The New Nation - Internet Edition

BCB to announce final squad for Tri-Nation Series today

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will announce a 14-member national squad Tuesday for the ensuing Tri-Nation Series involving India, Pakistan and hosts Bangladesh to be held in the capital this June.

The Board will also announce the final squad for the Asia Cup to be held in Pakistan. Bangladesh have been grouped alongside Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates in the Asia Cup.

Bangladesh A squad will also be announced today (Tuesday). The team will tour England and Ireland next month.

The head of the three-member national selection panel Rafiq-ul-Alam told UNB that they sent the names for the final squad to BCB today (Monday).

Asked about the renewal of contracts for the 13 national players, which expires in June, the chief selector said they would take the final decision in the matter within two or three days.

Thirteen players -- Khaled Mashud, Mohammad Rafique, Javed Omar, Shahriar Nafees, Rajin Saleh, Tushar Imran, Tamim Iqbal, Farhad Reza, Mehrab Hossain, Enamul Haque Jr. Nazmul Hossain, Mahmudullah Riyad and Junaed Siddiqui -- are currently on a six-month contract with BCB.

Meanwhile, soon after announcing the final squad, the tigers will begin their full stretch practice camp from Wednesday at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).

The national cricketers earlier reported to make practice sessions at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium (SCS) in Bogra, but the Board recently decided to hold the sessions at the Tri Series venue, SBNS.

Talking to UNB Monday afternoon, BCB's media committee chairman Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby said, "Bogra was one of our options considering the practice facilities under floodlights. But that was not a final decision and we have decided to hold the practice sessions at the SBNS."

Asked about the development of installing the floodlights at the SBNS, Bobby informed that the installment work is going on in full swing. "Hopefully, we will be able to finish the work by 3rd of June and our players will also be able to make their practice under the floodlights."

The eight-day tri-nation tournament will begin on June 8 with hosts Bangladesh taking on Pakistan in the first ODI at the SBNS. Pakistan will fight against old foes India in the 2nd ODI on June 10, also at the SBNS.

Bangladesh will face India in the 3rd match on June 12. After the single league basis matches, the top two teams will play in the final billed for June 14, also at the same venue. All the matches will be on day-night basis.

Earlier, on May 22, the Board announced a 25-member preliminary squad for the Asia Cup retaining all the players who toured Pakistan for a five-match ODI Series last month.

BFF name 20-member final squad for SAFF Championship: Bangladesh team hopeful to regain title

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Monday announced a 20-member final squad for the 5th SAFF Championship to be held June 3-14 with Sri Lanka and the Maldives as co-hosts.

Custodian Aminul Haque has been named the captain of Bangladesh team, while another goalkeeper Biplob Bhatacharya made his deputy.

For the 5th SAFF Championship, Bangladesh have been placed in Group B with Afghanistan, Bhutan and co-host Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh will play Bhutan on June 4, Afghanistan on June 6 and Sri Lanka on June 8.

Bangladesh team leaves here today (Tuesday) for Thailand en route to Sri Lanka to play two preparation matches in Bangkok -- against the 2nd string Thai national team on May 28 and a club team May 30 -- before leaving for Sri Lanka on May 31.

"Our target is to regain the SAFF Championship title," national team coach Abu Yousuf said at a press conference at the BFF Bhaban this (Monday) afternoon.

"If my boys make all-out efforts, we will be able to retain the SAFF title," he said.

Yousuf said the two preparation matches in Bangkok would be plus point for his team. It would enable them to correct their mistakes before the championship.

About the group opponent Afghanistan, he said that if his boys give at least 70 percent, it would be possible to beat Afghanistan.

Replying to a question, the coach admitted that they have a fair chance of making a good start against Bhutan, a comparatively weaker team in the championship.

"But we will give more importance to hosts Sri Lanka as they are a very strong side," he told a questioner.

Bangladesh captain Aminul Haque said: "We're very hopeful about doing well in the SAFF (championship), as we have some talented players."

Replying to query, he said that initially their target in the championship would be to qualify for the semifinals. "Then we will think of the final."

Vice captain Biplob was highly optimistic to play the final in the SAFF championship. "If we can maintain our teamwork in the field, we'll be able to do something good," he said.

BFF vice president Badal Roy, who was present at the press conference, said the BFF would bear the entire expenses of treatment if any player gets injured during the SAFF championship.

Explaining the reason for making Aminul Haque the captain dropping Hasan Al Mamun, he said Aminul has been serving the national team for last 10-12 years. He is sufficiently qualified to lead the team.

Meanwhile, the national booters made their final practice at the Bangabandhu National Stadium this (Monday) afternoon. The practice sessions began on May 14.

In 2005 in Karachi, India emerged champion in the 4th SAFF Championship while Bangladesh finished runners-up.

Final squad: Aminul Haque (captain), Biplob Bhatacharya (vice-captain), Hasan Al Mamun, Ariful Islam, Rajani Kanta Barman, Arup Kumar Baidya, Atiqur Rahman Mishu, Kazi Mozammel Hossain Saikat, Enamul Haq Sharif, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Faisal Mahmud, Zahid Pervez Chowdhury, Mamunul Islam Mamun, Arif Khan Joy, Abul Hossain, Arman Aziz, Mehdi Hasan Uzzal, Zahid Hasan Emily and Abdul Baten Majumder Komol.

Officials: Team leader - Mohammad Shafiquzzaman, Manager -Sheikh Mohammad Aslam, Coach - Mohammad Abu Yousuf, Assistant coach - Golam Rabbani Chhotan, Physio - Dr Mahfuzullah Chisty, team staff - Mohammad Mohsin.

FIFA suspends Iraq from international competition

AFP, Sydney

World governing body FIFA Monday said it has suspended Iraq from international competition for a year after the government in Baghdad dissolved the Iraqi Football Association.

The FIFA Executive Committee, meeting here ahead of this week's FIFA Congress, said it made the sanction following an Iraqi governmental decree on May 20 to dissolve the Iraqi National Olympic Committee and all national sport federations, including the IFA.

The FIFA Executive made the proviso that the year suspension may be lifted if FIFA received written confirmation by midnight on May 29 from the Iraqi government that the decree has been annulled.

The suspension immediately threatens the staging of Iraq's World Cup qualifier with Australia in Brisbane on Sunday.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter earlier told reporters that if Baghdad did not comply with the world governing body's demand to revoke an immediate order dissolving the IFA it would suspend it from playing internationals, effectively preventing it from qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals.

"We have asked the government to withdraw its decision against the Iraq Football Association," Blatter said before the FIFA decision.

"Can you imagine the reaction of the (Iraqi) people if we had to suspend them from football? I think the minister should think twice about what he has done."

The Asian Football Confederation has also demanded that Iraq reinstate its football body.

Iraq, the current Asian champions, played a warm-up match in Bangkok on Sunday and were scheduled to fly to Australia on Tuesday.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) said it stands to lose about three million dollars (2.9 million US) in gate takings and sponsorship if the World Cup qualifier does not go ahead this weekend.

If the FIFA suspension is carried through then all of Iraq's fixtures would become forfeits, handing the Socceroos a free ride to the next stage of qualifying.

"It's a vexed question. Obviously we want to be in the World Cup, but we also want to beat Iraq. If we get points we haven't worked for, of course we will take them," FFA chairman Frank Lowy said earlier Monday.

"But we will also lose money, and the fans will be disappointed if the game does not go ahead."

Australia are also scheduled to play Iraq in Dubai on June 7.

Bangladesh finish runners-up in 3rd South Asian Eves Handball

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh finished runners-up in the four-team 3rd South Asian Women's Handball Championship losing to hosts India by 15-29 goals in the final in Lucknow on Sunday night.

With this result, India clinched all the three titles of the South Asian Eves Handball Championship with all-win record, while Bangladesh became runners-up for the third time in a row, losing to India.

Kamrun Nahar Sheela and Maina Begum from Tetulia, who guided Bangladesh to reach the final scoring eight goals each against Pakistan Sunday morning, also fought hard against India in the final scoring five and four goals respectively.

Pakistan finished third in the four-nation meet beating Nepal in a place-deciding match on Sunday.

Champions India received 25,000 Indian Rupees, while runners-up Bangladesh got 20,000 Rupees as prize money.

Earlier, Bangladesh advanced to the final beating Pakistan by 23-16 goals and Nepal by 33-8 goals despite conceding a 7-28 goals defeat against holders India.

Bangladesh eves team left Lucknow on Monday for Kolkata and expected to reach Dhaka on May 29.

Meanwhile, the executive committee meeting of the South Asian Handball Federation was held in Lucknow during the eves meet.

Vice President of Bangladesh Handball Federation and team leader of Bangladesh Principal Hamida Ali and federation assistant general secretary Nurul Islam represented Bangladesh in the meeting.

The meeting decided to hold the South Asian Men's Beach Handball Championship in Faisalabad, Pakistan on June 27-29 and the 3rd Men's Handball Championship in the Indian town of Ludhiana in the last week of December this year.

24-member preliminary Hockey squad named for 3rd Men's AHF Cup Hockey

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Hockey Federation Monday initially picked up 24 players to form a national team for the nine-team 3rd Men's AHF Cup Hockey tournament to be held in Singapore on June 14-22.

Bangladesh have been placed in Pool A of the Asia Cup qualifier with Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Brunei Darussalam and hosts Singapore, while Pool B comprises Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Oman and Thailand.

In the group matches, Bangladesh will play Brunei Darussalam in one of the three opening day's matches on June 14 and then meet Chinese Taipei on June 15, hosts Singapore on June 18 and Uzbekistan on Jun 19.

Preliminary squad: Zahid Hossain, Mehrab Hossain Kiran, Mahbubullah Chowdhury Shakil, Mamunur Rahman Chayan, Issa Miah, Asaduzzaman Chandan, Moshiur Rahman Biplob, Ferdous Goldar, Shamsuddin Tuhin, Tapash Barman, Mahbub Ehsan Rana, Musa Miah, Khondakar Hasan Ahmed, Shahidullah Titu, Mosharraf Hossain Kuti, Shahidul Islam, Sheikh M Nannu, Rassell Mahmud Jimmy, Zahidul Islam Rajon, Rimon Kumar Ghosh, Iqbal Nader Prince, Zahid Bin Talib Shuvo, Krishna Kumar and Maksud Alam Habul.

Usha KC play Ajax SC in super five opener today

UNB, Dhaka

The title deciding "super five" matches of the Metropolis Premier Division Hockey League begin today (Tuesday) at the Maulana Bhasani National Stadium with league leaders Usha KC taking on Ajax SC in the opener at 4 pm.

Abahani Limited will play Sonali Bank SRC on the following day (Wednesday), while Dhaka Mohammedan SC face Ajax SC on Thursday, all at 4pm.

On completion of the nine-team first phase, joint champions Usha KC clearly dominated the league with all-win run securing 27 points. Another joint champions Abahani Limited followed the leaders with 22 points, while Mohammedan SC are in third position with 20 points.

Dhaka moves to final of National Cricket Championship

UNB, Dhaka

Despite a hattrick by Fazle of Barisal DSA, Dhaka DSA ensured their final berth in the 28th National Cricket Championship beating their opponents by 18 runs in the first semifinal at Sylhet Stadium on Monday.

Chose to bat first in a rain curtailed 20-over per side match, Dhaka DSA managed 111 for all in 20 overs with Faiyaz contributing 36. Mithun came up with the 2nd highest 17 while Martin made 13.

Fazle notched a hattrick for Barisal Division claiming three wickets for 18 runs while Piar and Masud took two wickets each.

In reply, Barisal DSA were bundled out for 93 in 19.5 overs with Mayedul Alam Saroz topscoring 48 off 49 balls hitting four fours and three sixes.

Abahani Limited register 16 booters Monday for B. League

UNB, Dhaka

Holders Abahani Limited registered sixteen booters on Monday to play for the team in the ensuing B League' 2008.

The popular "sky-blue" Dhanmondi outfit confirmed the services of their 14 old players, while it recruited two new players, one each from Brothers Union Club and Rahmatganj MFS.

Abahani's 14 old players are former national skipper cum medio Arif Khan Joy, Zahed Parvez Chowdhury, Abul Hossain, national custodian Biplob Bhattacharya and Atiqul Islam Tariq, defenders Mohammad Sujon, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Wali Faisal, Pranotosh Kumar Das, Mohiuddin Ibnul Siraji Sajib and Prodip Kumar Baidya, and strikers Mehedi Hassan Uzzal, Zahid Hasan Emily and Sahajuddin Tipu.

Besides, Abahani recruited defender Shoeb Hossain Sony from Rahmatganj MFS and Mamunul Islam Mamun from Brothers Union.

Kakrail Jubo Sangha blanks Nasirabad Udayan 4-0 goals

UNB, Dhaka

Kakrail Jubo Sangha blanked Nasirabad Udayan Sangsad by 4-0 goals in a central zone match of the Metropolis Pioneer Football League at Basabo Tarun Sangha Club ground on Monday.

In another match, Sadhinata KS edged past Khilgaon Progati Sangsad by a lone goal at the same venue.

At the South Zone Mohammadpur Idgha ground, GBHB beat Dragon KC 3-1 while Tangail Football Club outplayed Mukta Jibon Football Club by a solitary goal.

At the East Zone Jagannath University College ground at Dhupkhola, Bangladesh SC drubbed Adamjee KC by 4-0 goals.

At the Outer Stadium ground, Lalbagh Tarun Sangha beat Golam Mustafa Lane Kishore Sangha 1-0 while Dhaka Mahanagar Football Proshikhan Kendra held RND a goalless draw.