The New Nation - Internet Edition

Second Test against South Africa begins today: Bangladesh likely to face all-pace attack

AFP, Centurion

Battered by South Africa's fast bowlers in the first Test in Bloemfontein, Bangladesh are likely to face yet another pace barrage in the second and final Test starting at Centurion Park today (Wednesday).

After South Africa's win by an innings and 129 runs in Bloemfontein, coach Mickey Arthur hinted strongly that his team might opt for an all-pace attack in Centurion, where he has requested a pitch "with a little bit of pace and bounce."

Fast bowler Monde Zondeki is likely to replace injured left- arm spinner Paul Harris, despite the addition to the squad of another slow left-armer in Robin Peterson, with the South Africans treating the matches against Bangladesh as preparation for their tour of Australia next month.

"I'm very keen to see Monde in action," said Arthur. "If we go with an all-pace attack it will give us that opportunity. It's quite necessary that he gets a Test under the belt in case something happens in Australia."

Bangladesh failed to cope with the pace of Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Morne Morkel and Jacques Kallis in Bloemfontein so they are unlikely to relish the prospect of having to face yet another fast bowler.

The tourists were bowled out for 153 and 159 in the first Test but in both innings they needed useful ninth wicket partnerships to give their efforts some respectability. In the first innings they slumped to 88 for eight and in the second the eighth wicket fell at 108.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful admitted his team had failed to deal effectively with the South African fast bowlers but said he was encouraged by the form of wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 48 in the first innings, and Mehrab Hossain, who made 43 not out in the second.

"We are not used to batting on bouncy wickets but we will try to do better in the next Test," said Ashraful, who was also heartened by the way his bowlers fought back on the second day of the match after conceding 299 runs and only taking one wicket on day one.

They reduced South Africa to 441 for nine declared, with left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan taking five for 130.

Leading spinner Abdur Razzak is likely to return to the Bangladesh line-up after missing the first Test because he had to travel to Australia to undergo analysis of his bowling action after he was reported by the umpires and match referee during Bangladesh's home series against New Zealand last month.

South Africa will want to build on their success in Bloemfontein and will be hoping for long innings from Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher, the only batsmen in the top seven who did not hit form in the first Test.

South Africa will move back to number two in the International Cricket Council's Test rankings if they complete a 2-0 series win.

They are currently third behind Australia and India. On the evidence of their dominance in the first Test as well as a three-match one-day series it should be a formality unless bad weather intervenes.

Teams:

South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Monde Zondeki, JP Duminy, Robin Peterson.

Bangladesh (from): Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mehrab Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Mahbubul Alam, Raqibul Hasan, Sajedul Islam, Nazmul Hossain.

Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS), Ian Gould (ENG). TV umpire: Brian Jerling (RSA). Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS)

SK Russell again reaches top slot beating Brothers Union 2-1

UNB, Dhaka

Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra again reached the top slot in the Citycell 2nd B. League beating Brothers Union Club by 2-1 goals at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.

With this feat, Sheikh Russell KC secured 17 points from eight matches, while Brothers Union Club remained at 10 points from seven outings.

In the day's match, Moroccan striker Touati Youness and Maksudul Alam Bulbul scored one goal each for the winners, while Atiqur Rahman Meshu netted for the losers.

After the barren first half, Bulbul managed the first scoring chance for Sheikh Russell in the 47th minute, but his placing shot from the danger zone was saved brilliantly by Brothers' custodian Ziaur Rahman at a coast of corner.

In the very next minute, Bulbul made no mistake to keep his team ahead. He pushed the ball from a handshake distance that came to his way after custodian Ziaur fisted Youness header off Mahmudul Hasan left wing corner (1-0).

Meshu restored the parity for Brothers Union Club in the 72nd minute with a header from inside the D-box off Divine right wing close pass (1-1).

Youness scored the match winner for Sheikh Russell in the 90th minute with a superb left footer from the vantage position after receiving a pass from Rajon (2-1).

Earlier, the all Orange Gopibagh outfit lunched several attacks in the first half but missed scoring chances.

They were deprived of a goal in the very 10th minute. Foreign recruit Chibuike Divine missed a chance before the open net when his shot from the vantage position off Henry Quaye close pass went beside the bar.

Mehdi Hasan Tapu of Gopibagh missed another chance in the 26th minute. Standing at the vantage position he failed to push the ball well served by Zahid Hossain from the right wing.

Thursday's match: Dhaka Mohammedan vs Farashganj SC (BNS 4:30 pm).

Rawalpindi dropped from Indian tour itinerary

AP, Islamabad

Rawalpindi will not host its scheduled matches during India's tour of Pakistan in January due to delays in renovations at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

"We will not be able to finish the renovation work that includes the relaying of the outfield," PCB chairman Ejaz Butt said Tuesday.

Rawalpindi was originally to host the second test and third limited-overs international of India's Jan. 4 to Feb. 19 tour, which includes three test matches, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international.

"We have couple of other venues in mind and will shift Rawalpindi matches there," Butt said.

Faisalabad and Multan, which are slated to host one-day internationals during the India series, are the likely venues for the second test.

Rawalpindi was to host Champions Trophy matches in September before the International Cricket Council reduced the biennial event to two cities - Lahore and Karachi. The limited-overs tournament was eventually postponed until next year after five participating countries expressed security reservations.

Butt hoped the arrival of the Indian cricket team in January will mark a return of international cricket to Pakistan.

January's tour of Pakistan is still not a certainty after the Indian government barred its field hockey team from a scheduled five-match visit earlier this month due to security concerns.

Butt said he will travel to meet with Board of Control for Cricket in India officials early next month to reassure them ahead of the tour. The BCCI has also sought clearance from its government for the tour, and Butt said that PCB has not set any cutoff time.

"When we want the series to go as planned why should we set any cut off time?" Butt said.

The PCB has lined up the neutral venues of Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE for the India series should the team fail to receive government clearance to travel to Pakistan.

Butt met with the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad on Tuesday, but refused to give details. It was the second meeting between the pair this month.

"No comments," Butt said when asked what the meeting was about. Pakistan assistant coach Aaqib Javed said the series against India should go as planned.

"First priority should be that they should come to Pakistan as per schedule," the former test fast bowler said. "But if there are some problems, cricket should not suffer and we should look for alternatives."

Sylhet 363 for all in 1st innings against Dhaka Division

UNB, Dhaka

Sylhet Division scored 363 runs for all in 142.5 overs in their 1st innings against Dhaka Division on the 2nd day of the 7th round Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) in Mirpur on Tuesday.In reply, hosts Dhaka Division were trailing by 208 runs as they made 155 for 4 in 35 overs in their first innings when the bails were drawn for the day.

Mahmudullah Riyad was batting on 52 off 74 balls with eight fours while middle order Nadif Chowdhury remained not out on 6.

Number four Marshall Ayub also contributed useful 45 runs off 50 balls with seven boundaries.

Saikat Ali grabbed two wickets for 33 runs while Sumon Saha and Shubashish Roy took one wicket apiece.

Earlier, resuming with overnight 256 for 5 in 90 overs, Sylhet Division could add another 107 runs to take the score to 363 for all.

Overnight batsman Kamrul Islam contributed 77 runs off 267 balls with seven fours while another overnight batsman Rezaul Haque scored 73 runs off 185 balls with 10 fours.

Besides, skipper Rajin Saleh's 94 runs and opener Imtiaz Hossain's 58 enabled Sylhet Division to make a healthy total.

Arafat Sunny finished his spell claiming 5 wickets for 73 runs in 38.5 overs while Mohammad Azim snatched three wickets.

Brief score: Sylhet Division first innings - 363 for all in 142.5 overs, Imtiaz 58, Saikat 14, Mithun 9, Rajin 94, Kamrul 77, Rejaul 73, Tapan 12, Sunny 5/73, Azim 3/67.

Dhaka Division 1st innings - 155 for 4 in 35 overs, Marshal 45, Riyad batting 52, Nadif batting 6, Anwar 12, Elias 16, Shamsur 15, Saikat 2/33, Sumon 1/32 and Shuvashish 1/48.

Barisal earns victory on 2nd day beating Khulna by an innings & 52 runs

UNB, Dhaka

League Leaders Barisal Division notched their 4th outright victory in the 7th round match of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League on the very 2nd day of the four-day affairs outplaying Khulna Division by an innings and 52 runs at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Motiur Rahman Stadium in Khulna on Tuesday.

Barisal Division, which resumed the first innings with overnight 240 for 8 in 90 overs, were all out for 252 runs in 95.3 overs, adding only 12 runs with the remaining two wickets in 5.3 overs.

Lower order Tariqul Islam, resuming batting with 28 runs, scored 30 off 73 balls with three fours and a six, while another night watch tail-ender batsman Monwar Hossain (12) scored unbeaten 18 runs off 64 balls with a boundary.

Rabiul Islam, who picked up three wickets for 43 runs on Monday, finished with 23-2-58-4, while pacer Ziaur Rahman (1/49) grabbed the day's other wicket to claim two wickets for 51 runs.

Replying to a moderate total of 252 runs, Khulna Division opened the first innings on Tuesday morning and were bundled out cheaply for 69 runs in 19.1 to be the victim of follow-on.

Among the Khulna batsmen, only middle order Raihan Anas (not out 19) and tail-ender Rabiul Islam (21) were able to reach double figures.

National colour pacer Talha Jubair bowled devastatingly to claim five wickets for 35 runs in 9 overs, Arafat Salahuddin grabbed three wickets for 15 runs in 5.1 overs while Monwar Hossain took two wickets for 14 runs.

Later, Khulna Division opened the 2nd innings and were dismissed for 131 runs in 44.2 overs to concede a humiliating defeat.

Raihan Anas scored team highest 20 runs off 44 balls with three fours, wicket-keeper Sahagir Hossain made 16 off 32 balls with two fours and a six, skipper Tushar Imarn scored 15 runs off 38 balls with two fours while Ziaur Rahman hammered 14 runs off 13 balls with two fours and a six

Arafat Salahuddin, who grabbed three wickets in the first innings, picked up five wickets for 44 runs in the 2nd inniungs while Talha Jubair took three for 46.

Brief score: Barisal Division first innings - 252 all out in 95.3 overs (Overnight 240 for 8 in 90 overs); Nasiruddin Faruk 61, Shaheen Hossain 58, Tariqul Islam 30, Raisul Islam 22, Arafat Salahuddin 22, Rony Talukder 21, Monwar Hossain 18, extras 11, Rabiul Islam 4/58, Raihan Anas 2/16, Dollar Mahmud 2/46, Ziaur Rahman 2/51.

Khulna Division first innings - 69 all out in 19.1 overs; Rabiul Islam 21, Raihan Anas not out 19, Talha Jubair 5/35, Arafat Salahuddin 3/15, Monwar Hossain 2/14.

2nd innings - 131 all out in 44.2 overs; Raihan Anas 20, Sahagir Hossain 16, Tushar Imran 15, Ziaur Rahman 14, Dollar Mahmud 11, Atiqur Rahman 11, extras 12, Arafat Salauddin 5/44, Talha Jubair 3/46.

Rajshahi Division forces Chittagong Division to follow on

UNB, Dhaka

Rajshahi Division forced hosts Chittagong Division to follow on dismissing them for 80 runs in the first innings on the 2nd day of the four-day 7th round match of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium in Chittagong Tuesday.

Replying to Rajshahi Division's first innings total of 240 runs, hosts Chittagong Division opened the first innings and were bundled out cheaply for just 80 runs in 49.1 overs with tail-ender Yasin Arafat making team highest 23 runs off 46 balls with a boundary.

Opener Arman Hossain (20), Nafees Iqbal (11) and pacer Tareq Aziz Khan (11) were the other three batsmen scoring double figures.

Spinner Suhrawardy Shuvo pocketed three wickets for 21 runs, pacer Shafiul Islam also claimed three wickets for 36 runs, Saqlain Sajib bagged two wickets for 3 runs while Mohammad Shahazada took two for 11 runs.

Later, Chittagong Division opened the 2nd innings and scored 89 for 2 in 40 overs when bails were drawn for the 2nd day today.

One down Masum ud Dowla was in batting with 34 runs off 73 balls featuring four fours while number four Tariq Ahmed also on the crease with 11 runs off 35 balls, including one boundary, after the departure of two openers -- Arman Hossain (24) and Nafees Iqbal (19).

Bangladesh earns two more medals on 3nd day of SA Shooting

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh earned two more medals on the 3nd day of the 4th South Asian Shooting Championship in Islamabad on Monday.

Bangladesh women's team comprises Olympian shooter Sabrian Sultana (490.4), Tripti Dutta (485.7) and Sharmin Akhter (484.5) won the silver medal in the team event of the women's 10 meter Air Rifles.

Bangladesh men's team comprises shooter Mahendra Kumar Singh (531), Mohammad Alamgir (487) and Shahiar Chandan (424) managed a bronze medal in the team event of the men's 50 meter Pistol Shooting.

Div II Football: Bangladesh Boys, Little Friends, T&T Club win

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh Boys Club, Little Friends Club and T&T Club of Motijheel won their respective matches of the Second Division Football League on Tuesday.

In the day's first match, Bangladesh Boys Club blanked Matuail Udayan Sangsad 3-0 at the Kamalapur Bir Sreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium.

Mukul, Palash, Alam scored one goal each.

Bangladesh Boys Club secured 30 points from 15 matches while Matuail Udayan Sangsad earned 17 points from as many natches.

In the day's second match, Little Friends Club edged past Sadharan Bima KS 1-0 at the same venue.

Shahin scored the lone goal for Little Friends Club.Little Friends Club collected 20 points from 15 matches while Sadharan Bima KS got 17 points from as many outings.

In the day's third match, T&T Club of Motijheel beat Euro Famous Club by a solitary goal at the same venue.

Minar ssored the all-important goal for T&T Club of Motijheel.

T&T Club of Motijheel gained 33 points from 15 matches while Euro Famous Club got 15 points from as many matches.

Today Kadamtala Sangsad will face Uttar Baridhara Club while Prantik KC will meet Gazir Chat SC at the same venue.

FIFA suspends Peru from international football

AP, Zurich

FIFA has suspended Peru from international football because the government is feuding with the national federation.

Football's world governing body on Tuesday gave the sides a month to settle their differences.

FIFA rules prohibit political interference in football affairs, but Peru's government has refused to recognize the election of Manuel Burga as president the Peruvian Football Federation.

Peru is now suspended from the 2010 World Cup. It is last in the 10-nation South American qualifying group and is not due to play until next March.

Peruvian clubs are barred from playing teams from other countries following the FIFA ruling and Peru has already lost hosting rights for the South American under-20 championship next year.

Abu Abdullah set new national mark in 100m sprint

UNB, Dhaka

Corporal Abu Abdullah set a new national mark in the 100-meter sprint of Bangladesh Army Annual Athletics Championship with a timing of 10.13 seconds on the closing day of the meet at the Army Stadium in Banani on Tuesday.

Abu Abdullah, an athlete of Comilla Area team, bettered the event's previous record of 10.30 seconds and was adjudged the best athlete of the meet.

Jessore Area team emerged champions securing 128 points while Rangpur Area team finished runners-up with 120 points.

On the closing day (Tuesday), Sepoy Shahidul Islam of Rangpur Area team earned the gold in the 800 meter run while Chittgaong Area team bagged the gold in the 4x400 meter relay race.

Chief of General Staff of Bangladesh Army Maj Gen Sina Ibn Jamali witnessed some events on the final day as chief guest and later distributed medals and trophies.

Results of Div I Badminton

Sports Reporter

Biman Bangladesh Airlines beat Neet Concern Badminton Club by 3-2 sets in the men's team event of the Fahami Group First Division Badminton League at the Dhaka Wooden Floor Gymnasium on Tuesday.

In the day's second match of the same event, Gulshan Sporting Club blanked Tejkunipara Krira Sangha 5-0 at the same venue.

In the day's third match of the same event, Ahoban Badminton Club edged past Dewan Textile Badminton Club 3-2 at the same venue.

In the day's fourth match of the same event, Maha Sporting Club defeated Surjotarun Club by 3-2 sets at the same venue.

In the women's team event, Biman Bangladesh Airlines outplayed Surjotarun Club by 3-0 sets at the same venue.

Meanwhile, Dewan Textile Badminton Club overpowered Maha Sporting Club by 3-0 sets in the same event at the same venue.