The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh tumble to innings defeat

AFP, Centurion

Fiery fast bowling and lively fielding sent Bangladesh tumbling to their second successive innings defeat on the third day of the second and final Test against South Africa at Centurion Park Friday.

South Africa won by an innings and 48 runs to clinch the series 2-0 after bowling out Bangladesh for 131 in their second innings. They won the first Test in Bloemfontein by an innings and 129 runs.

South Africa's pace attack put the tourists under pressure from the start of their second innings and Bangladesh contributed to their own downfall with three run-outs, two from direct hits from the deep as the batsmen attempted second runs.

It was a disappointing ending for Bangladesh who briefly held the upper hand on the second day when they reduced South Africa to 134 for five after making 250 in their first innings.

Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher turned the match decisively in the home side's favour with a South African record sixth wicket partnership of 271.

Prince made a career-best 162 not out while Boucher scored 117.

Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan took three wickets in four balls Friday morning to spark a collapse in which South Africa lost their last five wickets for 24 runs.

Shakib finished with six for 99, his second haul of five wickets or more in two innings during the series.

Bangladesh started their second innings with only four overs remaining before lunch but it was enough for Makhaya Ntini to claim the wicket of Imrul Kayes, caught at first slip.

First innings top scorer Junaid Siddique was subjected to a barrage of short-pitched bowling before he gloved a lifting delivery from Jacques Kallis to gully.

Tamim Iqbal twice needed treatment after being hit on the fingers before he slashed at a lifting ball from Morne Morkel and was spectacularly caught by a diving Neil McKenzie at gully.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful was then involved in two run-outs. Mehrab Hossain was the victim when Ashraful called for a second run and Hashim Amla hit the stumps at the bowler's end from backward square leg.

Two overs later Ashraful himself was run out after he turned Morkel to the legside and failed to complete a second run before Dale Steyn's throw from deep fine leg hit the stumps.

Shakib Al Hasan cut Morkel to deep backward point as Bangladesh slumped to 95 for six at tea, When Mushfiqur Rahim padded up to Ntini's first ball after the break Bangladesh were doomed, although Mashrafe Mortaza frustrated the bowlers with some adventurous hitting to make 23 not out off 21 balls.

Khulna beat Faridpur by four wickets to reach semis

UNB, Dhaka

Khulna DSA reached the semi-finals of the 29th National (Inter-District) Cricket Championship beating Faridpur DSA by four wickets in the 2nd quarterfinal at the Shams-ul-Huda Stadium in Jessore on Friday.

Earlier, Barisal DSA moved into the semis as the first team with a five-wicket win over Chandpur DSA on Thursday.

Sent into bat first in the day' match, Faridpur DSA were all out for 153 in 47.3 overs with two middle order batsmen Abul Kalam Azad and Uttam Sarkar making 32 and 31 runs respectively.

Seamer Masum Khan and Mosaddir Iftekher claimed three wickets each conceding 15 and 34 runs respectively while Golam Mabud took two wickets for 21 runs.

In reply, Khulna DSA reached their target making 158 for 6 in 48.2 overs with Al Imran contributing not out 58 runs off 93 balls that featured six fours and two sixes.

Mohammad Sharif picked up three wickets for 27 runs while Sabbir Newaz took two for 29 runs.

Bangladesh Boys beat Friends Social Welfare 3-1

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Boys Club earned a 3-1 victory over Friends Social Welfare Organisation 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 Friday.

Shafiqul, Alam Nabi and Nayan scored one goal each for the winners while Javed netted the lone goal for the losers.

In another match, Prantik KC beat Euro Famous, also by 3-1 goals, at the same venue in the afternoon.

Sabuj struck twice and Riyad scored one goal for the winners while Rubel netted the only goal for the losers.

The day's other match between Gazirchar SC and Basabo Tarun Sangha ended in goalless draw at the same venue.

League champions Uttar Baridhara Club will play their last league match against Sadharan Bima KS, while Dhanmondi Club meet East End Club tomorrow (Saturday) at the same venue.

England test moved to Chennai following Mumbai attacks

Reuters, New Delhi

The Indian cricket board has switched the second test against England to Chennai due to safety concerns following the militant attacks in original venue Mumbai.

"India's test series against England will be played as per schedule," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement on Friday. "Chennai will host the second test from Dec. 19 instead of Mumbai," he said. The first test will be played in Ahmedabad from Dec. 11 as planned.

The England players are to fly home on Saturday after the last two games in the one-day series were called off following the attacks in India's commercial capital which have claimed over 120 lives.

The England board decided to send home the national squad with a final decision on returning to play the tests depending on security advice.

Baroda will stage a three-day game between the touring side and the Indian board president's XI from Dec. 5.

Pakistan concern for India series

BBC Online

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt has admitted the terror attacks in Mumbai have made India's Test tour of Pakistan in January unlikely.

The Indian board is awaiting clearance from its government for the tour.

"Before this tragic incident took place we were pretty confident the Indians would tour," said Butt.

"But now the scenario has definitely changed and now it is entirely up to the governments what they decide. We must wait and see what will happen."

Pakistan have not played a Test series since December 2007, but Butt insists they will do everything they can to ensure it can go ahead.

England are due to return home from their base in Bhubaneswar following the terrorist incidents, which killed at least 110 people and have injured another 300, while India's Champions League cricket tournament, which was due to start on 3 December, has been postponed.

"England are going home from India and the Champions League is postponed, so it is not an ideal situation for anyone," said Butt.

"But if India do come for the tour it will send a clear-cut message to these terrorists they cannot deter the people of both countries from leading normal lives.

"We are trying 200% to have the Indians play in Pakistan. If they don't come then we have the option of playing at neutral venues."

India are due to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game on a tour lasting 46 days.

Dhaka Abahani again on the top

Sports Reporter

Dhaka Abahani Limited again on the top of the points table of the Citycell B League when the popular Dhanmondi-based outfit defeated Muktijoddha Sangsad KC by two goals to nil in the dau's lone match at the flood-lit Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.

Abahani Limited led the points table securing 19 ponts from eight matches while Muktijoddha Sangsad KC earned four points from as many outings.

The pree-lemon session was locked 0-0.

Tipu and Ameli of sky-blue outfit scored one goal each.

Abahani Limited created a series of attacks in the first half but they failed to convert those into goals.

On the other hand, Muktijoddha Sangsad got only one opportunity in the first session but Kanchan failed to struck the ball into the blank net just few seconds before the breather.

Earlier, Ibrahim of Abahani got the Muktijoddha goalie Nizam alone but his shot was thrawted by Nizam in the 20th minute of the first half.

Later, Abul of Abahani got a short pass from his teammate Emeka in the Muktijoddha danger zone but his shot was gripped by Nizam in the 35th minute of the play.

After one minute Emeka's shot was saved by Nizam at the cost of a corner.

Abahani Limited made the match in a one-sided affair in the second half but they have to wait 34 minutes for a goal in the second half.

Tipu put his team ahead by a header using a cross of his teammate Ameli in the 79th minute of the clash.

In the 87th minute of the match Ameli was roughly charged by Roni at the Muktijoddha danger zone. Thus the referee awarded a penalty kick in favour of the league leaders Abahani Limited. Ameli successfully struck the spot kick and confirmed their victory (2-0).

Earlier, Emeka of Abahani limitad missed an opportunity 47th minute while Walid Khan of Muktijoddha spoiled a chance in the 64th minute of the clash.

Yellow cards : Abul (Abahani), Davis, Bipul (Muktijoddha).

Abahani Limited : Biplob (goalkeeper)(captain), Yussif, Sujan, Wally Faisal, Abul, Joy, Zahed, Emeka, Ameli, Ibrahim (Prodip) and Siraji.

Muktijoddha Sangsad : Nizam (Hemel), Rezaul, Roni, Bipul, Bappi, Bidduth, Sento (Azizi), Kanchan (captain), Jalal, Walid Khan and Davis.

Referee: Azad Rahman.

Milan coach hails supersub Ronaldinho

AFP, Portsmouth

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho who came off the bench to help kickstart his side's UEFA Cup recovery against Portsmouth on Thursday.

With the Italian aristocrats 2-0 down at Fratton Park, Ronaldinho struck a magical 84th-minute freekick to reduce the deficit before Filippo Inzaghi grabbed an injury-time leveller to claim a 2-2 draw in this Group E clash.

It was a record 65th European goal for Inzaghi who pounced on a loose ball with less than 30 seconds to go to hand his side a place in the knockout round.

"We had almost lost hope but the reaction was really good and to come back from 2-0 down like that was great," said Ancelotti.

"Ronaldinho definitely made a difference because he reopened the game with an excellent free-kick. The game really changed pace with that."

Portsmouth, playing in their first European season after winning the FA Cup, had taken a dramatic and richly-deserved two-goal lead through Younes Kaboul and Kanu.

The draw leaves the English Premier League side needing two wins from their final two group games - away at Wolfsburg and home to Heerenveen - if they are to have any realistic chance of qualification for the next round.

Their manager Tony Adams said his players were at a low ebb but insisted the team had recorded their finest performance since he took over from Harry Redknapp last month.

Adams said: "They are just a little deflated and disappointed because they feel they should have and could have won the game."

"I'm not feeling that disappointed because of the performance but the guys are a bit flat as they wanted some reward for their hard work.

"I'm really proud of the guys and the way we played. That was the best performance I have had since I've been manager.

"Our qualification maybe depends on other results now. Wolfsburg will be a tough game and if we can pick up points there and beat Heerenveen who knows?"