The New Nation - Internet Edition

GP-BCB Academy take overall 95 run lead over Pakistan Academy

UNB, Dhaka

Hosts GP-BCB Academy team took overall 95-run lead over visiting Pakistan Academy team on the 2nd day of the first four-day match at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium (SCS) in Bogra on Sunday.

GP-BCB Academy team scored 144 for 5 in 34 overs in their 2nd innings when the bails were drawn for the 2nd day after bowling out Pakistan Academy team for 241 in 78.5 overs in the 1st innings.

Two middle order batsmen -- Shamsur Rahman 22 and Nasir Hossain 1 -- will resume the home side's 2nd innings tomorrow.

Opener Farhad Hossain contributed 40 runs off 54 balls with 8 fours while wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim (25) and another opener Jahirul Islam Omi (22) came up with some mediocre scores.

Anwar Ali and Yasir Shah grabbed two wickets apiece for 31 and 36 runs respectively.

Earlier, replying to GP-BCB Academy's 1st innings total of 192, Pakistan Academy team resumed their 1st innings with overnight 95 for 4 to be all out for 241 in 78.5 overs.

Number four Asad Shafiq added another 29 runs to his overnight score to make 50 off 123 balls with eight fours while another night watch Azhar Ali returned to the pavilion at his overnight score of 5.

Number Seven Imad Wasim's not out 33 along with Anwar Ali's 20 and Yasir Shah's 14 enabled the tourists to take 49-run 1st innings lead.

Farhad Hossain, Sajidul Islam and Mahbubul Alam Robin grabbed two wickets each for the hosts.

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.

BCB to organize two coaching courses in May

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in association with Cricket Australia (CA) will organize two coaching courses in the city next month.

The Game Education Level 1 and Level 2 coaching courses will be held from May 07-11 and May 14-19 respectively.

Intending participants, who need to fulfill some specified requirements, will have to undergo a selection interview.

Interested candidates have been requested to contact Game Education Deputy Manager ESM Ashfaq-Ul-Islam Bappi at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) on the date of the interview.

The interview for the Level-1 course will be held on April 29 from 09:00 am to 12:30 pm at the SBNS.

The candidates will have to fulfill the following requirements for Level-1:

1. Three years cricket playing experience in District Competitions/Dhaka Metro - CCDM organised competitions;

2. Certificate of playing experience proposed by BCB Coaches and seconded by District Sports Association/Divisional Coaches;

3. Age limit: 22 years (minimum); and

4. Educational Qualification: HSC (minimum).

The Level-2 coaching course will also be held on April 29 from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm at the SBNS.

Requirements for applying/participating in the Level-2 course:

1. The candidate must be a qualified BCB - CA Level - 1 Coach;

2. Minimum one year active coaching experience after completion of Level - 1 Coaching Course;

3. Certificate of playing experience proposed by BCB Coaches and seconded by District Sports Association/Divisional Coaches;

4. Age limit: 22 years (minimum); and

5. Educational Qualification: HSC (minimum).

However, for both the courses, the national cricketers/first class cricketers will be eligible to apply even if they do not meet the minimum educational qualifications specified above.

Russia lead : United States 3-0, advance to final

AP, Moscow

Russia advanced to its fourth Fed Cup final in five years after Vera Zvonareva rallied to beat Vania King 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the first reverse singles Sunday.

Defending champion Russia now has an unbeatable 3-0 lead over the United States in their semifinal World Group series.

Anna Chakvetadze and Svetlana Kuznetsova led Russia to a 2-0 sweep of the opening singles Saturday, beating King and Ahsha Rolle respectively.

Zvonareva substituted for Kuznetsova, who was originally drawn to play the first reverse singles.

Russia will next face five-time champion Spain in the Fed Cup final in September.

Russia has won three titles in the last four years and is unbeaten at home since hosting France in 2003.

The United States has won a record 17 Fed Cup titles, but its last triumph came in 2000.

West Indies beat Bangladesh by 37 runs

UNB, Dhaka

Left-handed opener John Campbell scored a brilliant century as West Indies beat Bangladesh by 37 runs in the opening round of the CLICO International Under-15 Championship at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad on Saturday. Campbell scored 112 runs from 120 balls with nine fours and a six enabling his team to post 237 off 49.5 overs. He was later adjudged man of the match.

In reply, Bangladesh were restricted to 200 for 8 from the allotted 50 overs as spinner Donovan Nelson took three wickets for 43 runs. West Indies managed to post the challenging total riding on Campbell's century and two key partnerships from Akeem Saunders (23) and Steven Katwaroo (10). After losing three wickets for 64, Campbell and captain Katwaroo contributed 49 runs for the fourth wicket to revive the innings. When Katwaroo departed, Saunders then partnered with Campbell in a stand of 58 runs for the fifth wicket to put the Windies back on course. Shahariar Islam and Nazeef Ahmed captured three wickets each for 36 and 55 runs respectively for the Bangladesh Under-15 team.

In chasing the target, Ahamedul Kabir stroked a patient 80 runs off 100 balls with nine fours, but it was not enough for the young Tigers to secure a win. Ahamedul shared a 59-run stand for the third wicket with Ratnak Saha (11) that steered Bangladesh to 82 for two and then added further 55 runs for the fourth wicket with Rakin Ahmed (18). Kyle Mayers claimed two wickets for 21 runs. Meanwhile, in the Sunday's 2nd round encounters, West Indies meet Holland at Queen's Park Oval, while Bangladesh play Kenya at NCC in Couva.

Bangladesh will face Ireland in the third round match on Apr 29 at the same venue.

The semi-finals are billed for May 1, while the final match is scheduled for May 4.

Dhanmondi CA beat Al Rashid Club by 5 wickets

UNB, Dhaka

Dhanmondi Cricket Academy outplayed Al Rashid Club by five wickets in the Metropolis Second Division Cricket League at the City Club Ground (CCG) on Sunday.

Opting to bat first, Al Rashid Club were all out for 187 in 48.2 overs with Monir scoring 31 runs and Alamgir not out 28.

Adil captured four wickets for 28 runs while Rezaul took two for 29.

In reply, Dhanmondi CA eased to victory scoring 191 runs in 37.3 overs for the loss of five wickets. Habib top scored 45 runs and Asad made 2nd highest 36.

Monir and Mostafa took two wickets each for 34 and 44 runs respectively.

In the day's other two matches, Young Cricketers (194/6) beat Kalabagan CA (191/10) by four wickets at the Dhaka University Ground and Mirpur CC (184/7) defeated Nabin Sangha (180/10) by three wickets at the Jagannath University Ground.

Narail DSA emerge champions of Kha zone

UNB, Dhaka

Narail DSA emerged zonal champions in the EXIM Bank 19th National Women's Handball tournament beating Faridpur DSA by 23-15 goals in the last "super three" match of Kha zone at the Bagerhat Stadium on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat Shahidul Islam was the chief guest at the day's closing function and later distributed the prizes.

Earlier, in the morning, Narail DSA earned a 16-8 victory over Jessore DSA at the same venue.

Three teams -- champions Narail, runners-up Faridpur and third-ranked Jessore DSA -- earned the right to play in the final round of the meet to be held in Dhaka.

Premier Volleyball Police beat BPDB

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Police AC beat Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) by 3-1 sets in the day's lone match of Dhaka Metropolis Premier Division Volleyball League at the Dhaka Volleyball Stadium on Sunday.

In the day's First Division match, Self Sufficient Society edged past Dhaka Sporting Club 3-2 sets at the same venue.

In the day's Second Division matches, Sicily Club outplayed Jubo Sangho by 3-0 sets while Nobody Sangha defeated Nabajatok Mojlish by 3-0 sets at the same venue.

Today Bangladesh Rifles will take on Sonali Bank in the first Prmier Division League match at 6.30 PM while Wari Club will face Fire Service and Civil Defence in the second match at 6.30 PM at the same venue.

GMCC beat Body Line CCS by 77 runs

UNB, Dhaka

GMCC beat Body Line Cricket Coaching School by 77 runs in a match of the 3rd Division Cricket League at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Batting first after winning the toss, GMCC scored 218 for 9 in stipulated 50 overs with Riad hammering 79 runs while Kiron making 37.