Shakib Al Hasan sets new Bangladesh Test innings record

Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan recorded the best bowling figures in an innings for Bangladesh in all Test cricket when he took 7-36 against New Zealand here on Sunday.

The 21-year-old bowled 25.5 overs in an extrordinary display to help Bangladesh dismiss New Zealand for 171 in their first innings on the third day of the opening Test at the Divisional Stadium here.

Bangladesh had made 245 in their first innings.

The feat surpassed the previous best bowling figures in an innings of 7-95, also taken by a left-arm spinner, Enamul Haque, against Zimbabwe at M.A. Aziz Stadium in Chittagong in 2005.

England's off-spinner Jim Laker leads the chart of best figures in an innings since Test cricket began in 1876, with 10-53 against Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester in 1956.

Here are the best innings figures for all ten Test playing countries:
(bowler's name, figures, for, against, venue, year)

J. Laker 10-53 England v Australia Manchester 1956
A. Kumble 10-74 India v Pakistan Delhi 1999
M. Muralitharan 9-51 Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe Kandy 2002
R. Hadlee 9-52 New Zealand v Australia Brisbane 1985
Abdul Qadir 9-56 Pakistan v England Lahore 1987
J. Noreiga 9-95 West Indies v India Port of Spain 1971
H. Tayfield 9-113 South Africa v England Johannesburg 1957
A. Mailey 9-121 Australia v England Melbourne 1921
P. Strang 8-109 Zimbabwe v New Zealand Bulawayo 2000
Shakib Al Hasan 7-36 Bangladesh v New Zealand Chittagong 2008.

Bangladesh recall Saleh for New Zealand Test

Bangladesh Tuesday recalled Rajin Saleh to their 13-man squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand after the middle-order batsman spent a year in the wilderness.

The 24-year-old Saleh, who last played against Sri Lanka in 2007, was regarded as one of the finest Test batsmen in the country during his 22-match Test career before he lost form.

The first Test starts here Friday. The second Test will be played at Dhaka from October 25.

Bangladesh have also included left-arm spinner Mehrab Hossain and uncapped rookie paceman Mahbubul Alam in an attempt to balance the bowling attack.

The home team lost the three-match one-day series 2-1.

Squad: Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddique, Rajin Saleh, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain, Naeem Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Abdur Razzak, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Mahbubul Alam.

Bangladesh v New Zealand, 1st ODI, Mirpur

Bangladesh 202 for 3 (Junaid 85, Ashraful 60*) beat

New Zealand 201 for 9 (Oram 57, Mortaza 4-44) by seven wickets

A determined Bangladesh recorded their first-ever win over New Zealand in emphatic manner on Thursday, making light of their player exodus to the ICL. The loss was a huge blow for New Zealand, who needed a clean sweep to take second spot in the rankings. Junaid Siddique, along with Mohammad Ashraful, ensured Bangladesh capitalise on the momentum given by Mashrafe Mortaza's bowling which helped restrict New Zealand to a modest target.

It was a significant victory for the hosts given the circumstances leading into the series but the challenge seemed to have inspired Ashraful and his team, who played sensibly with both bat and ball.

Junaid remained calm despite the fall of Tamim Iqbal, his fellow opener, in the fifth over. Even if Bangladesh's run-rate - the runs coming mainly in singles - was similar to New Zealand's after 15 overs (New Zealand were 62 while Bangladesh were 55) the hosts had lost one wicket compared to New Zealand's four. Junaid found good support in Mushfiqur Rahim, who brought up the team's 50 with a six over long-on off Tim Southee. Mushfiqur scored a useful 30 before going for another big hit, this time failing to clear deep midwicket.

During the New Zealand tour earlier this year Junaid had failed to consistently get off to good starts but today he showed he'd learned from past mistakes. He got lucky, too, on 46, when Scott Styris failed to collect a return catch. He went on to finish his half-century with a single and grew in confidence especially in the company of his captain. In the process he scored more runs than he had in his career: before this match, his ninth, his tally was 62.

Ashraful had been condemned for both his leadership and below-par batting form on the recent tour of Australia. Today he displayed a grim attitude and bolstered the good start provided by his young partner. When Daniel Vettori brought himself on in the third Powerplay - taken by Bangladesh under the new rules - in the 39th over, Ashraful immediately pulled him for a four past square leg and then stepped out for a six over long-on. Bangladesh had reached the 100-mark after 28 overs; ten overs later, they had piled up 60 more. The 109-run partnership was the highest of the day and overshadowed Jacob Oram's hard labour in the morning.

Oram had taken New Zealand to safety after they found themselves in a dangerous position at 79 for 6. Though he took a while to adapt to the low bounce and slow pace of the wicket, he managed to steadily regain the momentum. He had help from Vettori and their partnership of 70 for the seventh wicket rescued New Zealand.

For Bangladesh, Mortaza led from the front, pitching it accurately and taking advantage of the early movement after Ashraful had opted to field. Sensing the opposition batsmen's rustiness, since their only warm-up game was washed out, Mortaza hardly gave the batsmen any room in his unbroken spell of eight overs that fetched him three wickets.

New Zealand failed to benefit from any of the fielding restrictions or from the new Powerplay rule - they managed 55 in the first and then slumped in the second when they lost three wickets for seven runs. The final Powerplay, to be decided by the batting side, was taken in the 38th over but only 26 runs resulted off that.

Bangladesh had beaten New Zealand in the warm-up game during the 2007 World Cup, after which they recorded their best showing in the shorter version with four victories in the tournament. Today's win could be the start of another new chapter.

I had rejected IPL offer: Mashrafe Mortaza

Bangladesh vice-captain Mashrafe Mortaza said that he had rejected the offer from the management of the Indian Cricket League (ICL) to represent Dhaka Warriors.

Mahrafe Mortaza said in an interview that he had received many phone calls from the ICL, offering him to play for Dhaka Warriors but he preferred to play for his country instead of playing for the ICL.

He said it has now become the part of history and he did not think necessary to tell this thing anybody as he was not interested in that offer.

Mortaza further said that this is wrong to say that the Bangladesh players did not perform well in Australia due to the ICL offer. They made all out efforts for victory but unfortunately, lost the series 0-3 due to poor batting.

BCB receives retirement letters from six players

Six leading Bangladesh players - Habibul Bashar, Aftab Ahmed, Shahriar Nafees, Farhad Reza, Dhiman Ghosh and Mosharraf Hossain - have informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board they intend to retire from international and domestic cricket. The news, announced by the BCB, follows a report in the Bangladesh daily Prothom Alo which said 14 players, including the six mentioned above, were set to join the Indian Cricket League. ICL officials contacted by Cricinfo said nothing had been finalised as yet.

The report said the players will represent the Dhaka Warriors in the ICL. Besides the six, those named include current internationals Alok Kapali and Nazimuddin, four players who represented Bangladesh previously - Mohammad Rafique (now retired), Tapash Baisya, Manjarul Islam and Mohammad Sharif, and Golam Mabud and Mahbubul Karim, currently touring Sri Lanka with the Bangladesh Academy team.

If such an exodus does take place the effect on Bangladesh's cricket could be disastrous; the ICL is not recognised by the ICC and players appearing in its tournaments are liable to be banned from all top-class cricket. In effect, Bangladesh would have to create a national side almost from scratch. The report quotes some of the cricketers as claiming their contracts would have a clause releasing them for national duty.

The BCB said the players hadn't stated a reason for their retirement announcement and expressed

"concern at the abrupt decision by so many players to retire from the game".

Aftab, Nafees, Reza, Ghosh and Mosharraf have been part of Bangladesh's recent teams while Bashar, Bangladesh's most successful captain, last played in February. The six have been summoned by the board on Tuesday to explain their decision.

The report suggests the main reason for the players risking their international careers is money. Those playing for the national team are expected to pocket around $200,000 each after signing the three-year contracts, several times what they can ever expect to earn while playing for Bangladesh; the academy players will receive $30,000 each.

That kind of money is a rarity in Bangladeshi cricket but is more common in the IPL; however, only one Bangladesh player is currently in the IPL - Abdur Razzak, who signed up with the Bangalore Royal Challengers.

The plan for a Bangladesh team in the ICL had first been floated last year, soon after formation of a similar team in Pakistan called Lahore Badshahs, captained by Inzamam ul-Haq. The Bangladesh captain, Mohammad Ashraful, told Prothom Alo he had been approached by the ICL to form a team but had turned down the offer.

Kiran More, a member of the ICL's executive board, said no formal agreement had been reached.

"We are currently in the state of discussion with a few Bangladeshi players but nothing has been finalised yet."

He, however, declined to reveal the names of the players with whom the ICL was in touch.

The new ICL season will begin on October 10, featuring 34 matches across four venues in India.

BD-NZ cricket series itinerary announced

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has issued schedule of the home series against New Zealand to be held in October.

According to the itinerary, the New Zealand team will arrive in Bangladesh on October 4 and the One-day International series between the two countries will begin from the match at Dhaka on October 9.

Second match will be played also at Dhaka on October 11 while the third match will be held on October 14 at Chittagong.

The first match of the two-Test series will be played from October 17 in Chittagong and the second Test will be held in Dhaka from October 25.

Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Super Four, Asia Cup, Karachi

Sri Lanka 332 for 8 (Jayasuriya 130, Sangakkara 121) beat

Bangladesh 174 (Raqibul 52, Nazimuddin 47, Muralitharan 5-31) by 158 runs

As birthday bashes go, this was pretty special, with Sanath Jayasuriya bludgeoning Bangladesh into submission as Sri Lanka sauntered into the Asia Cup final. Kumar Sangakkara's elegant 121, just 24 hours after a century against Pakistan, was the supporting act, and with Muttiah Muralitharan at his supple-wristed best with the ball, Bangladesh were brushed aside by a massive 158 runs. Nazimuddin and Raqibul Hasan showed some defiance, but even against an attack missing Lasith Malinga and Farveez Maharoof, 333 was never on.

Some of the Bangladesh players were still in diapers when Jayasuriya made his debut, and they must have felt as helpless as babies when he celebrated his 39th birthday with the fluent shot-making and power-hitting that typified his halcyon years. He raced to a century off only 55 balls, and though it turned out to be a two-man show, Sri Lanka still had enough to pull off their fourth successive win of the tournament.

Having added 201 with Sangakkara in only 27.5 overs, Jayasuriya finally ran out of puff in the Karachi heat. A poor delivery from Alok Kapali was lofted to deep cover where Tamim Iqbal took the catch. There was scarcely any joy from the fielders, because by then Jayasuriya had pounded 130 off only 88 balls, with a heady rhythm of cuts, pulls and drives.

Sangakkara carried on though, having been reprieved by Kapali off his own bowling on 51. He drove beautifully down the ground and made good use of both the orthodox sweep and the slogged version. Occasionally, he would also come down the track and loft the ball over the infield, and Bangladesh appeared bereft of options.

When Jayasuriya lashed Mashrafe Mortaza's opening delivery past point for four, it appeared to be a sign of things to come, but with Shahadat Hossain bowling a maiden first-up, Bangladesh conceded only 20 in the first five overs. The trouble started after that, with Jayasuriya dusting off his pull stroke and driving over the infield with immense power.

Sangakkara wasn't to be left behind, piercing the packed off-side field cleverly occasionally, but after a while he gave up trying to keep pace. Jayasuriya was unstoppable. When the bowlers dropped short, he would pull over midwicket. If they were too full, the disdainful flick was unveiled. Too much width and the hoardings behind the point boundary were battered with short-arm cuts. And if all that wasn't punishment enough, he would also jump down the pitch before lashing the ball over the covers.

The half-century took only 31 balls, and when Abdur Razzak came on, he was taken for 19 runs in his second over. Two crisp fours off Farhad Reza and a single to long leg later, he had a century, the 26th of an illustrious career. Sangakkara, who had caressed some lovely drives himself, was the perfect foil, and Bangladesh's cause wasn't helped when Mushfiqur Rahim fluffed a catch behind the stumps off Razzak right after Jayasuriya had got his hundred.

His eventual departure, after slamming 16 fours and a mere six sixes, did stem the tide though, with the other batsmen unable to support Sangakkara. Mahela Jayawardene eased to 20 before pulling a long hop from Kapali to midwicket and neither Chamara, Kapugedera or Silva, could get going. Tillakaratne Dilshan was run out by a direct hit from Raqibul, and when Razzak finally sneaked one under Sangakkara's defence, Bangladesh had managed a comeback of sorts. But thanks to their openers becoming only the 18th pair to score centuries in the same game, Sri Lanka were nearly out of sight by then.

Bangladesh were notionally in the contest till the halfway stage of their innings, with Nazimuddin and Raqibul playing some fine strokes in the face of an imposing asking-rate. Nazimuddin took his time to settle, but then launched into some delightful cuts and drives. Ajantha Mendis, who had bamboozled the Pakistanis, was thumped for a four and a six, and only a miscommunication with Raqibul saw him run out when in sight of a half-century.

By then, he had already seen Tamim and Mohammad Ashraful, the side's leading lights, depart. With Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Kulasekara giving nothing away early on, Tamim quickly became restless, and a tame nibble at a Vaas delivery was easily taken by Dilshan, deputising for Sangakkara behind the stumps.

Ashraful came in and took three fours off a Vaas over, but then had one of those brain-fades that he's become prone to. He was in no sort of position to try and pull Thilan Thushara, and the top-edge came down into Dilshan's hands.

But with Raqibul starting in strokeful fashion and Nazimuddin determined to tilt at windmills, the run-rate quickly soared, with Thushara coming in for harsh treatment. Nazimuddin's dismissal, halted the charge though, and after that it was all about Murali.

Mushfiqur edged one to slip and Kapali was trapped in front by a doosra. Raqibul's brave innings was curtailed by another that went the wrong way, and Razzaq cleaned up going for the sweep. When Mortaza top-edged a sweep, he had five wickets for the ninth time in ODIs. It may sometimes be a young man's game, but it was the old hands that blew the candles out on Bangladesh.

Bangladesh v India, Super Four, Asia Cup, Karachi

India 284 for 3 (Raina 116*, Gambhir 90) beat

Bangladesh 283 for 6 (Kapali 115, Tamim 55) by seven wickets

Alok Kapali's dazzling 115 gave Bangladesh a fighting chance, but their inability to hold on to catches meant that India breezed past another stiff target at the National Stadium in Karachi. Two days after making mincemeat of 300 against Pakistan, they overhauled Bangladesh's 283 with 40 balls to spare. Suresh Raina, with a century against Hong Kong and 84 against Pakistan earlier in the tournament, stroked a magnificent unbeaten 116, adding 139 for the third wicket with Gautam Gambhir to set up the game for India. Gambhir's 90 spanned just 84 balls, and there was enough time for Yuvraj Singh to thrash a couple of mighty sixes before the curtain came down.

Shahadat Hossain, all lively pace and whole-hearted grunting, had hinted at an upset with two wickets in the first Powerplay, but the partnership between Raina and Gambhir upset Mohammad Ashraful's best-laid plans. Butter fingers didn't help.

Gambhir had made 56 when his attempt to muscle Mashrafe Mortaza over the infield was sliced up in the air towards point. Farhad Reza made a mess of the catch. Soon after, still in the final Powerplay, Raina experienced his own adrenaline-rush moment, top-edging a pull. But again, Mortaza's celebrations were aborted as Mahmudullah spilt the chance at fine leg. Raina had made just 16.

Bangladesh had started well enough, with Robin Uthappa inside-edging a full delivery onto his stumps. That brought in Rohit Sharma, another batsman whose fortunes have waned in recent times. With Bangladesh especially generous with overthrows, India didn't need to take undue risks, and Rohit soon got going with an imperious pull and a cover drive for fours.

With Gambhir cutting and pulling anything that was slightly off target, the 50 came quickly enough, but soon after Rohit flicked Shahadat straight to midwicket. Raina was content to rotate the strike early on, and Gambhir quickly got to his half-century with a four and six off Mahmudullah. Then came the bloopers, and that was effectively that.

Slipshod fielding had played its part in Bangladesh's surge to 283 as well. Kapali had made just 25 when Manpreet Gony misjudged a catch at long-on off the bowling of Yusuf Pathan. Gambhir gave him another reprieve late on, but by then he had roared into three figures.

The innings exploded into life in the final eight overs, when 90 runs were amassed as Kapali cut loose with a ferocity that brooked no answer from the Indians. Mahmudullah turned over the strike at the other end, contributing only 24 to the 112-run partnership as Kapali struck the ball with power and precision.

Pragyan Ojha had bowled a tidy spell and taken two wickets on debut, Yusuf had given little away, and Ishant Sharma had kept things quiet when called upon. But when Yusuf came on to bowl his final over, Kapali, then on 47 from 64 balls, exploded into life. Two big slog-sweeps for six set the tone, and when RP Singh returned, both batsmen scythed him over backward point for fours.

Gony, whose second international outing was a great deal more taxing than the first against Hong Kong, then went for 4,6 and 6 as Kapali started to swing with genuine confidence. Mahendra Singh Dhoni once again turned to Ishant to apply a tourniquet, but to no avail. Kapali clipped a slow yorker beautifully through midwicket and then carved one past point as 61 came in just five overs. Of that, 50 had come off Kapali's bat.

Bangladesh had started sedately, but when Nazimuddin cut RP straight to third man, Mohammad Ashraful arrived to up the ante. With Gony straying on to the pads once too often, the runs came quickly. With Tamim Iqbal driving the ball fluently and Ashraful utilising both power and touch, the run rate soared to six.

Unfortunately for Bangladesh, Ashraful's profligate streak came to the fore just when his team were on top. Gony had been brought back for a second spell, and a half-hearted drive on the up went to Ojha at mid-off. A first international wicket for Gony, and a first catch for Ojha.

Raqibul Hasan and Tamim continued to pick up runs at a fair clip, and Dhoni threw Ojha the ball in the 17th over. He started tidily enough, giving little away, and was unlucky as a thick outside edge that took Tamim past 50 just evaded the man at slip.

Yet again though, a moment's carelessness cost Bangladesh dearly. Having creamed Ishant through the covers for four, Tamim then tried to deflect one fine off the pads. Too fine as it turned out, with Dhoni making good ground to his right to take a splendid catch. The second and third Powerplays had fetched just 42, and Bangladesh had to do it all over again.

Raqibul expressed the desire to push on with a big heave over long-off against Ojha, but was flummoxed soon after, as Ojha came up with a beautiful delivery that turned past the defensive prod to take off stump. Mushfiqur Rahim and Kapali consolidated with a 49-run partnership, but India's bowlers, with Ojha varying his flight cleverly, were slowly establishing a stranglehold.

Ojha's second wicket came courtesy a little extra bounce, with Mushfiqur's attempt at a cut finding only Dhoni's gloves, but the scent of a quick kill turned into a bloody nose as Kapali blazed away like a Catherine Wheel. Had Bangladesh taken their catches, there might have been even more fireworks to illuminate the Dhaka night. Raina and Gambhir certainly weren't anything like as generous.

Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Group A, Asia Cup, Lahore

Sri Lanka 357 for 9 (Sangakkara 101, Kapugedera 74, Jayasuriya 72) beat

Bangladesh 226 for 7 (Mushfiqur 44, Mortaza 34*) by 131 runs

Mohammad Ashraful was left to rue his decision at the toss - on the sort of pitch where they had piled 300-plus the previous day, Bangladesh decided to field first and paid a heavy price as Sri Lanka, fired by some superb top-order batting by Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya, piled a massive target before inflicting a heavy defeat.

Chasing an insurmountable target, Bangladesh never seemed like waging a battle although a fourth-wicket stand of 78 between Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hasan played a major hand in delaying the inevitable. For a while the duo played with patience, character even tackled smartly the spin of Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan. But eventually, Muralitharan got the better of their grit, effectively ending the Bangladesh fight.

Earlier the responsibility, once again, fell on Ashraful to play the multiple role of anchor, hustler and finisher. Yesterday, Ashraful had scored a composed century. Today, after his top edge was spilled by Jayasuriya, Ashraful went for a brash pull against a short ball from Dilhara Fernando. The umpire Simon Taufel thought the ball had brushed his gloves but the batsman started his walk with disbelief.

If Bangladesh meandered towards defeat, Sri Lanka always seemed formidable with the bat. Such was the dominance of the Sri Lankans that rarely did their run rate drop below seven. Much of the credit went to the opening pair of Jayasuriya and Sangakkara, who quickly got into the groove once they had gauged that they had nothing to fear from the bowling or the pitch. What unfolded over the next hour was a spectacular batting display that resulted in a 116-run opening partnership, which was the perfect platform for the other batsmen to build on.

It didn't matter that this was the first time in two years the pair went out to open. After the World Cup, this was the seventh pair Sri Lanka had tried out and it proved decisive as it was the first century opening partnership since the 2006-07 New Zealand tour where Jayasuriya had successfully paired with Upul Tharanga.

As Sangakkara caressed the ball to the boundary from close to his body, Jayasuriya cut hard, charged, pulled and hit at everything. Dolar Mahumud suffered the worst carnage as his second over was taken for 25 runs by Jayasuriya, which included two spectacular cuts on his toes past the point boundary.

Bangladesh's bowling was erratic to say the least. Apart from the dependable Mashrafe Mortaza and the left-arm spin of Abdur Razzak, the rest of the bowlers never stuck to the thumb rule of bowling to the fields. Time and again, Ashraful rushed to his bowlers, but as Sri Lanka's final total indicated, that didn't do much good.

Sangakkara took command after Jayasuriya departed, bowled trying to cut Razzak's spin. One of the highlights of the innings came in the 20th over, as Sangakkara clobbered five fours off Mahmud. The first ball was a wide, while the next one was smacked low by Sangakkara past mid-off. The next, a slower one, was swept to long leg for another boundary, after which he smacked one over the bowler's head for the third four. Mahmud had a chance to make amends, but made a mess of a caught-and-bowled chance the next ball. Sangakkara celebrated by sending the last two balls - both of which drifted down the leg side - for fours as well to speed towards his eighth ODI hundred and the second this year.

He accomplished that feat by pushing a single off legspinner Alok Kapali, whose first two balls were pulled for consecutive fours. He fell soon after, though - increasingly tired in the energy sapping heat, he miscued a pull to give Mahmudullah his only wicket.

But Chamara Kapugedera made sure the momentum was never lost, as he piled an intelligent 74, stitching important partnerships with Chamara Silva and Tillakaratne Dilshan. He was especially severe on Kapali, regularly stepping down the pitch to loft.

Sri Lanka now have the leisure of rotating the line-up in tomorrow's final group-stage clash against UAE, while Bangladesh will enter the second round with mixed feelings.

Bangladesh v UAE, Group A, Asia Cup, Lahore

Bangladesh 300 for 8 (Ashraful 109, Raqibul 83) beat

UAE 204 (Khan 78, Razzaq 3-20) by 96 runs

Mohammad Ashraful adopted a cautious approach to make the second century of his career as Bangladesh cruised to a comfortable 96-run over UAE during their Asia Cup opener in Lahore. He was supported by Raqibul Hasan, who made his second-successive 80-plus knock as the duo put on 141 off 122 balls. There was more reason to celebrate for Bangladesh when left-arm Abdur Razzaq became the third bowler from the country to take 100 wickets when he ended Khurram Khan's battling 78.

The UAE seamers had a tough time settling in after Bangladesh chose to bat, conceding six wides in the first two overs. Bangladesh, though, did not make use of the freebies when the over-eager Nazimuddin flirted with a perfectly-bowled outswinger from Zahid Shah. Ashraful, off the very next ball, had a lucky escape when an inside edge missed the stumps. Ashraful had two more doses of good fortune, but the signs were ominous when he latched on to a short delivery from Amjad Javed. Meanwhile, Tamim Iqbal, who struggled to get going initially, flicked Alhashmi to the fine-leg boundary to bring up Bangladesh's fifty and move into double figures. Ashraful then played a copybook extra cover drive against the wayward Javed Amjad to bring up the fifty-run stand.

The introduction of spin slowed things down, but suprisingly, offspinner Mohammad Tauqir was not used after conceding only six runs off three overs. Against the run off play, Tamim failed to heed Ashraful's call to avoid an unnecessary third run in the 24th over. As though venting his frustration at the run out, Ashraful played a stunning inside-out shot to reach his half-century followed by another scorcher to the extra cover boundary off Silva, though it grazed the hands of the cover fieldsman.

Raqibul, who batted with verve and purpose, made his intentions clear by lofting the left-arm spinner, Khan, one-bounce to long-on. Ashraful then hit two successive boundaries against the same bowler, and ran sharp singles and twos with Raqibul as he moved from 73 to 100 without the aid of a boundary.

UAE were suddenly under the cosh when Raqibul went on attack-mode, taking three boundaries apiece against Khurram and legspinner Arshad Ali as he picked up 27 from nine balls. Raqibul, though, missed out on a golden opportunity to reach his maiden ton, when a top-edged pull sailed to the 'keeper Amjad Ali, and UAE could have gotten two in two had Amjad held on to a catch off Ashraful at long leg. Ashraful was run out soon after and he was one of four wickets which fell within fifteen balls. Dollar Mahmud ensured that they did not muddle up the finish, making 19 off 9 to take Bangladesh to their highest score away from home.

Amjad Javed gave UAE a flying start by taking ten runs off the first over bowled by Mashrafe Mortaza to the cover boundary off the first ball of the innings before striking him over long-on on the sixth. But Mortaza extracted his revenge when he induced a top-edge from Javed, which was pouched by Tamim Iqbal. Indika Batuwitarachichi lasted only two balls, trapped by Shahadat Hossain.

The two Ali's, Arshad and Amjad did not the early wickets faze them, taking the attacking route. Amjad was particularly impressive, twice driving the ball past the covers and once straight down the ground, but the shot which stood out was a flick off Mashrafe to the midwicket boundary which had a certain Caribbean flair attached to it. Arshad almost matched that stroke with a powerful pull off Shahadat. The duo had raised 32 off 28 balls, but their promising stand was stalled when left-arm spinner Abdul Razzaq, introduced in the ninth over, got Amjad to edge to first slip with his first ball.

Arshad kept up the fight, punishing a couple of short balls from Dollar Mahmud. But when spin was introduced at both ends, UAE found the runs hard to come by. Mahmudullah, bowling quickish offbreaks, then accounted for UAE's captain, Saqib Ali, who cut him uppishly to Shahadat at backward point.

Khan survived a couple of close lbw appeals, but got going by striking Mahmudullah for a couple of attractive boundaries, one to long-on and then past extra-cover. The 47-run fifth-wicket stand between Khan and Arshad ended when the latter mishit Mahmudullah to Raqibul at midwicket. With the wickets falling in regular intervals, Khan let loose a barrage of aggressive strokes. He reached his maiden half-century in the 38th over bowled by Mahmud, during which a misdirected throw from Ashraful gave him four additional runs. After Khan holed out to Razzak, Alok Kapali helped himself to a brace of wickets to bring the match to a close.

Canada to host Twenty20 tri-series in August

Canada will host a Twenty20 tri-series featuring Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh from August 13 to 16 and all the matches will be played in Toronto. The tournament, which was organised by the PCB to fill up its calendar after the postponement of their home series against Australia, had initially faced problems with the backing out of the primary sponsors, but the board has managed to bring in a Pakistan-based business house to finance the event.

"The proposed tournament in Canada may have run into major problems after the previous sponsor backed out of their commitment,"

Shafqat Naghmi, the chief operating officer of the PCB, told the News.

"But we've got new sponsors and hopefully the tournament will go ahead according to schedule."

Naghmi said the board had also received a guarantee from the new sponsors for Pakistan's participation for the tournament. This will the first time in close to nine years that Pakistan will be playing in Canada: they had beaten West Indies 3-0 in September, 1999. Prior to that, they had played an annual ODI series against India from 1996 to 1998, winning on two occasions.

Gambhir’s century helps India record easy 7-wkt win over BanglaDesh

Opener Gautam Gambhir’s fine hundred helped India to register an easy seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh with 14.5 overs left in the last league match of the Tri-nation series here Thursday at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.

Now, India with two wins and Pakistan with one will play the final on Saturday as Bangladesh, losing both their matches is out of the triangular series.

Gambhir remained not out on 107, his fifth century in One-day International cricket, and he faced 101 balls hitting 13 fours and one six.

His opening partner Virender Sehwag also playd a brilliant innings of 59 off just 32 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

Both made 59 for the opening wicket partnership. Later, Gambir was involved in 56-run second wicket stand with Rohit Sharma and 75-run third wicket partnership with Yuvraj Singh.

Earlier, a solid knock of 89 from Raqibul Hasan guided Bangladesh to reach 222 in 49.5 overs.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful won the toss and decided to bat but both his openers were dismissed for a mere 17 runs.

However, Ashraful and Raqibul took their team to recovery and added 76 valuable runs for the third wicket stand when Ashraful got out on 36.

Later, Raqibul found another good partner in Alok Kapali, who scored 24 off 27 balls. Both made 46 runs for the fifth wicket partnership.

Kapali’s contribution was 20 and later Mahmudullah scored 24. Mashrafe Mortaza hit a 12-ball 13 and struck the only six of the innings.

From India, RP Singh captured three wickets for 46 while Irfan Pathan claimed two for 48. His brother Yousuf Pathan, Praveen Kumar and Pyush Chawla got one wicket each.

India made one change from the squad that beat Pakistan by 140 runs in their first match of the tournament on Tuesday, with pace bowler RP Singh replacing Ishant Sharma.

Bangladesh also made one change from the team which was defeated by Pakistan by 70 runs in the opening match of the tournament on Sunday, with pace bowler Farhad Reza replacing Shahadat Hossain.

We can make upset in tri-nation tourney: Ashraful

Bangladesh cricket team captain Mohammad Ashraful said that his team would have an advantage due to absence of Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar in the Pakistan team but he has no wishful thinking about it.

Talking to media after practice session in Mirpur, Ashraful said that his team is going through losses for a long period but it would definitely make an upset in this tournament.

Ashraful said that no team can be declared favourite in cricket.

On this occasion, Bangladesh team coach Jimmie Arthur said that the combination of the team is improving but it would take some time to be a winning combination.

The final team for the first encounter will be finalized tomorrow.

Campbell century helps WI U15s whip Bangladesh

Left-handed opener John Campbell notched a brilliant century as West Indies defeated Bangladesh by 37 runs, in the opening round of the CLICO International Under-15 Cricket Championship Group 1 on Saturday here at the Queen’s Park Oval.

The impressive Campbell showed a touch of class as he scored 112 from 120 balls, decorated with nine fours and one six, to help his team tally a challenging 237 off 49.5 overs.

In response, Bangladesh were restricted to 200 for eight from their allotted 50 overs as spinner Donovan Nelson took three for 43 to do the damage.

West Indies’ total was built around Campbell’s century and two key partnerships he shared with Akeem Saunders who made 23 and Steven Katwaroo (10).

After the young Windies slipped to 64 for three, Campbell and captain Katwaroo added 49 for the fourth wicket to revive the innings.

When Katwaroo departed, Saunders then partnered Campbell in a stand of 58 for the fifth wicket to put the Windies back on course.

Prolific run-getter Kraigg Brathwaite fell cheaply this time around, prised out early for just five.

Leading bowlers for the Bangladeshis were Shahariar Islam who picked up three for 36 and Nazeef Ahmed three for 55.

Ahamedul Kabir then stroked a patient 80 from 100 balls with nine fours but it was not enough for the young Tigers to stage an upset.

He shared a 59-run stand for the third wicket with Ratnak Saha (11) that steered Bangladesh to 82 for two and returned to add a further 55 for the fourth wicket with Rakin Ahmed (18).

The batting fell away badly, however, as Kyle Mayers chipped in with two for 21 to help the Windies take the upper hand.

West Indies were to battle Ireland at the Queen’s Park Oval on Sunday in their next Group 1 match.

Scores: West Indies Under-15s 237 in 49.5 overs (J Campbell 112, Extras 35; Shahariar Islam 3-36, Nazeef Ahmed 3-55).
Bangladesh Under-15s 200-8 in 50 overs (Ahamedul Kabir 80, Extras 33; D Nelson 3-43).

Squad for Bangladesh (Bangladesh in Pakistan 2007/08)

Abdur Razzak

Aftab Ahmed

Dhiman Ghosh (wicket-keeper)

Farhad Reza

Junaid Siddique

Mahmudullah

Mashrafe Mortaza (vice-captain)

Mehrab Hossain

Mohammad Ashraful (captain)

Mushfiqur Rahim

Nazimuddin

Nazmul Hossain

Shahadat Hossain

Shahriar Nafees

Shakib Al Hasan

Syed Rasel

Tamim Iqbal

Bangladesh cricket team arrives in Lahore

Bangladesh cricket team, after staying for a few hours in Karachi, has arrived in Lahore where besides playing a practice match it will play two One-day Internationals against Pakistan.

The Bangladesh cricket team will play five One-day internationals and a Twenty20 International match in Pakistan.

The first and the third match of the series will be played in Lahore, second in Faisalabad, fourth in Multan and the fifth and the final ODI and the solitary T20 International match will be played in Karachi.

It may be recalled that after Australia withdrew from touring Pakistan, Bangladesh cricket team has come on the tour of Pakistan.

16 Players announced for the first 2 ODIs against Bangladesh

The Selection Committee headed by Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed has announced the following players for the first 2-ODIs to be played against Bangladesh starting from 8th April 2008. The names are as follows:

1. Shoaib Malik - (Captain)
2. Salman Butt
3. Nasir Jamshed
4. Younis Khan
5. Mohammad Yousuf
6. Misbah-ul-Haq
7. Shahid Afridi
8. Kamran Akmal - (Wicket Keeper)
9. Umar Gul
10. Sohail Tanvir
11. Iftikhar Anjum
12. Sohail Khan
13. Wahab Riaz
14. Fawad Alam
15. Bazid Khan
16. Sarfraz Ahmed - (Wicket Keeper)

The players such as Yasir Hamid, Yasir Arafat, Faisal Iqbal, Naumanullah, Abdur Rauf, Kamran Hussain, Junaid Zia, Yasir Ali, Umair Khan and others who are performing well in Domestic Cricket (Patangular & ABN AMRO One Day Cup) will also be considered for the next 3ODIs.

Bangladesh captain fined for slapping a cricket fan

Bangladesh cricket captain Mohammad Ashraful was fined on Monday for slapping a spectator who called his recent performance against South Africa "rubbish," an official said.
The 23-year-old batsman, who had to be escorted away by police, hit the fan last week after he verbally abused him by chanting "Ashraful bhua" (Ashraul rubbish) as he trained at an indoor stadium in the capital Dhaka.

"He appeared at a disciplinary hearing of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in relation to his involvement in the incident,"

the board's spokesman Rabeed Imam said.

"The board concluded that Ashraful's action was in gross violation of the BCB Code of Conduct and decided to deduct 25 percent from his retainer for the month of March 2008,"

he added.

Ashraful, whose team suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the visiting South Africans early this month, later apologised for the incident.

The diminutive cricketer, appointed captain last June after some stunning batting in the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, has been in poor form recently, managing just 17 runs in three matches against South Africa.

"His latest act supported the growing concern that the little right-hander is just not strong enough to tackle the intricacies of a post that requires a cool head,"

the English-language newspaper Daily Star said immediately after the incident.

The BCB also deducted 20 percent from the monthly retainers of vice captain Mashrafe Mortaza, spinner Abdur Razzak and pace bowler Syed Rasel for playing in an unapproved match in a western Bangladesh town.

Ashraful says India's rise good for Asian game

India's brilliant show against Australia will inspire other Asian nations and prove a boon for the game in the region, an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) official said Thursday.

Led by an inspirational Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India beat Australia 2-0 to lift the tri-series one-day tournament earlier this month. Before that tournament the tourists narrowly lost a nail-biting Test series 2-1 under Anil Kumble -- but only after breaking the host's 16-match unbeaten run.

"India beating Australia is very good for cricket in Asia and will encourage nations like Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, China and Afghanistan,"

ACC chief executive Ashraful Huq said while talking to a French news agency.

He described India as the top team in the world.

"I watched both the finals in Australia and was amazed how the young Indian team paid the Australians back -- both on and off the field,"

said Huq, also a former secretary of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

He said the ACC wanted to build on India's success.

"We hope minor nations take a leaf out of India's book. We hope that two Asian teams, other than the four top nations who play directly, qualify for the World Cup 2011,"

he said.

The qualifying round of the 2011 World Cup -- jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka -- will be held in Dubai next year.

Huq said the inclusion of cricket as a medal sport in the 2010 Asian Games in China will be a major lift for the game.

"China is improving by leaps and bounds and cricket's inclusion in the Asian Games will open new avenues for the game. I can say with confidence that the Chinese women's team will give top nations a tough fight very soon,"

he said.

"Cricket is spreading in China like anything and we hope that once China gets their team in the top competitions, the game will flourish in their market and help our cause."

And Afghanistan, Huq said, will surprise major nations once they have a good coach.

"We have asked Afghanistan to hire a good coach, have in fact offered them a good coach, but they have not yet decided on it. Their players are very talented but they lack cricket knowledge.

"Afghanistan could have qualified for the Asia Cup 2008 instead of Hong Kong but they lost the semi-final because they wanted to reach the 150-plus target in just 10 overs which showed their lack of knowledge."

Huq also praised Pakistan for their support to Afghanistan and China.

"Pakistan has helped both China and Afghanistan by giving them equipment, have given China a very good coach and given tours to the Afghanistan team in the past, so other top nations are also willing to help them,"

he said.

Bangladesh ease to win over Ireland

Shahriar Nafees' unbeaten 90 runs helped Bangladesh ease to an eight-wicket victory over Ireland in the one-day international in Mirpur.

Ireland could only manage 185-7 from their 50 overs, Alex Cusack top-scoring with 38 and Eoin Morgan (34) and Trent Johnston (31 not out) also chipping in.

Mashrafe Mortaza (3-23) got openers William Porterfield and Reinhard Strydom and had Cusack caught as well.

Mohammad Ashraful's unbeaten 64 runs helped Nafees guide the Bangladeshis home.

Nafees' 90 came from 120 balls and included 11 fours.

The two unbeaten Bangladesh batsmen produced a partnership of 130 after Aftab Ahmed's dismissal in the 10th over had reduced the home side to 56-2.

Trent Johnston claimed Aftab's wicket while Dave Langford-Smith had earlier dismissed Tamim Iqbal when the Bangladesh score was on 25.

The victory ended a run of 14 straight one-day defeats for Bangladesh who have been in a slump since qualifying for the Super Eights at last year's World Cup.

Ireland, seeking to repeat their impressive win over Bangladesh at the World Cup, stumbled to 18-2 with Porterfield dismissed for one and Strydom only contributing eight.

The O'Brien brothers Niall (15) and Kevin (20) both got starts before losing their wickets while Andre Botha was frustratingly run out for 22.

Morgan's handy contribution and the seventh-wicket stand of 65 between Cusack and skipper Johnston gave the Irish innings some respectability.

The sides meet in further one-day internationals on Thursday and Saturday.