The New Nation - Internet Edition

Abahani emerge as champions of Club Cup Hockey

Sports Reporter

Abahani Limited emerged as the champions of the BRAC Bank Club Cup Hockey Tournment 2008 when the Dhanmondi-based outfit beat nunners-up Sonali Bank SRC by 4-3 goals in the final at the Moulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

After the final match Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Mahbub Jamil distributed the prizes among the winners as the chief guest while President of Bangladesh Hockey Federation and Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Shah Md Ziaur Rahman, ndc, fawc, psc, Acting Managing Director and CED of BRAC Bank Limited Kaisar Tamim Amin and Adviser (Programme) of ATN Bangla Limited Nowajish Ali Khan were present as special guests.

Abahani Limited had a comfortable 3-0 lead in the first half.

Jami of Abahani Limited gave his team early lead by a field goal in the first minute of the first half.

After seven minutes of Chayan of Abahani made it 2-0 using a penalty corner.

Moksed of Abahani increased the tally into 3-0 by a field goal in the 18th minute of the play.

After the breather Rimon of Sonali Bank reduced the margin by a field goal in the 49th minute of the game.

Iqbal of Sonali Bank made it 3-2 by a field goal in the 53rd minute of the match.

Chayan of Abahani Limited increased the difference utiling a penalty corner in the 60th minute of the game.

Chandan of Sonali Bank returned another capitalising a penalty corner just five minutes before the long whistle.

Harbhajan served show cause notice by BCCI

PTI, Mumbai

Indian offie Harbhajan Singh, who has developed a knack for courting controversies, was Saturday served a show cause notice by the B.C.C.I for allegedly slapping S. Sreesanth after an I.P.L. match in Mohali.

Harbhajan, who is the stand-in captain for the Mumbai Indians team in the absence of an injured Sachin Tendulkar, has been asked to respond by Monday, Board of Control for Cricket in India (B.C.C.I) Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said.

The off-spinner allegedly slapped Kings XI Punjab's Sreesanth immediately after their match last night.

The BCCI promptly served a show cause notice on Harbhajan asking him why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his conduct in Mohali.

"At this point of time, we have issued a show cause notice. Harbhajan is a contracted player of B.C.C.I. BCCI itself has a code of conduct for players. And B.C.C.I Secretary Niranjan Shah has issued a show cause notice and he has to respond by Monday," Shetty said.

Both Harbhajan and Sreesanth tried to downplay the incident. The off-spinner said the issue has been "sorted out" and the pacer remarked that Harbhajan is like his "elder brother".

"The Board's disciplinary committee will look into the issue

and decide according to the rules of the B.C.C.I," Shah said in a statement

The board is also awaiting match referee's report of

Rajasthan Royals and Hyderabad Deccan Chargers in which some words were exchanged between Shahid Afridi and Shane Warne.

"We are waiting for match referee's report and investigation is also going on but we want to pass the message that indiscipline will not be tolerated in the I.P.L. tournaments which we want to make world class," Shah added.

Although Sreesanth is now trying to brush aside the matter but the pacer's uncontrollable tears after the match had initially triggered off the furore.

Kings XI captain Yuvraj Singh also confirmed that an "ugly and unacceptable" incident did take place after the match and indicated that the team would lodge an official complaint with match referee Farokh Engineer.

"This is really an ugly incident. You do not want to see such things off the field specially after such a win. I am pretty upset at what has happened. This is totally unacceptable," he said.

Harbhajan, who is often embroiled in on-field furores with the racial row with Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds being his last brush with controversy before this, has sought to steer away from any tough-talking this time.

"A lot of things happen in a family. We are part of one family. I think a lot of things which are coming out in the media, whatever have happened we have sorted out all, everything is fine now," Harbhajan said before leaving for Mumbai with his team this morning.

Sreesanth, on his part, also said everything was "normal" between him and Harbhajan.

"Everything is normal, there is nothing between us," he said.

GP-BCB Academy team all out for 192 runs in first innings against Pakistan

UNB, Dhaka

Hosts GP-BCB Academy team were bundled out for 192 runs in 49.2 overs in the first innings against Pakistan Academy team on the first day of the first four-day match that began on Saturday at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra.

Sent in to bat first, the hosts team lost three top wickets -- opener Jahurul Islam Omi (4), wicket keeper Sahagir Hossain Pavel (1), skipper Mehrab Hossain (5) -- just for 44 runs in 11.1 overs.

But, two middle-order batsmen Shamsur Rahman and Mushfiqur Rahim along with opener Farhad Hossain stayed at the crease for some time to save the home side from another awkward situation.

Farhad Hossain scored a patient 81-ball 39 with seven boundaries, number six Shamsur Rahman contributed team highest 40 off 46 deliveries featuring eight fours while national coloured wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim made 32 off 78 balls hitting five fours.

Besides, Nasir Hossain (28), Mahbubul Alam Robin (14) and tail-ender Sajidul Islam (4) were the other notable contributors for GP-BCB Academy team while another 25 runs of the innings came from extras.

Wahab Riaz grabbed three host wickets for 33 runs while Anwar Ali, Yasir Shah and Sohail Khan took two wickets each conceding 41, 46 and 47 runs respectively.

In reply, visiting Pakistan Academy team opened the innings in the afternoon and lost four wickets for 95 runs in 26 overs with captain Khalid Latif making 47 runs off 57 deliveries, hitting six fours and a six.

After the departure of opener Ahmed Shehzad for a duck, another opener Khurram Manzoor scored 4, Azhar Ali 5 for the tourists.

Asad Shafiq and Sarfaraz Ahmed were in batting with 21 and 5 runs respectively.

Hosts pacer Mahbubul Alkam Robin claimed two wickets for 22 runs while Raiyanuddin Arafat took one wicket apiece.

The 2nd and last four-day match between the two teams will also be held at the same venue from May 2.

Earlier, in the triangular Grameenphone Academy Cup,

Pakistan Academy team clinched the title, beating GP-BCB Academy team by 39 runs in the final at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) Wednesday.

Before the triangular one-day tournament, the host team also won the two-match four-day series against South Africa Academy team 1-0.

The GP-BCB Academy team won the first four-day match against the Proteas side by an innings and 68 runs while the 2nd four-day match ended in a draw.

BPDB crushes East End Boys by straight 3-0 sets

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Power Development Board crushed East End Boys by straight 3-0 sets (25-15, 25-07, 25-13 points) in the Metropolis Premier Division Volleyball League at the Volleyball Stadium here on Saturday.

In the 1st Division, Dilkusha SC outclassed Azad SC by 25-23, 25-20, 26-24, 25-22 points.

In the 2nd Division, Nabajagarani Sangha thrashed Hazrat Ali Smriti Sangsad by straight 3-0 sets while Bangladesh Jail Directorate blanked Nagar Samaj Kalyan also by the same margin.

Meanwhile, the Metropolis 1st and 2nd Division Leagues began yesterday.

Eskaton SS earns 8-wicket victory over Prime Dhaleshwar

UNB, Dhaka

Eskaton Sabuj Sangha earned an eight-wicket victory over Prime Dhaleshwar SC in the Metropolis Second Division Cricket League at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium on Saturday.

Batting first, Prime Dhaleshwar SC were bundled out for 68 runs in 28.3 overs with Rocky scoring 33.

In reply, Eskaton SS reached the target scoring match-winner 69 runs for the loss of two wickets in 10.1 overs with Imran contributing 32 runs.

In the day's two other matches, Dhanmondi Progati Sangha (195/6 in 39.2) beat Chandpur Cricket Academy (191/10 in 46.4) by four wicket at the Dhaka University ground while Udayachal Parishad (196/9 in 50) defeated Wari Club (181/10 in 47.5 ) by 15 runs at the Jagannath University ground.

Talent Hunt CA outclasses Dilkusha SC by 5 wickets

UNB, Dhaka

Talent Hunt Cricket Academy outclassed Dilkusha SC by five wickets in the Metropolis 3rd Division Cricket League at the Dhanmondi Cricket Ground (DCG) here on Saturday.

Coin-favoured, Dilkusha SC batted first to be all out for 186 in 40 overs with Issan making 39. Faqrul and Abdullah claimed three wickets each for 41 and 46 runs respectively.

In reply, Talent Hunt CA comfortably reached their target, as they scored the required 187 in 38.5 overs at the loss of five wickets. Jonny scored match highest 45 while Kibria remained not out with 44.

Rubel bagged two wickets for 33 runs.

In the day's two other matches, Hillol Jubo Sangha (220/10) crushed Impel Group Cricket (145/10) by 75 runs at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS) while Lalbagh Anwar SC (182/10) beat Bangladesh Police Cricket Team (138/10) by 24 runs at the Uttara Friends Club Ground (UFG).

Mauresmo leads France to 2-0 lead over Japan

AFP, Tokyo

Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo led France to a flying start as they took a 2-0 lead over Japan in the Fed Cup play-off tie for the World Group today.

The 2006 Wimbledon and Australian Open champion needed only 58 minutes to beat up-and-coming Ayumi Morita 6-0, 6-2, and then Virginie Razzano made it two up by beating former world doubles number one Ai Sugiyama 6-1, 7-5.

"I played a good match," said Mauresmo. "She (Morita) was probably a little bit tight, playing this first match today, opening this tie at home for her.

"I just felt comfortable out there and I'm happy to take France to have the first point and lead 1-0."

Mauresmo took the first nine games in a row and when Morita finally got into her rhythm, it was already too late to come back into the match as Mauresmo stood firm in her service games.

"I was expecting her to really try to play with a lot of speed, picking the ball up pretty early and moving me around," said Mauresmo.

"I just tried to take every opportunity that I would have and not make too many unforced errors, which I was able to do. I also try to play good in my service games. On this very fast surface, it's important," she added.

Morita, 18, admitted that she was tense at the beginning of the match because it was the first time that she played an opening match in the Fed Cup.

"Amelie combined some fast balls with slow ones by hitting slices and then suddenly hit hard for a winner. I was too slow to reflect against them and I couldn't play in my rhythm," said Morita.

"Even if I'm not nervous, my first serves are no good, and I was tight and I often mis-hit my strokes, which always didn't get past the net or went long. I couldn't control anything at all."

Didar, Mormo jointly clinch crown of wrestling contest in Ctg

Chittagong Correspondent

None claimed the much-expected crown of the traditional wrestling contest, commonly known as Jobbarer Boli Khela, alone this year.

Two wrestlers - Didarul Alam alias Didar Boli and Sub Inspector (SI) of police Mormo Singh Tripura - shared the crown as the contest ended draw.

It was learnt that Didar Boli was the defendant champion of grand event while SI Mormo Sing Tripura contested in the final round for the last three consecutive yers.

Though the referees announced the names of Didar Boli and Mormo Singh Tripura joint champion, audience did no mistake to accept Didar Boli as best wrestler among the eighty participants across the country.

Earlier, Acting Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Alhaj M Manjur Alam introduced with the participants and announced the formal inauguration of wrestling contest, sponsored by Grameenphone.

Head of Direct Sales (Chittagong Region) of Grameenphone Shahin Chowdhury, Marketing In-charge Shahriar Mohammad Sahabuddin, President of the Fair Committee and CCC ward commissioner Jaharlal Hajari and General Secretary Sowkat Anwar Badal among others were present at that time.

Taka 5000 and a crest were given to Didar Boli and Mormo Sing Tripura each while Taka 500 along with crest were given to 40 participants those qualified in the second round.

Faridpur, Jessore and Narail advance to 'Super Three'

UNB, Dhaka

Three teams -- Faridpur DSA, Jessore DSA and Narail DSA -- advanced to the 'Super Three' of EXIM Bank 19th National Women's Handball Competition (Kha zone) after winning their respective matches at the Bagerhat Stadium on Saturday.

In the day's first Super Three match, Jessore DSA played to a 10-10 draw against Faridpur DSA.

The rest of the two 'Super Three' matches between Jessore DSA and Narail DSA, Faridpur DSA and Narail DSA will be held Sunday at the same venue.

Earlier in the day, Narail DSA thumped Khulna DSA by 20-2 goals, Faridpur DSA outplayed Satkhira DSA by 18-5 goals while Jessore DSA beat Bagerhat DSA by 13-7 goals.

Training camp for national cricketers begins Tuesday at Mirpur Stadium

UNB, Dhaka

The training camp for the 14 national cricketers who were in the Bangladesh squad during the recent tour of Pakistan begins on Tuesday at 10 am at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur

Players have been requested to report to Team Operation Manager Shafique-ul Huque Heera by 9:30 am on that day, said a BCB press release.