The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh football team returns home tomorrow

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh football team will return home early Monday after their exit from the group stage of the AFC Challenge Cup held in Kyrgyzstan.

Earlier, on Friday, the national booters lost 1-2 to hosts Kyrgyzstan in their 2nd group C match at Spartak Stadium in Bishkek.

Afghanistan is the lone team from the group to advance to the next round.

Earlier, in the opening group match on Monday, Bangladesh drew goalless with Afghanistan, who beat hosts Kyrgyzstan by a solitary goal in their 2nd match on Wednesday.

2nd Div Kabaddi League begins

UNB, Dhaka

The Metropolis second Division Kabaddi League, organised by Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, began on Saturday at the Outer Stadium Kabaddi ground.

Prisons Directorate beat Abrbochin KC by 69-29 points with four lonas in the opening match while Swarnali Sangsad outplayed Dhalpur Sporting Club by 63-18 points with five lonas in the day's other match.

Earlier, Mahbubuzzaman, Managing Director of Orient Food Company Limited, formally inaugurated the league as chief guest. Kabaddi Federation general secretary M Nazrul Islam was also present.

Twelve teams, split into four groups, are taking part in the competition.

Flintoff ruled out of opening two Tests

AFP, London

Andrew Flintoff will miss England's first two Test matches against New Zealand after suffering a side strain playing for Lancashire.

The 30-year-old allrounder was expected to return to international action in next week's opening Test at Lord's after impressing for Lancashire following his latest ankle operation.

But Flintoff's name will be absent when Michael Vaughan's squad is named on Sunday after the all-rounder complained of soreness to his left side during his county's win over Durham.

It is the latest setback for Flintoff after 16 months battling a series of ankle problems which has seen him return with excellent bowling figures but offset by dreadful batting as he has recorded four ducks already this season.

His rehabilitation from a fourth surgery on his left ankle had been going well, but his comeback will be postponed until the third Test at Trent Bridge on June 5 at the earliest.

Wawrinka reaches Rome Masters final

AFP, Rome

Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka reached the final of the Rome Masters here on Saturday after sixth seed Andy Roddick could last only three games of their semi-final here.

The American seemingly injured the shoulder on his serving arm early on and could not serve.

He lost the first three games before calling for the trainer but after an injury time-out he played only one point of his next service game before throwing in the towel.

Wawrinka will face either third seed Novak Djokovic or unseeded Czech Radek Stepanek - who put out world number one Roger Federer in the quarter-finals - in Sunday's final.

Wawrinka thus reached his first ever Masters Series final, a day after reaching a semi-final at this level for the first time.

It continues his remarkable run here where he had already put out 16th seed Andy Murray and eighth seed James Blake in previous rounds.

After facing a battle to hold his opening service game, he broke Roddick in the second game and then held serve comfortably in the third.

Roddick pulled up sharply on one point early in the third game and then seemed to be restricted in his movement, making no effort to reach the Swiss's shots throughout the rest of the game.

Following just one attempt to serve in the fourth game, he called it quits and went to the net to explain to his opponent that he could not serve.

Federer the big casualty as seeds tumble in Rome

AFP, Rome

Roger Federer was the biggest casualty as the seeds tumbled on a day of shocks at the Rome Masters on Friday.

World number one Federer was downed 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (9/7) by Czech Radek Stepanek while eighth seed James Blake fell to Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 6-7 (5/7), 7- 6 (7/5), 6-1.

Federer was out of sorts throughout the match with his backhand particularly misfiring badly.

"You've seen me many times, it happens all the time," he moaned afterwards. "It's something I've been trying to get rid of for 10 years but still not today."

Although he lamented his backhand, he said there was more than just that wrong with his game.

"I've played against him in the past so it wasn't much of a surprise. I just hoped I could have played a little better."

Stepanek employed an attacking strategy, coming to the net at every opportunity.

That paid off in the first set tie-break when he came in to the net on Federer's serve and earned a mini-break with a stunning drop volley for 5-4. He won his next two service points to claim the first set.

In the second set he broke Federer at the first opportunity but was broken back at 4-2.

However, that was when Federer's backhand went awry and he was broken again, leaving Stepanek to serve for the match. Federer rallied, though, and held on to force a second set tie-break.

He went up two mini-breaks in that but simply could not find his game and eventually succumbed in that 9-7, losing to the Czech for only the second time in six encounters.

Stepanek, who was watched by his girlfriend, the teenage Czech player Nicole Vaidisova, said his attacking play had been key.

Wawrinka was the first man to reach the semi-finals as he reached a Masters Series semi-final for the first time. Blake was almost always playing catch-up, dropping his serve early in every set.

The first time he clawed back to win it on the tie-break and in the second he twice clawed back a break to forcer a tie-break but could not pull that one out of the bag. In the third he simply fell away in a one-sided set.

Wawrinka was delighted with his showing. "I'm very, very happy. This is my first semi-final in a Masters Series," he said.

"He's a very tough player but I played very well and I'm very happy to be in the semi-final.

While two seeds fell, two more did make into the semi-finals with world number three Novak Djokovic and sixth seed Andy Roddick progressing.

Roddick edged through an epic battle against 14th seed Tommy Robredo of Spain, winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 and he will face Wawrinka next.

Djokovic had a short night on court in the last match of the day as he benefited from the retirement of Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who had injured his wrist, when leading 6-1, 1-0. He faces Stepanek in Saturday's last four.

Khulna move to zonal final beating Jhenidah by 15 runs

UNB, Dhaka

Khulna DSA advanced to the zonal final of the 28th national Cricket Championship beating Jhenidah DSA by 15 runs at the Jessore Stadium on Saturday.

In the day's other two matches, Chandpur DSA moved to the zonal semifinal after a seven-wicket win over Rangamati DSA at the Comilla Stadium, while Naogaon DSA reached the zonal semis beating Dinajpur DSA by one wicket at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium (RDVS).

Opting to bat first at the Jessore Stadium, Khulna DSA scored 175 for all in 49.2 overs with Riazul top scoring 73 runs off 121 balls, while Soumen Das scored 2nd highest 24 runs.

Sajedul claimed three wickets for 46 runs, while Al Amin took two for 28 runs.

In reply, Jhenidah DSA fell short of their target as they were bundled out for 160 in 48.3 overs with Azim making 42.

Al Amin and Shameem scalped three wickets each for 28 and 34 runs respectively.

At the Comilla Stadium, coin-favoured Rangamati DSA batted first to be all out for paltry 73 runs in 21.1 overs with Humayun scoring team highest 14. Jan-e-Alam captured three wickets for 13 runs.

In reply, Chandpur DSA sailed to victory scoring the required 74 runs in 12 overs for the loss of three wickets. Bablu scored not 46, while Mosharraf remained unbeaten on 11.

Batting first at the RDVS, Dinajpur DSA were dismissed for 147 in 40.2 overs with Faisal making 61. Arman, Masud and Saikat claimed three wickets apiece.

In reply, Naogaon DSA reached victory scoring 151 runs in 49.3 overs for the loss of nine wickets, riding on unbeaten 50 runs from Zillur.

Sayeem grabbed three wickets for 24 runs, while Afroze took two for 22 runs.

Inter Milan looking to draw first blood against Roma

AFP, Rome

Inter Milan are hoping to sew up the first leg of a potential domestic double as they face little Siena on Sunday in their penultimate Serie A match of the season.

Victory would give the nerazzurri their third straight

Scudetto crown under Roberto Mancini and would give them the edge ahead of the Coppa Italia final later this month.

Second-place Roma need to win their last two matches, starting with Sunday's visit of Atalanta, and hope Inter fail to win either of theirs in order to overturn the three- point gap between the pair.

Just as they managed last season, the two teams are guaranteed to finish in the top two league positions and will contest the cup final.

Last year Inter won the league and Roma the cup. Inter look near certainties to repeat their feat with a Siena who have nothing to play for the only thing standing in their way at the moment.

Inter president Massimo Moratti said he was looking forward to the season run-in.

"The duel with Roma in the cup final was obviously going to happen," he said. "This challenge against Roma will be fascinating, it's a re-match."

He said the team is calm ahead of what awaits them, especially after their victory over Lazio in midweek in the cup semi-finals.

"We're living this wait in a serene manner, the players know what they have to do and I'm sure they'll play well," he added.

"The match against Lazio renewed their confidence after the derby defeat (last weekend against AC Milan). The team played well and gave the right response following the derby."

Siena coach Mario Beretta promised that his team would give their all, despite ensuring their Serie A safety last weekend.

"We're going to play our match, knowing that it will be difficult, but without saying that we know we're safe," he said. "We'll try to attack Inter where they are weak."

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti knows that his team's hopes of catching Inter are barely slim but he said they could do no more than concentrate on their own game.

Already, last week it seemed certain the title would be decided as Inter led by six points ahead of their city derby and Roma had to go to Champions League chasing Sampdoria.

But Roma won 3-0 in an incredible performance and Inter were felled 2-1, meaning the title is still alive.

"We have to do what we have to do and try to win against Atalanta," said Spalletti. "We'll try but Inter have to drop points."

The other important issue that could be decided is the last Champions League qualification place, which is more or less a straight fight between Milan and Fiorentina.

Milan have the upper hand ahead of their tricky trip to Napoli as they hold a one point advantage.

Fiorentina, who have struggled over the last month, particularly away from home, host Parma, who are desperate to earn points to avoid the drop.

A couple of weeks ago La Viola had a four point lead over Milan but five dropped points out of six has turned things around.

"We're no longer the masters of our own destiny. We need to win six points and have a bit of luck to overtake them," said striker Giampaolo Pazzini. "But for me I still think it's been a good season."

At the bottom Livorno have to win to stand any chance of surviving as they host Torino, but if results go against them they will definitely be down.

Empoli, who travel to Reggina, and Parma could also be relegated if results go against them.

Premier volleyball: BDR retain title

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) retained the championship title of the Dhaka Metropolis Premier Division Volleyball League when BDR beat runner-up Bangladesh Police AC in the last league match at the Dhaka Volleyball Stadium on Saturday.

BDR gained the title of the Premier Division Volleyball League for consecutive 11 years.

On the other hand, Bangladesh Police SC earned the runners-up trophy three times in a row.

After the entertaining deciding match of the Premier Division Volleyball League Secretary General of Bangladesh Olympic Association Kutubuddin Ahmed distributed the prizes among the winners as the chief guest while Vice-President of Bangladesh Volleyball Federation Morshed A Chowdhury was present with him as the special guest.

Premier Hockey: Ajax draw with Bangladesh SC

Sports Reporter

Ajax SC came from behind and made a 1-1 draw with Bangladesh SC in the lone match of the Green Delta Insurance Premier Division Hockey League at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

Ajax trailed the first half 0-1.

Zahid of Bangladesh SC gave his team early lead by field goal in the first minute of the first half.

After the breather Rubel of Ajax SC equalised the margin by a field goal in the 37th minute of the play.

Today Usha KC will take on Sonali Bank SRC at 4.00 PM at the same venue.

Kalindi KC emerge champions beating Aghanagar PMS by 34 runs

UNB, Dhaka

Kalindi KC emerged champions in the Keraniganj Cricket League beating Aghanagar PMS by 34 runs in the final in Keraniganj on Saturday.

Batting first, Kalindi KC scored 221 runs for 8 in stipulated 50 overs with Mamun making 62 and Sentu 42 runs. Pintu and Robin claimed two wickets each conceding 25 and 33 runs respectively.

In reply, Aghanagar PMS were all out for 187 runs in 39.2 overs with Robin scoring 52.

Sentu of the Kalindi KC, who scored 42 runs and grabbed two wickets for 14 runs, was adjudged man of the match.

Renowned politician Mustafa Mohsin Montu was the chief guest in the final and later he distributed the prizes.

Pakistan Supreme Court to hear Malik's life ban appeal

AFP, Lahore

Former Pakistan captain Salim Malik Saturday said he hoped to overturn his life ban for alleged involvement in match-fixing after the country's top court granted him an appeal hearing.

Malik was banned by a match-fixing inquiry in 2001 after three top Australian players accused him of offering bribes for them to underperform.

But after Saturday's decision by the Supreme Court the 44-year-old told AFP: "It is a sort of a win for me."

He said he was told he could start proceedings on May 19.

"This means a lot to me because I have been fighting to clear my name for eight years and once I get this ban overturned I would like to associate myself to cricket once again."

The May 2001 ban, imposed by an inquiry headed by high court judge Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, also prevented him from holding any office or involvement in any cricket-related activity.

The ban was imposed after Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh claimed he offered them bribes to underperform during Australia's 1994 tour of Pakistan.

In 1995 Malik was cleared of the allegations by a one-judge commission on the grounds of lack of evidence.

However the Qayyum commission, which conducted an extensive inquiry that also included recorded statements from the Australian trio in Australia, decreed there was enough evidence to ban Malik for life.

Former fast bowler Ataur Rehman was also banned for life on charges of perjury during the inquiry, although that was lifted in 2003.

The Qayyum commission also fined six other Pakistan players-Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saeed Anwar and Akram Raza.

Malik's name also featured in an Indian match-fixing inquiry, which led to life bans for former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Sharma in 2000. Late South African captain Hansie Cronje, also banned for life on match-fixing, also named Malik as an offender in a separate probe in South Africa.

Malik's appeal against the ban was rejected by Lahore High court in 2001. His appeal to the Supreme court has been pending since then.

In October 2006 India pardoned Azharuddin-a move that inspired Malik, who said: "India has already lifted the ban on Azharuddin and I feel my ban can also be lifted."

He added: "I can't play cricket at my age now but there are hundreds of things linked to cricket which I can do and one is coaching," said Malik, whose efforts to start his own coaching academy were blocked by the Pakistan Cricket Board in 2006.

Malik played 103 Tests and 263 one-day internationals for Pakistan between 1981 to 1999. He also led his country in 12 Tests and 34 one-day internationals.