The New Nation - Internet Edition

Yousuf ton propels Pakistan to big score

AP, Lahore

Mohammad Yousuf notched his 15th limited-overs century Tuesday as Pakistan reached 322 for five in the first of five limited-overs internationals against Bangladesh.

Yousuf hit 10 fours in his 103-ball unbeaten 108 and featured in a record-breaking century partnership with captain Shoaib Malik, who scored better than run-a-ball 85.

Hard-hitting batsmen Misbah-ul-Haq (38) and Shahid Afridi (27 not out) were also contributed as Pakistan made 102 runs in the last 10 overs of its innings.

Malik put on 145 runs for the fourth wicket with Yousuf which bettered Pakistan's previous record for that partnership against Bangladesh of 112 runs between former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan in 2003.

Bangladesh lost its way after restricting Pakistan to 70-3 in the 18th over when Yousuf and Malik accelerated the run-scoring against part-time bowlers.

Spinner Mahmudullah Riad conceded 52 of his five overs while captain Mohammad Ashraful was hammered for 26 off his two overs.

Malik completed his half century off 45 balls but holed out at long off from the bowling of spinner Shakib Al Hasan in an attempt to hit a big six.

Yousuf completed his century when he flicked left-arm spinner Abdur Razzaq and ran a single in the 48th over.

Bangladesh new-ball bowlers Farhad Reza (2-41) and Mashrafe Mortaza (2-52) struck early in the innings after Malik won the toss and elected to bat first.

Wicketkeeper Dhiman Ghosh, who dropped a regulation catch from Salman Butt in Mortaza's second over of the innings, made amends when he held onto four catches.

Medium fast Reza bowled an unchanged spell of 10 overs and was duly rewarded with the wickets of openers Butt (33) and Nasir Jamshed (20) while Younis Khan chased a wide delivery from Mortaza and got a faint edge to Ghosh.

Mortaza achieved a landmark when he became only the second Bangladesh bowler after left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique to complete 100 wickets in one-day internationals when he had Misbah caught behind in his return spell.

ICC quizzes Akhtar over fixing claims

AFP, Pakistan

An International Cricket Council investigator has questioned banned fast bowler Shoaib Akthar over his claims that he was offered money to throw matches, Pakistani sources said Tuesday.

Akthar, 32, was banned for five years a week ago for criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He later alleged that that he had refused offers of bribes to underperform in international games.

"Alan Peacock of the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) interviewed Akhtar and some other players on Sunday and will make recommendations to the ICC over any further action," a PCB source told AFP.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not identify the other players.

Pakistan's representative in the ACSU, retired colonel Nuruddin Khawaja, assisted Peacock in the investigation, said the sources.

Akhtar in a television interview last week claimed he was offered and refused money to throw matches during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa and in India. He did not say when the alleged Indian incident happened.

The claims came after the PCB banned him over a series of code of conduct breaches, including publicly criticising the board for not giving him a central contract.

He was already on two months' probation for hitting team-mate Mohammad Asif with a cricket bat.

The ICC said last week that it had a "zero tolerance" policy on allegations of fixing.

"The ACSU which has taken notice of Akhtar's comments and since the ICC has a zero tolerance on this, Akhtar will be interviewed by officials," ICC spokesman Samiul Hasan told AFP last week.

"We do not comment on the ACSU's movements but it will be done in due course."

The spectre of match-fixing has haunted cricket since the Australian trio of Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh accused Pakistan captain Salim Malik of offering money to underperform on Australia's tour in 1994.

Malik was subsequently banned by a match-fixing commission headed by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum-now Pakistan's attorney general-in 2000.

Paceman Ata-ur Rehman was also banned for life on charges of perjury but his ban was overturned in 2006.

Six other Pakistan cricketers including former captains Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq were also fined.

BCB announce national eves cricket team for Asia Cup

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board Tuesday announced a 14-member final squad of Bangladesh National Women's Cricket Team to participate in the four-nation Asia Cup that will begin in Sri Lanka on May 2.

Bangladesh women's team, by virtue of their triumph in the Asian Cricket Council tournament last year in Malaysia, earned the right to play in the Asia Cup for the first time with three giants of the world cricket - India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh eves will make their first appearance in the Women's Asia Cup against India in one of the two opening day's matches at the Welagedara Stadium in Kurunegela, while host Sri Lanka will play Pakistan at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in the other opening day's fixture.

All the four teams will play each other twice on league basis matches. Later, two top teams will meet in the final on May 11.

Bangladesh Women's team: Sathira Zakir Jessy, Shuktara, Ayesha Akhter, Salma Khatun, Irene Sultana, Chameli Khatun, Rumana Akhter, Panna Ghosh, Shamima Akhter Pinky, Jahanara Alam, Lily Rani, Tithi Rani, Papiya Haque Babu and Mina Khatun

Standbys: Fatematuz Zahra, Mahmuda Khan, Lata Mondal and Champa Chakma

The selected players have been asked to report to team coach Jafrul Ehsan at the Dhanmondi Women's Sports Complex today (Wednesday) at 5pm.

GP-BCB Academy face SA Academy in 2nd four-day match begins today

UNB, Dhaka

High flying GP-BCB Academy team face South Africa Academy team in the 2nd four-day match of the Grameenphone Academy Cup begins today (Wednesday) at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Matiur Rahman Stadium (BSSRAS) in Khulna.

Earlier, in the first four-day match, the hosts beat the visitors by an innings and 68 runs at the Jessore District Stadium.

On completion of the 2nd four-dayer, the Pakistan Academy team will arrive here on April 14 to participate in the triangular one-day tournament involving South Africa Academy team and GP-BCB Academy team.

After the tournament, the Pakistan side will play two four-day matches against their Bangladesh counterparts - the first match on Apr 26-29 at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium (SCS) in Bogra and the 2nd on May 2-5 at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium (RDVS).

Young Pegasus meet Kalabagan KC in 2nd Relegation League match today

UNB, Dhaka

Young Pegasus take on Kalabagan KC in the 2nd Relegation League match of the Metropolis Premier Division Cricket at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) today (Wednesday).

Earlier, on Monday, Kalabagan KC suffered an 80-run defeat to Sonargaon Cricketers in the first Relegation League match, also at the SBNS.

Meanwhile, in the 3rd Relegation League match, Sonargaon Cricketers will face Young Pegasus on Apr 11 at the SBNS.

Zonal round Volleyball competition begins today in Pabna

UNB, Dhaka

The zonal round matches of the Inter-District Volleyball Competition (men's)begins today at Pabna Volleyball Stadium.

Organised by Bangladesh Volleyball Federation, 8 DSAs are taking part in the three-day meet.

The teams taking part are Rajshahi, Natore, Bogra, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Panchagard, Pabna and Faridpur.

Rajbari DSA clinches Inter-District Women's Volleyball title

UNB, Dhaka

Rajbari DSA clinched the Pepsi 11th Women's Inter-District Volleyball title beating Rajshahi DSA by 25-19, 25-18, 25-18 points in the final at Dhaka Volleyball Stadium on Monday.

This is the second consecutive inter-district women's volleyball crown for Rajbari DSA after their maiden title in the 2005-06 season.

Earlier, Pabna DSA finished third beating Dinajpur DSA by 3-1 sets in a third place deciding match at the same venue in the morning.

IFAD group chairman Iftekhar Ahmed Tipu was the chief guest in the final and distributed the prizes. President of Bangladesh Volleyball Federation Golam Quddus Chowdhury Babu was present.

IFAD Group chairman handed over six special awards to the tournament's best players--Farhana, Aleya, (Rajbari), Lucky, Panna (Rajshahi), Shahida, Suchana (Pabna).

Rajbarai DSA - Putul, Farhana, Aleya, Salma, Eva, Soheli, Dolly, Morgina, Taslima and Rupali.

Rajshahi DSA - Nazmun, Nadia, Panna, Bablee, Diti, Rita, Laila, Farzana, Dithi and Dipa.

Gazi Tank earns 2nd consecutive win beating Azad SC by six wickets

UNB, Dhaka

Gazi Tank Cricketers registered the second consecutive victory in the First Division Cricket Super League with a facile six-wicket win over Azad SC at Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday.

Bangladesh Boys Club also piled up their 2nd successive win beating Cricket Coaching School (CCS) by 43 runs in the day's another match at BKSP ground-2.

In two other matches, Orient SC and Indira Road KC tasted their first victory in the second super league outings.

Orient SC managed a four-wicket victory over old horse Brothers Union Club at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur while Indira Road KC earned a 22-run win over Rupali Bank at Narayanganj Osmani Stadium in Fatullah.

Brief score:

Azad SC - 206 for 6 in 50 overs; Arif 52, Sajjad 37, Apurba 2/50.

Gazi Tank - 207 for 4 in 46.5 overs; Adil not out 65, Masumuddowla 56, Bashar 2/36.

Bangladesh Boys - 213 all out in 47.5 overs; Sajid not out 52, Masum 40, Ishaque 3/28, Mahbub 2/25

CCS- 170 all out in 47.5 overs; Amit 40, Suvagotoham 34, Hadi 4/34.

Brothers Union - 188 for 8 in 50 overs; Nuruzzaman not out 59, Golam Faiyas 38, Ismail 2/21, Abu Newaz 2/27.

Orient SC - 191 for 6 in 47.3 overs; Newaz 43, Shohag

Gazi not out 41, Nuruzzaman 2/20, Nazrul 2/49.

Indira Road KC - 229 all out in 49.1 overs; Rubel Miah 62, Mustafa Maruf 41, Monirul Islam 5/42, Nasim 3/45

Rupali Bank - 207 all out in 48.1 overs; Sujon 65, Monirul Islam 34, Iqbal 3/42 and Rakibul 2/33.