The New Nation - Internet Edition

BCB announces 21-member preliminary squad

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 21-member preliminary squad for the ensuing Twenty20 Tournament in Canada and ODI Series against hosts Australia.

Mohammad Ashraful as usual will lead the Tigers in both the tourneys, while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will act as his deputy.

The preliminary squad retained all the 15 members who played in the recently concluded Asia Cup in Pakistan.

Besides, six players -- Shakib Al Hasan, Nayeem Islam, Dhiman Ghosh, Syed Rasel, Nazmul Hossain and Junaed Siddiqui -- have been included in the preliminary squad.

Dependable all rounder Shakib, who missed the Kitply Cup at home and also the Asia Cup in Pakistan due to his HSC exams, is now in England accompanying the Bangladesh A team.

Apart from Shakib, another nine players, named in the preliminary squad, are currently accompanying the Bangladesh A team in England. They are Nazimuddin, Mushfiqur Rahim, Dollar Mahmud, Musharraf Hossain Rubel, Tamim Iqbal, Rokibul Hassan, Junaed Siddiqui, Nayeem Islam, Nazmul Hossain. They will join the national team's training session on return home on August 4.

The national cricketers available in the city are on full stretch training at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) since Monday.

The national side is likely to leave here for Canada on August 11 to take part in the four-nation Twenty20 meet to be held on August 14-17.

Apart from Bangladesh, Pakistan, West Indies and the hosts Canada are the other participants in the shorter version of cricket.

After the Twenty20 meet, Bangladesh will head towards Australia from Canada to play a three-match ODI series against the hosts beginning on August 31.

Bangladesh will play their first match against the world champions on August 31, the 2nd match on September 3 and the 3rd match on September 6, all at the Marrara Cricket Ground at Darwin.

Meanwhile, the Board at an ad-hoc executive committee meeting on Wednesday approved its annual budget for fiscal 2008-09 with projected revenue at Tk 733,850,000 and estimated expenditure Tk 1,306,721,349.

Squad: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (vice captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Shakib Al Hasan, Roqibul Hassan, Alok Kapali, Mahmudullah Riyad, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Farhad Reza, Dollar Mahmud, Musharraf Hossain, Mehrab Hossain (Jr.), Nazim Uddin, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Syed Rasel, Nazmul Hossain, Nayeem Islam, Dhiman Ghosh (Wicketkeeper) and Zunaed Siddiqui.

BKSP champs in Fed Cup Basketball

Sports Reporter

BKSP emerged as the champions of the Federation Cup Basketball Tournament when they beat Josephites Club by 73-61 points in the final at the Dhanmondi Basketball Gymnasium on Thursday.

The victorious team led the first half 38-27.

Manik of BKSP top-scored with 22 points and his teammates Shaon netted 15 and Shetu secored 14 points.

On the other hand, Raja of Josephites Club caged 23 and his teammates Allen secored 13 points and Rajeeb netted 11.

Kabaddi referees refreshers course held

Sports Reporter

The kabaddi referees refreshers course was held yesterday at the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation. Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation arranged the course while Kabaddi Referees Committee conducted the course.

Director (Sports) of National Sports Council Md Haiyul Kaiyum inaugurated the course yesterday at 10.00 AM.

A total of 35 kabaddi referees, officials, senior players and organisers took part in the course.

SMA Mannan, Md Ajgar Ali, Md Rafiqul Islam got international standard certificates while Md Monir Hossain was given first class standard certificate.

2nd round of Pioneer: Football begins tomorrow

Sports Reporter

The second round of the City Corporation Pioneer Football League beings tomorrow at the Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium. Golam Mostafa Lane Kishore Sangha will meet Dhaka Eleven Club at 4.30 PM.

A total of 20 teams splitting into four groups are taking part in the second phase. Golam Mostafa Lane Kishore Sangha, Shwadhinata Krira Sangha, Lalbagh Tarun Sangha, Jatrabari Jhatika Sangsad, Dhaka Eleven Club are in Group - A, Tangail Football Club, Arambagh Krira Sangha (Junior), Mir Hajirbagh KC, Madrashapara SC, Noakhali Football Academy are in Group - B, Rampura KC, Moghbazar KC, Mansoor Sporting Club, Mugdapara Samaj Kalyan and Krira Sangsad, Surjoshena SC are in Group - C, Tejgaon Nabataranga Krira Sangha, Bangladesh Sporting Club, Nababpur KC, BKSP and Mohammadpur Jubo Samaj Kalyan Sangsha are in Group-D.

New Zealand launches worldwide search for coach

AFP, Wellington

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) today launched a worldwide search for a new national coach to replace John Bracewell who is returning to England.

Bracewell has said he will not look to renew his New Zealand contract when it expires in nine months but will instead begin a second stint in charge at English county Gloucestershire.

NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said in a statement he wanted to hear from "suitably qualified candidates from throughout the world".

"We are looking for candidates who have the experience and drive to both improve the Black Caps in both forms of the game," Vaughan said.

The 50-year-old Bracewell, who played 41 Tests and 53 one- day internationals for New Zealand, coached Gloucestershire for five years before taking over the New Zealand team in 2003.

Flintoff back for England

AFP, England

July Andrew Flintoff will play his first Test for 18 months after England captain Michael Vaughan confirmed the all- rounder has been named in the team to play South Africa in the second Test, starting here at Headingley on Friday.

Leicester dec. 1st innings at 354/4 against Bangladesh A

UNB, Dhaka

Riding on an unbeaten ton by J Allenby, English county side Leicestershire declared their 1st innings at 354 for 4 in 90 overs at stumps on the first day of the 3rd three-day match against visiting Bangladesh A at Grace Road, Leicester on Wednesday.

In reply, Bangladesh A were trailing by 310 runs with nine wickets remaining as they scored 44 for 1 in 17 overs in the 1st innings when rain stopped play on the 2nd day Thursday.

After the departure of skipper Junaed Siddiqui for 25 leaving team score at 44, another opener Tamim Iqbal and one down Nazimuddin were batting with 17 and 0 runs respectively.

DT Rowe took the lone wicket for 19 runs.

Earlier, on the first day, middle order Allenby remained not out on 138 off 198 balls that featured 21 fours, as the hosts were poised for a mammoth 1st innings total.

In his innings, Allenby had 101 runs 4th wicket stand with number four Taylor who contributed 51 off 109 balls that included six fours.

After the departure of Taylor at 220/4, Allenby then paired with TJ New to add another 134 runs in the 5th wicket where New scored not out 47 off 90 balls with three fours.

GP Smith 35, Dippenaar 35 and MAG Boyce 26 were the other notable scorers for Leicester.

Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Sajidul Islam and Shakib Al Hasan took one wicket apiece for the touring side.

Bangladesh A team will play the 4th match against Derbyshire July 21-23 and the 5th three-day match against a South African selection on July 25-27.

After the three-dayers, Bangladesh A will play three one-day matches against Lancashire on July 30, Marylebone Cricket Club on August 1 and Durham on August 3.

Earlier, the previous two rain-affected three-day matches of the second string Bangladesh side against England Under-19 and Warwickshire ended in draws.

British chiefs hail Chinese air pollution clean-up

AFP, London

British Olympic chiefs have praised Chinese authorities for taking steps to ensure air pollution will not cause major problems at next month's Beijing Olympics.

The potential damage to athletes from smog and algae in Beijing has been a concern since the International Olympic Committee awarded the Games to the Chinese capital.

But the British Olympic Association believe measures to reduce the smog by halving the number of cars on the city's roads and shutting down factories will prove effective.

The Chinese have also had to tackle the appearance of huge areas of green algae at the Qingdao sailing venue.

Britain's Olympic mission chief Simon Clegg said: "We are increasingly confident that the arrangements the Chinese have put in place will address those issues.

"The resources the Chinese threw at the algae problem was impressive and the reports from Qingdao are very positive indeed.

"Likewise with the smog, in the main things are improving and there are still some substantial changes to be implemented - the reduction of cars on the road and implementation of Olympic lanes."

In another pollution-cutting move, 267 companies near the capital shut down from yesterday until after the Games.

Clegg also believes the IOC will allow a replacement for Paula Radcliffe if the marathon runner fails to recover in time from injury.

Replacements are not allowed automatically if athletes are suffering from an existing injury.

But Clegg said: "Although she is carrying an existing injury we are confident she will make the team but if necessary to put in place a late-injury replacement.

"We are confident that would be dealt with sympathetically by the IOC."

Meanwhile, BOA chairman Colin Moynihan insists Britain's athletes will not be prevented from expressing personal political opinions in Beijing.

"Overwhelmingly, athletes will be going to win medals but should they have any opinion with regard to Chinese policy on Zimbabwe, Darfur or Tibet they are totally entitled to air their concerns within the realms of common sense and having listened to IOC advice," Moynihan said.

"The IOC have asked that there is no propaganda and no demonstrations at the Olympic Games, many of the 205 countries are in conflict and the Games are not the right venue for these."

Australia unaware of England Twenty20 plans

AFP, Sydney

Cricket Australia (CA) said today it knew nothing about reports that a team from Down Under was set to be part of a new Twenty20 competition in England.

Plans for an English Premier League (EPL) to begin in 2010 unveiled this week include England's 18 first-class counties plus two unnamed overseas teams.

The Guardian newspaper reported that the overseas teams represent Australia and South Africa but CA said there had been no approach from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

"We're not aware of the details of the (ECB) proposal," Sutherland told national news agency AAP. "We are seeking to understand the details."

Sutherland said Wednesday that his organisation planned to revamp its own domestic Twenty20 competition in 2010 and hoped to include overseas players.

He said CA was keeping a close eye on international developments in the ultra-short form of the game.

"We're really aware of a lot of things that are developing at

the moment in T

"We're already on the record as saying we are planning a revamp of our Twenty20 Big Bash. It will be a larger and (on) different scale in 2009-10 but we see that there is a lot to learn from other parts of the world and we are closely monitoring that."

Sutherland said that the Australian competition would ideally include international players, although scheduling could be a problem due to the cricket world's tight calendar.

"The challenges of our summer period, which coincides with the cricket season for eight or nine of the 10 Test-playing countries, means that period from September through to April is a very busy time," he said.

"There aren't many opportunities to play state (domestic) cricket. We'd love to see them play more and if we can find a window we will, but it's not as easy as some might think."

Sugiyama sends Hantuchova crashing out of Stanford tennis

AFP, California

Fourth seed Daniela Hantuchova was sent crashing out of the WTA Stanford event while Anna Chakvetadze stepped up her play with a second round victory on Wednesday.

Two of the top four players to earn byes at the hardcourt event, the second-seeded Chakvetadze cruised past unseeded Israeli Shahar Peer 6-3, 6-4 while Hantuchova was upset by unseeded veteran Ai Sugiyama of Japan who won 6-3, 6-1.

Top-seeded Serena Williams could present a major roadblock in Chakvetadze's repeat bid.

In the late match on Wednesday, Williams had to rally to beat Portuguese qualifier Michelle Larcher De Brito 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The 26-year-old American, owner of three titles and a 32-4 record this season, was playing her first match since losing to sister Venus Williams in the Wimbledon final.

Chakvetadze was playing some of the best tennis of her career at this time last season, claiming the title here just a week after winning the championship in Cincinnati.

The 21-year-old went on to run her hardcourt winning streak to 12 matches before losing to Maria Sharapova in semi-finals at San Diego.

She won her lone title of the year in February on the indoor carpet in Paris, but has reached just one semi-final in 10 events since and was a pedestrian 20-13 entering this tournament.

Hantuchova was playing in just her third match since mid-April due to a stress fracture in her foot.

In the only other match slated - a battle of unseeded players - Dominika Cibulkova eliminated Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2, 6-3.

Ekota Jubo Sangha clinch Sakhipur Upazila Football League title

UNB, Dhaka

Ekota Jubo Sangha clinched the Sakhipur Upazila Football League title beating Dhrubotara Sangha by 2-0 goals in the final played at Sakhipur in Tangail on Thursday.

Vice-President of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Badal Roy was the chief guest in the final. BFF members and celebrated footballers Sheikh Mohammad Aslam and Hasanuzzaman Bablu were present.

Bangladesh finish 6th in Junior Asia Cup Hockey

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Under-21 Hockey team lost to Malaysia by 0-1 goal to finish 6th in the eight-team 6th Men's Junior Asia Cup Hockey in Hyderabad, India on Thursday.

After the debacle in the place-deciding match today, Bangladesh failed to fulfill their dream to clinch the 5th slot in the Asian junior meet and remained at their previous 6th place earned in last Asian Junior meet in Pakistan in 2004.

Bangladesh conceded the lone goal in the later part of the match.

Bangladesh beat Singapore by 3-1 goals in tiebreaker after goalless result in a classification place-deciding match on Wednesday.

Earlier, in Group B matches, Bangladesh suffered a humiliating 0-8 goals defeat against South Korea and conceded 2-8 goals defeat against Pakistan after beating Oman by 7-1 goals.

French second seed Simon advances at Indy tennis

AFP, Indiana

Tommy Haas dominated rangy American John Isner 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday to set up a quarter-final match at the ATP Indianapolis Tennis Championships with Frenchman Gilles Simon.

Fifth seeded Haas, who has had three shoulder surgeries, matched the 2.05-metre tall Isner's serving with precise shot-making around the court.

The 30-year-old German easily made the big man look small with winners from all corners, backed up by unforced errors from the challenger.

Haas held his nerve while serving for victory, saving three break points before finally going through in 75-minutes.

"I was happy to get my revenge after losing to him twice," said Haas, a former number two. "You need to get at least one win against everybody out there.

"I'm really pleased with this one. I had break points on his first two service games and finally converted on my third. I used good placement when I got a look at his serve."

Haas takes two victories into his meeting with second seed Simon, who was puzzling over his own French paradox after defeating German Benjamin Becker 7-5, 3- 6, 6-0.

"I honestly don't know what happened on court during the second set which I lost and the third which I won," said the number 25.

Russian holder Dmitry Tursunov got a stress-free trip into the last eight when Wayne Odesnik withdrew with a back injury for a walkover to the third seed.

Chile's Paul Capdeville claimed a second-round win as he put out Australian qualifier Joe Sirianni 6-3, 6-4.

Simon, winner of three career titles including Casablanca on clay in May, remains in the chase for his first career trophy on hardcourt.

But the 23-year-old still can't understand how he got through over Becker. "It was not a great match for either of us, the level was not good.

"But between the second set and the third, I didn't find anything new on the court. My level remained the same, I don't understand how I won.

"I hope the next round is easier," said Simon. "But if I can't play better in the next round, at least I hope I can win it."

American James Blake heads the field as he aims to repeat a 2006 title.