The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Cricket fan club 'Bengal Tigers' named left-handed national opener Tamim Iqbal as the Aramex-Bengal Tigers cricketer of the year 2007-08 at a function at Hotel Imperial in the city Friday afternoon.

All rounder Shakib Al Hasan was named the cricketer of the year 2006-07, while Salma Khatun for the first time named the female cricketer of the year 2007-08.

The short-listed male cricketers for the year 2006-07 were Mohammad Ashraful, Mashrafee Bin Mortaza, Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib won the award securing 264 votes followed by Mashrafe in the 2nd position with 209 votes.

For the year 2007-08, Tamim was given the award as he received 312 votes to leave Shakib in the 2nd slot with 265 votes. The other nominees were Mashrafee Bin Mortaza, Mohammad Ashraful and Shahadat Hossain Razib.

In the female category, the national eves team skipper Salma Khatun took the award securing 250 votes, well ahead of her lone competitor Panna Ghosh who bagged 105 votes.

Shakib and Tamim each received Tk 20,000 and a crest, while Salma received Tk 10,000 and a crest.

In an instant reaction, Tamim said: "I would like to thank them (Bengal Tigers) for giving me this award and hope to deliver my best in the coming days."

Talented all rounder Shakib said: "This award will definitely inspire me to do my best in future."

Managing Director of Aramex International and former BCB general secretary Mahbubul Anam was present at the function as chief guest while former BCB vice-president Aziz Al Kaiser Tito was the special guest. They distributed the crests to the winners.

The Bengal Tigers selected the best cricketers for the last two years by direct voting of its members and cricket personalities from a short list considering the performance of the nominees in international cricket.

Bengal Tigers general secretary Kazi Tabarakul Islam Arif presided over the function, with its president Quazi Aziz Ahmed and BCB member Shafiqur Rahman Munna, among others, present.

Bangladesh Green defeat Bangladesh Red

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Green defeated Bangladesh Red by seven wickets in their practice limited-over match at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday. The match was fixed 30-over-a-side affair.

Electing to bat first, Bangladesh Red scored 103 for the loss of nine wickets in 28.4 overs.

In reply, Bangladesh Green reached the winning spot making 155 off 29.3 overs for the loss of one wicket.

Nafis Iqbal of Bangladesh Green struck the day's highest of 57(not out) playing 55 deliveries amid nine fours while Junaed Siddique hit an undefeated 51off 54 balls including six fours.

Shakib Al Hasan remained unbeaten with 21off 34 balls.

Left-arn spinner Abdur Razzak Raj of Bangladesh Red got one wicket conceding 37 runs.

Earlier, Ashraful Islam of Bangladesh Red notched up 35 (not out) off 60 balls with three fours and one six.

Nazmul Hossain of Bangladesh Green grabbed three wickets giving away 21 runs while Mahmudullah Riyad chipped in with two wickets at the cost of 17 runs.

Besides, Enamul haque (Junior), Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafee Bin Mortaza took one wicket each.