Jahurul to take dual role seriously
Jahurul Islam
After Khaled Mashud's long stint, Mushfiqur Rahim came into the scene to stand behind the stumps. But unfortunately the Bogra lad has yet to prove his worth as a wicketkeeper, rather his inconsistent performance caused a concern for the team think-tank, especially ahead of the 2011 World Cup where Bangladesh is one of co-hosts along with India and Sri Lanka.Given this circumstance, many were curiously watching Jahurul Islam's hard work donning his wicketkeeping gloves at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Is there any message for Jahurul to be considered as an alternative 'keeper?
"Actually I'm working hard with my keeping because I want to give best service as a wicketkeeper if needed. I also enjoy keeping," said Jahurul.
The 23-year-old batsman was also looking forward to establish himself as an all-rounder, akin to Adam Gilchrist and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I'm taking wicketkeeping seriously and I want to establish myself as a wicketkeeper-batsman. I will play Premier League and the National Cricket League as a specialist wicketkeeper," confirmed Jahurul.
"I started my career as a specialist batsman and I played in the domestic cricket as a specialist batsman but kept wickets often. Now on I have a target to perform the keeping regularly. I have a dream to establish myself as an all-rounder," he added.
But there is an every chance that he would have to fight with Mushfiqur even in the domestic circuit for a regular keeping spot as both are likely to continue their stint with Biman Bangladesh in the Premier League.
"I'm very much aware of the fact. In that case we can share the job. But this season I will desperately try to play as a wicketkeeper-batsman," he said.
Though Jahurul has so far played three Tests and six one-day internationals, this was for the first time he had the opportunity to practice in a training camp prior to any series. The Tigers have been training under the guidance of Jamie Siddons for the upcoming five-match one-day series against New Zealand in October.
A right-handed batsman, Jahurul, was drafted into the Bangladesh Test squad during the home series against England earlier this year following Rokibul Hasan's shock retirement.
"I was suddenly drafted into the national side and then played series and tournament one after another. I didn't get the opportunity earlier to take part in a training camp before any series. It's a fantastic experience and I am enjoying it. The facilities are excellent and one can't compare this experience with any other," said an excited Jahurul.
Jahurul however believe that one should have the courage to be successful in the international cricket.
"International cricket is totally different from others. I have some problem with my batting like lifting the bat and my bat swing. Still I was successful in the domestic cricket but I must rectify all those problems if I want to be a good batsman at the highest level," said Jahurul.
"But above everything I think someone has to have the courage to be successful in international cricket," he added.
India oust New Zealand
Take on Sri Lanka in final on Saturday
On-song India opener Virender Sehwag shows thumbs up after completing a century in the one-day international against New Zealand at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium yesterday.Photo: AFPIndia, with 10 points from four matches, will clash with Sri Lanka (11 from four) in the final on Saturday. New Zealand finished their league engagements with seven points.
Paceman Kumar finished with 3-34 as New Zealand, chasing a 224-run target, were shot out for 118 in 30.1 overs -- their lowest total against India in one-day internationals.
India were indebted to Sehwag for posting a competitive total as the hard-hitting opener cracked one six and 16 fours in a 93-ball 110 for his 13th one-day hundred.
India virtually wrapped up the match when they sent New Zealand struggling at 22-4 in the ninth over, with Kumar taking three wickets.
Tail-ender Kyle Mills hammered an entertaining 52 for his second half-century in one-dayers, but his knock came too late to stop India from the winning the match.
Mills hit three sixes and seven fours in his 35-ball knock.
Kane Williamson (13), Grant Elliott (11) and Tim Southee (10) were the others to reach double-figures in New Zealand's disappointing batting performance.
Fast bowlers Munaf Patel (3-21) and Ashish Nehra (2-10) were India's other main wicket-takers.
New Zealand paceman Southee (4-49) and off-spinner Nathan McCullum (3-35) earlier shared seven wickets to bowl India out for a modest total despite Sehwag's century.
India were tottering at 66-4 in 13 overs after electing to bat when Sehwag propped up the innings with a 107-run stand for the fifth wicket with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (38).
Southee, Mills (2-42) and Andy McKay (1-31) tested the Indian batsmen with pace and bounce in their lively opening spells to help New Zealand seize the early initiative.
Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina all failed to reach double-figures.
Southee took two wickets while Mills and McKay grabbed one apiece before Sehwag and Dhoni steadied the innings with their sensible knocks.
Although wickets fell at regular intervals from one end, Sehwag kept playing attacking strokes from the other and raced to his half-century off 41 balls when he hit seamer Scott Styris through the covers for his ninth four.
Sehwag then hit McCullum for a straight six and a four through the covers off successive deliveries. He took 46 more balls to complete his century, with a single off spinner Williamson.
The Indian opener fell playing shots, caught at deep mid-wicket by Bradley-John Watling off McCullum in the 33rd over.
McCullum struck again when he had Dhoni caught by wicket-keeper Gareth Hopkins, who took four catches.
SCORES IN BRIEF
INDIA: 223 all out in 46.3 overs (Sehwag 110, Dhoni 38, Jadeja 17; Southee 4-49, McCullum 3-35, Mills 2-42)
NEW ZEALAND: 118 all out in 30.1 overs (Mills 52, Williamson 13, Elliott 11; Patel 3-21, Pravee 3-34, Nehra 2-10)
Result: India won by 105 runs.
Man-of-the-match: Virender Sehwag.
Toss: India.
Umpires: Asad Rauf and Asoka de Silva.
Rumi quits taekwondo
Sharmin Farzana Rumi
Sharmin Farzana Rumi confirmed today that she plans to quit her preferred sport of Taekwondo due to persistent physical problems. But the woman who captured the gold medal in that discipline in the South Asian Games earlier this year, stressed her commitment to remain attached to sport after her recovery."It is a very tough game and I cannot bear it any longer. At present I have been suffering from a lot of physical problems and a gynecologist suggested that I consult with a surgeon. Considering the circumstances, I have sought an exemption from the discipline of Taekwondo," said Rumi yesterday.
Rumi was interviewed by Ansar's deputy director general (training) Dr Forkanuddin on Tuesday and the official was convinced about the problem Rumi is facing.
"She has genuine physical problems and has sought exemption from a hard game like taekwondo. Besides, taekwondo was an additional game for her because she was originally a handball player. We have no obstructions to release her from taekwondo because we can't enforce anyone to stick to a particular discipline," said Forkanuddin yesterday.
"She will be exempted if the experts seems the documents are justified," said the Ansar official.
However, it has been learnt that the taekwondo federation is very strict on training regardless of whether the players are sick or not. In many circumstances they have often forced the players to stay in the camp despite illness.
Before switching to taekwondo, Rumi was a handball player and was named best player of the national championship when her team Ansar clinched the title beating Faridpur in 2008.
Rumi also won a gold medal in her taekwondo event before the SA Games.
FIFA drops N Korea probe
A FIFA investigation into claims that members of North Korea's World Cup squad had been punished following their failure to win a match has been dropped, world football's governing body said on Wednesday.
The FIFA probe had been launched after reports that several players had been publicly humiliated and coach Kim Jong-Hun sentenced to hard labour for the team's losses in South Africa.
FIFA said in a statement Wednesday that following a letter of inquiry they accepted the North Korean FA's insistence that the reports were "baseless".
The North Korean FA said the team was "training as usual" ahead of the Asian Games and there was no truth to the reports.
The association also provided evidence to show that recent presidential elections were held in accordance with FIFA rules and were not affected by the World Cup as only one game had been played at that time.
FIFA said they were satisfied with the information received.
"With all of the information at hand, and having checked all of its sources, FIFA has decided to close the matter," a statement said.
Siddiqur flies to Switzerland
Chief of Army Staff and president of Bangladesh Golf Federation General Abdul Mubeen (C) hands over a crest to golfer Siddiqur Rahman as Grameenphone CEO Odvar Hesjedal (L) looks on at a reception at the Radisson Water Garden Hotel yesterday.Photo: STAR“I am feeling very confident now that I have won the Brunei Open. I want everyone to pray so that I may do well and bring more success for the country,” said an emotion-choked Siddiqur at a reception accorded for his triumph at the Brunei Open earlier this month. The reception followed by Iftar at the Radisson Water Garden Hotel was arranged jointly by Siddiqur's sponsors Grameenphone and Bangladesh Golf Federation (BGF).
The 26-year-old golfer, who became the first Bangladeshi to win on the an event of the Asian tour by taking the Brunei Open on August 1, spoke of his delight.
“I thank the Almighty Allah that I have been able to bring this glory for my country. It was a dream come true for me to win the tournament,” said Siddiqur.
Siddiqur was handed a crest and a bouquet of flower by General Mohammad Abdul Mubin, chief of Army Staff and president of BGF and Odvar Hesjedal, CEO of Grameen-phone.
The Army Chief Mubin talked of Siddiqur's hard work over the years and hailed him as a hero in the country's sporting arena.
“Siddiqur has brought tremendous pride for the nation. He has set an example for the upcoming golfers. From a humble beginning, he has grown into a huge stature through hard work,” said Mubin and thanked Kurmitola Golf Club and Grameenphone for nurturing the talent of Siddiqur.
Grameenphone CEO Odvar Hesjedal also was full of praise for commitment and achievement of the golfer.
“Golf is an elite sport in Bangladesh. But Siddiqur has taken golf to a new height in the country. He has climbed an insurmountable height. It was a great effort by BGF to spot his genius at a very early stage,” said Hesjedal.
The man who hails from Madaripur brought his proud mother and younger brothers at the reception.
Siddiqur became a professional golfer in April 2008 after playing the qualifying phase in India in February of the same year.
Heads of armed forces, BGF and Grameenphone officials were present at the occasion.
Ribery insists not being two-faced
"I'm not two-faced as the press in France portrays me. I had the impression that they always wanted to put me down and I'm happy to be able to now focus on Bayern," Ribery told Sport Bild.
"I'm disappointed (of my image in France) while in Germany it's different, it was less politicised."
- Afp
UEFA Champions League
Braga KO Seville
Bremen oust Sampdoria
Werder Bremen striker Claudio Pizzaro (L) is ecstatic after scoring the second goal against Sampdoria in extra-time to seal their passage into the Champions League finals during play-off at the Luigi Ferrari Stadium on Tuesday.Photo: AFPWerder Bremen also qualified by the skin of their teeth, ousting Italy's Sampdoria in extra-time after coming back from three goals down, the 3-2 final scoreline enough to give the Germans a 5-4 win as ex-Chelsea man Claudio Pizarro struck crucially to make the difference.
Braga won their home leg by the only goal a week ago but they swiftly built on their advantage with Brazilian Matheus putting them ahead on the half hour before Rodrigo Lima hit a second-half hattrick to send the Portuguese into the pool stage for the first time.
Luis Fabiano and Jesus Navas briefly gave Sevilla hope in levelling at 2-2 but Lima then weighed in with his second and third goals before Kanoute notched a late consolation.
Werder had meanwhile looked to have a foot in the group phase despite losing their German World Cup star Mesut Ozil to Real Madrid for 16 million euros as goals by Clemens Fritz, captain Torsten Frings and Pizzaro brought a 3-1 home leg advantage against Sampdoria.
But Samp, European Cup runners-up to Barcelona in 1992, were a different side to the one which had struggled in North Germany and within 13 minutes of the first whistle they had levelled matters courtesy of a stunning double by Giampaolo Pazzini.
Antonio Cassano, one of the 'bad boys' of Italian football - he famously fell out with former coach Fabio Capello in an unproductive spell at Real Madrid - nudged home the third to spark scenes of wild celebration.
But those celebrations were premature as Markus Rosenberg fired across home a fine low drive on the run to force extra-time and Pizarro drove home low after latching onto a Marko Marin pass.
Also going to an extra half-hour were Belgium's Anderlecht, who came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Partizan Belgrade - the same result as in the first game.
In the ensuing penalty shootout it was Partizan who held their nerve 3-2 with millions of Champions League dollars at stake as Mbarek Boussoufa blasted the decisive kick over.
Eren Zahavi's late goal meanwhile helped Israeli side Hapoel Tel-Aviv to edge through after seeing off Austrian outfit Salzburg. Having on the away leg 3-2 the Israelis advanced after a 1-1 draw in their return as Salzburg fell at this stage for the fourth time in five seasons.
Also through are Swiss side Basel who are into the group stages for the third time after 2002 and 2008 after a thumping 3-0 win at Moldovan outfit Sheriff Tiraspol, adding to a 1-0 away success.
Marco Streller scored the opener in the 74th minute and Alex Frei added two coups de grace in the closing stages.
Results
Anderlecht (BEL) 2 (Lukaku 64, Gillet 71) Partizan Belgrade (SRB) 2 (Cleo 15, 53)
Partizan Belgrade win 3-2 on penalties after match ended at 4-4
Hapoel Tel-Aviv (ISR) 1 (Zahavi 90+2) FC Salzburg (AUT) 1 (Douglas da Silva 42-og)
Hapoel win 4-3 on aggregate
Sampdoria (ITA) 3 (Pazzini 8, 13, Cassano 85) Werder Bremen (GER) 1 (Rosenberg 90+3, Pizarro 100)
Werder Bremen win 5-4 on aggregate
FC Sevilla (ESP) 3 (Luis Fabiano 60, Navas 84, Kanoute 90+1) Sporting Braga (POR) 4 (Matheus 31, Lima 58, 85, 90)
Braga win 5-3 on aggregate
Sheriff Tiraspol (MDA) 0 Basel (SUI) 3 (Streller 74, Frei 80, 87)
Basel win 4-0 on aggregate
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