The New Nation - Internet Edition

GP-BCB Academy team concede nine-wicket defeat against Pakistan Academy team

UNB, Dhaka

The GP-BCB Academy team conceded a humiliating nine-wicket defeat against Pakistan Academy team in the 2nd one-day match of the three-nation Grameenphone Academy Cup Cricket at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium in Chittagong on Wednesday.

Hosts GP-BCB team, riding on 113 runs by opener Imrul Kayes, made a flying start in the three-nation one-day tournament beating South Africa Academy team by 75 runs in the opening match at the same venue on Tuesday.

In the day's match, the home side won the toss for the second consecutive time, but were all out for 177 runs in 49.4 overs due to poor batting by the top order batsmen.

After the dismissal of seven batsmen--Jahirul Islam (4), Shamsur Rahman (0), Mushfiqur Rahim (10), Mehrab Hossain (4) Nasiruddin Faruk (17), Nasir Hossain (36), Dollar Mahmud (0)--for 95 runs in 28.2 overs, tailenders Suhrawardi Shuvo, Delwar Hossain and Nazmul Hossain carried team total to 177 runs.

In a run drought situation, Delwar Hossain and Nazmul Hossain scored 47 runs in the 9th wicket stand to save the host team from another awkward position.

Number ten batsmen Nazmul Hossain contributed 28 runs off 41 deliveries hitting two fours and one six while number nine Delwar Hossain made 50-ball 26 runs with three fours.

Suhrawardi Shuvo scored 26 off 52 balls including two fours while Nasir Hossain, who made a half-century against South Africa on Tuesday, also scored team highest 36 runs off 64 balls with five hits to the fence and one over the fence.

Muhammad Aamir grabbed four Bangladesh wickets for 21 runs in 7.4 overs with a maiden and was adjudged man of the match.

Pacer Anwar Ali and Azharullah took two wickets each conceding 40 and 34 runs respectively.

Chasing an easy target, Pakistan Academy team reached their target scoring 180 for the loss of only one wicket in 38.4 overs.

After the departure of opener Ahmed Shehzad (18) for 44 runs in 10.3 overs, another opener Khurrum Manzoor pairing with one down Khaled Latif guided the team toward the victory scoring 136 runs in the 2nb wicket partnership.

Khaled Latif hammared an unconquered 84 runs off 89 deliveries with 12 hits across rope and three over the rope while Khurram Manzoor contributed an unbeaten 68 off 116 balls hitting nine boundaries.

Mahbubul Alam Robin claimed the lone Pakistan wicket of Ahmed Shehzad conceding 35 runs in his five over spell.

Pakistan will meet South Africa in the third one-day match tomorrow (Thursday) at the same venue.

After the league basis matches in three teams at the BSSRAS, the two top teams will meet in the final on April 23 at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).

Remaining fixture of one-day tournament:

3rd Apr 17 SA vs Pak BSSRAS

4th Apr 19 BCB vs SA BSSRAS

5th Apr 20 SA vs Pak BSSRAS

6th Apr 21 BCB vs Pak BSSRAS

Final Apr 23 SBNS

National women's handball team leaves for India tomorrow

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh national women handball team will leave for India on Friday to participate in the 3rd SAF Women's Handball Championship to be held on April 23-26 in Lucknow.

Five teams - India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan and Bangladesh - will take part in the four-day meet, Bangladesh Handball Federation general secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor told UNB on Wednesday.

In the 2nd SAF Handball Championship in 2000 in Dhaka, India emerged champions and host Bangladesh finished runners-up in both men's and women's groups.

Eskaton SS register 4-wicket win over Udayachal Club

UNB, Dhaka

Eskaton SS registered a four-wicket win over Udayachal Club in a match of the Second Division Cricket League at Jagannath Hall ground on Wednesday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Udayachal Club were all out for 130 in 37.5 overs with Rana scoring 29 runs while Mahbubur adding 26. Tutul grabbed four wickets for 43 runs.

In reply, Eskaton SS reached their target making 132 runs in 26.1 overs for the loss of six wickets with Aslam contributing 31 runs while Nadim scoring 29. Imran claimed three wickets for 25 runs.

In the day's other match, Green Leaf SC (182/9) defeated Rayer Bazar Athletics Club by (121/10) by 61 runs at the City Club ground.

Archery coaches, judges seminar on Apr 27

UNB, Dhaka

A weeklong seminar for archery coaches and judges, organised by Bangladesh Archery Federation and sponsored by Uttara Bank Limited, will be held in the city on April 27-May 3.

Intending participants have been asked to enroll their names by April 23 at the federation office at Maulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium (Room 229).

2nd Div Badmintion from May 24

Sports Reporter

The Second Division Badminton League begins on May 24 at the Dhaka Wooden Floor Gymnasium. Bangladesh Badminton Federation will arrange the Badminton meet.

Interested clubs and corporate assiciations have been requested to submit their entries by May 19.

Pragoti SS beat Narayanganj CA by 52-runs

UNB, Dhaka

Pragoti SS beat Narayanganj Cricket Academy by 52-runs in a match of the 3rd Division Cricket League that began on Wednesday at Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

Engineer Mostaq Ahmed, former member of Bangladesh Cricket Board, formally inaugurated the league as chief guest.

Opted to bat first, Pragoti SS were all out for 138 in 49.5 overs with Saiful scoring 19 runs while Aminul captured four wickets for 23 runs.

In reply, Narayanganj Cricket Academy were dismissed cheaply for 86 in 28.2 overs with Aminul making 20 runs. Saiful grabbed four wickets for 36.

In the day's other match, Orient Cricket Academy (139/8) earned a two-wicket win over Young Pegasus 'A' (136/10) at the Uttara Friends Club ground.

Splendid Shakib lifts Bangladesh to 210

Internet

An outstanding 108 from Shakib Al Hasan, his second hundred in ODIs, lifted Bangladesh from a dire 109 for 8 to a respectable 210 in the fourth ODI in Multan. Pakistan seemed on course for a ridiculously easy win before Shakib got together with Mashrafe Mortaza - the two added a record 97 for the ninth wicket, ensuring their team would have a reasonable total to defend under lights.

Shakib came to the crease after Bangladesh had completely thrown away the advantage of batting first on a flat pitch in bright and sunny conditions. Umar Gul struck twice in his first over, inducing edges from Junaid Siddique and Aftab Ahmed, while Mohammad Asif - playing his first international match in nearly six months - had Tamim Iqbal cutting straight to point. Ten for 3 became an even more depressing 16 for 4 soon after Shakib walked in, as Mohammad Ashraful became another victim of Gul's nagging line around off.

Shakib, coming off a fine 75 in the third ODI in Lahore, continued from where he had left off, gauging the pace of the pitch in a trice. Gul was cut and pulled for two fours in three balls - though the second was a slightly fortuitous top edge - while Asif was creamed through the covers.

Through the early part of his innings, though, it seemed his resistance would just be a minor irritant for a marauding Pakistan, as they knifed through the rest of the batting. Sohail Khan helped himself to a couple of wickets, while Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik took a wicket apiece as well. When Abdur Razzak was trapped in front, Bangladesh were gasping at 109 for 8, and there was every chance of the game finishing before the artificial lights came on.

Mortaza, though, turned out to be an excellent foil for Shakib. Where other top-order batsmen had thrown it away, Mortaza showed fine temperament, turning the strike over and allowing Shakib the luxury of a solid partner. The first signs of a significant partnership came when Gul returned for a second spell. Shakib pulled him crisply and then struck him through extra cover in the same over - the 33rd - as 12 came from the over, which was the most expensive of the innings.

Fawad Alam's harmless left-arm spin was milked away for ones and twos, while Malik's offspin met a similar fate as well. Never hurried in attack or defence, Shakib finally got to a richly deserved hundred in the 47th over with a couple of runs through extra cover off Malik. Mortaza finally fell to a slower one from Asif, who bowled within himself in his comeback game, mostly bowling in the mid-120s kph and hardly getting any swing or seam movement. Shakib was the last one out, with five deliveries left in the innings, but by then he had already done enough to ensure that the crowd in Multan had a memorable performance to cherish.

Krishna hits hat-trick Sonali Bank blank Mariners

Sports Reporter

A hat-trick with four goals by Krishna helped Sonali Bank SRC to earn an emphatic 7-0 goals' victory over Dhaka Mariners Youngs Club in the lone match of the BRAC Bank Club Cup Hockey Tournament at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.

The victorious team led the first half 3-0.

Apart from Krishna, Iqbal, Nannu, Ashraful struck one time each on the board for the winners.

Exhibition rowing on April 19

Sports Reporter

An exhibition rowing competition will be held at the Gulshan Lake situated in Gulshan 7 on April 19. Bangladesh Rowing Federation will arrange the rowing compeitition, which starts at 19th April at 4.00 PM.

Secretary General of Bangladesh Olympic Association Kutubuddin Ahmed will be the chief guest while Secretary of National Sports Council Md Akbar Hussain and CEO of Bangladesh Olympic Association Colonel (Retd) Md Wali Ullah will be along with him as special guests.