The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bangladesh-Sri Lanka First Test begins tomorrow: Sri Lanka pin hopes on Sangakkara

Reuters, Dhaka

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene hopes his deputy Kumar Sangakkara will be ready to solve their top order batting woes when they face Bangladesh in the first test in Dhaka starting on Friday. Sangakkara had a cut in his right foot and was struggling to wear shoes since Sri Lanka arrived in Dhaka last week to play the two-match test series and a tri-nation one-day tournament involving Zimbabwe and hosts Bangladesh.

Sangakkara, who was the highest run-getter in tests against Bangladesh with 707 runs until he was recently dethroned by South African captain Graeme Smith, also missed Sri Lanka's only warm-up game that ended on Tuesday.

"He is healing quickly and looks okay now. Hopefully he will be ready before the first test starts," Jayawardene told reporters.

Jayawardene wants Sangakkara to be back to give his top order batting line up solidity as it looked vulnerable in a warm-up game against the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI.

Though their bowlers excelled in the three-day games and bowled the local side out for 88 runs in the first innings, Sri Lanka's top order struggled against the largely inexperienced opponents.

They collapsed to 38-3 and needed two half-centuries from late order batsmen Tillakaratne Dilshan and Prasanna Jayawardene to restore their pride.

BATTING WOES

Sri Lanka finally scored 316 runs in their only innings of the drawn game.

Jayawardene was duly worried about the top order batting.

"We bowled very well and our middle order also batted well, though the top order disappointed me," he said.

Sri Lanka have won all 10 test matches they played against Bangladesh, with seven of their victories coming by an innings margin, but still they endured some anxious moments the last time they toured the country in 2006.

The memory of the last home series gives Bangladesh some inspiration, though skipper Mohammad Ashraful said his players have to give a much improved show to get a positive result against the tourists.

"Their bowling is really frightening. Most of the teams have either a good pace attack or a good spin attack, but Sri Lanka are good in both departments," said Ashraful.

"(Mutthia) Muralitharan took 70-odd wickets against us and the pacers also got plenty. We must deal with them better to get a positive result," said Ashraful.

Bangladesh in the last two home series came close to a win against South African and New Zealand, at least in one test match, a fact that is also encouraging Ashraful.

"We have started playing well at home. Let see what happens, he said.

The first test will have a gap on Dec. 29 for the parliamentary election in Bangladesh and is scheduled to end on Dec. 31. The second test will be held in Chittagong from Jan. 3-7.

The tri-nation tournament will be held from Jan. 10-16.

Teams:

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Malintha Warnapura, Michael Vandort, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Prasanna Jayawardane, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath, Dammika Prasad, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando, Thilina Thushara

Bangladesh: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddique, Imrul Kayes, Roqibul Hassan, Mehrab Hossain jnr, Shakib Al Hasan, Rajin Saleh, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shahadat Hossain, Enamul Haque jnr, Mahbubul Alam, Sajedul Islam.

Prize giving ceremony of BSWA held

Sports Reporter

The prize giving ceremony of Bangladesh Sports Writers Association (BSWA) was held yesterday at the Auditorium of National Sports Council Tower.

Chairman of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Professor Dr Muzaffer Ahmed distributed the prizes among the awardees as the chief guest.

President of Bangladsh Sports Writers Association Sarwar Hossain prisided over the prize giving ceremony while General Secretary of BSWA Rafiqul Islam delivered the address of welcome.

The selected best sportsmen, sports women, sports organisers, sponsors of 2005, 2006, 2007 were awarded by crests and certificates.

The selected sports personalities of 2005 were : Mohammad Sujan (Football), Javed Omar Belim (Cricket), Russel Mahmud Jimmy (Hockey), Enamul Haque (Junior) (Cricket), Mollah Sabera Sultana (Weightlifting), Tayeb Hassan (Football Referee), Nurul Alam Chowdhury (Sports Organiser), Sirajul Islam Buchchu (Sports Organiser), Mousumi Industries (Sponsor), Narayanganj District Sports Association (Most Active Association), Mohammad Ashraful (Cricket, Best Sportsman of the Year).

2006 : Arif Khan Joy (Football), Shahriar Nafees (Cricket), Russel Khan Bappi (Hocket), Shahjahan Ali Rony (Swimming), Mizanur Rahman (Taekwondo), Siddiqur Rahman (Golf), Reefat Bin Sattar (Chess), Zahid Hassan Emily (Football), Laboni Akhter Jui (Swimming), Nadir Shah (Cricket Umpire), Kutubuddin Ahmed (Sports Organiser), Ispahani Limited (Sponsor), Kazi Alamgir (Special Honour), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Cricket, Best Sportsman of the Year).

2007 : Sakib Al Hassan (Cricket), Ziaur Rahman (Kabaddi), Shafiqur Rahman Munna (Sports Organiser), Abdus Sattar (Special Honour), Rajshahi District Sports Association ( Most Active Association), United Insurance Company Limited (Sponsor), Abdullah Al Raqib (Chess, Best Sportsman of the Year).

Later, footballer Arif Khan Joy expressed his feelings after getting the crest and certificates.

Chief guest Professor Dr Muzaffer Ahmed gave his speech as the chief guest.

President of BSWA Sarwar Hossain thanked all to success the prize giving ceremony.

Muktijoddha beat Ctg Abahabi 1-0

UNB, Dhaka

Reversing their first phase debacle, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC made a good start in the opening second phase match of the Citycell 2nd B. League with a 1-0 win over Chittagong Abahani at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) on Wednesday.

The day's win was the second for Muktijoddha Sangsad after a draw and eight defeats in the first phase. Chittagong Abahani suffered four defeats, made four draws and earned three wins.

Muktijoddha Sangsad secured seven points while Chittagong Abahani bagged 13 points, both playing 11 matches.

In the day's match, Walid Khan scored the match-winner for Muktijoddha Sangsad in the 40th minute.

Today's match: Dhaka Mohammedan SC vs Arambagh KS (BNS; 4:30 pm).

Sri Lanka dissolve Ranatunga-led cricket board

Reuters, Colombo

Sri Lanka's government-appointed cricket board headed by Arjuna Rantunga was dissolved on Tuesday, Sri Lanka Cricket said.

"Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge has dissolved the Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee with immediate effect," a media statement said. Ranatunga, Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup-winning captain, was appointed chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket in January.

Sports ministry secretary S. Liyanagama has been appointed to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the cricket administration until a new management committee is installed.

1st National School Kabaddi begins Jan 8 next

UNB, Dhaka

The Standard Chartered 1st National School Kabaddi Competition, organized by Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, will begin on January 8 next at the Kabaddi Stadium.

A total of 24 schools -- 12 of boys and 12 of girls -- from across the country will take part in the competition, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank.

Rajshahi clinches 4-day national cricket league title despite losing to Khulna

UNB, Dhaka

Hosts Rajshahi Division clinched the four-day Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League title for the second successive time despite losing to Khulna Division by 28 runs in the last league match at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium on Wednesday.

Another title contender Barisal Division also lost their last round match to Dhaka Division by two wickets at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium in Fatullah, while the day's other match between Chittagong Division and Sylhet Division ended in draw at the Sylhet Stadium on Wednesday.

On completion of the league matches, both Rajshahi and Barisal divisions secured 101 points, but Rajshahi clinched the league crown by virtue of winning more matches than Barsial Division - Rajshahi earned five victories against four by Barisal.

Khulna Division became third in the six-team league securing 90 points, Dhaka Division placed 4th with 85 points, Chittagong Division placed 5th with 73 points while Sylhet Division finished bottom of the table with 64 points.

At the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, hosts Rajshahi Division resumed the 2nd innings today with overnight 23 for 1 in 7 overs and were finally all out for 323 in 86.5 overs to concede a 28-run defeat.

Middle order batsman cum skipper Anisur Rahman and Sabbir Rahman fought hard for the Rajshahi existence contributing 71 and 72 runs respectively, but narrowly missed the target.

Rajshahi all rounder Suhrawardy Shuvo and Khulna pacer Dollar Mahmud were jointly adjudged man of the match.

Brief score: Khulna Division 1st innings 255 for 9 (dec) and 2nd innings -- 347 for all in 105.5 overs , Nazmus Samad 23, Robiul Islam 27, Sabbir Rahman 15, KM Shakil 28, Tushar Imran 29, Raihan Anas 40, Fariduddin 57, Dollar Mahmud 65, Aslam Khan 30, extras 22, Suhrawardy Shuvo 6/124 and Sabbir Rahman 2/30.

Rajshahi Division 1st innings - 251 for all in 63.2 overs, Jahurul Islam 15, Hamidul Islam 24, Suhrawardy Shuvo 55, Khaled Masud 38, Anisur Rahman 38, Sabbir Rahman 44, extras 23, Robiul Islam 5/68 and Dollar Mahmud 3/52.

2nd innings - 323 all out in 86.5 overs (Overnight 23 for one in 7 overs); Sabbir Rahman 72, Anisur Rahman 71, Hamidul Islam 53, Delwar Hossain 35, Dollar Mahmud 4/82, Aslam Khan 3/42 and Rabiul Islam 3/81.

Boca win Argentine title despite 1-0 defeat

Reuters, Buenos Aires

Boca Juniors won the Argentine Apertura championship on Tuesday, finishing top of a three-way play-off by the slimmest of margins after losing 1-0 to rank outsiders Tigre in the final match.

Boca, Tigre and San Lorenzo all finished the mini-league with three points from two games but Boca took the title on goal difference.

Boca had a goal difference of one, compared to zero for Tigre and minus one for San Lorenzo.

The play-off was held after the three teams finished level on points after the regular championship, where goal difference is not used to decide the title.

It was Boca's 23rd title under the various formats used since Argentine football turned professional in 1931 but they are still 10 titles behind their arch-rivals River.

Omar Faruk of BKSP emerge champion in V-day Tennis

UNB, Dhaka

Omar Faruk of BKSP emerged champion in the Popular Pharmaceutical Victory Day Tennis Competition beating Arvind Fernando of Sri Lanka 6-3, 6-4 in the boys' singles 16 years group final match at the Ramna National Tennis Court Complex on Wednesday.

In the women's double match, Ayami-Eco pair of BKSP became champion beating Sarda-Sathi pair 6-1,6-1 in the final at the same venue.

The men's singles final match will be held today (Thursday) at 3 pm.