Rajshahi Div retain national cricket league title
UNB, Dhaka

Rajshahi Division retained the national cricket league title after making a draw with Chittagong Division in a five-day final that concluded Wednesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.
This was the second consecutive and the third national crown for Rajshahi in the longer version cricket, the lone first class cricket of the country after 2005-06 and 2008-09 seasons.
Despite a draw in the title-deciding match, Khaled Mashud Pilot-led Rajshahi Division clinched the EBL 11th National Cricket League crown by virtue of first innings lead (71 runs) in the final frustrating Chitta-gong Division, the champions of the inaugural meet in 1999-2000.
Rajshahi Division resu-med the 2nd innings on the 5th day on Wednesday with overnight 177 for 2, taking an overall 248 runs overall lead against Chittagong, and finally declared the innings in the afternoon at 413 runs for 5 in 136.2 overs. Two night-watch batsmen-one down Jahurul Islam and number four Farhad Hossain-contributed 101 runs in the 3rd wicket stand for Rajshahi, which were 229/2 at lunch and 325/5 at tea.
Jahurul Islam, who resumed batting with 67 runs, hammered a century making 117 runs off 306 balls with 17 boundaries while Farhad Hossain (13) scored a half century making 55 runs off 148 balls with five boundaries. Number five batsman Nasir Hossain contributed not out 78 runs off 96 balls with 12 fours and a six while number seven bat wicket keeper Dhiman Ghosh made not out 54 off 73 balls with seven fours and a six. Faisal Hossain grabbed three wickets for 140 runs while Kazi Kamrul and Elias Sunny took one wicket apiece.
Brief score
Rajshahi Division - 1st innings - 372 all out in 169 overs (overnight
208 for 5 in 90 overs); Dhiman Ghosh not out 66, Jahurul Islam 59,
Khaled Mashud 55, Anisur Rahman 52, Sabbir Rahman 41, Sohrawardy
Shuvo 32, Nasir Hossain 28, Farhad Hossain 11, extras 19, Abdullah Al
Mamun 3/44, Elias Sunny 2/73, Kazi Kamrul 2/84, faisal Hossain 1/17,
Mahmudul Hasan 1/47 and Alauddin Babu 1/71
Rajshahi Division - 2nd innings - 413 for 5 (Declared) in 136.2 overs(overnight 177 for 2 in 64 overs), Shuvo 68, Sabbir 20, Jahurul 117, Farhad batting 55, Nasir Hossain not out 78, Dhimon Ghosh not out 54, extras 13, Faisal 3/140 and Kamrul 1/48 and Elias Sunny 1/129.
Chittagong Division - 1st innings -- 301 for 10 in 123.3 overs, Gazi 19, Karim 25, Mamun 0, Nazim 80, Faisal 28, Hasan 0, Mominul 82 Elias batting 46, Irfan 0, Alauddin 1, Kamrul 3, extras 17, Shuvo 4/73, Saklain 3/62, Farhad
1/23, Shahajada 1/48, Shubashish 1/52.

  Pakistan bans ex-captains for bad performance
AFP, Islamabad

Former Pakistan captains Younus Khan and Moha-mmad Yousuf have been banned from the national cricket team after the recent catastrophic tour of Australia, the cricket board said Wednesday.
Two other players Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Shoaib Malik were banned for a year by the six-man committee set up by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to investigate the December-February tour, in which Pakistan lost the Test series 3-0, the one-day matches 5-0 and the only Twenty20 match.
The committee blamed infighting between Yousuf and Khan for the disastrous results, and recommended they "should not be part of the national team in any format". "Their attitude has a trickledown effect, which is a bad influence for the whole team," said a statement from the PCB, after its committee held intensive and lengthy hearings with several of those involved in the tour. The PCB said in a statement that the "recommendations of the inquiry committee have been accepted by PCB in totality".
Other recommendations included a three-million-rupee (35,500-US-dollar) fine and six months' probation for Shahid Afridi, who was caught by TV cameras biting the ball during the Australian tour's final one-day match in Perth.
The International Cricket Council match referee handed Afridi a ban of two Twenty20 matches for ball tampering and the allrounder later apologised.
Afridi had committed a "shameful act... which has brought the game and country into disrepute" and his conduct will be monitored, the PCB said. Two other players-Kamran Ak-mal and Umar Akmal-were also fined and put on similar probation.
The PCB said in conclusion that the radical disciplinary action would go down as a historic day for the sport in Pakistan. Speaking to the Cricinfo website, the PCB's legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi explained the ramifications for Khan and Yousuf.
"They will not be part of any Pakistan team in any format from here on," he said, adding that the PCB had stopped short of imposing a so-called life ban.
Khan, 32, abandoned the captaincy after losing a one-day series to New Zealand in Abu Dhabi last year. Yousuf replaced Khan as captain for the tour of Australia, but has faced harsh criticism for failing to keep the team in check.
Former cricket greats were divided over the decision, with some saying it further tarnished Pakistan's global reputation at a time when many teams are staying away from the nation because of attacks by Islamist militants.
Former captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif also told the website he thought the players had been treated unfairly.

  Pohang win but Gamba struggle
AFP, Singapore

Defending champions Pohang Steelers put their AFC Champions League challenge back on track Wednesday with a narrow 2-1 victory, but Japanese powerhouse Gamba Osaka were held 1-1 at home.
South Korea's Pohang regained their winning touch after a surprise loss to Adelaide United last week, with a dramatic last few minutes against Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima at the Steelyard.
Pohang looked comfortable after skipper Hwang Jae-Won put them in front with a powerful header on 54 minutes but Sanfrecce defender Tomoaki Makino was brought down in the box with just one minute left.
Bulgarian defender Ilian Stoyanov stepped up to convert the penalty but Sanfrecce lost concentration and Pohang struck back in injury time when Brazilian forward Almir prodded home a rebound from a Kim Jae-Sung free kick. In Osaka, 2008 champions Gamba were held by China's Henan Jianye, leaving them with just two points from two games after losing last week to Suwon Bluewings.

  Rivals on edge for World Cup Hockey semi-finals
AFP, New Delhi

Injury-stricken England hope to build on their amazing resurgence in field hockey when they take on defending champions Germany in the World Cup semi-final today (Thursday).
Hot favorites Australia take on a shaky Netherlands in the other semi-final the same night, looking to reach their third successive Cup final after a power-packed display in preliminary matches.
England proved their spectacular European Cup win last year ahead of the sport's powerhouses Germany, the Netherlands and Spain was not a flash in the pan as they finished second in group B behind Australia.
Jason Lee's men won four of their five matches, including a stunning 3-2 win over Australia, despite losing striker Matt Daly before the tournament and penalty corner specialist Richard Mantell later due to injuries.
"It's a revival we have worked hard for," said Lee as England prepared for their first World Cup semi-final since 1986. "But this is the real thing and we can't afford to slip-up."
Their rivals Germany, seeking an unprecedented hat-trick of titles to add to the Beijing Olympic gold medal, will hope to avenge the 5-3 defeat at England's hands in the European final.
The Germans, with just three players who helped win the last World Cup at home in Monchengladbach, are the only unbeaten team in the current tournament with three wins and two draws.
Australia, coached by the legendary Ric Charles-worth, overcame the shock defeat to England in their first match to win their next four, including a World Cup record score of 12-0 against South Africa.
The Kookaburras charge has been led by penalty corner ace Luke Doerner, whose six goals so far puts him on top of the leading scorers' list alongside Dutchman Taeke Taekema.
Jamie Dwyer, the International Hockey Federation's player of the year for 2009, and fellow-striker Glenn Turner have shown their mettle up front with five goals apiece.
Australia came into the tournament by winning the elite six-nation Champions Trophy at home in Melbourne in December by beating Germany in the final 5-3 after trailing 1-3 at half-time.
"I am not looking too far ahead," said Charlesworth, who played in Australia's only World Cup winning squad in 1986. "The Dutch are never easy to beat, but I am glad the boys are shaping up well."
Australia, who have scored more goals - 23 - in the league than any other team, defeated the Dutch 4-1 the last time the two sides met in a World Cup semi-final in Malaysia in 2002.
The Netherlands, who won the last of their three World Cup titles in 1998, almost missed the semi-finals after losing their last league match to South Korea 2-1 on Tuesday.
If the Asian champions had netted one more goal, they would have levelled the Dutch on goal difference and advanced to the knock-out rounds by virtue of winning their league encounter.

   Abahani beats Farashgaj 1-0 to finish top in 1st round
UNB, Dhaka

Holders Abahani Limited finished top in the 1st round of the Citycell Bangladesh League with a 1-0 win over Farasahganj SC in their last 1st round match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) here on Wednesday.
With this successive win, the two times B. league champions Abahani Limited secured 33 points while Farashganj SC finished in 6th position with 10 points form 10 matches.
In the day's match, the all-important goal came in the 45th minute as the ball entered the net after hitting the body of Abahani forward Shahedul off a faulty clearance by Farashganj defender Rezaul Karim. Apart from the day's loan goal, the two teams failed to play positive football and the ball mostly remained in the midfield.
Teams: Abahani Limited-Biplob, Sujan, Rajani, Meshu, Siraji, Zahed, Shahedul (Shohag), Enamul, Samad, Ibrahim and Sheriff.
Farashganj SC - Sujan, Emeka, Dhiman, Ronny, Manik (Rahman), Ismail, Hirok, (Liton), Imrose (roshanto), Sabuj, Zahir and Reza.

  Henin, Clijsters look to shake things up at Indian Wells
AFP, California

Former world number ones Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters of Belgium will provide some early headaches for top seeds at the WTA Indian Wells tournament which begins Wednesday.
The 4.5 million-dollar event, played in conjunction with an ATP event that starts Thursday, also could see a potential third-round rematch of last year's final between defending champion Vera Zvonareva and 24th seed Ana Ivanovic.
With 32 seeds receiving first-round byes, the early star of the show figures to be Henin, the 27-year-old who lost to Serena Williams in the Australian Open final and US Open champion Clijsters at the Brisbane final.
Henin, who won at Indian Wells in 2004, opens against Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova and if she advances will face 31st-seeded Gisela Dulko of Argentina for a possible third-round encounter with fifth seed Agneiszka Radwanska of Poland. Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva is also in Henin's quarter of the draw.
Clijsters, a 14th-seeded two-time Indian Wells champion, opens with a second-round tie against Germany's Andrea Petkovic or Czech Barbora Strycova Zahlavova. She could face top seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in the fourth round.
Russian star Kuznetsova's path to a third career Indian Wells final could also see her face Serbian sixth seed Jelena Jankovic or Italy's ninth-seeded Flavia Pennetta in the quarter-finals. Kuznetsova opens in the second round against either Alize Cornet of France or Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain. Last year, Kuznetsova suffered her earliest loss at Indian Wells when she fell to Poland's Urszula Radwanska in her opener.

  Tiger working with swing coach
AFP, Orlando

Tiger Woods is working on his golf game with coach Hank Haney this week, according to Golf Digest and the Golf Channel, but only time will tell if the work means a comeback is soon.
The world number one took an indefinite hiatus from competitive golf in the wake of a sex scandal that has engulfed him since late November, but the work could indicate he is preparing his game to compete at next month's Masters.
Website reports for the television network and magazine, each citing unnamed sources, say Woods is working as hard as he has at any time since news of his infidelity became public.
Woods, 34, has won 14 major titles, four shy of the all-time record set by Jack Nicklaus, and this year's first three majors will be played on courses where Woods has taken record-setting triumphs.
Woods could play at Augusta National, where he has won the Masters four times, and then have a US Open at Pebble Beach, where he captured the 2000 US Open by 15 strokes, followed by a British Open at St. Andrews, where he won the event in 2000 and 2005.
US PGA players Charles Howell and J.B. Holmes told the Golf Channel they have seen Woods practicing his swing at Isleworth and it looked good.

   Juve, Liverpool seek Europa League salvation
AFP, Paris

European heavyweights Juventus and Liverpool will both seek to rescue disappointing seasons when the first legs of their respective Europa League last-16 ties kick off today (Thursday).
Both clubs have fallen well off the pace in their domestic championships and face a battle to qualify for next season's Champions League. Juve have begun to move in the right direction under new coach Alberto Zaccheroni, however, and are now just two points outside the Serie A top four after a 2-1 victory at Fiorentina on Saturday.
Their Europa League opponents are Premier League club Fulham, who produced one of the upsets of the competition in the previous round by eliminating defending cham-pions Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine.
"We've got to believe in ourselves because we've had some really good results lately. We'll play our game and remain solid. We know it's going to be a very tough game but we also know we're capable of getting a result."
Juve's Italy international centre-back Giorgio Chiellini will miss the match with a left thigh injury but should be fit for the return leg in London next week.
"The Europa League is a great competition and to go all the way would be a great boost for the whole club," said Nicola Legrottaglie, who is expected to deputise for Chiellini in Turin.
Liverpool's stuttering campaign received a further blow when they went down 1-0 at relegation-threatened Wigan on Monday, denying them the opportunity to steal a march on their rivals for fourth place and a Champions League berth.
Rafael Benitez's men on Thursday visit Lille, who have lost just one of their last 16 home games in European competition and who are the top scorers in the French top flight.
"Lille are a good team," said Benitez. "People maybe don't know too much about them but we've spoken with people in Valencia, because they played one another, and we have reports from the scouts.
"They are good at home. Maybe in the last two (league) games they haven't been at their level because I think they're maybe thinking about the Europa League-and that makes them even more dangerous."

   Asia falls flat at World Cup Hockey
AFP, New Delhi

Former Olympians and coaches on Wednesday lamented the poor showing by Asian teams at the men's field hockey World Cup, saying Europe and Australia were now the masters of the game.
None of the three Asian teams in the 12-nation tournament - South Korea, India and Pakistan - qualified for Thursday's semi-finals, the first time since 1998 the continent will not be represented.
Defending champions Germany, seeking a hat-trick of titles to add to their Beijing Olympic gold medal, face England, and Australia clash with the Netherlands for a place in the final.
"It is quite deplorabe how Asian standards have fallen," former India great Balbir Singh, 85, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, told AFP.
India, a World Cup winner in 1975, won the last of their eight Olympic gold medals in 1980 and failed to qualify for the Beijing Games for the first time. Pakistan have won an unprecedented four World Cup titles, but have not won a major competition since their last Cup win in 1994 in Sydney.
Pakistan fared the worst among Asian teams in the current tournament, forced into a play-off for the 11th-12th places against lowly Canada after ending the league with four defeats and one win.
India, who qualified for the World Cup only by virtue of being the hosts, will fight for the 7-8 positions with Argentina on Friday, an improvement from their 11th place finish in the last World Cup in 2006.