Old Dhaka reach final playing 2-2 draw with Bangladesh Army

UNB, Dhaka

Old Dhaka Hockey Association moved into the final of the Dhaka Bank Independence Day Hockey tournament after playing a 2-2 draw with Bangladesh Army in their last match at the Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

Old Dhaka Hockey Association meets Sipahi Para SC of Rajshahi in the final today (Monday) at 3 pm at the same venue.

Hockey Federation President and Air Force Chief Air Marshall SM Ziaur Rahman will be the chief guest in the final.

With the day's draw, Old Dhaka secured 14 points to reach the final while Bangladesh Army was eliminated from the meet with 13 points from six matches.

Sipahi Para SC qualified for the final with unbeaten run collecting 16 points.

In the day's first match, Abdus Samad put Old Dhaka ahead in the 33rd minute with a field goal (1-0) while Asaduzzaman doubled the margin in the 41st minute from a penalty corner (2-0).

In the day's other match, Sipahi Para SC thrashed lowly Mirpur Academy by 10-1 goals at the same venue.

Bangladesh beat CAB by 65-run in first one-day match

UNB, Dhaka

A six-wicket haul by Arpon enabled Bangladesh Under-15 team to earn a 65-run victory over Cricket Association of Bengal(CAB)Under-15 team of India in the first one-day match at Balurghat in West Bengal on Sunday.

Sent into bat first Bangladesh U-15 team scored 198 for 9 in 41 overs with Didar hitting half-century.

Besides, Rakin made 37, Ahmedul 27 and Anisur 26 runs for Bangladesh. Shubha grabbed three Bangladesh wickets for 43 runs.

In reply, CAB Under-15 were bundled out for 133 runs in 39.4 overs in devastating bowling by Bangladesh bowler Arpon, who grabbed six wickets for 28 runs.

Earlier, visiting Bangladesh side made a good start in West Bengal tour beating hosts team by five wickets in the first two-day match in Coochbehar on Friday.

The team will play the 2nd one-day match on April 1 at Malda and the 3rd and last one-day match on Apr 3 at Burdwan and the last 2-day match on April 5-6.