The New Nation - Internet Edition

Marshal Ayub ton guides Dhaka to 52-run 1st innings lead over Chittagong

UNB, Dhaka

A brilliant ton by Marshall Ayub enabled Dhaka Division to take a 52-run first innings lead over Chittagong Division

on the 3rd day of the four-day sixth round match of Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium in Chittagong on Wednesday.

Replying to Chittagong Division's first innings total of 314 runs,

Dhaka Division resumed their first innings with overnight 157 for 3 and finally declared the innings at 366 for 9 in 128.2 overs.

Two down Marshall Ayub, who resumed batting with 58 runs, played an entertaining innings of 181 runs off 293 balls with 25 fours and a six.

Middle order Nadif Chowdhury was the other notable batsman for Dhaka Division who scored 41 runs off 84 balls with six boundaries.

Pacer Tareq Aziz Khan, who picked up two wickets on Tuesday, finally grabbed four wickets for 61 runs while Mohammad Younus claimed two more wickets today to finish with three wickets for 110 runs.

In reply, Chittgaong Division opened the 2nd innings in the afternoon and scored 125 runs for 2 wickets in 29 overs at stumps on day three to take an overall 73 runs lead.

Skipper Nafees Iqbal was batting with 52 runs off 97 balls that featured five fours while one down Rezaul Karim remained unbeaten on 59 off 66 balls with eight fours and two sixes.

Brief score: Chittagong Division 1st innings - 314 all out in 117.2 overs; Faisal Hossain 102, Tariq Ahmed 83, Arafat Sunny 3/63, Ashraful Haque 2/63, Emon Ahmed 2/63.

2nd innings- 125 for 2 in 29 overs; Rezaul Karim 59, Nafees Iqbal batting 52, Gazi Salauddin 8, Emon Ahmed 1/28.

Dhaka Division 1st innings - 366 for 9 (declared) in 128.2 overs; (Overnight 157 for 3 in 70 overs); Marshall Ayub 181, Anwar Hossain 65, Nadif Chowdhury 41, extras 25, Tareq Aziz 4/61, Mohammad Younus 3/110.

In the day's another four-day match at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra, league leaders Barisal Division are poised for their third outright victory over nearest rival Rajshahi Division on the third day of the four-day affairs today (Wednesday).

Barisal Division, earlier dismissed cheaply for 166 in the first innings, resumed their 2nd innings today with overnight 177 for 3 and amassed 342 runs for all in 116.4 overs.

Night watch batsman Hannan Sarkar (64) scored a polished 99 runs off 149 balls with 11 fours and a six before he was trapped lbw by Farhad Hossain.

Nasir Hossain, who resumed batting with 24 runs, contributed 92 runs off 218 balls with eight boundaries, before he was also bowled by Farhad Hossain.

Frahad Hossain and Suhrawardy Shuvo claimed four wickets each for 33 and 119 runs respectively.

Chasing 305 runs to win, Rajshahi Division opened their 2nd innings in the afternoon and lost seven wickets for only 48 runs in 19.3 overs still trailing by 256 runs.

Farhad Hossain (22), Suhrawardy Shuvo (batting 12) and Anisur Rahman (11) were the major contributors for Rajshahi Division in the 2nd innings.

Tariqul Islam grabbed three wickets for 14 runs while Kamrul Islam took two for 9 runs.

Barisal Division first innings - 166/10 in 57.5 overs; Hannan Sarker 77, Nasir Hossain 36, Suhrawardy Shuvo 3/25, Mohammad Shahazada 3/57.

2nd innings - 342 for all in 116.4 overs (Overnight 177 for 3 in 49 overs); Hannan Sarkar 99, Nasir Hossain 92, Rony Talukder 41, Raisul Islam 24, Nasiruddin Faruk 19, Imran Ahmed 18, Farhad Hossain 4/33 and Suhrawardy Shuvo 4/119.

Rajshahi Division first innings - 204 all out in 66.5 overs ; Farhad Hossain 42, Anisur Rahman 38, Khaled Mashud Pilot 41, Mushfiqur Rahman 33, Talha Jubair 5/41, Tariqul Islam 3/35.

2nd innings - 48 for 7 in 19.3 overs; Farhad Hossain 22, Suhrawardy Shuvo batting 12, Anisur Rahman 11, Tariqul Islam 3/14 and Kamrul Islam 2/9.

First Division Badminton League begins today

Sports Reporter

The Fahami Group First Division Badminton League begins today at the Dhaka Wooden Floor Gymnasium. Bangladesh Badminton Federation will arrange the badminton competition under the auspices of the Fahami Group.

A total of eight teams will compete in the eight-day long badminton meet. They are : Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Gulshan Sporting Club, Ahoban Badminton Club, Surjotarun Club, Tejkunipara Krira Sangha, Neet Concern Badminton Club, Dewan Textile Badminton Club, Maha Sporting Club.

The budget of the badminton competition has been estimated at Tk three lakh while Fahami Group, the sponsor of the meet has given Tk three lakh to Bangladesh Badminton Federation.

Marking the ensuing badminton league, a press conference was held at the conference room of National Sports Council on Wednesday. President of Bangladesh Badminton Federation Md Kamaluddin Ahmed, General Secretary of the federation Md Jobaidur Rahman Rana, Director of the Fahami Group Tanvir Ahmed were present, among others.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Professor M Tamim will formally open the badmnton meet as the chief guest while Managing Director of the Fahami Group Motaherul Islam Chowdhury (Shawpan) will be along with him as the special guest.

Chandpur, Barisal DSAs emerge zonal champions to reach final round

UNB, Dhaka

Two more teams -- Chandpur and Barisal DSAs -- emerged reached the eight-team final round of the 29th National Cricket Championship as zonal champions eliminating their respective rivals on Wednesday.

At the Noakhali Stadium, Chandpur DSA beat Comilla DSA by 17 runs.

Opting to bat first, Chandpur DSA scored 191 runs for seven wickets in stipulated 50 overs with Amit contributing 44 runs. Rezaul, Babu and Rana took two wickets each for 8, 32 and 34 runs respectively.

Chasing the target, Comilla DSA managed to score 174 runs for nine wickets in stipulated 50 overs with Rakibul making 24. Sakhawat claimed four wickets for 48 runs.

In the day's other match, Barisal DSA (147/8) defeated Bhola DSA (146/10) by two wickets at the Pirojpur Stadium.

Earlier, Habiganj, Faridpur and Rangpur DSAs booked their seats for the eight-team final round.

Div I Hockey: Police, Barnak Samaj march on

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Police AC, Barnak Samaj posted wins in the Super League of the Green Delta Insurance First Division Hockey League on Wesnesday.

In the day's second match, Bangladesh Police AC drubbed Bachelors SC 8-1 at the Moulana Bhasani National Hockey Stadium.

Police led the first half 6-0.

Rana of Police top-scored with five goals, Khairul netted two, Kamal scored one goal while Rajib struck the consolation for the losers.

Police AC are now top of the points table with 27 points from nine matches while Bachelors remained with 11 points from as many outings.

In the day's other match, Barnak Samaj beat Farashganj SC by 2-1 goals at the same venue.

All the three goals were scored in the first session.

Proshenjit, Ivan of Barnak Samaj scored one goal each while Jasim netted one for the losers.

Barnak Samaj collected 22 points from nine matches while Farashganj SC earned 17 points from nine matches.

Tomorrow Police AC will meet Farashganj SC at 3.00 PM at the same venue.

Div II Football: T&T Club blank Friends Social Welfare

Sports Reporter

T&T Club blanked Friends Social Welfare Organisation 3-0 in the day's first match of the Second Division Football League at the Kamalapur Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium on Wednesday.

Arman of T&T Club scored two goals and his teammate Nadim netted one.

T&T Club secured 30 points from 14 matches while Friends Social Welfare earned 18 points from as many matches.

Meanwhile, the day's other match between Sadharan Bima KS and Euro Famous Club ended in a goalless draw at the same venue.

Sadharan Bima KS collected 17 points from 14 points while Euro Famous Club got 15 points from 13 outings.

Today Bassabo Tarun Sangha will take on Uttar Baridhara Club.

Results of Tokai Kabaddi

Sports Reporter

Dhalpur Tokai team overpowered Gulistan Tokai team by 62-18 points including three lonas in the day's first match of the Second Orient Bread Tokai Competition at the Dhaka Kabaddi Stadium on Wednesday.

In the day's second match, Khilgaon Tokai team outplayed Paltan Tokai team by 71-33 points amid five lonas at the same venue.

In the day's third match, Goran Tokai team overcame Jatrabari Tokai team by 74-29 points with four lonas at the same venue.

Today's matches :

Stadium Tokai team vs Jatrabari Tokai team

Mirpur Tokai team vs Dholpur Tokai team

Khilgaon Tokai team vs Matuail Tokai team

Ronaldo considering retirement

Reuters, Milan

Brazilian striker Ronaldo may retire from soccer following his latest serious knee injury, the 32-year-old said on Wednesday.

Ronaldo ruptured a tendon in his left knee playing for AC Milan in February and made his return earlier this week when he appeared for just 22 minutes in a charity match in Morocco.

His Milan contract ran out in the close season and offers from big clubs have failed to materialise for the Brazilian, who has turned down an approach from Serie A midtable side Siena.

"I thank them but I really don't know what the future holds for me," Ronaldo told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I don't know if I will continue playing or retire. I still haven't taken a decision. There is no rush. I want to complete my recuperation. I could decide tomorrow or in a month. I really don't know."

England's Manchester City have been linked with a move for the 1997 and 2002 Ballon d'Or winner, along with Brazil's Flamengo.

However, the former Real Madrid player is still nowhere near ready for action after struggling and looking overweight in Morocco.

"I am tired because my rehabilitation work has been hard and my legs are heavy," added Ronaldo, who suffered serious injuries to his right knee while playing for Inter Milan in 1999 and 2000 but recovered to help Brazil win the 2002 World Cup.