The New Nation - Internet Edition

Women's School Football Tournament begins today

UNB, Dhaka

After a three-year gap, the Dhaka Metropolitan Women's School Football Tournament, organized by Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), begins today (Friday) at the Dhanmondi Women Sports Complex ground with two matches on the opening day.

BFF President Kazi Salahuddin will formally inaugurate the tournament as chief guest at 3 pm.

On the day, Australian International School will face Viqarunnissa Noon School at 3:30 pm, while Aga Khan School will meet Summer Field at (1:45) pm.

Twelve metropolis schools, split into four groups, are taking part in the seven-day meet.

The champion team of the tournament will receive Tk 10,000 as prize money, while the runners-up will get Tk 5,000.

After the group phase matches, the two semifinals will be held on Oct 29, while the final is scheduled for November 1.

BFF will bear the entire budget of Tk 240,000 for the tournament.

Women Football Committee chairman Sirajul Islam Bacchu disclosed the details at a press conference at the BFF conference room Thursday afternoon.

Women Football Committee members Rashida Afzalul Nissa and Nasrin Akter Baby were present.

Participating Schools:

Group A - Aga Khan International School, Master Mind International School and Summer Field International School;

Group B - Scholastica School, Siddheshwari Girls High School and Azimpur Girls High School;

Group C - Green Herald International School, BIT and Rajdhani High School;

Group D - Australian International School, Viqarunnissa Noon School & College and Natun Kuri.

Daryl Harper observes his 57th birthday

Sports Reporter

The Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires are on the road seven to eight months of a year on an average. This is because of the busy international cricket schedule-both test and ODI matches.

Most of the 12-member Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, most of the time cannot stay with the family on their birthdays.

This happened on Thursday, 23 October, 2008 to Daryl Harper of Australia. He turned 58 on that day.

It was Hanif Zakaria, Manager Emirates for Bangladesh who arranged birthday cake and private birthday party at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel to celebrate the occasion. By doing that Hanif surprised Daryl Harper.

Harper disclosed that in past eight years he could stay with his family in Australia only once-in the year 2000.

On behalf of Emirates, Hanif also handed over gifts to both Harper and De Silva. Daryl Harper of Australia and Asoka De Silva of Sri Lanka are in Dhaka to stand in 2nd test between Bangladesh and New Zealand.

One of the senior members of Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, Daryl Harper made his debut as a first class umpire in 1987/88 and rose to national selection in the 1993/94 season. A member of the panel since 2002, Harper has umpired 74 test matches.

A former internaitonal cricketer Asoka De Silva played 10 Tests and 28 ODIs for Sri Lanka between 1985/86 and 1990/91, He stood in his first Test in 1999 and has since umpired 34.

However, Emirates Elite Panel of Umpires are not totally detached or isolated from the family while they are on the job in different parts of the world. Courtesy Emirates Airlines, at least once a year their families can travel with them.

Both Harper and De Silva disclosed that they have utilized that opportunity and their wives and sometimes children do join them in tours. And that helps them from isolation to a great extent.

The Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires are also to tackle various time zones, climatic conditions, cultural and food habits in performing their jobs as per ICC international calendar. These kinds of change in conditions no more bother them, they confide.

Daryl Harper and Asoka De Silva are members of Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, sponsored by Emirates Airlines-an official ICC partner.

Tickets for Bangladesh-NZ 2nd test to be sold today

UNB, Dhaka

Tickets for the second and last test of the two-match BRAC Bank series involving Bangladesh and New Zealand will be sold today (Friday) under special arrangement for the convenience of cricket fans as the day is a weekly holiday.

Ticket for the 2nd test beginning here Saturday (Oct 25) will be available at the ticket counter of games venue Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur from 2pm-5pm on Friday.

Bangladesh went down in the test series 0-1 losing to Kiwis by three wickets in the keenly contested first test match in Chittagong.

Bangladesh earlier lost the three-match ODI series 1-2 despite winning the first match against New Zealand by a comfortable seven wickets in Dhaka.

Two matches of B League end in draw

UNB, Dhaka

The two matches of the Citycell 2nd B. League ended in draw in Dhaka and Narsingdi on Thursday.

At Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, giant-killer Rahmatganj MFS played to a goalless draw with mediocre Arambagh KS, while Farashganj SC split points with Chittagong Abahani in a one-all draw at Narsingdi Stadium in the afternoon.

After the day's matches, Rahmatganj MFS secured 10 points, Farashganj SC eight points and Chittagong Abahani six points from six matches, while Arambagh KS bagged five points from five outings.

Today's match: Chittgaong Mohammedan vs Khulna Abahani KC (MA Aziz Stadium, Chittagong).

Uttar Baridhara beat Little Friends 1-0

UNB, Dhaka

Uttar Baridhara Club scraped to a 1-0 win over Little Friends Club in a match of the Metropolis Second Division Football League at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium at Kamalapur in the city on Thursday.

After a barren first, Swapan scored the match-winner for Uttar Baridhara in the 79th minute.

In the day's other match, Kawran Bazar Pragati Sangha defeated Matuail Udayan Sangsad, also 1-0, at the same venue in the afternoon.

Atiqur Rahman Tara scored the all-important goal for Pragati Sangha in the 70th minute.

Today's matches: Kadamtala Sangsad vs Euro Famous Club (1:45 pm), Dhanmondi Club vs Basabo Tarun Sangha (3:30 pm), both at Kamalapur Stadium.

Oram ruled out of second test

Internet

A back injury has ruled New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram out of the second and final cricket test against Bangladesh starting Saturday in Mirpur.

Team management said Oram will return home after watching the opening day of the test for further assessment of the injury that affected his lower back while bowling during the third evening of the first test in Chittagong on Sunday.

South African born allrounder Grant Elliott is in contention to replace Oram, as he did at Napier in March when he made his test debut in third match against England - his solitary cap to date.

Oram, recently ranked as the top allrounder in one-day cricket, has a history of back issues though it was hip and hamstring issues that affected him during the home and away series' with England.

New Zealand won the first test by three wickets and are seeking a cleansweep to stretch their unbeaten record against the sub-continent minnows to seven matches.

Australia coach urges team not to panic

AP, New Delhi

Coach Tim Nielsen is saying in public what he's been telling his Australian lineup since its comprehensive second-test loss to India: don't panic.

India is 1-0 up after two of four tests after completing a crushing win at Mohali earlier this week.

With Australia bereft of experienced spinners on the turning Indian wickets, and up against a more experienced team, the tourists are faced with the prospect of a rare series defeat.

However, Nielsen said the players should draw on their creditable performance in the first test in Bangalore as they approach the third game of the series in Delhi from next Wednesday.

"One thing we just have to be so certain about is that we don't panic," Nielsen said in comments reported Thursday. "We have to understand what the right way to go about playing over here is, and keep ourselves controlled and calm enough that we can deliver under the pressure we find ourselves.

"We understand it's only a week since we played well in Bangalore. If we do the same in Delhi we will be competitive.

"Our challenge is to ensure the momentum they have gathered does not carry itself through to the next two tests."

Australia controlled the first test at Bangalore but was unable to dismiss India on the final day and had to settle for a draw.

"We showed in Bangalore we can compete and put ourselves in winning positions," Nielsen said.

The pitch for the third test is again expected to favor spinners, with even the curator saying it will be a gift for India captain Anil Kumble, who is expected to return from injury.

"We have to accept it's not the WACA or the Gabba or Adelaide Oval, and accept it's Delhi," Nielsen said. "It's not what we're used to, but it's still a wicket, and we need to execute our skills.

It does put a bit of pressure on Anil, coming back from injury to get a present like that. I hope he bowls well."

As well as the dearth of spin options in the Australian squad, the tourists also have to address the below-par performances of strike bowler Brett Lee, who has struggled on the slow wickets in his comeback series following the break-up of his marriage.

Lee was not used in the opening session of the fourth day of the second test, with Australia captain Ricky Ponting preferring even the efforts of batsman Mike Hussey. Ponting said the resting of Lee was designed to correct Australia's slow over rate, but Nielsen confirmed it was more to do with Lee's poor form.

"The over rate wasn't crazily out of control, three down at the time," Nielsen said. "In the end it was a tactical decision.

"He certainly hasn't got the results he's been looking for. He's been a little inconsistent.

"Brett was keen to have a real impact and when that happens it is easy to get impatient and search for results. He's working hard, he's come off a break from his personal issues and has had a break from not playing in Darwin. All those things have added up to him being a little bit off the boil."

Court lifts life ban on Malik

AP, Islamabad

Former Pakistan test captain Salim Malik is free to resume his involvement in cricket after a Pakistan court lifted a life ban Thursday.

"I have served cricket for 19 years and today I feel vindicated," 45-year-old Malik told reporters outside session court in the eastern city of Lahore.

Civil judge Malik Mohammad Altaf ruled in favor of Malik and quashed the ban imposed for match fixing.

The Pakistan Cricket Board put a life ban on Malik's involvement in the game after a PCB-appointed inquiry - beginning in 1999 and ending in 2000 - implicated him in fixing international matches.

Australian players Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Tim May accused Malik of offering them bribes to underperform during their tour of Pakistan in 1994.

Two lower courts earlier refused to hear Malik's appeal, but a three-judge panel of the Supreme Court in May directed a court in Lahore to record evidence and reach a verdict.

"I want to make a cricket academy for youngsters and will soon start the project," Malik said.

The PCB legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi said the board will honor Thursday's court ruling.

"PCB did not impose the ban, we just implemented the recommendations of inquiry tribunal," Rizvi told the Associated Press.

"We will honor the decision of session court and will not file an appeal against the ruling."

Malik said that he had got an offer to play in the Indian Cricket League, the non-sanctioned Twenty20 competition run by former India captain Kapil Dev.

"He (Kapil) has offered me to play in the Indian Cricket League, but I don't think so I can play competitive cricket after staying out from it for the last eight-nine years," Malik said.

Despite his life ban, Malik said he had twice met new PCB chairman Ijaz Butt since he was appointed to the position earlier this month.

"I had two meetings with Mr. Butt and if I am given an opportunity to serve Pakistan cricket in any capacity, I am more than willing to do that," Malik said.

Former Pakistan paceman Ata-ur-Rehman was among those who gave evidence to the 1999-2000 PCB inquiry about the prevalence of match-fixing by his Pakistan teammates. He later retracted his comments, prompting the inquiry judge to warn him against committing perjury.

Rehman also received a life ban from cricket for match fixing, but that was revoked by the International Cricket Council in 2006.

Malik played 103 tests and 263 one-day internationals between 1981 and 1999. He captained the team in 12 tests and 34 one-day games.

Pakistan likely to play two test matches

AP, Islamabad

West Indies has offered to play Pakistan in two tests in neutral Abu Dhabi next month, a top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board said Thursday.

"We hope the proposal materializes and we find some sponsor for the test matches," PCB's newly appointed chairman Ijaz Butt told the Associated Press.

"It will give our players an ideal opportunity to play some international cricket after a long layoff," Butt added.

Pakistan has not played a test since December last year, when it drew against India at Bangalore.

Australia, which has not toured Pakistan for 11 years, postponed its scheduled tour to Pakistan earlier this year due to security reservations.

Pakistan's hosting of the limited-overs Champions Trophy was also postponed until next year because many teams were worried about security in Pakistan after a spate of bombings.

"We have to pay the West Indies Cricket Board (for the test matches) according to the ICC regulations and for that we are looking for sponsors," Butt said.

"The time is very short, but I am hopeful something positive will come out."

Pakistan is scheduled to play three one-day internationals against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates next month.

"If everything goes well, the test matches will be played shortly after the ODIs in Abu Dhabi," Butt said.

This year, Pakistan blanked lowly-ranked Zimbabwe and Bangladesh 5-0 in home one-day series and also successfully organized the Asia Cup limited over tournament in June-July.

Should the tests against the West Indies go ahead, it will not be the first time that Pakistan had 'hosted' matches at a neutral venue.

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001, Pakistan played tests against the West Indies and Australia at Sharjah and Sri Lanka respectively.

Canary Wharf Youth Football team leaves for London Oct 26

UNB, Dhaka

A 29-member juvenile football team of Canary Wharf Bangladesh Youth Football Academy leaves here for London on October 26 to participate in training in David Beckham Academy.

During the three-week long tour of England, Bangladeshi budding booters will play exhibition soccer matches with West Ham and Red Bridge Under-15 sides, visit an English football club, and witness English league match and training in the Beckham Academy on Nov 10-14.

Members of the Canary Wharf Bangladesh Youth Football Academy team:

Sohel Rana (Chandpur), Sajub Chowdhury, Nadim Mahmud, Tapu Barman), Aminul Islam (Rajshahi), Sujan Ali (Natore), Lokhnatch Devnath, Anik Barman (Narayanganj), Sajidur Rahman, (Rajshahi), Sujay Mollik, Rahat Ahmed, Rabbi Bhuiyan (Khulna), Anujal Sad, Shihab, Arifur Rahman Sagar, Sabbir Ahmed Chowdury, Omar Faruk Babu (Dhaka) Mohammad Asak (Chittagong), Jasim Uddin Chanchal (Gopalganj), Sarwar Hossain (Munshiganj), Pial Hossain (Kushtia), Mehedi Hasan (Chapainawabganj)and Farhadur Zaman (Satkhira).

Officials - Fazlur Rahman Babul, (chief coordinator), Golam Sarwar Tipu (head coach), Rezaul Haq Jamal (assistant coach), Mohammed Sadek (player welfare officer) Taus Mia (assist. coordinator) and Awulad Hossain (administrative officer).

Coach Manik voice satisfaction over national team's performance in Merdeka Cup

UNB, Dhaka

National football coach Shafiqul Islam Manik Thursday expressed his total satisfaction over the team's performance in the just concluded Merdeka Cup Football Tournament in Malaysia.

Talking to the reporters, he said that their result in the tournament was not so bad and the boys played positive football there.

"We achieved whatever we needed in the tournament to go forward except a good result. I am satisfied with the boys' performance," Manik said, adding, "the boys gave their hundred percent."

He, however, admitted that their result in the tournament could have been different if "I had a few good strikers."

The new coach said that during the tournament, he found out lack of power and stamina among the booters. "We've to urgently overcome this for the upcoming Grand Royal Challenge Cup to be held November 11-21 in Myanmar."

Asked about the preparations for the ensuing tournament in Myanmar, Manik said he would concentrate on building a team for the tournament stressing performance and consistency.

Earlier, in the group phase matches of the just concluded Merdeka Cup Football Tournament, Bangladesh lost to both Mozambique and Myanmar by 1-0 goal and held Vietnam 2-2.

Dhaka Int'l University drubs Northern University 8-0

UNB, Dhaka

Riding on a hattrick by Atiqur Rahman, Dhaka International University crushed Northern University by 8-0 goals in a match of the Mentors Inter-Private University Football tournament at the Banani Army Stadium here on Thursday.

Atiqur Rahman made the hattrick scoring three goals -- in the 22nd, 44th and 50th minutes and was adjudged man of the match.

Besides, Sumon Kumar Mondal and Kazi Mojibar Rahman scored two goals each while Rakib Hossain netted the other goal for the winners.

In the day's other match, North South University beat Independent University by 2-0 goals at the same venue in the afternoon.

Wajed Khan and Imtiazuddin Khan scored for the winners.

Sujayet Ali of North South University was adjudged man of the match.