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Sports News Saturday, September 06, 2003 Compiled by SDNP Head lines
History beckons The Daily Star Bangladesh paceman Tapash Baisya goes up in anticipation on the third day of the third and final Test against Pakistan at Multan yesterday. History beckons, Photo: AFP
After squeezing out a 260-run lead, Bangladesh pushed Pakistan on the back-foot and with only Inzamam-ul Haq (53 not out) at the crease as the last specialist batsman and 113 to get, the Tigers are odds on favourites to create history in their 24th Test. On a day when some horrendous umpiring decisions went against them, Bangladesh showed enough character to keep on fighting. Resuming on 77 for four, the tourists lost captain Khaled Mahmud off the very first ball of the day when he was lbw to paceman Shabbir Ahmed. In strode Alok Kapali, who had retired hurt on day two after being struck near the right eye by a Shabbir bouncer. Kapali added three runs to his overnight 19 before he was controversially taken by Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif behind stumps off debutant medium pacer Yasir Ali. However, TV replays showed that Latif had dropped the catch when he took a tumble. Surprisingly neither leg umpire Ashoka de Silva nor the other umpire Russell Tiffin managed to spot the fumble. Next to go was the impressive Rajin Saleh who flashed outside the off-stump to Omar Gul and was caught behind for 42. Umpire De Silva then adjudged Mohammad Rafique leg before to Shabbir when the ball clearly pitched out side the line of the leg stump. A typically pugnacious 28 from wicket keeper Khaled Mashud and some lusty hitting from the tail gave Bangladesh a competitive lead which turned out to be a substantial one at the end of the day. Left arm paceman Monjurul Islam, who went wicketless in the first innings, overcame the frustration of seeing two chances dropped off him and gave the much needed break through when he dismissed opener Salman Butt (37), brilliantly taken at gully by a diving Mashrafee-bin-Mortuza in his second attempt with the total on 45. After the tea break, it was once again the Monjurul-Mashrafee combination that accounted for the wicket of the other opener Mohammad Hafeez (18) who was also caught at gully. Mashrafee completed a hattrick of catches when in-form Pakistani Yasir Hameed gloved a Mahmud delivery that lifted from a length. Pakistan were 78 for three. Three runs later, the Tigers were celebrating again after the dangerous Younis Khan was run out from a direct hit from mid on by Mohammad Ashraful. Rafique dismissed Farhan Adil with a gem of a delivery that turned and took off before Pakistan had reached hundred. Captain Latif (5) took 48 minutes and 34 balls to get of the mark. He was however undone by the tireless Mahmud who trapped him plump infront. While wickets were falling like nine pins around him, Inzamam, the local hero, was standing like a wall. He duly completed his fifty by slashing Rafique for four. Before bad light stopped play, Rafique was unlucky not to get another wicket as Tiffin gave Saqlain Mushtaq not out when he was hit on the pad off a dead-straight delivery. Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud said after the day's play that there was still a lot of hard work to be done. "We need to get another four wickets. It could have been better if we had scored another 20 to 30 runs. But again I think my team did a tremendous job today." The usually guarded Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore looked sprightly and said that he was very confident that his boys would get a positive result when the match resumes on Saturday. The whole Bangladesh too is expecting nothing less. UNB, DHAKA, The Independent President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed witnessed Friday's final of the Nitol-Tata National Football League as chief guest and later distributed trophies. The President, who handed over the glittering trophy to the new National League winners Muktijoddha Sangsad, also gave away the cash Tk 5,00,000 prize-money in addition to the key of a Tata-Indica motor car. Muktijoddha's national striker Alfaz Ahmed was been named the man of the final while Moulvibazar Wanderers Club, who finished fourth, were adjudged the most disciplined team in the league, The Moulvibazar outfit receives the "fair play trophy". National striker Rokonuzzaman Kanchan of Mohammedans, who scored the match-winner in the semifinal against Abahani Limited and also netted the first goal in the day's final, was adjudged man of the tournament to receive Tk 50,000 in prize money and a motor cycle given by sponsors Nitol Group. Sylhet DSA was declared as the best hosts of the league while Ibrahim Nesar was named the best referee. Sports Reporter, The Independent Bangladesh national sub-junior champion Minhazuddin Ahmed Sagar became seventh in the Telegraph School Chess Tournament which concluded on Thursday in Kolkata. Rahul Sangma of Bihar clinched the title with 10 points. A total of 246 players took part in the eleven round Swiss League system tournament. Sagar finished with 8.5 points. Shamima Akther Liza clinched the eighth position with eight points. Sharmin Sultana Shirin got the a special second prize in the girls group. She earned 6.5 points. Abdullah Saif also got a special award in the boys' under-16 group with five points to his credit. Other Bangladeshi players Kishoara Shjrin Evana got 7.5 points, Nazir Arifeen 6.5 points, Mimi Arjuman got six points and Farzana Hossain Anee scored 5.5 points. Sports Reporter, The Independent Muktijoddha Sangsad dethroned Mohammedan Sporting Club to win the Nitol-Tata 3rd National Football League title on Friday. After the two-hour long final ended 1-1 at the Sher-e Bangla Mirpur National Stadium before 45,000 fans, Muktijoddha edged the last year's champions 3-2 in tiebreakers to become the third Dhaka side after Abahani and Mohammedans to lift the prestigious trophy in as many seasons. Man of the tournament Kanchan put Mohammedans ahead after 18 minutes but championship top scorer Moni's second-half equaliser saw the Reds fight back. Muktijoddha lost Arman in the first half of extra-time when the key midfielder was booked second time for assaulting the assistant referee. But ten-man Muktis survived the pressure in the remaining time to take the match into penalty shootout. The black and whites went on the backfoot immediately after veteran Jewel Rana fired his spotkick over the bar and even a similar mistake by Muktijoddha defender and national captain Rajani could not inspire them. Mohammedans forward Farhad hit the sidebar while substitute Anwar sent the ball over the post as Muktis were leading 1-0 halfway through the shootout, thanks to Hassan Al Mamun's goal from the spot. Substitute keeper Bijan gave hopes to Mohammedans when he stopped Belal's attempt but it was not enough for them to stay in contention. Masud Rana and Nakib kept their cool to score for Mohammedans in the last two shots but Papel and Sujan also showed composure to convert their chances and send the Muktijoddha booters into wild celebration. The final, however, never got to the height it should have reached as both teams were on the defensive. Mohammedans were without key players Hassan, Monwar and Uzbekistan's Turabikov but the substitutes met the demand of the coach. Still, they were responsible for destroying their own game as all four Mohammedans midfielders were on the referee's book inside the first half hour. Seven of them finally ended with yellow cards, which clearly showed the black and whites' intention of holding on to the slim lead at any cost. The lead though, could have been Muktijoddha's but Moni spoiled their easiest chance one minute after kickoff. Arman found the striker with a superb square pass from right but Moni, with all the time in his hands, took a wild shot way wide of rival keeper Nizam and the post. Mohammedans utilised their first chance to go ahead when a long ball from their own half by right fullback Titu flew over rival centre-backs Rajani and Sujan to find Kanchan unmarked at the left side of the box. Kanchan's powerful volley from point-blank range was parried by Aminul but the diminutive striker was in position to send the rebound into the roof of the net with his favourite left foot. Kanchan got a similar chance halfway through the first half but this time, Aminul's reflex was better and the national custodian pushed away the ball safely with his left hand. Muktis made two changes at the break, replacing captain Pradip with Lajuk and bringing in Nono for Matiur Munna. The arrival of Cameroon medio Nono ignited the Reds to enjoy superior ball possession and Alfaz, man of the final, came close to score level in the 53rd minute. But the national striker put his shot into the side netting after a solo effort. One mistake by Iraqi defender Raid Mohammed, who was outstanding at Mohammedans central defence, let his side down in the 66th minute. Raid, who was undoubtedly the best performer of the match, was unsettled by the awkward bounce of a high ball by Ghansah which ran to Alfaz in the box. Unready too, Alfaz took time and almost lost possession but wisely ran it back near the goalmouth for Moni who drove a left-footer into the back of the net on the trot for his seventh league goal. The match ran into extra time as Lajuk's low cross dangerously ran across Mohammedans goal but to safety. The best chance to score a golden goal came into seventh minute of extra time but Arman's chip over an advanced Nizam bounced off the crossbar. An off-side decision against Muktijoddha later sparked a brawl between the two team's reserve players after Arman charged assistant referee Ramkrishna Ghosh and when the match resumed four minutes later, Muktis were without Arman. Mohammedans skipper Masud Rana created two opportunities in the last 15 minutes but Anwar headed a cross over while Aminul tipped over a freekick by the veteran. Just before the final whistle, Mohammedans brought in Bijan - regarded a specialist penalty stopper - in place of Nizam but the move did not work as the out-of-touch goalkeeper looked slow during the penalties. Red card: Arman Yellow cards: Ghansah, Nono (Muktijoddha) and Jewel, Raid, Joy, Salisu, Pappu, Faisal, Farhad (Mohammedans). TEAMS Muktijoddha: Aminul, Hassan Al Mamun, Rajani, Sujan, Papel, Pradip (Lajuk, 46th minute), Ghansah, Munna (Nono, 46th), Arman, Moni and Alfaz. Mohammedans: Nizam (Bijan, 117th), Jewel, Raid, Masud Rana, Titu, Faisal (Anwar, 58th), Joy, Salisu, Pappu (Nakib, 86th), Kanchan and Farhad. Referee: Mansoor Azad. |
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The
whole country will wait with baited breath in eager anticipation of
Bangladesh's first ever Test victory after the Tigers' reduced Pakistan
to 148 for six at close on day three of the third and final Test against
Pakistan at Multan yesterday.