BCB has picked former 'rebel-players'

BCB has picked former 'rebel-players' Shahriar Nafees, Aftab Ahmed, Alok Kapali, and Dhiman Ghosh, once banned from national play for joining the lucrative but unauthorised ICL, for an upcoming tri-nation series.

It marks BCB's first selection of the top cricketers since the ban was lifted following their departure from the rebel Indian Cricket League.

They are included in a provisional 26-member squad for the series beginning on January 4 in Dhaka, where Bangladesh will square off against India and Sri Lanka.

Warne, Clarke face off in All Star Twenty20

Australian spin legend Shane Warne and Michael Clarke are all for a Twenty20 showdown when they lead their respective teams in an All-Star match in Brisbane today. Warne will captain the Australian Cricketers’ Association All-Star XI, while Clarke, who has recovered from a nagging back problem, will play his first Twenty20 match since being appointed the national T20 captain by leading a KFC-sponsored Australian squad. ‘For what promises to be a fantastic opening to the Australian international season, the National Selection Panel has picked a very exciting team to take on the Johnnie Walker ACA All Stars in the game on Sunday,’ Cricket Australia NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said in a statement. ‘In selecting the team we have not considered any of the Test players who have been heavily involved in the recent one-day campaign in India to allow them to prepare for the first Test. ‘The side does however feature Michael Clarke in his first Twenty20 game since being named captain, Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle as these players have not had the same amount of cricket as the other Test players leading into Brisbane,’ he added. Hilditch said the match would also serve as good preparation for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup. ‘While the emphasis will be on entertainment, the NSP sees the game as a great opportunity to continue our preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies next year,’ Hilditch said. The star-studded ACA All Star team has retired legends like Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath. ‘We are honoured that four legends of the game in Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Glenn McGrath have made themselves available and have no doubt they will shine for the All Stars,’ ACA President Darren Lehmann said. Teams will be allowed 12 players, however, only 11 will bat and 11 are available to bowl. The KFC sponsored Australian squad: Michael Clarke (captain), Cameron White (vice-captain), George Bailey, Brad Haddin, David Hussey, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner. The Johnnie Walker ACA All Star Team: Shane Warne (captain), Travis Birt, Lee Carseldine, Adam Gilchrist, Daniel Harris, Matthew Hayden, Jason Krejza, Rhett Lockyear, Graham Manou, Glenn McGrath, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington.

Dilshan suffers broken nose

Sri Lanka’s opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has fractured his nose after colliding with one of his team-mates while playing football following the first Test against India in Ahmedabad on Friday. Brendon Kuruppu, Sri Lanka’s team manager, confirmed the news upon arrival in Kanpur, the venue for the second Test starting Tuesday. Dilshan had to be rushed to hospital where an X-ray revealed the damage. However, Dilshan may yet be available for the second Test. ‘The injury was put right by the surgeon before we left for Kanpur and Dilshan is out of danger,’ Kuruppu said. ‘He is not in any kind of great discomfort. He will resume practice with the rest of the team tomorrow (Sunday).’ This is Dilshan’s second injury on this tour. Prior to the first Test, he sprained his ankle during practice, but recovered in time to score a century.

Latif admits cheating at Multan

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif admitted that he faked the catch of Bangladesh batsman Alok Kapali during the third and final Test at Multan six years ago that the visitors lost by one wicket.

His confessional statement was aired on Desh TV, a local private television channel, on Saturday night where the former Pakistan wicketkeeper also explained what prompted him to resort to an act of cheating.

The 41-year-old Pakistani said that he did it intentionally keeping in mind that a defeat against Bangladesh would not be taken sportingly at home especially after the bitter memories of the 1999 loss in the World Cup.

He said that their one-day international loss against Bangladesh during the 1999 World Cup in England raised questions of match fixing and he feared that the defeat at Multan, which was always on the cards, might fuel that allegation again.

Now in Dhaka to attend the Level III coaches education course conducted by the Asian Cricket Council and Cricket Australia in collaboration with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Latif also recalled the incident, which was widely criticised.

“I dived to my right to take a Kapali nick (off an Yasir Ali delivery). The ball dropped from my gloves as I rolled over but quickly picked it up from the ground before claiming it as a clean catch,” said the stumper.

In that Test, Bangladesh were in a strong position to pull off a historic win. After scoring 281 in the first innings they bowled Pakistan out for 175. In their second knock Bangladesh wobbled after Kapali's dismissal on a difficult track. In their second innings, Pakistan rode on an unbeaten 138 from Inzamamul Haq to save the blushes. It was also alleged that the groundsmen cut the outfield grass the night before the start of the fourth day, a clear violation of the game rules, so that the ball could move faster towards the boundary.

An uneasy Latif however did not say anything about other incidents.

Latif was subsequently suspended for next five matches for bringing the game into disrepute. He also stepped down as captain after that three-Test series.

In that series, Bangladesh also played very well in the second Test at Peshawar. But a second innings debacle saw Bangladesh eventually lose the game by nine wickets.

Latif is currently the wicket keeping coach of the Pakistan youth team.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=113299

Abdur Razzak taking 15 wickets against Zimbabwe

Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 5th ODI highlight

Hussey named Australia vice captain for India ODI

Australia have named Mike Hussey as deputy to skipper Ricky Ponting in their 15-player squad for a one-day series in India starting on Oct. 25.

Hussey's elevation follows a back injury to fellow batsman Michael Clarke, who was forced to withdraw from their Champions Trophy squad in South Africa.

Australia will also miss first choice wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, undergoing rehabilitation after finger surgery, as well as left-arm paceman Nathan Bracken (knee), Cricket Australia said in a statement.

Attacking left-handed opener Shaun Marsh returns to the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The World Cup winners enter the seven-match series on a high, having swept to a 6-1 ODI series win against England ahead of the Champions Trophy.

"We're really pleased with the progress the ODI squad has made recently," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said.

"To reclaim our number one ICC world ranking was recognition of this squad's recent achievements but we recognise we have to continue to improve and to establish a winning culture within this young group of players on tough tours, like this, to India."

The matches will be played in Baroda (Oct. 25), Nagpur (Oct. 28), New Delhi (Oct. 31), Mohali (Nov. 2), Hyderabad (Nov. 5), Guwahati (Nov. 8) and Mumbai (Nov. 11).

Squad:

Ricky Ponting (captain), Mike Hussey (vice captain), Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wicketkeeper), Adam Voges, Cameron White, James Hopes, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz, Jon Holland, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle.

Major Decisions at adjourned 10th Meeting of BCB Board of Directors

The BCB Board of Directors convened for their adjourned 10th Meeting today. The following major decisions have been taken at the Meeting:

• Khaled Mahmud has been confirmed as Assistant Coach of the Bangladesh National Team.

• Bangladesh Bowling Coach Champaka Ramanayake’s contract has been extended until 31 March 2010.

• Fielding Coach Mohammad Salah Uddin’s contract will be assessed after Zimbabwe’s Tour of Bangladesh in November 2009.

• National Team’s Computer Analyst Nasir Ahmed’s contract has been extended up to 30 June 2010.

• The contracts of Age Group Selectors Ehsanul Haque and Sajjad Ahmed extended till 30 June 2010.

• The contract with National Team Sponsors Grameenphone will expire on 31 October 2009. As the contract is expiring during an ongoing tour (Zimbabwe’s Tour of Bangladesh), therefore based on mutual understanding the Board has agreed to extend it until 15 November 2009.

• The Board approved Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel as the new Hospitality Partners for three from the date of agreement.

• Rescheduling of Bangladesh’s Tour of England was approved. According to the new itinerary Bangladesh will reach England on 06 May 2010 to play two 3-day matches, one 4-day match and two Tests before leaving England on 09 June 2010 to participate in the Asia Cup. The team would again return to England on 30 June 2010 to play two practice one-dayers and three ODIs and will depart on 30 July.

Habibul Bashar in EID Tele-film

Link: http://bangladesherkhela.com/index.p...&editionID=783

England v Ausralia 1st ODI Live Streaming

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Habibul Bashar`s Birthday party

Former Bangladesh cricket captain Habibul Bashar shelled out over 4000 pounds to bring in chefs from the Amish Indian Restaurant in Chobham, Surrey, to cook for his 37th birthday party in Dubai on Sunday.

According to The Sun, Bashar was so fond of their chicken, lamb and vegetable dishes when he was in England for the World Twenty20 Cup this summer, that he placed a bumper birthday order - including flights, which all cost him 4,270 pounds.

Restaurant manager Amin Ali, 37, said: “He took our card and said he’d be in touch. It’s nice he thought that much of our food.” (ANI)

Highlights Bangladesh v Zimbabwe ODI Series

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England's Ashes win is front-page news, August 24, 2009

Shakib stars as Bangladesh defeat Zimbabwe

Shakib Al Hasan slammed 104 to help propel Bangladesh to a 49-run win over Zimbabwe and establish a 2-0 lead in their best of five One Day International series at the Queen's Sports Club on Tuesday.

Al Hasan's efforts helped his country to their highest ODI score of 320-8 in 50 overs with Zimbabwe totalling 271 all out in 46.1 overs.

Tamim Iqbal's beefy 79 likewise underpinned the tourists before he was run out - with Al Hasan himself suffering a similar fate.

That proved too tough a call for Zimbabwe to match, though half-centuries from Charles Coventry and Sean Williams saw them put up a strong fight.

Coventry found offspinner Naeem Islam to his liking as he slammed two big sixes but the pressure of keeping that going proved too much for both him and Williams.

Elton Chigumbura also weighed in with a defiant 31 but could not save a result for the hosts - beaten by eight wickets in the first match on Sunday - as he was run out at the death.

Shakib began slowly but then found increasing momentum and took full advantage of the batting Powerplay with some spectacular hitting - as well as some less than neat fielding, which saw him dropped twice.

Thereafter he raced on gratefully to bring up his hundred in 63 balls off Ed Rainsford before he was run out as he and Mushfiqur Rahim went for an over-ambitious three.

Mohammad Ashraful, whose weekend ton in Bulawayo helped land the opening ODI, this time could only manage 22 before falling LBW to Chamu Chibhabha

Bangladesh 320-8 in 50 overs

Bangladesh scored 320-8 in 50 overs against Zimbabwe in the second match of the GrameenPhone Cup ODI Series against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

The star of the show was skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who hit a whirlwind 104 off just 64 balls being he was run out.

He slammed nine fours and four sixes.

Opener Tamim Iqbal hit his second fifty of the five-match series before also being run out for 79 off 105 balls.

Raqibul Hasan (35). Junaed Siddique (27), Mushfiqur Rahim (23 not out) and Mohammad Ashraful (22) were the other batsmen to reach double digits.

Elton Chigumbura bagged 3-59 and Chamu Chibhabha took 1-51.

Zimbabwe v Bangladesh 2009

Mohammad Ashraful and team-mates are in full voice after their win

Zimbabwe v Bangladesh 2009

Nazmul Hossain dismisses Chamu Chibhabha, Zimbabwe v Bangladesh, 1st ODI, Bulawayo, August 9, 2009

WI v Bang: 3rd ODI

Wake up call

The West Indies romped to a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a Twenty20 match on Sunday after a disciplined bowling performance and four run outs from direct hits in the field.

The home team, weakened throughout the series by the absence of its leading players due to contract wrangles, finally won its first match against Bangladesh on tour after the visitors had swept the preceding test and one-day series.

The West Indies, led by two wickets and two run outs from Darren Sammy, limited Bangladesh to 118-9 off 20 overs at Warner Park.

The hosts lost a wicket on the first ball of its reply but Devon Smith (37 off 27 balls) and Travis Dowlin (37 not out off 37 balls) forged the comfortable path to victory at 119-5 with 19 balls to spare.

Bangladesh, after winning the toss and batting, dipped into early trouble when three wickets fell in five balls with the score at 12.

Medium-pacer Sammy (2-33) led the way as Junaid Siddique (5) and Mohammad Ashraful (0) were dispatched off successive deliveries.

Siddique sliced into the off side from the leading edge, while Ashraful scooped straight to short fine leg. Fast bowler Gavin Tonge added the scalp of Tamim Iqbal (7) next over as the left-hander clipped an ondrive to midwicket.

Captain Shakib-al-Hasan and Naeem Islam revived the visitors in a fourth-wicket stand of 31. But once Shakib was bowled around his back by Nikita Miller's left-arm spin and Naeem was the first of the four run outs, the innings fell away again.

Shakib was bowled around his legs as he missed a sweep while wicketkeeper Devon Thomas easily ran out Naeemafter the batsman sought a single.

Bangladesh slipped to 66-7 as Miller (2-22) added his second scalp as Raqibul was lbw sweeping and Mushfiqur Rahim was run out by Andre Fletcher.

Mahmudullah (21 off 27 balls) guided the lower order but Bangladesh's total was well below par.

Dale Richards chopped Shakib onto his stumps the first ball of West Indies' chase as Bangladesh sniffed a chance.

But left-hander Smith dominated a second wicket stand of 46 with Fletcher to put West Indies on course.

Fletcher (8) fell to Nazmul Hossain and Smith departed to fellow fast bowler Rubel Hossain at 67-3.

But Dowlin, one of the new West Indian players to enhance his reputation in this series, hit five fours, including the winning runs, to seal a satisfying win.

Captain Floyd Reifer added 22 off 20 balls and although he and vice-captain Sammy fell to Ashraful near the end, the victory was never in doubt.

Bangladesh beats WIndies by three wickets

All-rounder Mahmudullah hit an unbeaten 51 Friday to push Bangladesh to a tense three-wicket victory and a 3-0 series sweep over West Indies in the third and final one-day cricket international.

The right-hander, who earlier took 2-38 with his off-spin, struck two fours and a six off 70 balls as the visitors reached their target of 249-7 with seven balls to spare.

Junaid Siddique contributed 55 while fellow opener Tamim Iqbal (30), Mushfiqur Rahim (31) and Naeem Islam (26) also posted important contributions.

Fast bowler Kemar Roach claimed 4-63 and Darren Sammy, 2-37 to lead the home team.

Earlier, West Indies was bowled out for 248 off 47.4 overs.

Opener Andre Fletcher led with 52 off 42 balls while Sammy (40), captain Floyd Reifer (40) and Travis Dowlin (38).

Mahmudullah, medium pacer Mahbubul Alam (2-42) and left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak (2-63) spearheaded the visitors' attack.

"We were all looking forward to this ODI series and we did well," Shakib said after lifting the Digicel Trophy. "We're very happy."

Shakib, named man of the series for his all-round contributions, praised Mahmudullah's match-winning effort.

"It is a team effort. Everyone is chipping in every time and when the team is under pressure, someone is doing the job for the team," Shakib said.

Siddique and Tamim launched Bangladesh's chase in emphatic fashion with an opening stand of 54 off 50 balls.

But West Indies hit back with some crucial scalps.

Tamim blasted five fours and a six off 27 balls before he slapped Sammy straight to mid-off.

Bangladesh soon slipped to 96-3 once David Bernard Jr. claimed Mohammad Ashraful (19) and Roach scalped Raqibul Hasan (5).

Ashraful edged to the wicket-keeper while Raqibul fell to a sensational low catch at extra cover from Reifer.

Siddique and Shakib added 32 for the fourth wicket but the West Indies seized the initiative as both batsmen fell in quick succession to Roach.

Siddique, after hitting six fours off 73 balls, lost his leg stump to a slower ball while Shakib miscued a pull to extra cover at 133-5.

Roach should have added the wicket of Mahmudullah but Sammy floored a tough, low catch at first slip before the 23-year-old had scored.

Mahmudullah made the most of that let-off and in successive partnerships with Mushfiqur and Naeem, steered his side home.

He added 50 with Mushfiqur before the wicket-keeper was harshly ruled out caught down the leg side off Sammy.

Then, Mahudullh and Naeem put on 49 to set up the series sweep. Naeem fell for 26 off 22 balls to give West Indies a sniff but the visitors held on for the historic win.

Earlier, the West Indies was in early peril after winning the toss and batting on a true pitch.

Kieran Powell, a 19-year-old on his debut, fell to the second ball of the match as he was trapped plumb lbw by Mahbubul.

Soon afterwards, it was 10-2 when Devon Smith (4) mowed across the line and was bowled by Mahbubul's new ball mate, Nazmul Hossain.

Fletcher and the in-form Travis Dowlin revived the innings in a third wicket stand of 76 off 72 balls.

The 21-year-old Fletcher brought up his maiden one-day fifty, off 40 balls with eight fours and three sixes. But the right-hander perished soon afterwards as he holed out to long-on off Razzak's left-arm spin.

The innings wobbled again as Dowlin was run out after a mix-up with Reifer and Bernard Jr. fell at 124-5 in the 28th over.

Dowlin hesisted on a single and was undone by Ashraful's throw while Bernard (1) lofted to long-on off Mahmudullah.

Reifer, and Sammy again boosted their team with contrasting innings.

Reifer, scratchily compiled 40 off 79 balls with a six and three fours while Sammy blasted five fours and two sixes off 33 balls.

But they fell within two runs of each other as Bangladesh kept a tight rein.

Reifer clipped an ondrive to midwicket off Mahbubul while Sammy tamely hit a return catch to Razzak at 190-7.

Wicket-keeper Devon Thomas rallied the lower order with a composed, unbeaten 29 off 32 balls with two fours.

Nikita Miller (13) and Kemar Roach (10) helped push the total up to 248.

BCB picks U-19 squad for England tour

The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Thursday picked a 15-member under-19 squad for the tour of England to play against their English counterparts in July.

The Bangladesh U-19 side will play two four-day matches, four one-day matches and two Twenty20 matches against the England U-19 side during the month-long tour.

However, the visitors captained by Mahmudul Hasan will start their tour taking on England U-18 in a two-day warm-up match on July 3-4.

The U-19s boys will leave the country on June 30.

Squad: Mahamudul Hasan (captain), Amit Majunder (vice-captain), Saikat Ali, Asif Ahmed, Shabbir Rahaman, Imamul Hossain, Muminul Hoque Showrab, Mohammed Abul Hasan, Abu Jayed Chowdhury, Alauddin Babu, Shohag Reza, Shaker Ahmed, Anamul Haque Bijoy (wk), Quazi Nurul Hasan (wicketkeeper), and Nur Hossain.
http://cricket.bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=26&id=88219#tp88216

Bangladesh go down against Kiwis in the practice match

The Tigers began their preparation for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup with a four-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the first unofficial warm-up match at Wormsley Cricket Ground in Buckinghamshire, England on Tuesday.

Martin Guptill fired 61 to propel the Kiwis to 147-6 with five overs to spare after Bangladesh were restricted to 146-6 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Guptill was well supported by Peter McGlashan, who made 35. N McCullam was 14 not out as Mohammad Ashraful and Mahmudullah Riad took one wicket each.

Earlier, Bangladesh, who won the toss, made a modest total riding on a 43-run knock from middle-order batsman Raid.

Shakib Al Hasan followed him to make 35, according to TigerCricket.com, the official website of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Left-handed opener Tamim was the third highest scorer with 19 while captain Mohammad Ashraful and Mashrafee Bin Mortaza made 17 and 15 respectively.

Naeem Islam was 11 not out while Junaed Siddique and Mushfiqur Rahim scored three and one.

Rajasthan Royals made a losing start

Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals made a losing start to their South African campaign when they lost by 27 runs against the Cape Cobras in an Indian Premier League warm-up match at Newlands Saturday.
Both teams were well below strength, with the Royals fielding only four of the players who won the IPL last year and the Cobras missing most of the men who won the South African Twenty20 final earlier in the season.
‘It’s disappointing to lose but it was a great opportunity for some of the guys to show what they can do,’ said Warne.
‘Everything we wanted to get out of this game we got although the batting was a bit disappointing.’
Opening bowler Amit Singh bowled impressively to take three for 15 as the Cape Cobras made 142 for eight.
The home side were struggling at 34 for four and 65 for five but prospered through some hard hitting by lower order batsmen Richard Levi (36), Vernon Philander (26) and Rory Kleinveldt (23).
Kleinveldt took four for 34 when the Royals batted to clinch the man of the match award.
Royals’ Australian opening batsman Bob Quiney made a hard-hit 34 off 22 balls but the rest of the batting crumbled. Warne’s 21 was the second-highest score.

Twenty20 cricket goes to Everest

Twenty20 cricket is all set to touch a new high with some British amateurs gearing up to play a fund-raising match at Gorak Shep—just 135 meters below the Everest base camp—on April 21.
The unique cricket match will be played at an altitude of 5,165 meters and the teams will be named after Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary, the mountaineer duo who scaled the 8,848 metre peak for the first time in 1953.
The match, aiming to raise 2,50,000 pounds for UK-based The Himalayan Trust, will be first to be played at such a high altitude, according to Ang Tsering Sherpa, President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
The amateur players, aged between 22 and 36, along with other support staff, will spend nine days at the venue before the match to get acclimatized with the weather and environment there.
They will also carry a plastic-made pitch while the match will be played with a pink ball.

Stanford arrested and charged with massive fraud

It has been reported that Allen Stanford has been arrested and charged with fraud by US authorities.
The Securities and Exchange Commission said that they were "alleging a fraud of shocking magnitude".

The ECB reacted to the news with a statement saying it and the West Indies board had "suspended negotiations with Sir Allen Stanford and his financial corporation concerning a new sponsorship deal".

Earlier today the SEC accused Stanford, the head of the Stanford Financial Group, of fraud in the sale of about US$8 billion of high-yielding certificates of deposit held in the firm's bank in Antigua. James M. Davis, a director and chief financial officer of Stanford Group, was also arrested

The SEC said it could not account for the US$8 billion in assets that were housed in the Antigua bank after issuing subpoenas for bank records and to various witnesses. Most of those subpoenaed, including Davis and Stanford, failed to testify or produce documents relating to the assets.

The SEC went on to describe claims by the bank that it paid "significantly" higher returns on its CDs because of the high quality of its investments as "improbable, if not impossible". It is believed that Stanford and Davis's assets have been frozen pending further investigations and that their passports have been confiscated.

The SEC's investigation into Stanford Financial Group comes at a time it is under considerable pressure inside the USA for its inaction regarding the multi-billion Bernard L. Madoff case.

Rise and fall

Feb 25: Stanford reveals his plan for a $20 million Twenty20 match which he calls the “OK Corral” of cricket.
June 11: Stanford signs a five-year $100m deal with the ECB. He lands his helicopter at Lord’s before having his photograph taken with a chest of dollar bills.
Oct 27: The Stanford Super Series gets off to a bad start when he sits the pregnant wife of England wicketkeeper Matt Prior on his knee. Stanford issues apology to the team.
Oct 28: A party for England and the Superstars is cancelled as Stanford avoids a public meeting with Kevin Pietersen’s team.
Oct 29: ECB announce a review of the Stanford deal, three days before the $20m match takes place.
Nov 1: England are thrashed by 10 wickets as the Stanford Superstars team, led by Chris Gayle, become dollar millionaires.
Dec 17: Stanford sacks his board of legends, which included Sir Viv Richards and Sir Garfield Sobers, and closes his office in Antigua. His deal with the ECB looks dead.
Feb 11: Announces the end of his $20m match after one year but confirms the Stanford Quadrangular will take place at Lord’s in May.
Feb 17: Securites and Exchange Commission charge Sir Allen Stanford and three associates with alleged fraud 'of shocking magnitude'.

Dhaka to host inaugural match along with opening ceremony of the 2011 World Cup

Dhaka will host the inaugural match and the opening ceremony of the 2011 ICC World Cup on Feb. 19, said a BCB official on Tuesday.

Bangladesh Cricket Board media committee chairman Jalal Younus told bdnews24.com the ICC meeting on Tuesday decided to stage both the inaugural match and opening ceremony on Feb 19, 2011.

It had earlier decided that Bangladesh would organise the opening ceremony of the cricket extravaganza and the co-hosts are now set to stage the inaugural match as well.

Younus said that the opening ceremony would be a one-and-half hour programme and then the inaugural match would take place.

The BCB spokesman informed that BCB senior vice-president Mahbubul Anam and director Shafiqur Rahman Munna attended the ICC meeting in New Delhi.

Representatives of the ICC, including chief executive Haroon Lorgat, also attended the meeting to discuss ongoing plans for the ICC World Cup 2011, which will take place in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in two years' time.

"Among other things, it was decided that subject to final ICC Board approval, the opening ceremony for the event would take place in Bangladesh on 19 February 2011 and the tournament would be shorter than the one that took place in the West Indies in 2007," said ICC press release available here.

The statement also said that the meeting also discussed the issue of safety and security.
http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=26&id=76634&hb=2

Taibu will 'expose corruption' in Zimbabwe

Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu, who faces a trial over allegations he assaulted a leading cricket official, has pledged to use his day in court to blow the lid on "corruption" in the game, his lawyer said.

Taibu has been accused of assaulting Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) general manager Esther Lupepe last year. She claims that he grabbed her by the collar and jostled her during a confrontation over outstanding salary and expenses payments.

He was due to appear at Rotten Row magistrates court on Friday, but because he is on tour in Kenya, the trial has been put back, probably until mid-March, according to his lawyer Jonathan Samkange.

Samkange is reported to have stated at an earlier hearing that Taibu would take the opportunity to "expose corruption" in ZC.

The national cricket body, led by controversial chairman Peter Chingoka, were stunned when the magistrate ordered ZC to produce all accounts relating to players for audit.

ZC have protested that this was irrelevant to the legal proceedings.

Taibu, the country's leading run-maker and long-established wicketkeeper, was the spokesman for a striking group of players in 2005 and he declared he would not perform in Zimbabwe colours while Chingoka remained in charge.

He was eventually persuaded to return to the team after pursuing his club career in South Africa and Bangladesh.

Taibu told the earlier court hearing that the assault charge is an attempt to discredit him after he made claims that there had been dubious financial dealings within the national body.

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/taibu-to-expose-corruption-in-zimbabwe-20090207-806p.html

IPL for Shakib

Bangladesh and world's top all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan may join the Bangalore Royal Challenge as a replacement for left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak in the high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL).

Although Shakib was not available to make any comment a sources close to the Bangladesh Cricket Board said that it's matter of time before the official announcement will come from the franchise.

The number one ranked all-rounder in ODIs will be the third Bangladeshi after captain Mohammad Ashraful and his deputy Mashrafe Bin Mortaza to join the IPL if it is officially confirmed.

Razzak played for the Bangalore Royal Challenge as the lone Bangladeshi player in the IPL last year. But the left-arm spinner is now going through a rehabilitation programme after being called for suspect action during the home series against New Zealand in November.

Shakib was one of the four Bangladeshi cricketers who were up in last Friday's IPL auction but much to the surprise of many in-form left-hander failed to entice a buyer along with dashing opener Tamim Iqbal.

Mashrafee, Ashraful get picked for IPL, Sakib left out

In the most dramatic bidding for players in the Indian Primer League to date, Bangladesh vice-captain Mashrafee bin Murtaza was purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders at a whopping $600,000 in Goa on Friday.
Bidding on Mashrafee had started with a base price of $50,000 but his figures kept climbing steadily with the Kings XI Punjab hot on the heels of the Knight Riders before the Kolkata side roped him for 12 times his starting price.
Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful rode on his luck to win a contract at a time when it seemed the auction was well over. Mumbai Indians snapped him up at his base price $75,000.
Sakib al Hasan, the world’s top ranked all-rounder in ODIs, however, did not get a buyer surprisingly. Also unsold was opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, the other Bangladeshi player on the auction.
Initially there were no bids for Mashrafee either. But just before the hammer went down, Kolkata made a bid for $50,000. It was the start of the most dramatic sale at the auction that lasted nearly half an hour.
Kings XI Punjab entered the race almost immediately and the price started climbing up by $10,000 with every call. The raises were slow and the bidding went on and on and on. Kolkata touched the $500,000 mark first and Punjab went further to $550,000.
To the utter disbelief of everyone present, Kolkata, raised their call to $600,000 and at this point the tug of war between two best-looking film actresses of India Juhi Chawla and Preity Zinta for the Bangladesh pacer ended.
Juhi, the co-owner of Knight Riders, was calling for her team accompanied by coach Buchanan while Preity was calling for her King XI side alongside partner Ness Wadia. Preity was clearly frustrated, and later revealed that she was desperate to have Mashrafee on her side.
‘(Masharfee) Murtaza is a great player, an all-rounder and we wanted him. But you win some, you lose some,’ Preity later told reporters.
Mashrafee’s price was a record in the IPL. His price increased by 1100 per cent than his base price. Indian pacer Ishant Sharma held the record previously with $950,000 -575 per cent higher than his base price, also from Knight Riders last year.
...
Like his other team-mates on auction, Masharfee bin Murtaza was also reluctant to speak publicly about his Indian Premier League prospect before the auction in Goa on Friday.
But to the close circle he had revealed at least two facts. The first one was a recent phone call from Shahrukh Khan, the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders and the second was a promise made by Kings XI Punjab captain Yuvraj Singh.
Last year Mohammad Rafique had claimed to have gotten a call from Shahrukh, which later proved to be a false as the Knight Riders never came up with any offer for him publicly and the Bangladesh spinner went on to join the Indian Cricket League.
Mashrafee was careful to talk about his call from Shahrukh, but everyone close to the all-rounder knew that King Khan had in fact requested him to withdraw his name from the auction.
Shahrukh promised to take him in the squad as a replacement of Pakistani players. But Mashrafee humbly turned down the request and decided to try his luck. He knew for sure that at least Kings XI will be bidding for him as promised by Yuvraj last year.
Unlike Rafique, Mashrafee proved correct in his claims as both Shahrukh’s Knight Riders and Yuvraj’s Kings XI, made an intense bidding for him that lasted nearly 30 minutes and took his price to an astounding $6,00,000

Bad decision

What exactly is the definition of "crucial decision"? Choice of Power Play, slog over bowling option, fielding set up.

I believe that it is a very simple solution of a much complex problem. Making a decision in the right time is always difficult job. A person makes a decision according to his plan and judgment and most of the time he is not sure about the success. So, clearly it is like gamble. It is expected that most of the time one will win. However, sometimes bad things happen and this creates negative impact upon his future decision.

Now, in this precarious situation if any person get another four people’s decision and judgment, surely he will be perplexed. How will he makes his decision? coin toss, nepotism? My guess is Ashraful will make the final decision. We all know that Ashraful know all types of cricket shots but he is not a good manager to choose his shots. So does it change anything very much?

It will create rift inside the team. For example, if Ashraful accepts the decision of Mashrafe, then it might create a bad impression on other three’s mind unless Ashraful give a explanation about this. Ashraful might loose his reputation among the junior members of the team because he is less powerful.

So, overall I do not think it is a wise move. The success of this new system again depends upon solely on Ashraful.

Ashraful retains his captaincy

Bangladesh will retain Mohammad Ashraful as national captain for a limited overs home series against Pakistan in March and the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June.

Ashraful has been under pressure after scoring only 12 runs in three one-day internationals at home against Zimbabwe last month.

A Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman said on Saturday Ashraful's position would be reviewed before a tour of West Indies following the World Cup.

"We have decided to give him more time. He will remain under observation during the period," he said after a board executive meeting.

The spokesman said pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim were potential replacements.

Bangladesh beats Sri Lanka by five wickets

All rounder Shakib Al Hasan hit an unbeaten 92 to guide Bangladesh to a comfortable five-wicket win over Sri Lanka on Wednesday and a place in the final of their triangular one-day series.

Bangladesh had to win with considerable margin to get a place in the final at the expense of Zimbabwe, and reached the 148-run target with seven overs to spare in a match reduced to 31 overs per side.

Hasan's impressive knock of 92 from 69 balls with 10 fours and two sixes rescued the hosts from early trouble, having slipped to 11-3.

Both openers Junaid Siddique (0) and Tamim Iqbal (9) were run out, while Thilan Thushara had Mushfiqur Rahim (1) caught behind.

Al Hasan and captain Mohammad Ashraful put on 91 runs for the fourth wicket in a stand that turned the course of the match.

Nuwan Kulasekara broke the partnership when Ashraful (26) tried his favorite hook shot and was caught near the boundary by Sanath Jayasuriya. Ajantha Mendis then dismissed Raqibul Hasan (3) cheaply, putting the match back in the balance with Bangladesh on 126-5.

Hasan and Naeem Islam (12) reached the winning target, with Islam hitting a four and then a six off the final two balls, giving Bangladesh a bonus point to overhaul Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will meet again in Friday's final.

Earlier, a strong bowling performance, highlighted by four wickets on debut by 19-year-old seamer Rubel Hossain, justified Bangladesh's decision to send Sri Lanka in to bat after winning the toss.

After the start was delayed by more than three hours by fog, reducing the contest to 31 overs per side, Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya hit a half century but the visitors' innings fell apart late, losing their last five wickets for just 23 runs.

Sri Lanka was in trouble early, stumbling to 4-2 after opening bowler Mashrafe bin Mortaza struck early, trapping opener Upul Tharanga lbw and then bowling Kumar Sangakkara, both for ducks.

But Jayasuriya took up the reins with captain Mahela Jayawardene, adding 71 runs for the third wicket before Islam had the skipper caught at midwicket on 28.

Jayasuriya (54), partnered by Chamara Kapugedara, lifted the score to 95 before being caught and bowled by Mortaza, who returned figures of 3-25 in his allotted seven overs. Jayasuriya's 67th one-day fifty came off 61 balls and included six boundaries.

Sri Lanka lost the next three middle-order wickets for just six runs.

Rookie Hossain, 19, got his first international wicket when he dismissed Angelo Mathews (2), after Jehan Mubarak was run out on 10.

The visitors were reduced to 130-7 when Mahbubul Alam bowled Kapugedera (28).

Hossain then dismissed Nuwan Kulasekara (5), had Thilan Thushara (0) caught behind and took the last wicket of Ajantha Mendis (0) with three balls unused, to end up with 4-33 on his international debut.

Al Hasan inspires Tigers
SkySports

Hasan batting blitz sees Bangladesh stun Sri Lanka
AFP

Bangladesh storm into final
Bangladesh News 24 hours

It was my best innings: Shakib
Bangladesh News 24 hours

Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets
The Daily Star, Bangladesh

Zimbabwe 205-9 beat Bangladesh 167 by 38 runs

Elton Chigumbura led the way with a vital fifty as Zimbabwe defeated hosts Bangladesh by 38 runs in the first match of the three-team tournament.

Chigumbura hit a patient 64 to steer the tourists to 205-9, while Shakib Al Hasan claimed 3-23 and Naeem Islam took 3-32 for the hosts.

The Tigers slumped to 33-4 before Shakib scored a defiant 52 but the hosts were dismissed for 167.

Bangladesh now have to beat Sri Lanka to stay in contention for a final spot.

Chigumbura's 64 came off 95 deliveries and contained five boundaries, while captain Prosper Utseya claimed 2-22 for the tourists.

The second match of the series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe takes place in Mirpur on Monday.

ICL to close shop?

This could well be biggest development of 2009. The rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) is all set to be wound up, if the rumour mills are anything to go by. The buzz in the Indian cricket circles is that by the second week of January, the first signs of a rapproachment between the ICL and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to emerge.

This follows a meeting held in New Delhi between the International Cricket Council (ICC) president David Morgan and vice-president Sharad Pawar with senior ICL officials including its chairman Subhash Chandra. Pawar, a former BCCI president is now leading the talks on behalf both India and also the ICC. The sum total of the discussions is likely to result in ICL being winding up and the ban on the players joining the league being lifted.

Also likely to go is the ban on Zee bidding for TV rights held by the BCCI. But the biggest development is likely to be the fact that ICL will be allowed to buy one team in BCCI's own Indian Premier League (IPL).

ICC on its part too likely to send a list of guidelines for ICL for it be integrated in the mainstream. All said, sources within the ICL and the BCCI claim that a major announcement is likely on January 31 when the ICC executive board meeting sits in Perth.

http://www.cricketnirvana.com/truth-gossip/2009/January/truth-gossip-20090102-2.html

Bangladesh Tri-Series 2008-09

1st Match - Bangladesh v Zimbabwe
10 Jan - Mirpur

2nd Match - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe
12 Jan - Mirpur

3rd Match - Bangladesh v Sri Lanka
14 Jan - Mirpur

Final - TBC v TBC
16 Jan - Mirpur

Ashraful, Mushfiqur handed fines

Tigers captain Mohammad Ashraful and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim have both been fined for excessive appealing during the third day's play of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka.

Ashraful has been fined 15 per cent of his match fees while Mushfiqur was docked 50 per cent of his remunerations.

According to an ICC media release, the pair were handed the punishment by match referee Jeff Crowe following hearings which were held in Chittagong on Tuesday after the match. The on field umpires Steve Bucknor and Nigel Llong, third umpire Nadir Shah and fourth umpire Anisur Rahman laid the charges.

Ashraful was found to have breached Level 1.5 of the ICC code of conduct that relates to "excessive appealing" while Mushfiqur was found guilty of a charge under Level 2.5 that deals with "charging or advancing towards the umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing".

The incident happened in the Sri Lanka second innings when an appeal off Mehrab Hossain's bowling was turned down.

During the second Test, the match referee also spoke to Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes following similar conduct.

The players charged, as well as Bangladesh manager Shafiqul Haque, coach Jamie Siddons and the four umpires attended the hearing.

Sri Lanka beats Bangladesh by 465

Sri Lanka won the second cricket Test against Bangladesh by 465 runs Tuesday - the fifth-largest winning run margin in Test history - taking the series 2-0 after all-rounder Tillakaratne Dilshan claimed four wickets to add to his century in each innings.

Dilshan, who scored 162 and 143 with the bat, took 4-10 in 4.2 overs to help dismiss Bangladesh for 158 after a 92-run sixth-wicket stand between Mushfiqur Rahim (43) and Shakib Al Hasan (46) took the hosts to 144-6 in the unlikely pursuit of 624 to win.

Al Hasan was stumped by Prasanna Jayawardene off Dilshan, who then trapped Mehrab Hossain lbw for 5, had Mashrafe bin Mortaza caught behind for 0 and then bowled Shahadat Hossain for 1 at Chittagong Divisional Stadium.

Earlier, Sri Lanka declared on 447-6 at lunch with Thilan Samaraweera (77) and Chamara Kapugedera (59 not out) scoring half-centuries and add to Dilshan's hundred and Kumar Sangakkara's 54.

Bangladesh had lost both opening batsmen by the time the score was 22. Unorthodox finger spinner Ajantha Mendis had Imrul Kayes caught at first slip by Mahela Jayawardene for five and Tamim Iqbal was caught behind for 17 off Chaminda Vaas.

Mendis dismissed Junaid Siddique lbw for four before having Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful caught behind for seven and ultimately finished with figures of 3-57. Dilhara Fernando then bowled Raqibul Hasan for 10 to leave the hosts at 52-5.

Sri Lanka had resumed the day on 296-4 and Al Hasan made an early breakthrough for Bangladesh, trapping Samaraweera lbw to end his 145-run partnership with Dilshan.

Dilshan then batted with Kapugedara to complete his seventh Test century before being bowled by Enamul Haque for 143. Dilshan's hundred came off 130 balls and included 11 boundaries.

Ashraful took 2-56, while Haque had figures of 2-109.

Sri Lanka won the first Test in Dhaka by 107 runs.

Zimbabwe cricket team arrives in Dhaka

A 15-member Zimbabwe National Cricket team, led by 23-year-old all-rounder Prosper Utseya, arrived here on Sunday morning by an Emirates flight.

During their three-week tour to Bangladesh, Zimbabwe will play in the GrameenPhone Tri-nation Cup involving hosts Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Dhaka.

In the Tri-nation Cup, Zimbabwe will play hosts Bangladesh on January 10 and will meet Sri Lanka on January 12, both at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Bangladesh will play Sri Lanka on Jan 12 while the final match will be held on January 16 at the same venue.

After the tri-nation cup, visiting Zimbabwe will also play a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh on January 19, 21 and 23, all at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, before leaving the city on January 24.

The Zimbabweans will start their Bangladesh campaign with a three-day warm-up match against GP-BCB National Cricket Academy team on January 6 at the Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra.

The Zimbabwe team already left the capital this (Sunday) afternoon for Bogra where they will have a practice session tomorrow (Monday).

Zimbabwe team: Prosper Utseya (captain), Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Keith Dabengwa, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Chris Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa, Forster Mutizwa, Ray Price, Edward Rainsford, Vusi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Malcolm Waller and Sean Williams.

News of the assosiate members

Read this news from here:
Two up, four down
http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/review2008/content/current/story/384413.html

Mortaza's defiance: Bangladesh avoid follow on

Mashrafe Mortaza launches the ball into orbit, Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Chittagong, 2nd day, January 4, 2009

2nd Day
Bangladesh tailender Mashrafe bin Mortaza hit a remarkable half century on Sunday to steer the hosts away from a follow-on, but Sri Lanka still finished day two of the second Test in a commanding position.

Sri Lanka was bowled out for 384 early Saturday and was in a prime position to enforce the follow-on when Bangladesh slid to 145-9 in reply.

However Mortaza (63) and No. 11 Shahadat Hossain put on 63 runs for the final wicket - of which Hossain contributed just five - to avoid the follow-on.

At stumps, Sri Lanka was 13-0 in its second innings.

Bangladesh started the day promisingly, taking the last four Sri Lanka wickets for only eight runs within 25 of the start of play, but their batting followed the pattern of the first Test, getting starts but being unable to form any good partnerships.

Sri Lanka paceman Chaminda Vaas (2-21) got opener Tamim Iqbal (0) caught behind by Prasanna Jayawardene without a run on the board and then trapped Imrul Kayes (6) lbw. Spinner Ajantha Mendis removed Raqibal Hasan for a duck to have the home side at 33-3.

Junaid Siddique and captain Mohammad Ashraful put on 32 runs for the fourth wicket before Dilhara Fernando bowled Siddique (28).

Bangladesh slumped to 90-6 after Mendis claimed lbw wickets with successive balls, removing Mehrab Hossain (18) and Shakib Al Hasan (0).

Ashraful (45)and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim raised the score to 122 when the captain was caught behind off Muttiah Muralitharan.

After tea, Rahim (21) was next to go, stumped by his counterpart Jayawardene off Mendis. Then Muralitharan had Enamul Haque (4) caught behind and Bangladesh looked condemned to a follow-on.

However Mortaza then took over, with his spirited 63 coming off 89 balls with eight fours and two sixes. He was caught by Tillakaratne Dilshan off Muralitharan trying for another big hit.

It was the first Test half-century for Mortaza, who finished with 3-58 with the ball.

Mendis returned figures of 4-71, and his spin partner Muralitharan took 3-62

Sri Lanka strike back as Bangladesh struggle
Daily Nation, Kenya

Sri Lanka on top in Test despite Mortaza's defiance
AFP

Mortaza believes comeback still possible
CricInfo.com, UK

Sri Lanka leave Test rivals in a spin
CNN International

Bangladesh avoid follow on but Sri Lanka on top
Reuters India, India

Carrom Ball

Dilshan leads Sri Lanka

1st Day
Tillakratne Dilshan hit an unbeaten 95 to take Sri Lanka to 229-5 at tea on the opening day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh here on Saturday.

The middle-order batsman smashed two sixes and 14 fours in his entertaining 81-ball knock to steady the visitors, tottering at 75-4 after skipper Mahela Jayawardene elected to bat.

Dilshan also shared a 119-run stand for the fifth wicket with opener Malinda Warnapura (63) to lead a remarkable fightback by the visitors.

Warnapura hit six fours in his patient 151-ball effort before being trapped leg-before by part-time spinner Mohammad Ashraful.

The Bangladeshi bowlers struggled for most part of the afternoon as they took just one wicket, that of Thilan Samarweera (19), while conceding 163 runs off 30 overs.

Samarweera inside-edged a Shahadat Hossain delivery on to his stumps to squander a good start.

Hossain, however, was severely punished by Dilshan who smashed one six and three fours in one over by the paceman.

Dilshan also enjoyed a slice of luck when he was dropped on 82 off Mehrab Hossain, with Junaid Siddique grassing a catch at first slip.

Earlier paceman Mashrafe Mortaza picked two wickets in his first two overs to make early inroads into the Sri Lankan batting line-up.

Mortaza trapped opener Prasanna Jayawardene leg-before for no score before removing Kumar Sangakkara (five), who played the delivery on to his stumps.

The hosts then earned the big wicket of the Sri Lanka captain when Shakib Al Hasan induced a thin edge which was caught by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

Jayawardene, playing his 100th Test, made 11 off 46 balls with one four.

Twenty20 threatening Bangladesh Test status

Bangladesh could find their Test status is removed as other nations look to create space for Twenty20 in the calendar.

Complaints about the Bangladeshis' on-field performances have been a regular theme of the last eight years, but it is financial logic that has now led the leading cricket powers to turn against them.

With a growing number of Twenty20 tournaments competing for space in the calendar, teams like England and Australia are no longer prepared to play loss-making series against a team that has failed to improve since their inaugural Test in November 2000. Bangladesh's overall record now stands at one win (against Zimbabwe) from 58 matches.

"There is no reason why a team should have to play Test matches just because it is a full member of the International Cricket Council," said ICC president David Morgan. "If a team is not gaining anything from the experience, then perhaps it might be better to settle for one-day international status."

Bangladesh's future will be discussed at the ICC executive board meeting in Perth at the end of January. They will receive little support from James Sutherland, chief executive of Cricket Australia, who told Telegraph Sport this week that he believes Bangladesh are driving down the quality of international cricket at a time when it is especially important to maintain high standards.

"With the growth in the Twenty20 market, it is important to take the clutter out of the game," said Sutherland. "We need to make sure we are playing cricket for quality's sake, not for quantity, and in recent times I'm not sure that the quality has always been there.

"The Bangladesh team that came here this year performed far worse than the previous team, which toured in 2003. It's a difficult balancing act, you want to help them develop, but we lost a lot of money hosting them and I don't think their presence is doing anything for the game."

Even one-day series – such as the one played in Australia in August and September – could become difficult for the Bangladesh Cricket Board to organise in the current climate. England, who are due to host two Tests against the Bangladeshis at the start of the 2010 summer, are especially keen to find some replacements who might be more commercially viable.

Bangladesh may be the seventh-most populous country in the world, but their development system has failed to produce any convincing international players for several years now. They have also been weakened by a spate of recent defections to the Indian Cricket League, including that of former captain Habibul Bashar.

Despite a late rally against Sri Lanka last week, which saw them fall only 107 runs short of a target of 521, Bangladesh's Test side are living on borrowed time.

From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/bangladesh/4075107/Twenty20-threatening-Bangladesh-Test-status.html

Twenty20 threatening Bangladesh Test status

Bangladesh could find their Test status is removed as other nations look to create space for Twenty20 in the calendar.

Complaints about the Bangladeshis' on-field performances have been a regular theme of the last eight years, but it is financial logic that has now led the leading cricket powers to turn against them.

With a growing number of Twenty20 tournaments competing for space in the calendar, teams like England and Australia are no longer prepared to play loss-making series against a team that has failed to improve since their inaugural Test in November 2000. Bangladesh's overall record now stands at one win (against Zimbabwe) from 58 matches.

"There is no reason why a team should have to play Test matches just because it is a full member of the International Cricket Council," said ICC president David Morgan. "If a team is not gaining anything from the experience, then perhaps it might be better to settle for one-day international status."

Bangladesh's future will be discussed at the ICC executive board meeting in Perth at the end of January. They will receive little support from James Sutherland, chief executive of Cricket Australia, who told Telegraph Sport this week that he believes Bangladesh are driving down the quality of international cricket at a time when it is especially important to maintain high standards.

"With the growth in the Twenty20 market, it is important to take the clutter out of the game," said Sutherland. "We need to make sure we are playing cricket for quality's sake, not for quantity, and in recent times I'm not sure that the quality has always been there.

"The Bangladesh team that came here this year performed far worse than the previous team, which toured in 2003. It's a difficult balancing act, you want to help them develop, but we lost a lot of money hosting them and I don't think their presence is doing anything for the game."

Even one-day series – such as the one played in Australia in August and September – could become difficult for the Bangladesh Cricket Board to organise in the current climate. England, who are due to host two Tests against the Bangladeshis at the start of the 2010 summer, are especially keen to find some replacements who might be more commercially viable.

Bangladesh may be the seventh-most populous country in the world, but their development system has failed to produce any convincing international players for several years now. They have also been weakened by a spate of recent defections to the Indian Cricket League, including that of former captain Habibul Bashar.

Despite a late rally against Sri Lanka last week, which saw them fall only 107 runs short of a target of 521, Bangladesh's Test side are living on borrowed time.

From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/bangladesh/4075107/Twenty20-threatening-Bangladesh-Test-status.html

South Africa Seals First Test Cricket Series Win in Australia

South Africa clinched an historic Test series win in Australia to leave the Baggy Greens facing an uncertain future after years of domination.

Fresh from their series defeat in India, Ricky Ponting's Aussies were expected to return to the routine of smashing opponents around on home turf – notwithstanding the talent of the current South Africa side.

A 2-0 series win against New Zealand had the train back on the rails before the arrival of Graeme Smith's saboteurs, with two gutsy fightbacks by the Proteas in each of the two Tests so far have leaving the hosts with some hard questions before their Ashes tour of England in the summer.

Hashim Amla hit the winning runs on Tuesday as the tourists reached their target of 183 to win by a massive nine wickets.

Captain Smith stroked 75 before falling just before lunch as Neil McKenzie, with 59 not out, and Amla saw South Africa home.

Dale Steyn, who took five wickets in the Aussies' second innings and hit 76 in South Africa's first, was voted man-of-the-match.

Ponting must deal with the reality of becoming the first captain in 16 years to cede a series defeat at home, while question marks hang over the futures of batsmen Matthew Hayden and Mike Hussey – giants of their craft currently going through torrid spells.

Where paceman Brett Lee used to provide the support for Glenn McGrath in the attack, he now holds the cutting edge without which his own support bowlers look lacking.

And after Jason Krejza's promising start in India, it now looks like there will be a long, hard search for a replacement capable of hitting half the heights of spin legend Shane Warne.

Ponting said there were few positives to be taken from his side's performances.

"South Africa have outplayed us in all the big moments of these two Test matches," he said. "There are some positives there for us, but not many. This is a series win for them that's well-deserved." The sides now travel to Sydney for the third and final Test, with Australia needing to turn their big starts into a win. They had set South Africa a huge run chase of 414 in the first match in Perth, only to see their opponents whittle it down with little fuss. And on day two at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground the tourists were 198-7, almost 200 runs behind Australia, before Steyn and rookie Duminy shared an incredible ninth-wicket partnership of 180 to get the Proteas back in the match.