The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh slide to massive defeat

Sports Desk

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 102 runs in their one-off Twenty20 match in Karachi on Sunday.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first.

Earliar Misbah-ul-Haq turned in another spectacular performance in the game's shortest format, smashing an unbeaten 87 to drive Pakistan to a massive 203 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Bangladesh scored 101 losing all wickets in 16 overs.

Nazimuddin scored highest 42 facing 48 balls for Bangladesh.

In the first Twenty20 international to be held in Pakistan, Shoaib Malik's decision to bat first seemed to have gone awry when in-form openers Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal were both dismissed in the first over. Bangladesh's joy was shortlived, however, as Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq made light of the loss of wickets to propel Pakistan to 84 for 2 by the end of the ninth over.

Both batsmen used their feet well to unsettle the bowlers and complemented their big hits with superb running between the wickets to keep Pakistan on course for a big total. Younis was the more aggressive of the two, racing along to 47 with the help of some effortless cuts and drives before falling to the first ball from Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's best performer through the series.

Two panels to compete in BFF election

UNB, Dhaka

Two panels will compete in the much-talked about election of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) slated for April 28.

Veteran sports organizer Maj Gen (retd) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury and former star footballer Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin will lead the two panels in the election to be held under a new format as per FIFA/AFC guideline.

With 21 posts at stake, Amin Ahmed Chowdhury-led panel submitted 27 nomination papers, while Kazi M Salauddin-led panel filed 33 nomination papers on Sunday afternoon amid huge enthusiasm among the soccer organisers.

A total of 112 councilors from district, division, metropolis clubs, public universities, education boards and other associations will exercise their voting right to elect a president, one senior vice president, four vice-presidents and 15 executive members.

Amin Ahmed Chowdhury-led panel: President - Maj Gen (retd) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury (Badda Jagarani); Sr vice-president - Abdus Salam Morshedi (Dhaka Mohammedan); vice-presidents (4) - Kazi Nabil Ahmed, (Dhaka Abahani), Badal Roy (Comilla), Nurul Alam Chowdhury (Sk Russel KC), Shawkat Ali Khan Jahangir (Victoria SC) and Anwar Hossain Ujjal (Brothers Union);

Members (15) - Harun-ur Rashid (Ctg Abahani), Sheikh Mohammad Aslam (Khulna Div), Fazlur Rahman Babul (T&T Club), Khurshid Alam Babul (Matuail Udayan Sangha), Satyajit Das Rupu (Coaches Association), Abu Hasan Prince (Gazirchat KC), Mahidur Rahman Miraj (Dipali JS), Sabbir Hossain (Spondon KC), Aminul Haque Mamun (Patuakhali), Towfiqul Islam Tofa (Chapainawabganj), Saiful Islam Bhutto (Rangamati), Monjur Morshed (Laxmipur), Habibur Rahman Habib (Pabna), Abdul Wadud Pintu (Noakhali), Ekramul Karim Chowdhury (Ctg Div), Shamsul Haq Chowdhury (Chittagong), Adv Jinnatul Islam (Kishoreganj), MA Gafoor (Rangpur), Hasanuzzaman Bablu (Rajshahi) and Hamidul Haque Bahalul (Bhola).

Kazi Salauddin-led panel: President - Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin (Youngmens' Club); senior vice president - Monir Ahmed (Prantik KC); vice presidents (4) - Golam Rasul Mollah (Tangail), Abdur Rahim (Dhaka), Sirajul Islam Bachchu (Wari Club), Anwarul Haque Helal (Gulistan Club), Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu (Narayanganj) and Manzoor Hossain Malu (Tongi KC);

Members (15) - Abdur Rahim (Dhaka), Sirajul Islam Bachchu (Wari Club), Anwarul Haque Helal (Gulistan Club), Ashrafuddin Ahmed Chunnu (Narayanganj), Manzoor Hossain Malu (Tongi KC), Mozammel Haque Mukta (Bangladesh Boys), Mohammad Mohsin (City Club), Tipu Sultan (Rahmatganj MFS), Azfar-uz-Zaman Sohrab (Muslim Institute), MA Azim Badal (Farashganj SC), Mahbubur Rahman Shaheen (Wanderers Club), AKM Nuruzzaman (Kadamtala Sangsad), Syed Shabahuddin Shamim (Ctg Mohammedan), Quamrunnahar Dana (Women's Sports Association), Asaduzzaman Khasru (Barisal Div), Golam Rabbai Helal (Barisal), Amirul Islam Babu (Mohakhali Eleven), Dewan Arshad Ali (Chandpur, Shafiquzzaman (Jessore), Ashiqur Rahman Miku (Narail), Abul Khair Chandan (Netrakona), Shahiduzzaman Shahid (Gaibandha), Hakiul Islam (Dinajpur), Alhaj Mokbul Hossain (Magura) and Abdullah Al Fuad Redwan (Jamalpur).

Earlier, Registrar of Trade Marks and Patents M Mesbahuddin was appointed as the chief election commissioner of BFF, while Director of Passport and Immigration Department Mahfuzur Rahman Siddiqui and NSC Law Officer Kabirul Islam named as election commissioners.

The voting will be held at the BFF Bhaban from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm on April 28.

Seventy-four nomination forms were sold on three days from Apr 18-19, but 60 nomination papers were submitted yesterday (Apr 20).

Scrutiny of nomination papers will be made today (Apr 21) while the date for withdrawal of nomination is fixed for April 23.

The final list of candidates with ballot numbers will be published on Apr 24.

Bangladesh crush Holland by 9 wickets

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Under-15 team crushed Holland Under-15 team by nine wickets in an opening day's knockout phase match of the CLICO International U/15 Challenge Competitions on Saturday at the Police Sports Club at Bridgetown in Barbados, West Indies.

Sent into bat first, Holland U-15 team were all out for paltry 95 runs in 45 overs in the face of some tight bowling by the junior Bengal tigers. Nick Wories scored team highest 27 runs.

Khwaza Khairuddin claimed three wickets for 24 runs in 10 overs and Mohammad Asif Hasan took two wickets for 12 runs in his 10 overs.

In reply, Bangladesh U-15 team easily reached their target of 96 runs in 20.5 overs for the loss of just one wicket.

Ahamedul Kabir top scored not out 43, while skipper Iktedar Nazeef Ahmed made 32. Mohammad Didar Hossain was the other not out batsman with 14.

Philip Kingala took the lone wicket giving away nine runs.

Khairuddin of Bangladesh U-15 team was later adjudged player of the match for his excellent bowling.

Borhanuddin century powers Young Ones to 225-run win

UNB, Dhaka

A hurricane century by Borhanuddin powered Young Ones to a massive 225-run win over Udity Club in a match of the Metropolis Second Division Cricket League at the City Club Ground (CCG) here Sunday.

Opener Borhanuddin hammered 123 runs off 95 balls with 20 fours and three sixes, as coin-favoured Young Ones post 307 for 9 in stipulated 50 overs.

Another opener Ashraful Islam contributed 36 runs, while Yakub Islam Sabuj made 29.

Rakibul Hasan claimed four wickets for 68 runs and Shakiluddin Milon grabbed three wickets for 45 runs.

In reply, Udity Club were dismissed for 82 runs in 22.2 overs with Golam Rasul Maksud making 32.

Nazmul Azam and Mohammad Murad captured three wickets apiece for 10 and 28 runs respectively.

In the day's other match at the Dhaka University Ground (DUG), Gopibagh Friends Association beat Sinha Textile SC by two wickets.

Sinha Textile SC batted first to score 195 for all in 48.2 overs with Jetu contributing 47 runs, while Sabuj Barman made 37 and Mohammad Amanullah 33.

Abdur Rahman scalped four wickets for 36 runs and Sohrab Hossain took two for 30.

In reply, Gopibagh Friends Association reached their target of 196 in 46.3 overs for the loss of 8 wickets with Rezaul Islam and Kamrul Islam scoring 36 runs each.

Bappi grabbed three wickets for 37 runs while Rasel took two for 24.

Matuail CA outplay Hillol Jubo Sangha by 132 runs

UNB, Dhaka

Jahurul Islam's blistering century guided Matuail CA to a 132-run victory over Hillol Jubo Sangha in a match of the Metropolis Third Division Cricket League at the Gulshan Youth Ground (GYG) here on Sunday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Matuail CA amassed 304 for 7 in 50 overs with Jahurul hammering 101 runs off 79 balls that featured 14 fours and three sixes. Islam Shaheen added 57 runs.

Hasan Al Mamun claimed three wickets for 33 runs and Abdul Siam took two for 45.

In reply, Hillol Jubo Sangha scored 172 runs for all in 37.4 overs with Hassan Dehan making 42.

In the day's other matches, Tongi CA (251/9) beat GMCC (195/10) by 56 runs at the Uttara Friends Club Ground (UFG), Talent Hunt Cricket Club (188/7) defeated Impel Group Cricket (187/10) by three wickets at the Dhanmondi Cricket Ground (DCG) and Azad Boys (181/8) outplayed Mirpur Boys CC (177/10) by two wickets at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS).

Club Cup Hockey: Sonali Bank, Mohammedans reach semis

Sports Reporter

Sonali Bank SRC and Mohammedan Sporting Club reached the seminfinals of the BRAC Bank Club Cup Hockey Tournament on Sunday.

In the day's first match, Sonali Bank eliminated Sadharan Bima KS by 6-1 goals at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.

The winners had a 4-0 goals lead in the first half.

Chandan of Sonali Bank scored three goals, his teammate Iqbal netted two and Rimon struck one time one the board for the winners.

On the other hand, Shuvo of Sadharan Bima scored the consolation.

In the day's second match, Mohammedan Sporting Club beat Dhaka Mariners Youngs Club by 2-1 goals at the same venue.

Mohammedans led the first half 1-0.

Skipper Prince of Mohammedan Sporting Club scored all the two goals while Prashanta pulled off one for the losers.

Federer, Nadal stalked by Djokovic

AFP, Monte Carlo

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal face a high-stakes examination in this millionaires playground this week with Serbian jokerman Novak Djokovic poised to play a crucial trump card.

Federer reached his first final of the year in Estoril at the weekend after cracks began to show in the world number one's armour in a season which began with world number three Djokovic relieving him of his Australian Open title.

The Swiss superstar, with 12 Grand Slam titles in his collection, battled gamely through to the semi-finals in Melbourne despite being laid low by glandular fever.

He then endured a first round exit at the hands of Andy Murray in Dubai, was beaten in the Indian Wells Masters semi- finals by American journeyman Mardy Fish and then fell to Andy Roddick in the last eight in Miami.

It was the worst possible preparation for the claycourt season in which Federer hopes to finally win a French Open title and become just the fifth man in history to secure a career Grand Slam.

"I was sick as a dog at the start of 2008," said Federer.

"But I disagree with those people who say I'm playing bad. I'm on the verge of playing great again, that's what I'm looking at."

Federer has lost the last two finals here to Nadal who is chasing a fourth successive Monte Carlo title; his three previous wins have prefaced three French Open triumphs.

But the Spaniard is without a title since winning on the Stuttgart clay last July and doubts have been raised over whether or not his undying love for dirtball tennis is beginning to wreak havoc on his knees and joints.

The 21-year-old Nadal has also come up short against Djokovic this year losing to the colourful Serbian in the semi-finals in Indian Wells.

Nadal has also been a runner-up at Chennai and Miami, where he was beaten by world number four Nikolay Davydenko, and saw his Australian Open campaign ended by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi-finals.

But the muscular left- hander is not pressing the panic button especially when he can boast a claycourt record of 107 wins in 110 matches and 17 titles on his favourite surface in the last three years.

"We have only played three months in the season," Nadal said after his defeat to Davydenko at the end of March.

"Roger has lost more than usual, but he's not far away from his level."

For the first time in three years, the Federer-Nadal Grand Slam double act is under threat in the shape of 20-year-old Djokovic who has collected the Australian Open and Indian Wells Masters titles.

"Djokovic is unbelievable," admitted Nadal.

Whether the Serbian can remain that way during the European claycourt season remains to be seen.

Two of his nine titles have come on clay but Djokovic is keen to dampen expectations here having never got beyond the third round in his two previous visits.

"There are a lot of expectations as the third best player in the world, and the first player in the world this year," said the 20-year-old.

"I have had the best results so far. Obviously clay is not my favorite surface, but I can still play good tennis."

The Monte Carlo Masters will also witness Gustavo Kuerten's final appearance on the Riviera before he drags his battered body and bruised pride into retirement.

The former world number one, whose ranking slumped to 924 in February before disappearing completely off the radar, is on a farewell tour of events closest to his heart.

That includes here where he was champion in 1999 and 2001 before his career went into a injury-plagued tailspin. The Brazilian's last tournament will be as a wildcard at the French Open where he was a triple champion.

Woman driver makes racing history

BBC Online

Danica Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar history after claiming the Indy Japan 300 race at the Twin Ring Motegi racetrack on Sunday.

The 26-year-old, in her 50th IndyCar race, finished 5.8594 seconds ahead of Helio Castroneves in Japan.

"It's been a long time coming - this is fabulous," said Patrick.

Patrick made her name in American motorsport by finishing fourth in the Indy500 in 2005, and came seventh in the overall standings last season.

"It was a fuel strategy race, but my team called it perfectly for me," added Patrick, who drives for the Andretti Green Racing team.

"I knew I was on the same strategy as Helio and when I passed him for the lead, I couldn't believe it.

"I knew there was a good reason for coming to Japan. I want to thank my team, the fans and everyone who supported me.

"I've been asked so many times when and if I could win my first race and finally, no more of those questions."

Patrick took the lead from Castroneves on the 198th lap of the 200-lap race after starting in the third row.

"I think Danica is such a fantastic person and I'm thrilled for her that the monkey is finally off of her back," said Michael Andretti, co-owner of Andretti Green Racing.

"We have all believed in her and she proved today that she is a winner. Frankly, I think this is the first of many."

SA Academy beat Pakistan Academy

UNB, Dhaka

Visiting South Africa Academy team notched their first win in the triangular Grameenphone Academy Cup as they beat Pakistan Academy team by six runs in the 5th one-day match at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium (BSSRAS) in Chittagong on Sunday.South Africa Academy team has already made their exit from the meet losing the first three one-day matches.

The GP-BCB Academy team will face Pakistan Academy team in the final on April 23.

In the day's match, South Africa Academy team batted first to post 216 for all in 49.2 overs with Reeza Hendricks top scoring 84 runs.

Yasir claimed three wickets for 34 runs for the Pakistan Academy side.

In reply, Pakistan Academy team fell six runs short of the target, as they managed 210 for 9 in 50 overs with Nayeem contributing 80 runs.

Shadley caused the major damage claiming five wickets for 53 runs.

Meanwhile, GP-BCB Academy team play Pakistan Academy team in the last return league match today (Monday), also at the BSSRAS.

Brief Score:

SA ACADEMY - 216/10 in 49.2 overs; Hendricks 84; Yasir 3/34

PAK ACADEMY - 210/9 in 50 overs; Naeem 80; Shadley 5/53