All Sports News At a Glance

01/03/2009

League to resume

After a three-day break, the Premier Division Cricket League will resume tomorrow.

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Rooney eyes quadruple

Afp, London

Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United have a stronger squad than last year as they try to win the first part of a quadruple haul of trophies on Sunday.

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Gaibandha cricket

Young Pegasus defeated Eleven Star by seven wickets and Sunrise Sporting Club beat Anirban Club by 104 runs in their respective matches in the Gaibandha Second Division Cricket League at the Gaibandha Stadium yesterday.

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Barclays English Premier League

Everton kill off WBA

Afp, Liverpool

Australia midfielder Tim Cahill kept Everton firmly on course for a top six finish in the Premier League as his header set up a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

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Harry plots an upset

Afp, London

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is relishing the prospect of wrecking Manchester United's bid to land an unprecedented five trophies in one season in Sunday's League Cup final.

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Rafa waits on new deal

Afp, Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists victory in his power struggle with Anfield chief executive Rick Parry won't persuade him to make a quick decision over his future at Anfield.

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Hiddink praises Drogba

Afp, London

Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba has been singled out by Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink as one the key factors behind the Premier League team's resurgence.

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Djokovic battles thru'

Afp, Dubai

Top-seeded Novak Djokovic survived a scare and an exhausting battle of just under three hours in intense heat before reaching the final of the Dubai Open on Friday.

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C'Ron should join Real: Figo

Afp, Madrid

Manchester United's star striker Cristiano Ronaldo should join Spanish giants Real Madrid, fellow Portuguese player Luis Figo said Saturday.

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Van Bommel to end at PSV

Afp, Berlin

Bayern Munich's Dutch international skipper Mark van Bommel said on Friday he intends to end his career with PSV Eindhoven in his homeland but told German media he had not fixed a date to return.

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Resino under fire from fans

Afp, Madrid

Atletico Madrid's new coach Abel Resino has dug his heels in against club fans who were upset at his decision to substitute Argentine striker Sergio "Kun" Aguero, who has been dubbed the 'new Maradona'.

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Bopara's maiden ton puts Eng in control

BBC Online, Barbados

Ravi Bopara marked his first Test since 2007 with a maiden century as England posted 600-6 declared on Day Two of the fourth Test against West Indies on Friday.

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De Villiers's effort can't stop the rot

Afp, Johannesburg

Australia built a 297-run lead in their second innings when bad light stopped play on Day Three of the first Test against South Africa at Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.

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Mahela looks back

Afp, Lahore

Departing Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said the pinnacle of his tenure was lifting his team to the World Cup final in the Caribbean two years ago.

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BCB, BOA bereaved

Sports Reporter

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed deep bereavement at the deaths of valiant army officers of the country and innocent victims, under the most tragic of circumstances at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Headquarters.

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BFF postpones Super Cup

Sports Reporter

The big-spending Super Cup has been officially postponed yesterday due to the tragic incident at the BDR headquarters in the city.

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Younis wary of SL

Second Test starts today

Afp, Lahore

Pakistan captain Younis Khan fears Sri Lanka will come out fighting to give their captain Mahela Jayawardene a winning farewell in the second Test, which starts here on Sunday.

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Kallis joins 10,000 club

CricInfo, Johannesburg

Jacques Kallis has become the eighth batsman to 10,000 Test runs after achieving the record on the second day of the first Test at the Wanderers Friday. Kallis, who is playing his 129th Test, started the match needing 12 to reach the milestone and brought it up with a push through cover for a single off Peter Siddle.

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Ishant scare for India

CricInfo, Napier

Ishant Sharma could miss the first ODI against New Zealand in Napier on March 3 because of a shoulder problem. Ishant injured his shoulder during the second Twenty20 international and was able to bowl only two out of his quota of four overs.

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Flintoff allays fears

Afp, Barbados

Key England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff on Friday headed home for treatment on his injured hip, desperately attempting to ease fears over his fitness for the Ashes.

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Ravi craved this one

BBC Online, Barbados

Ravi Bopara said he knew he had to make the most of his second opportunity with England as he hit a maiden Test century against West Indies in Barbados on Friday.

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Nat'l chess postponed

The 7th round games of the 30th Parachute National Chess Championship were postponed, due to the tragic death of army officers at the Bangladesh Rifles Headquarters.

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Wenger defends Bendtner

Soccernet

Arsene Wenger has leapt to the defence of striker Nicklas Bendtner after his latest poor performance against AS Roma.

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Boxing: British trio make winning starts

Page last updated at 00:02 GMT, Sunday, 1 March 2009

British trio make winning starts

Beijing gold medallist James DeGale was made to go the distance British trio James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders got their professional boxing careers off to winning starts at Birmingham's NIA. Gavin impressed in front of his home crowd, the Birmingham boxer halting George Kadaria in the fourth round. Saunders did the job even quicker with a second round win over Attila Molnar. But Olympic gold medallist DeGale came in for a mixed reaction, being booed off after being taken the distance by little-known Georgian Vepkhia Tchilaia. The 23-year-old Londoner, who they call 'Golden DeGale', entered the ring amid a huge fanfare in a golden robe. But he showed only glimpses of the golden touch that had secured him his Olympic middleweight title in Beijing. DeGale was still dominant enough to win every round on the judges' scorecards, to earn a 40-36 points victory. The next year and a half is a learning curve James DeGale after his pro debut But he admitted, in his switch from four two-minute rounds an amateur to four three-minute rounds in his first fight as a pro, now minus his Olympic vest and headguard, he has taken only a very short step on what he hopes is a long career. "The next year and a half is a learning curve," he said. "You lot are going to see the best of me when someone is there and wants it just as much as me. "People were telling me these journeymen come over and try and survive. It's true. I had to track him down and bang him around. "I still had a couple of good shots. But that's only 30% of me. I'm never happy with my performance, even in the Olympics, never." DeGale was done no favours by promoter Frank Warren in starting his pro career in front of a partisan home crowd who had already cheered three of their own to the rafters. In an all-Midland contest, Dudley's Darren McDermott earned a 97-94 points decision against the holder, Coventry's Steve Bendall to claim the English middleweight title. Undefeated Birmingham super-flyweight Don Broadhurst, 25, had made a first successful defence of his Commonwealth title with a stoppage of Ghana's two 20 seconds from the end of the 11th round. Broadhurst, trained by former WBC world super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall, made an electric start, flooring his opponent inside the first round. And when he put Owusu down again in the 11th, this time it was stopped. Then another Brummie Gavin, raucously roared on by a thousand-plus strong army of fellow Birmingham City fans, proved just as popular a victor. It was Gavin's first fight since his heartbreaking failure to make the weight for Beijing. But he responded well to his move up from lightweight in the amateur ranks to welterweight at pro level. Britain's first world amateur champion was made to work hard by Kadaria, the first of two Georgians on show, who attacked from the first bell and caught Gavin with a firm right hand. But a deep cut to his nose after a clash of heads in the third round, which led to him needing six stitches, seemed to spur Gavin on. The Georgian retreated before a series of shots to the body brought him to his knees. And, with just one minute and 21 seconds of the contest remaining, the referee stopped it. "I've been in big fights before," said Gavin. "And this one was a tough opponent. But I've now got bright people around me and that's going to make all the difference." As for the first Olympian of the evening on show, 19-year-old Saunders appeared to have the hardest looking opponent on paper, up against a Hungarian by the name of Attila. But Molnar rapidly proved he was no Attila the Hun, taking a battering before he finally quit, turning his back on his opponent one minute and 47 seconds into the second round. The Romany gypsy fighter from Hertfordshire was at his opponent from the first bell, landing some heavy combinations from the off. Against an opponent with a relatively respectable 12-12 record, Saunders seemingly could not miss, landing stiff jabs, hooks and right-handers. A right uppercut was the pick of his first round shots but it was a string of blows to the head which forced the Hungarian's premature end. There was also a comfortable four-round points victory for a third Brummie, Thomas Costello, who won a 40-36 verdict against Nottingham's Matt Scriven.

Football Bangladesh: BFF postpones Super Cup

Sunday, March 1, 2009

The big-spending Super Cup has been officially postponed yesterday due to the tragic incident at the BDR headquarters in the city.

Fresh schedule for the tournament, which was scheduled to start from March 6, is likely to be announced today after a meeting of the BFF executive committee.

The decision was taken at the tournament committee meeting at BFF Bhaban yesterday.

Tournament committee chairman Harunur Rashid told the reporters after the meeting that they were forced to postpone the tournament for the time being due to the prevailing situation.

“We hope, we'll be able to start the tournament soon as the tournament committee and the participating teams have completed all the preparations,” he said.

BCB, BOA bereaved: Bangladesh Sports

Sunday, March 1, 2009

BCB, BOA bereaved:

Sports Reporter

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed deep bereavement at the deaths of valiant army officers of the country and innocent victims, under the most tragic of circumstances at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) Headquarters.

In a press release, the Media and Communications wing of the BCB has forwarded their heartfelt condolences to the family members of the deceased.

A mutiny at the BDR Headquarters on Wednesday saw numerous army officers killed brutally and the death toll has so far risen to 72.

The Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) in a separate message also condoled the tragic death of Director General of BDR Major General Shakil Ahmed, who was also the president of Bangladesh Weightlifting Federation.

"It is an irreparable loss not only for the army and the sports community but to the whole nation," said the BOA press release.

Cricket: Mahela looks back

Sunday, March 1, 2009
Mahela looks back:

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene plays a shot during training at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore yesterday.Photo: AFPAfp, Lahore

Departing Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said the pinnacle of his tenure was lifting his team to the World Cup final in the Caribbean two years ago.

The 31-year-old relinquishes captaincy after the second and final Test against Pakistan starting in Lahore from today, ending a three-year stint during which Sri Lanka finished runners-up to Australia in the 2007 World Cup.

"It is difficult to put my finger on it but playing the World Cup final was the big plus point in my career, it was a great honour," said Jayawardene of the match, in which Sri Lanka lost to defending champions Australia by 53 runs.

Jayawardene, who took over from Marvan Atapattu in 2006, has led Sri Lanka in 27 Tests, winning 15 and losing seven. The remaining five Tests ended in draw.

His team drew 1-1 against England in 2006. He led Sri Lanka to their first-ever Test win in the West Indies before squaring the two-Test series 1-1 last year.

The inspirational Jayawar-dene also led Sri Lanka in 94 one-day internationals with a win-loss record of 54-35. The remaining five matches ended in no results.

Jayawardene said a captain is as good as his team.

"When you are doing well as a team, you always enjoy the captaincy and when you are not doing well the captain goes through that difficult time, you are as good as your team.

"When the team is in good confidence then the captain's job becomes much easier," said Jayawardene, who described a one-day series defeat against India earlier this month as one of his low points.

"Losing one-dayers to India (4-1) and England (3-2 in October 2007) hurt because they were the home series. Otherwise I have enjoyed the captaincy thoroughly and it has been a great honour for me."

Jayawardene termed it a final decision, saying there were enough candidates to take the reins from him.

"No one took the life away from me in the first place. It was my decision (to step down) which I took and at the right time. I am sure that we have so many guys who could lead the side in the future.

"My duty is to help the new captain achieve his goals. I hope this kind of opportunity will not come my way again because we have good leaders who can take us to higher levels."

Wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara is seen as the potential replacement for Jayawardene.

Sri Lanka's next assignment is Twenty20 World Cup to be held in England in June before they host Pakistan for a three-Test and five one-day match series in July-August.

Tennis: Djokovic battles to Dubai victory

Page last updated at 21:19 GMT, Saturday, 28 February 2009

Djokovic battles to Dubai victory

Djokovic wins his first tournament of the year in Dubai. World number three Novak Djokovic overcame David Ferrer 7-5 6-3 to win the Dubai Championships. The Serb edged out the Spanish fourth-seed in an entertaining match. Djokovic made hard work of the first set and dropped eight-straight points when serving at 5-3 up before winning eight of the next nine to take the set. He led the second set 4-1, but Ferrer pulled it back to 4-3, before a double-fault allowed Djokovic to serve out, with the Serb winning with an ace. With the withdrawal of world number one Rafael Nadal and number two Roger Federer prior to the event in Dubai, as well as Andy Murray's mid-tournament exit to a virus, Djokovic had been heavily fancied to win. "Nobody is a favourite in a final, everyone has the motivation to do well," said Djokovic. "I was physically and emotionally really involved with this tournament and to win it is a great feeling because Dubai has a history of having one of the strongest fields on the tour. "Despite some players pulling out, it was still a tough field." The Serb paid tribute to his Spanish opponent and admitted Ferrer's determined approach had caused him problems. "This was a tough match because David is a very tough opponent," Djokovic said. "He is one of the hardest working players on the tour, and he just keeps running down every ball. He makes you earn every point." Ferrer was playing in his first final of the season and despite the defeat he was pleased with his form. "I played a very good game and I am very happy with what I did, but he was the better player in the end," Ferrer said. "However, I really enjoyed my week and am looking forward to more such consistent weeks in the future."

RUGBY UNION- Irish battle to win over England

Page last updated at 00:46 GMT, Sunday, 1 March 2009 Sport Feeds RSS feed RUGBY UNION Irish battle to win over England Ireland stay on course for the Grand Slam as they scrape a 14-13 win over England at Croke Park. Indiscipline angers boss Johnson Haskell wants England crackdown O'Driscoll relief at Dublin win

Champions League Football: Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool

Page last updated at 16:56 GMT, Saturday, 28 February 2009

Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool

Alonso's first-half own goal gifted Boro the lead at the Riverside Liverpool's title ambitions were dealt a major blow as Middlesbrough won for the first time in 15 league games. Nabil El Zhar, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel all tested Boro keeper Brad Jones but Xabi Alonso's own goal from Stewart Downing's corner put Boro ahead. Tuncay swept in Jeremie Aliadiere's low cross to double the lead before Steven Gerrard was denied by Jones. Marlon King tested Pepe Reina and also had a goal disallowed for offside late on as Boro ran out comfortable winners. Liverpool, who have not won at The Riverside since a 2-1 victory in March 2002, made four changes to the side that won 1-0 at Real Madrid in the Champions League. Steven Gerrard came in to make his 300th start for the Reds, but not even he could unlock a resolute Boro side that was unchanged from the one that beat West Ham in Wednesday's FA Cup replay. The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges with El Zhar, making his first league start, testing Jones with a low shot from eight yards at his near post. And Kuyt's rising shot on the turn from the penalty spot was tipped over by the Boro stopper who also smothered Babel's effort from an acute angle. Boro rarely threatened unless they were able to smuggle the ball out to Downing on the left, who's pace proved problematic for makeshift right-back Martin Skrtel. The winger's crosses also caused panic in the Liverpool box and O'Neil almost profited when he nipped in front of Arbeloa at the back post, but Reina was down smartly to deal with his toe-poked effort. However, the Liverpool keeper could do nothing to stop Boro from taking the lead. Three Liverpool defenders missed Downing's in-swinging corner from the right and the ball cannoned into the net off Alonso's left knee. It was Boro's first league goal since 10 January and Downing almost made it two moments later after blocking Skrtel's clearance and racing clear, but Reina saved well. El Zhar wasted a fantastic chance to level immediately after the break when he lifted Gerrard's sublime pull-back over the bar from 12 yards with the goal at his mercy. Somewhat against the run of play, Boro doubled their lead when O'Neil and Jeremie Aliadiere combined well down the right and the latter's low cross was swept home first time by Tuncay from the penalty spot. Gerrard immediately set about reducing the deficit, bundling his way into Boro's box, but Jones was again equal to his effort and after a goalmouth scramble, Alonso's effort was deflected over. Marlon King should have wrapped up the win after being found in acres of space by Tuncay, but he wanted more time than he had and Reina saved. Liverpool captain Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were substituted and with their exit, so the Reds hopes of salvaging something from the game faded. Downing provided one final perfect cross that O'Neill volleyed wide while King thought he had made it three when he tapped in from close range, only for the assistant referee to rule it out for offside. Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate: "We have shown in the our last three games with four points from two league games and an FA Cup win how we can play. "We have had four clean sheets in six games and the confidence is flowing back through the players and the crowd carried us through at the end. "This win should give the players an unbelievable amount of belief." Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez: "In the first 30 minutes we had around five chances and we did not take them. "If before this game it was going to be difficult to win the league then it is clearly now going to be even harder. "We have to think about Sunderland next before preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League."

Cricket 1st Test: Australia open huge lead over SA

Page last updated at 16:33 GMT, Saturday, 28 February 2009

Australia open huge lead over SA

First Test, Johannesburg (day three, close): Australia 466 and 51-1 v South Africa 220 Dates: 26 February-2 March Start time: 0830 GMT Coverage: Scorecard and reports on BBC Sport website. Live on Sky Sports Match scorecard Bad weather brought an early end to proceedings in Johannesburg Australia had opened up a 297-run lead in their second innings when bad light stopped play on day three of the first Test against South Africa. Having bowled out the home side for 220 the tourists were 51-1 when play was halted with debutant Phillip Hughes and Ricky Ponting at the crease. AB de Villiers' 104 was the highlight of South Africa's innings, with only three players scoring over 20 runs. Mitchell Johnson (4-25) and Peter Siddle (3-76) were the star bowlers. Having started the day on 85-3, South Africa were in desperate need of some stability, and De Villiers provided it, spending nearly five hours at the crease before running out of partners. Opener Neil McKenzie was soon back in the pavilion, trapped leg-before by Siddle for 36, unsuccessfully challenging umpire Steve Bucknor's decision and using up one of his team's appeals. Two overs later it was Australia's turn to call on the third official when they thought JP Duminy had clipped a Siddle delivery to Brad Haddin, but the camera had failed. Duminy did not hang around long, however, being caught behind off Johnson for 17, and three balls later South Africa used their last first-innings referral when Mark Boucher edged a Johnson delivery to Haddin. Morne Morkel and Paul Harris both made brief cameo appearances before lunch as the home side's plight grew more desperate. But Dale Steyn contributed 17 in a 52-run ninth-wicket stand with De Villiers to at least spare them the ignominy of not reaching 200. Once he was gone, last man Makhaya Ntini stayed at the crease for 10 minutes and only contributed one run, but prolonged the innings long enough for De Villiers to reach his hundred. Simon Katich was the Australian out before the close, caught by Boucher off the bowling of Morkel, but Australia looked comfortably in control when play ended for the day.

Cricket ashes: Flintoff key to Ashes, says Warne

Page last updated at 10:08 GMT, Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Flintoff key to Ashes, says Warne:

Flintoff and Warne embrace at the end of the 2007 Ashes series Australian spin legend Shane Warne says England's chances of success in the 2009 Ashes hang upon the fitness of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Despite being injured on England's West Indies tour, Flintoff plans to play in the Indian Premier League in April. "The Ashes will be the most important thing to Andrew Flintoff," said Warne. "If the IPL jeopardised that I don't think he'd go. England need him to have a chance. If he doesn't play in the Ashes Australia will win, no doubt." All-rounder Flintoff is set to play in India in April for Chennai Super Kings, ahead of a summer which includes the Twenty20 World Cup and the Ashes. His England team-mates Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah also having signed deals with IPL teams. But given Flintoff's history of injuries and his importance to the team, the England and Wales Cricket Board has admitted it could prevent him taking up his lucrative contract if there are doubts about his fitness. England pace bowler Stuart Broad made himself unavailable for the IPL to concentrate on preparing for the Ashes, and Australia captain Ricky Ponting had a change of heart about playing in the limited-overs competition and ruled himself out for the same reason.

Tennis: Murray crushes Clement in Dubai

Page last updated at 17:44 GMT, Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Murray crushes Clement in Dubai:

Murray shrugged off his ankle injury to beat Clement for the first time British number one Andy Murray stormed into the quarter-finals of the Dubai Championships with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Arnaud Clement of France. Clement was broken at 2-1 and 4-2 as Murray dominated the world number 73 and easily served out the first set. Unable to contain Murray's huge serves and blistering groundstrokes, Clement crumbled and two more breaks of serve helped the Scot seal the win. Murray will play Richard Gasquet in the last four after he beat Simone Bolelli. Gasquet holds a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Murray but their last meeting, at Wimbledon last summer, went the way of Murray in five sets. The Frenchman is, however, likely to provide considerably tougher opposition than his compatriot Clement. It was the third meeting between Murray and Clement, the 31-year-old having won both previous matches although their last meeting was in 2006. Murray has since climbed to number four in the world while Clement's career has gone in the opposite direction - ranked in the top 10 in 2001, he is now down to 73. There was little evidence of the ankle injury that forced Murray to pull out of the Open 13 in Marseille last week and affected him in his first-round win over Sergiy Stakhovsky on Monday. He started at a high tempo and set up two break points in game one, only for the Clement to save both before holding serve. Clement engineered a break point in on Murray's first service game, but he overcooked a backhand and the Scot levelled. Murray, who broke his opponent in the following game, had to save another two break points in game six as Clement enjoyed success from both the baseline and at the net. But those were rare flurries from the Frenchman and when number two seed Murray moved into a 5-2 lead with a second break he comfortably served out the opening set. Murray, bidding for his third ATP Tour title this season, was serving particularly well and his seventh ace brought up two set points, of which he needed only one. Clement started the second set in determined fashion but Murray never looked in danger on his own serve and a break at 1-1 saw him edge ahead. Instead of counteracting the increased pressure Murray was applying, Clement's error count began to soar and a superb backhand drop shot gave the Scot a 3-1 lead. Clement saved two more break points in the fifth game but it would be a brief reprieve as Murray brought up match point on his opponent's serve at 3-5. The Frenchman saved with an ace but a searing forehand return brought up a second and another forehand winner saw Murray complete his triumph. Murray was delighted with his performance, telling BBC Sport: "I played really well, much better than in the first round. I felt like I was more adjusted to the conditions and the result would suggest that. "I served very well and when I gave him opportunities I came up with a few big serves at important moments." Murray is coping with an ankle injury and added: "It changes every day. Some days it hurts round the joint, on some at the front and on some at the back. I am taking it each day at a time and making sure I get the right physio treatment." His quarter-final against Gasquet is the last match on Centre Court on Thursday and he added: "We have had some very good matches in the past and I am hoping this will be another good one. "The Wimbledon match last year was one of the most exciting of my career." Top seed Novak Djokovic had to fight hard to beat Jan Hernych of Czech Republic 6-3 3-6 6-4 while third seed Gilles Simon beat Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-1 6-2. David Ferrer, seeded four, earned a 6-4 6-2 win against Philipp Kohlschreiber and fifth seed Marin Cilic got the better of Julien Benneteau, winning 6-3 4-6 7-5.

Page last updated at 11:58 GMT, Wednesday, 25 February 2009

England duo set for IPL showdown:

Pietersen could play up to eight games in the IPL and Flintoff six Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen will go head to head on their Indian Premier League debuts on 11 April. The pair are among five England players who will play in this year's tournament, having each been snapped up for a record £1.1m at the IPL auction. Flintoff will turn out for Chennai Super Kings, with Pietesen representing Bangalore Royal Challengers. The second IPL season begins on Friday 10 April in Jaipur and the final is set to be held in Mumbai on 24 May. Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah are the three other England players involved after the England and Wales Cricket Board agreed to allow players to compete for the first three weeks of the competition. That will allow Pietersen to play in eight games before the 30 April deadline, while Flintoff should be able to feature in six matches. The England all-rounder's participation was called into question after he picked up an injury during England's tour of the West Indies - but he insists he will be fit. The ECB had suggested Flintoff could be prevented from playing if he was deemed a risk ahead of the Ashes this summer.

Cricket 1st Test: Australia all-pace against SA begins today

Thursday, February 26, 2009
Australia all-pace
1st Test against SA begins today

CricInfo, Johannesburg

South Africa's tour of Australia was such a short while ago that it feels like this is the fourth Test in a six-match series. Following their 2-1 win, South Africa headed home and their players had a break of sorts, although there was some domestic cricket on the calendar. Australia faced New Zealand in a one-day contest before rushing to the airport to set off for Johannesburg.

Australia enter the series, which begins at the Wanderers today, hanging on by a fingernail to their No. 1 Test ranking. They avoided handing it over at the Sydney Cricket Ground last month but a South African series win this time will mean the end of the long reign of Ricky Ponting's men.

It's only three years since Australia's last Test tour of South Africa but a lot has changed in that time. Only three members of the current squad -- Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey -- made that trip. Where once there was Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden and Brett Lee, there are now names like Bryce McGain, Phillip Hughes and Ben Hilfenhaus. How Australia's newer faces handle the pressure of a Test tour will be a key factor in the final results. There are no such squad issues for South Africa, who have retained the core group that won in Australia and have such a strong line-up that Ashwell Prince couldn't find a spot.

The other fascinating part of the series will be how the two teams use the umpire referrals. Neither side has played under the trial system, which will be overseen in all three Tests by Billy Bowden, Asad Rauf and the retiring Steve Bucknor.

Dale Steyn lived up to the hype in Australia and finished as the leading wicket taker and was a major reason why South Africa won the series. On his home pitches he will again prove a handful, particularly if the prodigious swing that is expected does happen. As if he wasn't threatening enough, he has spent his time off toughening up by wrestling crocodiles.

Phillip Hughes will become Australia's youngest Test debutant since Craig McDermott in 1984 when he walks out on Thursday at the age of 20 years and 88 days. A supremely talented left-hand opening batsman, Hughes has piled up runs for New South Wales over the past 18 months but his most striking characteristic is his ability to perform on big occasions. They don't come much bigger than a tour of South Africa where the No. 1 ranking is on the line and the ability of Hughes and Simon Katich to provide strong starts will be critical to Australia's chances.

South Africa have named a 12-man squad for the first Test and there isn't much doubt about who will play. The left-arm fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been included but will almost certainly be the man to miss out as the settled group that beat Australia at home continues its push for the No. 1 spot. The spinner Paul Harris is likely to play in a team that was so good in Australia that Prince could not break back into the side having fully recovered from his broken thumb.

The rain and pitch conditions at the Wanderers have encouraged Australia to name a 12-man squad with both the specialist spinners Bryce McGain and Nathan Hauritz left out. It means an all-pace attack and the main decision now is whether to include the medium-pace allrounder Andrew McDonald or go for four out-and-out fast men in Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus. The batsman and handy off-spinner Marcus North should have confirmed his Test debut thanks to his strong performance in the tour match in Potchefstroom. However, the only one of the three uncapped men in Australia's 12 who is certain of making his debut is the opener Phillip Hughes.

TEAMS
SOUTH AFRICA (likely): Graeme Smith (captain), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini.

AUSTRALIA (from): Phillip Hughes, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus, Andrew McDonald.

Umpires: Billy Bowden and Steve Bucknor.

Cricket 2nd Test: Pakistan Keep Same Squad

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Pakistan keep same squad for 2nd Test

Afp, Karachi

Pakistani selectors Wednesday retained the same 15-man squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka starting in Lahore next week.

Chief selector Abdul Qadir also named five reserve players who could be inducted in case the need arises.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, fast bowlers Sohail Tanveer and Abdur Rauf, and opener Nasir Jamshed -- all ignored for the first Test -- were named as substitutes.

The first Test ended in a draw here on Wednesday.

SQUAD
Younis Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Ahmed Shahzad, Shoaib Malik, Misbahul Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Fawad Alam, Yasir Arafat, Danish Kaneria, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Talha, Sohail Khan.

Reserves: Nasir Jamshed, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanveer, Abdur Rauf, Saeed Ajmal.

Champions League Football: Chelsea 1-0 Juventus

Page last updated at 21:44 GMT, Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Chelsea 1-0 Juventus

Didier Drogba celebrates putting Chelsea ahead against Juventus By Phil McNulty Didier Drogba's early goal gave Chelsea a slender advantage over Juventus after a tight encounter in the last 16 of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge. Drogba slid home Salomon Kalou's pass after 13 minutes, but former Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri will have real hope for the second leg in Turin. Juve gave Chelsea anxious moments, with keeper Petr Cech saving brilliantly from Alessandro del Piero. Pavel Nedved was also just off target late on, but Chelsea held on to win. It gave Chelsea's temporary coach Guus Hiddink his second successive single goal win after starting his reign with a victory at Aston Villa on Saturday. And while Chelsea were unconvincing after the break, Hiddink will be delighted with the triumph - and the fact that his side prevented the Serie A side from scoring an away goal. Ranieri was afforded a great reception by the Stamford Bridge crowd as they showed their appreciation of his stint at the club. But Chelsea extended no such sympathy to their one-time boss as they made a lively start, with Kalou's low 20-yard effort testing Gianluigi Buffon and Drogba heading over from Jose Bosingwa's cross. Drogba made no mistake after 13 minutes when he took a slide-rule pass from Kalou in his side and drilled a powerful finish past Buffon. Juventus veteran Del Piero then showed a flash of the old magic with a shot on the turn that brought an equally fine save from the diving Cech. Giorgio Chiellini then just failed to get on the end of Tiago's flick from a dangerous Del Piero corner. The game was delicately balanced and switching from end-to-end, with Juve taking a bold approach in a bid to get a crucial away goal. But Drogba was left frustrated when his penalty claims were ignored by Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca as he tumbled under challenge from Chiellini. Juve, however, were posing a real threat and twice substitute Claudio Marchisio was just off target as Chelsea's first-half supremacy was seriously challenged. Nicolas Anelka had been quiet, but almost scored a spectacular second for Chelsea with four minutes left with an angled drive that beat Buffon and flew only inches wide. Ranieri had sent on David Trezeguet in a positive move, and he was almost rewarded when the experienced striker found space in the area, only to shoot hopelessly wide. Juventus had been the better side after the break, and they almost snatched an equaliser in the closing seconds when Nedved's shot beat Cech but slipped agonisingly wide of the post. Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Ashley Cole, Kalou (Malouda 72), Ballack (Mancienne 81), Lampard, Mikel, Drogba, Anelka. Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Di Santo, Stoch. Booked: Ballack. Goals: Drogba 13. Juventus: Buffon, Chiellini, Mellberg, Legrottaglie, Molinaro, Nedved, Camoranesi (Marchionni 51), Sissoko (Trezeguet 86), Tiago (Marchisio 62), Del Piero, Amauri. Subs Not Used: Manninger, Grygera, Poulsen, Iaquinta. Booked: Molinaro, Sissoko, Marchisio. Att: 38,079 Ref: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal).

UEFA Champions League-2009

UEFA Champions League

UEFA Champions League

Inter live to fight

Afp, Paris

Arsenal were the sole winners on Tuesday in the Champions League last 16 first leg matches and that was only thanks to a Robin van Persie penalty giving them a 1-0 victory over AS Roma.

Wenger wants one more
Afp, London

Arsene Wenger has warned Roma that Arsenal only need one goal to book their place in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Print Edition
UEFA Champions League
Draw pleases Mourinho
Afp, Milan

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho said he was a happy man after his Serie A leaders held holders Manchester United to a 0-0 San Siro draw in the Champions League.Print Edition

UEFA Champions League
'Money doesn't bring trophies'
Afp, London

Claudio Ranieri returns to Stamford Bridge with a warning to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich that money can't buy success.

Print Edition

UEFA Champions League
Advantage Porto
Afp, Madrid

FC Porto seized the upper hand in their last 16 Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid scoring two vital away goals in a 2-2 first leg draw at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday.

Print Edition

UEFA Champions League
Betting closed on Benitez
Afp, London

One of Britain's leading betting firms said Wednesday it had stopped taking money on Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez becoming the next English Premier League boss to be sacked.

Print Edition

UEFA Champions League
Raul reveals it
Ap, Madrid

Real Madrid's all-time leading goal scorer, Raul Gonzalez, plans to play two more seasons for the Spanish club before retiring, although he may play on in the United States.

Print Edition

King in court
Afp, London

Middlesbrough striker Marlon King appeared in court here on Wednesday to face charges of sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub.

Print Edition

Golf: Woods secures victory on comeback

Page last updated at 23:20 GMT, Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Woods secures victory on comeback:

Woods opened with a birdie as he went two-up in the first 10 Tiger Woods looked as if he had never been away during his comeback as he eased into the second round of the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship. Woods, who missed eight months of competitive golf with a knee injury, beat Australia's Brendan Jones 3&2. The world number one started with a birdie and said: "It felt good. "I played some loose irons in the middle of the round but then got it back. I thought my knee would be a little more stiff than it was." Woods was given a raucous welcome by supporters surrounding the first tee at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. He opened the round with a birdie and went two-up at the second, where he hit his approach within four feet and Jones conceded. I was business as usual. I thought I'd be a bit more nervous than that Tiger Woods Woods, who was last in action back in June when he won the US Open at Torrey Pines, bogeyed the seventh, but responded with a birdie at the eighth and remained two-up through 10 holes. He stretched his lead to three-up when Jones bogeyed the 12th, then Woods eagled the par-five 13th at Dove Mountain to move four-up with five to play. Jones eagled the 15th, but when Woods saved par from a bunker to halve the 16th. "I said to Stevie (Williams, his caddie), 'it feels like we haven't been gone'. It was business as usual," added Woods. "I thought I'd be a little more nervous than that but when it comes right down to it it's about placement so I just kind of went back to all the basics." Open and US PGA champion Padraig Harrington was an early casualty as the top seed in his bracket was defeated one-up by American Pat Perez. "I lost it on the fifth hole," said Harrington. "I missed a putt there and made a terrible five from the middle of the fairway when he was in trouble. "To go bogey-bogey there and let him go one-up when I could have been one-up.. When I look back everything after that was a bit of a struggle." Sergio Garcia was another big name to make an exit, with South Africa's Charl Schwartzel defeating the Spaniard one-up. Justin Rose also suffered a first-round defeat with American Boo Weekley defeating the Englishman one-up. Earlier, Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy defeated South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen 2&1 in his first outing as a professional in the United States. The Dubai Desert Classic winner now faces US Ryder Cup star Hunter Mahan in the second round with Woods a potential opponent in round three. Lee Westwood, one of 20 Europeans in the 64-man field, set up a second-round meeting with Stewart Cink after a 2&1 win over Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng. Anthony Kim will play Ryder Cup foe Oliver Wilson after the American strolled to a 7&5 victory over Taiwan's Lin Wen-Tang. Wilson wrapped up a 3&1 win over KJ Choi. The Englishman moved to two up with a birdie at the par-five 13th and sealed victory when the Korean bogeyed the 17th. drive4show Wilson said: "It is not a good draw getting KJ. It was always going to be tough. He is a solid player tee to green and you are certainly not going to get him riled or anything and beat him mentally." Fiji's Vijay Singh advanced with a 2&1 win over Denmark's Soren Kjeldsen while Phil Mickelson, drawn in Singh's quarter, beat Angel Cabrera after 19 holes. Westwood, in the Ben Hogan bracket of the draw alongside top seed Singh and Mickelson, Ernie Els, Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell and last year's beaten finalist Cink, had raced into a three-up lead after seven holes before the Thai won his first hole at the eighth. Westwood lost again at the 15th but regained his two-hole lead at the next hole before sealing victory by halving the 17th. "I did play well," he said. "I was five under par and could have been a little better than that but Prayad played well and hung in there all day and started to come back at me on the back nine. "I hit a great shot into 16 which sort of closed the game out - an eight iron to 18 inches which put me two up with two to play and I managed to halve 17." Also through, Miguel Angel Jimenez sealed his second-round date with Colombia's Camilo Villegas by completing a two-up win over Sabbatini as the South African failed to close the gap further having won the 14th.

Champions League: Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool

Page last updated at 21:37 GMT, Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool

Benayoun rose unmarked to head home Aurelio's free-kick in the 82nd minute By Mandeep Sanghera Liverpool put themselves in a strong position to overcome Real Madrid in the Champions League by beating the Spaniards with a professional display. Yossi Benayoun scored the Reds' winner when he headed in a Fabio Aurelio free-kick from eight yards. Real had been poor and Arjen Robben had their best chance when his shot was steered over by keeper Jose Reina. Liverpool had barely given Real a sight of their goal and comfortably closed out the first leg last-16 tie. The Champions League has always brought out the best of Liverpool under manager Rafael Benitez, whose tactical expertise has flourished in the competition, and this fixture was no different. Benitez has made an exact science out of defensive durability, frustrating the opposition and punishing teams on the counter-attack. The formula worked to perfection once again. Real struggled to break through the discipline of Liverpool and, despite Raul's early swivel and shot being saved, the Reds were comfortable from the start. They held the home side at arm's length and could then have taken the lead when they twice caught out Real's defence with two long balls forward. Fernando Torres was the first to race through on goal but his angled shot from the right was excellently palmed wide by Iker Casillas. A similar ball almost let Benayoun in but the Spain keeper was more alert than his defence and came to the edge of the area to block as the Reds midfielder attempted to chip him. Liverpool were given a scare when Reina saved a Sergio Ramos header and Gonzalo Higuain put in the rebound. But the effort was disallowed for offside and, that chance aside, Real were limited to speculative long-range shots. However, it was Alonso who came closest to finding the net from distance when his audacious strike from his own half was tipped over by Casillas. The home side were being nullified by Liverpool and Juande Ramos brought on Guti after the break to add some guile to their sloppy play. It did little to help the Spanish club and it was Liverpool who looked the more likely to score and take the crucial away goal back to Anfield for the second leg. The threat was not materialising into clear-cut chances and the visitors were not helped when Torres went off with a niggling ankle injury. Real finally showed a glimpse of the danger they pose when a swift counter-attack ended with Robben's shot being tipped over. But the Reds finally breached the Real defence when the unmarked Benayoun nodded past the helpless Casillas after former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze had needlessly hauled down Dirk Kuyt. Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze, Robben, Gago, Lassana Diarra, Marcelo (Guti 46), Higuain, Raul. Subs Not Used: Dudek, Saviola, Sneijder, Metzelder, Miguel Torres, Van der Vaart. Booked: Cannavaro, Gago. Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio, Benayoun, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera (Gerrard 88), Torres (Babel 61), Kuyt (Lucas 90). Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Ngog. Booked: Torres, Mascherano, Riera. Goals: Benayoun 82. Att: 85,000 Ref: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).

Twenty20 cricket match: New Zealand Win against India

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Kiwis blow India out:

New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum drives a ball for six as Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (R) looks on during their first Twenty20 international in Christchurch yesterday.Photo: AFPAfp, Christchurch

New Zealand belted their way to a seven-wicket win over India in an explosive Twenty20 cricket match here Wednesday that produced a record number of sixes.

India, world champions of the shortest form of the game, fired from the start when they were sent into bat first in their New Zealand tour opener.

But they lost wickets at regular intervals and were 162 for eight at the end of their innings.

New Zealand, with Brendon McCullum carrying his bat through their innings, replied with 166 for three, the winning runs coming from a six over the cover boundary by Jacob Oram.

It was the 24th six of the match, played on a ground with short boundaries, easily surpassing the previous record of 20 set by Australia and India in Durban two years ago during the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup.

Virender Sehwag started the six-fest, clouting three off consecutive balls in the first over as India raced to 25 in the first 11 balls.

But their rollicking start was shortlived with Iain O'Brien removing both openers in consecutive balls.

Gautam Gambhir went for six on the last ball of O'Brien's first over and Sehwag was bowled for 26 on the first ball of his second over leaving Rohit Sharma to avoid the hattrick.

But Sharma's innings lasted only seven balls, indicative of the problems the Indian batsmen had in trying to force the pace on a slow wicket.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni described it as a good lesson in Twenty20 batting.

"That's where we failed as a team, there was nobody who took the responsibility to stay there in the middle," he said

"Losing too many wickets, later you can't really capitalise on the start you have got. So it's very important to have wickets in hand so you can capitalise on maybe the last four or five overs."

The most pleasing aspect for New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori was the way his bowlers responded to the heavy Indian hitting.

"For our guys to respond to that and to restrict India to 160 after getting away so quickly and also with how small the boundaries are -- one side was just a toy hit -- so really happy with them."

Only Suresh Raina looked to have a game plan for India and his unbeaten 61, including five sixes, formed the backbone of the tourists' innings.

Yusuf Pathan also found the boundary, hitting Nathan McCullum for three sixes in three balls but when he went for a fourth six he fell victim to an outstanding catch-of-the-match by Oram.

The tall New Zealander took the ball while off-balance just inside the boundary rope. As he was about to step across the line he flicked the ball in the air, righted himself and came back into the field of play to complete the catch.

Pathan's 20 and a 21 at the end by Harbhajan Singh were the only other innings of note from India.

While India took 19 off Tim Southee's opening over, New Zealand's big hitting openers Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum were slow out of the blocks.

Ryder went leg before wicket for one in the second over and Martin Guptill was lucky to survive his first ball when he shouldered arms to a delivery that swung back sharply and rapped him on the pads.

Television replays showed the ball would have hit the stumps but umpire Evan Watkin thought otherwise.

It was a break New Zealand needed as Guptill ignited New Zealand's run chase and went on to make 41 in 28 balls before he fell lbw to Harbhajan.

Man-of-the-match McCullum, was cautious by his standards, but managed to bat through the innings with 56 off 49 balls including three sixes.

Following Guptill's dismissal, Ross Taylor added a quick 31 and then Oram, returning from injury, partnered McCullum through to the end with 29 off 15 balls.

The second and final Twenty20 match in the series is in Wellington Friday to be followed by five one-day internationals and three Tests.

Cricket World Cup-2011: Opening Ceremony Bangabandhu National Stadium, 'Nobody Wants to Disturb Football'

Thursday, February 26, 2009

'Nobody wants to disturb football' :

Even if the opening ceremony of the 2011 World Cup Cricket takes place at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, football will not be disturbed.

The statement came from State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarkar yesterday during his meeting with Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) high-ups.

"I had a reasonably good, satisfactory meeting with the sports minister at his office this afternoon," BFF president Kazi Salahuddin told The Daily Star last night.

The issue of the discussion was obviously the hottest one that has been gripping the sports arena since the sports minister and cricket officials' wish to stage the Cricket World Cup at the national number one stadium.

Salahuddin, who had not make a single comment on the issue for the past few days, said his federation would be glad to help the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in making the proposed opening ceremony a success.

But the country's football chief said he would not accept any long-term disturbance of football for this purpose.

"The sports minister has said nobody wants to disturb football," said Salahuddin, who was accompanied by his vice-presidents Abdus Salam Murshedi and Badal Roy.

"He said that football will not be disturbed because it is a nationally popular game as is cricket. He also added that the government wants to make sure that one game doesn't have to walk into other's territories.

"I think it is possible to work out a formula for the two games to co-exist on this issue," Salahuddin said quoting Ahad Ali.

"I also believe that the minister is right. If the preparations (for World Cup opening ceremony) do not take too long, there is no problem for us. We are willing to help the cricket board.

"I have told him what we need. Everyone has to understand that if the whole preparation stops football for more than one month, the damage would be irreparable for us. If it is one month, we can work out a plan to stop football for that small window.

"But if it goes over a month, the structure changes, the sponsor changes…the whole thing for us changes and it doesn't work at all. It will affect two generations of footballers and kill two seasons. It has already happened and we are in no condition to repeat that."

Salahuddin also informed that the minister has never said the decision to hold the opening ceremony at the BNS was final.

"He rather told us that he will sit with all concerned parties within a couple of days to find out a formula that works."

When asked whether everything was happening only because of the name of the Father of the Nation, Salahuddin replied: "Bangabandhu belongs to all of us. There is no controversy about that."

At a standstill for Mutiny, bloodshed at BDR HQ

Thursday, February 26, 2009

At a standstill:

LET'S FACE IT: Players of City Club and the on-field umpire come off the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium ground yesterday after their Premier Division Cricket League match against Biman was unexpectedly postponed due to mutiny at BDR headquarters.Photo: STARAmeeruddin Zain

The city's sports arena saw a new sort of standstill yesterday due to BDR soldiers' mutiny at its headquarters. It led to the postponement of many sports events across the city and its suburbs.

The Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) suspended all three matches of the Premier Division Cricket League halfway through as well as the First Division Cricket League games. However, the committee has decided to restart the suspended matches today from the point of stops.

Given the volatile political and military environment that we live in, it will be either a challenge or a cakewalk for CCDM and other sports organisations to run the show today. Panic and uncertainty was widespread in the morning, which played a key role in extending the fears from the rebellion reach upto distant places like BKSP, Savar and Fatullah in Narayanganj.

Teams hastily packed their bags and rushed back to their nests, after team officials and on-field umpires deemed it necessary to shelve the day's proceedings.

A young cricketer, who is playing for Indira Road in the First Division Cricket League yesterday found himself distressed when his game stopped midway. More misery was added when he found himself stranded at Mohammadpur; from where he had to walk to his Dhanmondi residence, owing to the unavailability of transports due to extensive fright among the populace.

The Bangladesh Golf Federation also postponed a scheduled reception for the golfers, who emerged winners in the All India Amateur Golf Championship in Kolkata and City Bank-Dhaka Bank Bangladesh Open, citing unavoidable circumstances.

Only two matches of the KFC Pizza Hut 5th Mini Handball Tournament (Girls) were held with Moghbazar Ispahani Girls School and Banani Biddya Niketan beating Viqarunnisa School and College and Summer Field respectively.

However, the Bangladesh Handball Federation in a statement later said that the tournament would remain suspended until further notice.

Football matches, however, were uninterrupted.

Postponements were not limited to sporting activities only due to the fiasco, as the much awaited media conference to announce the title sponsor for next month's Pakistan tour at Heritage Restaurant was also dropped. Owner of the restaurant Rizwan Bin Farouq expressed grief over the abrupt cancellation and said the meeting will be will rescheduled at a later date.

There is a supposed lesson which sports bodies in the country can learn from yesterday's occurrence, which is: you never know if a simple game of cricket, golf, handball or even a press conference can take place as planned, even when it is 30 odd kilometres away from the place of the event.

Mutiny, bloodshed at BDR HQ:

* 6 killed * 23 bullet-hit * govt offers amnesty BDR chief among many feared killed * fate of over 100 army officials unknown

BDR men wait at the gate of their Pilkhana headquarters in the capital for a negotiation team yesterday afternoon. Awami League lawmaker from Gaibandha-2 constituency Mahbub Ara Gini braves fear and heads towards the gate carrying a white flag, a symbol of peace. Photo: SK Enamul Haq

A bloody mutiny by Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) soldiers sent Dhaka into a war footing yesterday as the paramilitaries fired several thousand shots from machineguns, killing at least two army officers, one non-commissioned BDR officer, and three civilians in BDR Pilkhana Headquarters.

Latest:

The mutinous BDR soldiers started turning in their arms to police in presence of Home Minister Sahara Khatun around 2:30am after about two hours of negotiation with the minister.

Soon after the surrender of arms began, heavy gunshots were heard from inside the BDR headquarters.

A little earlier, the mutineers were heard announcing on megaphone that if attacked, the soldiers would fight back. Half an hour later, Sahara was heard over megaphone urging the soldiers to turn in arms.

Cricket: Younis Falls Short- Exciting draw at Karachi 1st Test

Thursday, February 26, 2009
Younis falls short:
Exciting draw at Karachi:

Pakistan's Kamran Akmal plays a straight drive on the fifth and final day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi yesterday. He was unbeaten on 158.Photo: AFPAfp, Karachi

Younis Khan failed to post the highest Test score by a Pakistani batsman as the first Test against Sri Lanka ended in a draw, after some late excitement raised hopes of an unlikely result.

Khan fell for 313, 24 short of Hanif Mohammad's record score of 337, but the home team still achieved their highest Test innings score of 765-6.

Sri Lanka had declared their first innings at 644-7.

After Younis's dismissal leg-spinner Danish Kaneria sparked late interest in a game heading for a draw when he claimed the wickets of Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene (22) and Kumar Sangakkara (65) in the space of four overs.

But Thilan Samaraweera (24) and Prasanna Jayawardene (seven) played out seven overs to take their team to 144-5 and thwart Pakistan's attempts of an unlikely win.

The second and final Test starts in Lahore Sunday.

Younis said he did not feel disappointed at not breaking records.

"I am not heartbroken," said Younis. "I may have more opportunities in the future so records don't matter for me. I am satisfied with the team effort and will go into the second Test, hoping Sri Lanka struggle like they did today."

Jayawardene was also satisfied with the result.

"You always want to play well in the first Test of a two-match series," said Jayawardene, who scored 241 and shared a world record stand of 437 with Thilan Samaraweera (231) in his team's first innings.

"We batted badly in the second innings but overall it was a satisfying result. We had our opportunities but Younis played a brilliant knock and took away our chances."

Trailing by 121 runs, Sri Lanka had a disastrous start to their second innings as they lost opener Malinda Warnapura (two), caught behind off paceman Umar Gul in the first over.

Gul then had Tillakaratne Dilshan (eight) caught off a mistimed pull. In between Gul's double strike, opener Tharanga Paranavitana was run out when he failed to beat Yasir Arafat's direct throw while taking a single.

Paranavitana, who fell for a duck in the first innings, managed just nine to cap a miserable Test debut.

It was also a setback for 31-year-old Younis, Pakistan's new captain, who had set his sights both on Hanif's record for Pakistan and West Indies Brian Lara's world record score of 400.

Younis, who resumed at 306, played on to Sri Lanka's Dilhara Fernando in the ninth over of the day, to the disappointment of a sparse crowd at the National Stadium hoping to see him break Lara's record, set against England in 2004.

Hanif's Pakistani record was set against the West Indies in Barbados in 1958.

Kamran Akmal notched a fiery career-best 158 as Pakistan improved on their previous best Test innings total of 708, made against England at The Oval in 1987.

The home team's total of 765 runs also becomes the highest innings total in a Test in Pakistan, overtaking the 699-5 by Pakistan against India at Lahore in 1989.

Younis, who came to the crease on Sunday, batted for a marathon 12 hours and 48 minutes, facing 568 balls and hitting 27 boundaries and four sixes.

His triple ton eclipsed Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene's 240, part of a record 437 fourth-wicket stand with Thilan Samaraweera (231).

Akmal, 27, completed his 2,000 runs when he was on 56. He hit five sixes and eight boundaries. Arafat finished with 50 not out and put on 169 quick runs for the seventh wicket with Akmal.

Cricket T20- 1st Indo-Kiwi T20 today

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

1st Indo-Kiwi T20 today:

Afp, Christchurch

New Zealand have drawn on the inside knowledge of former India coach John Wright as they prepare to play the side they regard as the best in the world.

India's tour of New Zealand starts here Wednesday with the first of two Twenty20 matches to be followed by five one-day internationals and three Tests.

Wright, the former Kiwi opener who coached India from 2000-2005, has been heavily involved with preparations for the series, according to New Zealand's Andy Moles.

Despite Wright's tips, and India's reputation as poor travellers, Moles insists New Zealand are still the underdogs.

"They've put that to bed in the last couple of years and did really well in Australia last year," said the coach.

"The Indians, I believe, are probably the number one side in the world at the moment in all facets and we will need to make sure we are at our best in all components of our game."

India have not won a Test series in New Zealand in 41 years, but they arrive on the back of home series victories over Australia and England and a 4-1 one-day away win against Sri Lanka.

New Zealand, on the other hand, squandered a 2-0 one-day lead against Australia to draw the series 2-2 and then lost the Twenty20 by one run.

Moles is demanding more backbone from his team which has been strengthened by the return of the often injured all-rounder Jacob Oram, who will play as a specialist batsman.

With the big-hitting Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder as openers, Moles believes New Zealand can hurt any bowling attack, and are capable of out-fielding the Indians as well.

But the Kiwi bowling looks a shade light without Kyle Mills, who has an Achilles injury.

When India toured New Zealand six years ago, and faced green wickets, they were humbled 0-2 in the Tests and lost the ODIs 2-5.

However, India coach Gary Kirsten said that was a different era and today's team has the talent to exploit whatever conditions it faces.

"We don't focus on what's in the past, we worry about what's happening ahead," Kirsten told reporters.

"We have played 17 games of cricket since September last year and lost one. So we are very happy with our performance."

But Kirsten does believe his bowlers will need to adapt quickly to the unfamiliar windy conditions, and he has had them bowling into the breeze during practice this week.

TEAMS
NEW ZEALAND (probable): Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor or Neil Broom, Grant Elliott, Jacob Oram, Nathan McCullum, Daniel Vettori (captain), Ian Butler, Tim Southee, Iain O'Brien.

INDIA (probable): Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain, Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma.

BCB stalled?

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

BCB stalled?

A lot was expected when the tried and tested organisers took over the office of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the richest sports body in the country, after a fervent election in November last year.

Despite coming from different panels they have gelled well to make many believe that these gentlemen are capable of getting the work done even at the highest level and boost up the activities on a fiercely competitive field, where Bangladesh have won more criticism than hearts.

It might be too early to say; three months on, where do we stand? But this time it is good enough to get the impression whether teamwork exists in the board to move forward with pragmatic plans. Unfortunately, there was hardly any evidence for what we can say this board is working together to speed up the activities to improve the standard of the game in the country.

Rather the whisper is all around that everything is stagnant. It seems that everybody is reluctant and in a mood to "let things happen".

The biggest challenge ahead for the game's governing body is to successfully hold the 2011 World Cup, which is undoubtedly, it's priority in the list but the high-ups have already admitted that they are lagging behind in their preparations.

In this particular case they might need government patronisation but how can one accept the fact, that the renewal of player's contract has yet to materialize though the last contact expired November last year, or the organisation has been running without the permanent CEO (chief executive officer) for last one year although there has been a plan of giving it a corporate shape.

Like it or hate it, in modern day cricket the success of anything depends on good governance and there is no doubt the board has a lot of good people working. But are we missing good professionals? Otherwise why has it failed to arrange a sponsor for the country's most coveted domestic competition, the Premier Division Cricket League? It was also hard to believe the way the board had arranged the Twenty20 tournament in a meaningless way when the latest version of the game is considered as a money-spinning competition.

One may disagree but the reality is that professionalism has taken a backseat ever since the departure of Zimbabwean CEO Macky Dudhia as the two-year tenure of Mahmudur Rahman saw a gradual decline of financial flow from domestic scene and it got worse with the absence of anyone at the important post.

After the 2005 election of the BCB the area that suffered most is development. And it only geared up for a short period of time when former cricketer Shakil Kasem tried to inject new blood into the activities of the most important department with his innovative ideas. Many may argue but Shakil was perhaps one of the few enlightened individuals in the post-Test era of Bangladesh cricket.

But the democratic practice saw the immature departure of a very energetic man who won many hearts during his short stint as a chairman of the development committee. He took his sad departure in his stride with a strong statement and it is fitting to recap his words: "I was a nightwatchman who could have perhaps scored a double hundred." This is perhaps a grey spot of democracy that an effervescent Kasem who was fit to fulfill the demand of modern day cricket became unfit in the battle of ballot.

These are some of so many other issues that could be raised but the main thing is that the present very knowledgeable people at the board has to put their heads together to look at these issues sooner than later as well as chalk out a long-term programme for which they will be remembered in the country's history of cricket.