The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh reach semis beating Ireland by five wickets

UNB, Dhaka

A 5-wicket haul by skipper Iktedar Nazeef enabled Bangladesh Under-15 team to reach the semi-final of the CLICO International Under-15 Cricket Championship beating Ireland by five wickets at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Couva, West Indies, on Tuesday.

In the semis in Grenada today (Thursday), Bangladesh play Pakistan while hosts West Indies meet Malaysia.

Batting first, Ireland were all out for 140 in 48 overs with Hugo MacDonnell scoring 53 runs and B Whylie 39 runs.

At one stage, Ireland were 77 for 1, but devastating bowling by Bangladesh skipper Iktedar Nazeef forced them to fold their innings at 140.

Iktedar captured five wickets for 18 runs in his eight-over spell with a maiden to be adjudged man of the match.

Asif Hasan, who took five wickets in the last match against Kenya on Sunday, claimed two wickets for 18 runs against Ireland while Khairuddin took one wicket for 36.

Chasing an easy target, Bangladesh lost five wickets to score the match-winning 142 runs in 31.5 overs with Didar Hossain contributing 61 runs and Rakin Ahmed not out 48.

E Conway claimed three wickets for 32 runs in six overs.

Earlier, Bangladesh earned an emphatic 187-run win against Kenya Under-15 team in the second round league match on Sunday after losing to hosts West Indies by 37 runs in the first round match on Saturday at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Bangladesh eves start Asia Cup campaign against India tomorrow

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh women's cricket team begins their first-ever Women's Asia Cup campaign on Friday in Sri Lanka, eyeing for at least one win against comparatively weaker Pakistan team.

Bangladesh play formidable India in their first appearance in the four-nation meet on Friday at the Weligedara Stadium in Kurunegala in Sri Lanka.

Salma Khatun is leading the Bangladesh eves team in the Women's Asia Cup that also involves India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

In the remaining first leg matches, Bangladesh will play Pakistan on May 3, also at the Weligedara Stadium, and hosts Sri Lanka on May 5 at the Bambulla Stadium in Colombo.

In the return leg matches, Bangladesh eves will play India again on May 6, Pakistan on May 8 and Sri Lanka on May 9, all at the Bambulla Stadium.

Bangladesh team: Salma Khatun (captain), Shathira Jakir (vice-captain), Shuktara, Ayesha Akhter, Irene Sultana, Chameli Khatun, Rumana Ahmed, Panna Ghosh, Shamima Akhter, Jahanara Alam, Lily Rani Biswas, Tithi Rani Sarker, Papiya Haque Babu and Mina Khatun.

Team management: Qamar Afroze Ahmed (team manager), Zafrul Ehsan (coach), Parvin Nasima Nahar Putul (assistant coach) and Shahnaz Begum Putul (physio/doctor).

Inter-University Basketball Competition begins

UNB, Dhaka

National University defeated Dhaka University by 76-74 points in the inaugural match of the Inter-University Basketball Competition at the Jahangirnagar University basketball court on Tuesday.

JU vice-chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohammad Muniruzzaman formally inaugurated the meet as chief guest.

Salahuddin takes charge as BFF president

UNB, Dhaka

Newly elected president of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Kazi Salahuddin Wednesday said the committee would work for the development of football in the country, forgetting the past failures.

"Past is past… we'll try our best to bring back the golden days of football in the country," he said, immediately after formally taking the charge from outgoing president SA Sultan at a press conference at the BFF Bhaban today afternoon.

Salahuddin, a legendary footballer of the country, informed that the new committee would sit soon to chalk out future plans for the development of footballl.

BFF senior vice-president and former footballer Abdus Salam Morshedi said: "There was rivalry in the election… now there is no such rivalry and we'll work for the development of football under the leadership of Salahuddin."

Outgoing BFF president SA Sultan admitted that there had been some failures. "But those are now history. Hopefully, the elected committee will take lessons from the past and will work for the development of football," he said.

Newly elected BFF vice-presidents Manjoor Hossain Malu, Kazi Nabil Ahmed and Badal Roy, and executive committee member Amirul Islam Babu were also present.

Shoaib Akhtar can play outside Pakistan

AP, Lahore

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was cleared Wednesday to resume his career outside the country, while an appeal tribunal considered his challenge to a five-year ban.

"Akhtar can play anywhere in the world except for Pakistan," said Farrukh Aftab, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board appeal tribunal, told reporters.

The decision clears the way for Akhtar to play in the lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition, where he had been signed by the Calcutta franchise. Previously, he had been unable to take his place in the IPL as Indian authorities considered his Pakistan ban as binding upon their competition.

Akhtar's lawyer Abid Hassan Minto told reporters that it would request the appeal tribunal meet again before its scheduled deliberation in June if the IPL did not lift its upholding of the Pakistan ban.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had banned the temperamental international paceman for five years earlier this month for repeated disciplinary breaches.

Akhtar appealed the ban, and the PCB formed a three-member appeal committee.

Premier Hockey: Usha KC drub Bangladesh SC

Sports Reporter

Usha KC drubbed Bangladesh SC by 7-1 goals in the day's first match of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.

Usha KC had a comfortable 5-0 goals lead in the first half.

Habul, Rajon of Usha KC scored two goals each and their teammates Tariq, Rahul, Sohel netted one each while Sajib of Bangladesh SC scored the consolation.

Meanwhile, the day's second match between Dhaka Mariners Youngs Club and Sadharan Bima KS ended in a goalless draw at the same venue.

Today Mohammedan Sporting Club will take on Azad SC at 2.30 PM while Sonali Bank SRC will face Ajax SC at 4.00 PM at the same venue.

Udayachal earn 5-wicket win over Chandpur CA

UNB, Dhaka

Udayachal Club notched a five-wicket win over Chandpur Cricket Academy in a match of the Metropolis 2nd Division Cricket League at the City Club ground on Wednesday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Chandpur CA were all out for 140 in 38.5 overs with Sakhawat scoring 41 runs and Anwar 21 runs.

Asif claimed three wickets for 30 runs while Mortaza took two for 29.

In reply, Udayachal Club reached their target making 142 in 30.4 overs for the loss of five wickets. Tanmoy contributed 44 runs while Shibu made 36.

Mahbub bagged two wickets for 44 runs.

In the day's other two matches, Wari Club (239/10) beat Prime Doleshwar SC (174/10) by 56 runs at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium, while the match between Eskatan Sabuj Sangha (269/9) and Dhanmondi Pragati Sangha (269/8) ended in a tie at the Dhaka University ground.