The New Nation - Internet Edition

We realized it's going to be tough to get Bangladesh out: Mahela

UNB, Dhaka

Victorious Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene thinks that setting a big target like 521 against Bangladesh was not wrong in the 1st Test of the Grameenphone Series at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).

"Obviously, anyone can think it (the target) unnecessary and too much, but we knew the wicket hasn't changed much and ball was coming onto the bat nicely. More we batted on that wicket we realized it's going to be tough for us to get Bangladesh out," he said at a post-match press conference at the match venue Wednesday afternoon.

"They (Bangladesh) competed really well scoring over four hundred runs. We knew we won't be able to get them out for 150 or 200 on a wicket like that which was really good," the Sri Lankan skipper grudgingly admitted.

He, however, told a journalist that he never thought of losing the match.

On the performance of Bangladesh, Mahela said: "Not unusual at all. You know in the last couple of Test matches they were very close to win against New Zealand and probably one against South Africa as well. So, we knew they are capable of doing so. The way they played, I mean they batted very well. So, credit should go to them."

Mahela, who scored his highest 166 runs against Bangladesh in the 2nd innings, spoke highly of his bowlers. "Big effort from our bowlers on very slow wicket towards the end. It was a good Test match," he said.

Asked to compare the Bangladesh side with their previous tour in 2006, he said: "You can't compare, because we played them almost two years ago. Those were in different wickets and bowlers. As a group, they improved. But I can't compare two separate series which happened two years apart."

While rating Ashraful's innings, the 32-year-old Lankan skipper said: "Yeah, he (Ashraful) batted very well… played straight. He wasn't playing too many shots upfront, waited for the loose balls… We knew he could be the danger man for us because as long he was there the runs were coming. And we had to get his wicket. Good breakthrough for us from (Chaminda Vass) with the second new ball."

Asked if he had expected something more from Murali, he said: "Murali bowled really well. But some days, you know, even some of the good balls he was bowling, he wasn't getting wickets. That's how the game goes. But he never gave up, overall 10 wickets in a match. So, what more can I ask from him. If you get a bowler who is getting 5 wickets and 10 wickets every time he plays. I'm quite happy with Murali's efforts."

About Ajantha Mendis's return in the 2nd Test in Chittagong, Mahela said it does not matter whom they brought. "It's a new Test match for us. We'll take next few days off and will take rest and get back to our preparation, see the wicket in Chittagong and assess it. Hope, it will be another good Test match for us. That's how we take each match. You know we are not overconfident and overcautious. It's another Test match."

About his feelings before playing the 100th test match and also on the eve of 8,000 runs, the top order right-handed batsman said: "I am very proud of playing for my country. It's as simple as that. I never imagined to play 100 Test matches; obviously the opportunity was there. I am very proud to have done that and there is no pressure for me."

Smith savours 'greatest moment'

BBC Online

Captain Graeme Smith hailed his team's series win in Australia as the greatest moment in South Africa cricket history. "It's got to be the best," he said. "It's the most incredible season South Africa has ever had, particularly with the results that we've had. "I think the challenge is to maintain the levels that we've played at.

"For us, it's going to be an ongoing challenge to keep achieving standards we've set. Hopefully we stay fit and keep progressing to the next level."

Victory in the final Test in Sydney starting on 3 January would take South Africa above Australia at the top of the Test rankings.

"The balance of power is evening out in world cricket, and I think it's going to be evened out a little bit more now," Smith said. "Maybe other teams are moving into other eras, who knows?"

Australia, who have several injuries ahead of the final match of the series, face the prospect of their first whitewash in a home series.

"Obviously things have changed a little bit now," Smith said. "Credit to Australia, they've dominated world cricket for a decade now and they obviously enjoyed their time.

"It doesn't mean that they're going to be beaten in future tours or are going to be easy to beat.

"It's a real honour for us to sit here knowing we are the first team in 16 years to come and be victorious on these shores."

A personal accolade for the skipper is that of highest Test run-scorer in 2008.

The left-hander accumulated made 1,656 runs in the calendar year, the third highest in Test history behind Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf and West Indian legend Viv Richards.

The South Africans won 11 out of 15 Tests in 2008, losing two matches, winning the series in England and drawing in India.

Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola also savoured the victory and said: "I would like to congratulate the Proteas on their record-breaking Test series win over world champions Australia in their own back yard.

"We have seen a united effort by all - players, coaches and administrators - to strive for achieving CSA's vision of making cricket a truly national sport of winners."

Bangladesh v Sri Lanka first Test scoreboard

BSS, Dhaka

Complete scoreboard on the fifth and final day of the opening Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh here on Wednesday:

Sri Lanka 1st innings: 293 (T. Samarweera 90, Shakib Al Hasan 5-70)

Bangladesh 1st innings: 178 (I. Kayes 33, M. Muralitharan 6-49)

Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 405-6 decl (M. Jayawardene 166, K. Sangakkara 67)

Bangladesh 2nd innings (overnight 254-5):

Tamim Iqbal c P. Jayawardene

b Prasad 47

Imrul Kayes run out 13

Junaid Siddique c M. Jayawardene b Muralitharan 37

Raqibul Hasan b Muralitharan 24

Ashraful lbw b Vaas 101

Mehrab Hossain c sub (Kapugedera) b Muralitharan 23

Shakib Al Hasan b Prasad 96

Mushfiqur Rahim c Dilshan

b Muralitharan 61

Mashrafe Mortaza c

P. Jayawardene b Prasad 2

Mahbubul Alam run out 2

Shahadat Hossain not out 0

Extras (lb3, nb4) 7

Total (for all out) 413

Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Kayes), 2-72 (Iqbal), 3-124

(Siddique), 4-144 (R. Hasan), 5- 180 (M. Hossain), 6-292 (Ashraful), 7-403 (S. Hasan), 8-409 (Mortaza), 9-411 (Rahim).

Bowling: Vaas 25-5-74-1 (nb2), Prasad 25.2-5-105-3 (nb1), Muralitharan 48-9-141-4, Herath 26-4-86-0 (nb1), Dilshan 2-0-4-0.

Overs: 126.2

Result: Sri Lanka win by 107 runs

Umpires: Steve Bucknor (WIS) and Nigel Llong (ENG)

Second Test: Chittagong (Jan 3-7)

Ashraful hopes to begin next year with good performance

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful hopes to begin the next year with a good performance in the next Test against Sri Lanka although he did not have a good time in 2008.

"The year 2008 was not so good for me, especially in Test Cricket. I'll hope for something good in the New Year ahead. There was a good ending for me this year and I hope to begin with a good performance in the next test against Sri Lanka," he said at a post-match briefing Wednesday after the 1st test at the SBNS.

Ashraful scored 101 runs off 191 balls with 16 fours as Bangladesh made 413/10 in their 2nd innings while chasing a huge target of 521 set by Sri Lanka.

About his team's performance, the Bangladesh skipper said: "I would say the overall performance of the team was good, but it could have been better.

"Our bowlers really bowled well in the 1st innings, they (Sri Lanka) might not have piled up such score if a couple of umpire's decisions went in favour of us. Keeping these aside, I would say we played well throughout the match."

Asked if he would continue to bat in future like he did in the 2nd innings, he said: "I'm also a bit confused about this. I'm facing this problem for the last eight years. I don't understand which way I should bat. I'll now try to be positive and play as the situation demands."

Ashraful, who scored four of his five centuries against Sri Lanka, told a questioner that he played Muralitharan in the match on front foot as he was picking his wrong ones very well.

Replying to another question, he said there might have been a chance for them in the match. "Win was possible as it was Test cricket. The result of the match would be different if Shakib and I could bat through the 1st session. It was bad luck for me to get out, but Mushfiq along with Shakib also put up a splendid stand of 111."

Shakib Al Hasan, who was rewarded with the man of the match award for his all round performance, said that conceding defeat and also missing the century was a double dissatisfaction for him.

Shakib fell just four runs short of century before he was bowled by pacer Dammika Prasad for 96 off 212 balls that featured seven fours.

About playing Muralitharan in the SBNS wicket, the boy from Magura said: "Yes, the wicket assisted a bit. I think, the more we will face Murali, the more we will feel relief. After the 1st innings, it seemed to me if we could pay attention to Murali, he will not be able to pick wickets (so easily) and this worked."

Asked what he enjoyed most -- batting or bowling, the consistent performer for Bangladesh said he very much enjoys cricket as a whole.

Farashganj SC takes on Rahmatganj MFS today

UNB, Dhaka

Farashganj SC takes on Rahmatganj MFS in the lone match of the second phase of the 13th round of Citycell 2nd B. League that resumes today (Thursday) after a six-day break at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS).

On the following day (Friday), Arambagh KS will play against Muktijoddha Sangsad KC at BNS while Chittagong Mohammedan SC will face Dhaka Abahani at the Chittagong Stadium.

The matches in Dhaka will kick-off at 4 pm and outside Dhaka at 2:30 pm.

Dhaka Abahani Limited with 23 points maintains solo lead in the league table, followed by Dhaka Mohammedan SC (22), Brothers Union Club (22) Sheikh Russell KC (21), Chittagong Mohammedan SC (11), Rahmatganj MFS (14), Chittagong Abahani (11), Farashganj SC (11), Arambagh KS (11), Muktijoddha SKC (07), and Khulna Abahani (03).

Handball Federation picks up 45 players for SA Games camp

UNB. Dhaka

Bangladesh Handball Federation Wednesday picked up 45 players for a residential training camp to form the national men's handball team for the ensuing South Asian Games to be held in Bangladesh.

The month-long camp, mostly with the players of Bangladesh Rifles, begins Saturday at the handball ground adjacent to Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

Selected players have been asked to report to assistant general secretaries of Bangladesh Handball Federation Hasanullah Khan Rana and Nurul Islam on Friday at 6 pm at the Federation office.

Selected players: Jahangir Alam, Meer Khairuzzaman, Taher Ali, Mozammel Haque, Kamrul Islam, Waliur Rahman, Sohrab Khan, Sharif Titumir, Kamal Hossain, Rana Miah, Zahid Hossain, Sohel Rana, Sudhon Barua, Jamaluddin, Mizanur Rahman, Sagar Miah (Bangladesh Rifles), Abdul Kader, Abdul Gafur, Apel Mahmud, Didar Hossain, Mahbubul Alam, Russell Chakma, Abdur Rab Miah, Chinu Marma, Pre Mohan Chakma, (Bangladesh Police), Amzad Hossain, Akhteruzzaman Rajon, Sanjoy Chowdhury, Mirza Saiduzzaman, Asadul Islam, Hamidur Rahman, Saiduzzaman Sunny, Faruk Ahmed (Narinda Pragoti Boys), Imdadul Haque Hira, Nishan Das, Chowdhury Alimuzzaman Kanon, Shaheen Hossain (Surjodaya Boys),Faruqul Islam (Mariners Club), Mizanur Rahman (Rajshahi DSA), Mamun Hossain (Old Ideals), Rafiqul Islam (BD Ansar), Farhad Hossain Anik (Bhartrito Sangha), Faruk Hossain (Faridpur DSA), Komol Parvez and Tasrik Hasan Sondhi (Menzis KC).

One-day match of 10th National Cricket League begins today

UNB, Dhaka

The one-day matches of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League begin today (Thursday) with three matches at separate venues.

On the day, Khulna Division will take on Sylhet Division at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS), Rajshahi Division faces Barisal Division at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium in Fatullah (NOS) and Dhaka Division meet Chittagong Division at the BKSP in Savar.

Friday's matches: Barisal Division vs Khulna Division (BKSP), Rajshahi Division vs Chittagong Division (DCS) and Sylhet Division vs Dhaka Division (NOS).

Earlier, in the four-day league, Rajshahi Division emerged champions, while Barisal Division became runners-up.