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Bangladesh face Sri Lanka in 2nd Test in Ctg today

UNB, Chittagong

After a heartwarming performance in the first Test, Bangladesh takes on visiting Sri Lanka in the 2nd match of the Grameenphone Series at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium (BSSRAS) in Chittagong today (Saturday).

The match begins at 9:30 am.

Ahead of the encounter, the two teams had their last sessions of practice at the match venue today (Friday) -- the home side in the morning and the tourists in the afternoon.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference this morning, Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful expressed his optimism about putting their best as this test will be the beginning to the New Year.

He said: "We start the New Year with a lot of confidence because of our second innings performance in the first Test in Dhaka. We are getting better as a team and the boys believe that. This year, we will have plenty of opportunities to show our improvement. We will try to play well in this Test match."

Asked about the team composition and the wicket, Ashraful said the wicket here is very dry and devoid of grass, almost similar to the track that they played on against New Zealand in October.

"It looks like a pitch where the spinners may play a role. We've retained the same 12 we had given before the first Test with Rajin (Saleh) and Sajedul (Islam) out. There is a good chance that Enam (Haque Jr.) might come in. I think he deserves to play on this track. If he plays then it will be in place of a pace bowler and in that case (Mahbubul Alam) Robin will be left out."

Regarding Sri Lanka's mystery bowler Ajantha Mendis who is likely to play in this Test, Ashraful said that some of them have played Mendis in ODIs during the Asia Cup. "But one-dayers and Test matches are different. Mushie (Mushfiqur Rahim) and Roqibul (Hassan) played him quite well. We've seen him bowling against India on television. We also have footages but it is important not to think of him or Muralitharan too much and just try to play ball by ball."

About his comment that Bangladesh batters read Muralitharan better despite his taking so many wickets, Ashraful said: "He (Muralitharan) is world class and takes wickets against every opposition. Still I think that we are reading him better but we have to show that over a long period of time. Too often, we have only done that for short periods."

Ashraful, who scored 101 in the 2nd innings of the first Test, however stressed the need to bat four sessions at least in the first innings. "If we do that then we'll have a decent score on the board. That's the pre-requisite for us getting a positive result in Test matches and a positive result can be a win also," he said.

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene on the other hand thinks that this test will be the start of another important year for them.

"Last year, we beat India in a Test series, drew England and beat the West Indies in the West Indies for the first time in our history. This is a new year and we have a lot of cricket in front of us. Good to see Ajantha (Mendis) back. We'll make a decision on him after our practice session. The boys are very keen to start afresh," he said at a pre-match press conference in the afternoon.

Asked about his feelings on the eve of his 100th Test appearance, Mahela, who is 74 runs away from getting into the elite 8000-run club, said: "A little bit maybe, but I can't say that I'm not emotional. I'm not thinking about the personal milestone. It has been an honour to play for Sri lanka and I've said this before that I never expected to play 100 Test matches when I started off. I want to enjoy the day and the moment and I would love to perform and lead the team to victory in this match."

Bangladesh (12): Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddique, Imrul Kayes, Mohammad Ashraful, Roqibul Hassan, Mehrab Hossain Jr., Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicketkeeper), Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain, Enamul Haque Jr., Mahbubul Alam.

Sri Lanka (probable): Michael Vandort, Malinda Warnapura, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene (Captain), Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dishan, Prasanna Jayawardene (Wicketkeeper), Chaminda Vaas, Dammika Prasad, Muttiah Muraliatharan, Ajantha Mendis.

Dhaka Abahani retains solo lead: Arambagh draw with Muktijoddha Sangsad

UNB, Dhaka

Holders Dhaka Abahani maintained their solo lead in the Citycell 2nd B. League with a 1-0 win over Chittagong Mohammedan SC at the Chittagong Stadium on Friday.

With this result, Dhaka Abahani increased their tally to 26 points, while Chittagong Mohammedan remained at 17 points, both playing 12 matches.

In the day's match, Nigerian striker Emeka Christian Ibe scored the all-important goal for the sky blue Dhanmondi outfit, Abahani Limited, in the 20th minute.

Foreign recruit Camara Saifo Ulaye of Chittagong Mohammedan received marching order for his double yellow cards.

The day's other match between Arambagh KS and Muktijoddha Sangsad KC ended in a goalless draw at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

With this draw, Arambagh KS secured 10 points while Muktijoddha Sangsad bagged eight points from 12 outings.

Today's match: Chittagong Abahani vs Brothers Union Club (Chittagong Stadium, 2:30 pm) and Khulna Abahani KC vs Sheikh Russell KC (Khulna Stadium, 4pm).

Three arrested after threat to Dhoni

Reuters, Ranchi

Police said on Friday they had arrested three people in connection with alleged extortion letters sent to Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Security was beefed up outside Dhoni's family home in eastern India after a man claiming to be an associate of Dawood Ibrahim, the country's most wanted gangster, demanded 5 million rupees ($102,000) from the cricket star in a letter on Monday.

A second letter sent two days later threatened to blow up the house if police were asked for help. Police sent 45 commandos to keep watch.

On Tuesday, Dhoni arrived in his hometown Ranchi in Jharkhand, one of country's poorest states, but has since left for Mumbai.

"Three people have been arrested in connection with the extortion and threat letters written to Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni," a state police official told Reuters. "We have interrogated more than seven people in connection with two letters."

Game well placed to face challenges : ICC

AFP, Sydney

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said Friday that cricket-currently grappling with major challenges such as security problems-has overcome bigger hurdles in the past.

"As the ICC enters its second century, the game faces challenges-safety and security, player workload, balancing formats, ensuring a competitive balance between ICC members, staying on top of corruption and plenty more besides," Lorgat said, launching the International Cricket Council's centenary year.

"But then again cricket has always faced challenges just as big, if not bigger, than those currently confronting us -- Bodyline, illegal bowling actions in the 1950s and 1960s and corruption, to name just three.

"And, as a successful global sport, cricket will not be unique in facing such significant challenges."

The Indian government denied its cricketers permission to play in Pakistan in the wake of November's Mumbai terror attacks.

Dhaka Div, Khulna Div, Rajshahi Div taste first wins in NCL

UNB, Dhaka

Dhaka Division, Khulna Division and Rajshahi Division tasted their first wins in one-day matches of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League beating their respective opponents at the city's separate venues Friday.

In the day's matches, Dhaka Division beat Sylhet Division by seven wickets at Narayanganj Osmani Stadium, Khulna Division beat Barisal Division by six wickets at BKSP-2 in Savar and Rajshahi Division defeated Chittagong Division by 57 runs a Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

Dhaka Division vs Sylhet Division match:

Forced to bat first, Sylhet Division were dismissed cheaply for 162 in 46.3 overs with middle order batsman Sharifullah scoring 38 runs of 74 balls with a four.

Mohammad Mithun (32), Saikat Ali (15) and Ezaz Ahmed (14) were the other notable scorers for Sylhet Division.

Mahmudullah, Elias Sunny and Arafat Sunny bagged two wickets each for 24, 30 and 34 runs respectively.

In reply, Dhaka Division reached the target of 163 in 40.5 overs for the loss of three wickets.

After the fall of three quick wickets of openers Javed Omar (2), Rashedul Haq (1) and Shamsur Rahman (22), middle order batsmen Marshal Ayub and Mahmudullah's unbeaten partnership guided Dhaka Division to victory. They both scored 65 runs.

Saikat Ali, Nazmul Hossain and Shubhashish Roy took one wicket each.

Khulna Division vs Barisal Division:

Put in to bat first, Barisal Division were dismissed for 111 in 45 overs in the face of fierce bowling by Khulna Division.

One down batsman Hannan Sarker and middle order batsman Nasir Hossain both scored 20 each while Abul Bashar added 19 runs for Barisal Division.

Nazmus Sadat, who was later adjudged man of the match, claimed three wickets for 16 runs while Farid Uddin and Murad Khan bagged two wickets each for 17 and 21 respectively.

In reply, Khulna Division cruised to their target scoring 112 runs in 37 overs for the loss of four wickets.

Opener Amit Mujumder top scored unbeaten 58 runs off 114 balls with 10 fours while one dawn batsman Rabiul Islam made 33 off 77 balls with three fours.

Nasir Hossain captured three wickets for 19 runs.

Rajshahi Division vs Chittagong Division:

In the day's other match, Rajshahi Division also tasted their first win defeating Chittagong Division by 57 runs at Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

Asked to bat first, Rajshahi Division scored 229 for all in 48.1 overs with middle order batsman Anisur Rahman contributing 64 runs off 76 balls with five fours and a six.

Hamidul Islam made 59 off 75 balls with five fours and a six while Shahajada Hossain added unbeaten 41 off 51 balls hitting a boundary and an over boundary.

Tareq Aziz Khan claimed three wickets for 39 runs while Rezaul Karim and Rubel Hossain hauled two wickets each for 36 and 50 runs respectively.

In reply, Chittagong Division were dismissed for 172 in 44.1 overs in a disciplined bowling attack by Rajshahi Division.

Two down batsman Rezaul Karim scored 59 runs off 64 balls with seven fours, while opener Masoom Ud Dowla scored 49 off 96 balls with four fours.

Saqlain Sajib grabbed four wickets for 17 runs while Suhrawardy Shuvo took two wickets for 31.

Hamidul Islam of Rajshahi was adjudged man of the match.

Hewitt aims high in comeback

AFP, Perth

Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt believes the Hopman Cup will be his first step towards climbing back into the top 10 in 2009.

On the comeback trail after injury, the double Grand Slam champion is paired with Casey Dellacqua in the Australian team in the eight-nation mixed-team event.

His singles rubber against Germany's Nicolas Kiefer on Monday will be his first competitive outing since August.

The 27-year-old underwent hip surgery after bowing out to Rafael Nadal in straight sets in the second round at the Beijing Olympics.

Hewitt said he had been carrying the injury for much of the year before finally opting for surgery, and as a result he ended 2008 outside the top 50 for the first time since 1998, in 67th place.

Although he only arrived in Perth on Friday morning and admitted it could take up to six months to regain his best form, he said here that his rehabilitation had been encouraging. "I have been training really hard the last two months," he said.

"I have done everything I can possibly do and hopefully it holds up for the Australian Open.

"I think the hip will just keep getting stronger and better over the next six months, that's what the surgeon said."

"It is a matter of getting out there and getting matches under my belt again," he added.

"Once I get in that routine of being injury-free and being able to compete against the best guys week in, week out, I don't see any reason why I can't get back in the top 10."

Although he has not won a Grand Slam since 2002 or reached a final since losing to Marat Safin at the Australian Open in 2005, Hewitt still believes he has the game to trouble the big guns.

"I still feel like I am good enough to knock off anyone on any given day," he said.

"Even this year (2008) in the slams it has taken the top four or five players to beat me.

"I feel like I match up pretty well against the best guys and I am the ultimate competitor on the court."

Hewitt, who has an impressive 13-1 record against his Group A round robin singles opponents at the Hopman Cup, said the withdrawal of Serena Williams from the US team in Perth had boosted Australia's chances.

The Hopman Cup starts on Saturday with a match-up between the French team of Alize Cornet and Gilles Simon and Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei and Lu Yen-hsun.

New Zealand replaces Pakistan for India tournament

AFP, New Delhi

New Zealand has accepted India's invitation to replace Pakistan for a four-nation field hockey tournament starting later this month, media reports said on Friday.

The tournament, also featuring reigning world and Olympic champions Germany and fourth-ranked Netherlands, is scheduled to be played in the northern city of Chandigarh from January 31-February 9.

"We were keen on getting a good replacement for Pakistan, and New Zealand will make the competition even tougher," tournament organiser Pargat Singh, a former India captain, told the Times of India newspaper.

Pakistan's participation was ruled out due to heightened political tensions between the two countries following the deadly Mumbai attacks in November which India blames on elements in Pakistan.

The Indian government last month snapped sporting ties with Pakistan after the attacks and refused permission to the cricket team to play a scheduled Test series across the border.

The hockey tournament gives India a chance to test its mettle against three top teams as the eight-time Olympic champions rebuild after failing to qualify for the Beijing Games last August. Germany won the gold in Beijing with a 1-0 win over Spain in the final, while the formidable Dutch finished fourth after losing to Australia in the bronze medal play-off.

New Zealand claimed seventh place at the Olympics with a 4-2 win over Pakistan in the classification round.

The next major world event for Germany and the Netherlands is the Champions Trophy in Melbourne in November. India and New Zealand did not qualify for the elite six-nation tournament.

India are scheduled to tour New Zealand for a four-match series in February and take part in the Asia Cup in Dubai in May.

Day-night tests concept gets ICC thumbs-up

AP, Sydney

The International Cricket Council's chief says dwindling attendance at test matches could speed up the possibility of day-night fixtures, if a suitable ball could be developed.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, speaking at a press conference Friday to mark the council's 100th anniversary, endorsed a call by Cricket Australia head James Sutherland for day-night tests in an effort to improve attendance and television ratings.

"The lack of crowd attendance at many grounds around the globe is a cause for concern," Lorgat said. "In that was the possibility of exploring day-night cricket because there is no doubt James Sutherland has put that on the table.

"We all know the technical difficulties on that. If that's an answer to ensuring the status it has because it's a better time proposition, then I would be in favor of it."

The main technical difficulty is the ball. Wear on the ball is a key factor in tests, and day-night tests would need to find a method to replicate the wear when switching from a red ball during the day to a white ball at night, or develop a ball that was equally visible in day and night sessions.

ICC president David Morgan defended the ICC's desire for Zimbabwe Cricket Union chairman Peter Chingoka to attend this month's council meeting in Perth.

Chingoka, a supporter of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, has been banned from visiting Australia by the federal government as part of sanctions against the Mugabe government.

"We're hopeful that Peter Chingoka, the chairman of ZCU, will be given a visa to attend the meetings in Perth," Morgan said. "Simply for the Perth meetings.

"Certainly Mr. Chingoka was allowed into the U.K. on two occasions after initial application was put on hold. Were making strenuous efforts to try to ensure a visa will be made available for this specific purpose."