Robiul, Anamul lift South

South Zone batsman Anamul Haque plays a shot during his knock of 74 against East Zone on the first day of their Bangladesh Cricket League match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.
— New Age photo

A late blitz by Robiul Islam helped Prime Bank South Zone reach a respectable 248 runs in the first innings on the first day of their second Bangladesh Cricket League match against Islami Bank East Zone at Mirpur on Wednesday. Half-centuries from Junaed Siddique and Farhad Hossain took Bangladesh Cricket Board North Zone to 281-5 against... Full story

BFF takes guard as fixing threat looms

The seventh round of the Bangladesh Premier League begins today with title aspirants Team BJMC taking on a struggling Brothers Union at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the first match of the round. Full story

SA in charge after NZ crash

South African paceman Vernon Philander (C) celebrates his fifth wicket on day one of their first Test against New Zealand at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday. — AFP photo

South Africa were firmly in control after New Zealand crashed to 45 all out on the first morning of the first Test at Newlands on Wednesday. South Africa needed only 12 overs to take a first innings lead after a... Full story

Pakistan officially replies to BCB

Pakistan Cricket Board officially responded to Bangladesh’s letter over the postponement of a planned tour in January, said the officials on Wednesday. The BCB informed its Pakistani counterpart of its decision... Full story

Badda clinch senior div football

Badda Jagorani Sangsad players celebrate after winning the senior division football league title at the Kamalapur stadium on Wednesday.
— New Age photo

Two late goals from Badda Jagorani Sangsad striker Mohammad Sabbir helped his team come from a goal behind and become champions in the senior division football league with a 2-1 win over Dhaka Wanderers in their last league match on Wednesday. Mohammad Apu gave Wanderers a 75th-minute lead... Full story

India’s batting needs to fire

Wrecked by Pakistani seamers in their opening ODI, India’s under-fire cricketers will have to pull themselves up against the archrivals when they clash in a must-win second one-dayer today with the form of... Full story

Australia aim to bid Hussey farewell in style

Australia captain Michael Clarke vowed Wednesday to strive for a 3-0 clean sweep against Sri Lanka in the final Test starting today to give retiring batsman Michael Hussey a fitting send-off. Full story

Aguero injury opens door for Balotelli

Sergio Aguero’s loss could be Mario Balotelli’s gain, after the Argentine striker went off injured during his side’s 3-0 win at home to Stoke City. The New Year’s Day success enabled City to preserve the seven-point... Full story

Djokovic suffers shock defeat

Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat at the hands of young local Bernard Tomic at the mixed-teams Hopman Cup on Wednesday. The world number one will be aiming for... Full story

Contract talks with Real not important: Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is to avoid public discussions of a possible contract renewal with Real Madrid and plans to focus instead on winning matches, he said on Wednesday. ‘The issue has already been talked about,’ the Portugal... Full story

Pepe undergoes ankle surgery

Real Madrid defender Pepe had surgery on his right ankle at a clinic in Portugal on Wednesday, the club said, without giving a timeframe for his recovery. ‘Pepe, after showing discomfort in his right ankle and after a medical... Full story

Chelsea given green light for Ba transfer

Chelsea have been given permission to approach Newcastle United striker Demba Ba after making an offer that triggered a release clause in his contract, Newcastle confirmed on Wednesday. Full story

Siddik lifts Summit Golf title

Bangladesh’s professional golfer Siddikur Rahman became champion in the 17th Summit Golf Tournament as he finished with 11 under par after the fourth day at the Kurmitola Golf Club on Wednesday. Full story

United start 2013 with a bang

Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez celebrates one of his two goals against Wigan Athletic during their Premier League match at the DW Stadium in Wigan on Tuesday. — Reuters photo

Manchester United kept a firm grip on the Premier League title race by sweeping to a 4-0 win at Wigan Athletic on the first day of 2013 to maintain their seven-point lead. Champions Manchester City remain United’s nearest rivals after a 3-0 success at home to Stoke City, while Tottenham Hotspur... Full story