The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong, Sylhet win one-day matches

UNB, Dhaka

Chittagong Division registered their second win while Sylhet Division earned their third win in the one-day matches of the Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League on Sunday.

In the day's matches, an unbeaten century by Nafees Iqbal guided Chittagong Division to a five-wicket win over Dhaka Division at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium while Sylhet Division defeated Khulna Division by 39 runs at the BKSP in Savar.

Chittagong Division vs Dhaka Division

Put to bat first, Dhaka Division amassed 244 runs for five wickets in stipulated 50 overs.

Openers Mehrab Hossain and Shamsur Rahman did the groundwork for Dhaka putting 59 runs in the opening stand.

Shamsur Rahman contributed 67 runs off 89 balls with five fours and a six while Mehrab added 22 off 59 balls with three fours.

Later, veteran national opener Javed Omar scored unbeaten 69 runs and Nazrul Hossain made useful 48 runs steering Dhaka Division to a fighting total against Chittagong Division.

Mahmudul Hasan grabbed three wickets for 37 runs.

In reply, Chittagong Division easily reach their target scoring 248 runs in 46.1 overs for the loss of five wickets with Nafees Iqbal making not out 137 of 145 balls that included 19 fours and a six.

Tariq Ahmed scored 39 runs off 46 balls with three fours and a six, while Faisal Hossain (24) and Sajjadul Islam (not out 16) were the other notable contributors for Chittagong Division.

Shahadat Hossain took two wickets for 37 runs.

Sylhet Division vs Khulna Division:

Sent into bat first, Sylhet Division posted 249 runs for eight wickets in stipulated 50 overs.

Openers Imtiaz Hossain and Saikat Ali gave Sylhet Division a solid start contributing 61 runs in the opening stand.

Imtiaz scored 31 runs off 40 balls with five fours while Saikat made 25 off 39 balls with three fours.

One down Mohammad Mithun hammered 60 runs off 54 balls with two fours and four sixes while Mohammad Sharifullah made 36 off 49 balls that featured two fours.

Taposh Ghosh (not out 33), Golam Rahman (22) and Monir Hossain (19) were the other notable scorers for Sylhet Division.

Taibur Rahman captured three wickets for 26 runs while Farid Uddin grabbed two for 24.

In reply, Khulna Division were all out for 210 in stipulated 50 overs with middle order batsman Ziaur Rahman scoring 31 runs.

Bishawnath Halder (30), Taibur Rahman (not out 29), Sagir Hossain (22), Imrul Kayes (22) and Robiul Islam (15) were the other notable scorers for Khulna Division.

Monir Hossain claimed three wickets for 31 runs while Mohammad Sarufullah and Saikat Ali took two wickets each for 25 and 39 runs respectively.

Barisal moves to top slot beating Rajshahi Division by 2 wickets

UNB, Dhaka

Barisal Division advanced to the top slot of the one-day Ispahani Mirzapore Tea 10th National Cricket League upsetting league leaders Rajshahi Division by two wickets in the 6th round match at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium in Fatullah on Sunday.

After the day's match, both the teams secured eight points each from six matches to share the top slot of the one-day national cricket league.

Sent into bat first, fresh four-day national league champions Rajshahi Division scored 174 runs for 9 wickets in quota 50 overs with skipper Anisur Rahman contributing 55 runs off 85 balls that featured seven fours.

Former national skipper Khaled Mashud Pilot (not out 25), one down Sanjamul Islam (19), middle order Farhad Hossain (17) and opener Jahurul Islam (14) were the other notable scorers for Rajshahi.

Seamer Monwar Hossain and Tariqul Islam grabbed two wickets each conceding 22 and 38 runs respectively.

In reply, the four-day league runners-up Barisal Division, riding on 68 runs by Bangladesh international Hannan Sarker, reached their target making 176 for the loss of eight wickets in 48.5 overs.

One down Hannan Sarker's 103-ball innings featured seven fours and a six, lower order Abul Bashar added another useful 27 not out off 43 balls with five fours while opener Rony Talukder scored 20 runs off 21 balls with two fours and a six.

Monwar Hossain, who bowled economically to finish with 9-3-22-2, also contributed unbeaten 12 runs off 11 balls with one four and a six to be adjudged man of the match.

Sanjamul Haque, Suhrawardy Shuvo and Delwar Hossain took two wickets each for 32, 41 and 47 runs respectively.

In the day's other sixth round matches, Chittagong Division beat Dhaka Division by five wickets at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium while Sylhet Division beat Khulna Division by 39 runs at BKSP in Savar.

In the 7th round matches on Tuesday, Khulna Division will meet Barisal at the NOS, Chittagong Division will take on Rajshahi at the DCS and Dhaka Division will play Sylhet Division at BKSP in Savar.

Standings after 6th-round matches (Tabulated under matches played, win, loss and points):

Divisions M W L Pts

Rajshahi Div 6 4 2 8

Barisal Div 6 4 2 8

Khulna Div 6 3 3 6

Sylhet Div 6 3 3 6

Chittagong Div 6 3 3 6

Dhaka Div 6 1 5 2

Pietersen says he wants to captain England again

Reuters, London

Kevin Pietersen said he wants to captain England again despite resigning this week after a fall-out with coach Peter Moores. "I feel I've got unfinished business as captain of England -- I definitely feel that," Pietersen, who has been replaced by batsman Andrew Strauss, told the News of the World.

"But right now, I feel it is right for me to go back and just play -- to do something that I totally, totally love and which is scoring runs and more runs for England."

Pietersen quit on Wednesday after less than six months in the job and standing as captain for just three test matches.

Rahmatganj MFS, Ctg Mohammedan win 2nd phase matches

UNB, Dhaka

Riding on Idris Kasirye hattrick, Rahmatganj MFS came from behind to notch a 4-1 goals win over Khulna Abahani in a second phase match of the Citycell B. League at the Khulna Stadium on Sunday.

With this result, Rahmatganj MFS secured 17 points from 13 matches while bottom-ranked Khulna Abahani remained at three points from 14 matches.

Rahmatganj's foreign recruit Idris made the hattrick scoring three goals in the 51st, 72nd and 80th minutes, while another foreign recruit Nche Francis netted the other goal in the 57th minute for the old Dhaka outfit.

Kazi Monjurul scored the consolation goal for Khulna Abahani in the 12th minute.

Francis of Rahmatganj MFS received marching order for his double yellow cards in the match.

In the day's other match, Chittagong Mohammedan defeated Farashganj SC by 3-1 goals at the Chittagong Stadium.

Chittagong Mohammedan secured 23 points from 14 matches, while Farashganj SC remained at 16 points from 13 engagements.

In the day's match, Chamrin Rakhain, Touhidul Islam Siddiqui and Anthony Pele Doc scored one goal each for the winners in the 54th, 71st and 88th minutes respectively, while Mamun Mia netted the lone goal for the losers in the 90th minute.

Results of School Kabaddi

Sports Reprter

Bhasha Shaheed Abdul Jabbar Ansar &VDP School and College of Gazipur, Palsha Ideal Secondary School of Mymensingh, Gorihar Al Arabia Dhakhil Madrasa of Rajshahi, Banagram Secondary School of Jessore won their respective matches of the Standard Chartered National School Kabaddi Competition on Sunday.

In the day's first match, Bhasha Shaheed Abdul Jabbar Ansar & VDP School and College crushed Nayarhat Ganabiddapith of Dhaka by 62-25 points amid three lonas at the Kabaddi Stadium.

In the day's second match, Palsha Ideal Secondary School thrashed Jafar Bepari High School of Dhaka by 62-37 points including three lonas at the same venue.

In the day's third match, Gorihar Al Arabia Dhakhil Madrasa smashed Sanarpar Sheikh Mortaza Ali High School of Rangpur by 69-19 points with four lonas at the same venue.

In the day's fourth match, Banagram Secondary School beat Bangabandhu Memorial High School of Rangpur by 36-30 points amid two lonas at the same venue.

In the day's fifth match, Palsha Ideal Secondary School defeated Iakubullah Public High School of Sunamganj by 52-28 points including three lonas.

In the day's sixth match, Gorihar Al Arabia Madrasa overpowered Kanungopara Dr BB High School of Chittagong by 48-19 points with three lonas at the same venue.

Today's matches:

Nayarhat Ganabidddapith vs Barkota School & College

Jafar Bepari High School vs Iakubullah Public High School

Sanarpar Sheikh Mortaza Ali High School vs Kanungopara Dr BB High School

Bangabandhu Memorial High School vs Abdul Hye Biddaniketon.

Serena Williams wins contrversial opening match

AP, Sydney

Serena Williams has overcome a glaring chair umpiring mistake and a partisan crowd to win her first match of the season, a 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-5 decision over Australian Samantha Stosur at the Sydney International.

Last year's U.S. Open champion was serving for the match at 6-5 and 30-30 in the second set when the chair umpire failed to notice an obvious let call when Williams' serve hit the net and into the serving area. Williams didn't even bother to chase down Stosur's return, believing it to be a certain let.