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Ashraful, Meharb steer Central

Mohammad Ashraful put his poor form behind to hit a century and Mehrab Hossain Jr added another one to give Walton Central Zone a vital first innings lead over BCB North Zone in the Bangladesh Cricket League in Bogra on Friday. In the other match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Nabil Samad claimed 6-81 as Islami Bank East Zone... Full story

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Russell hit Arambagh for six

Top favourite Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra registered the biggest win of the season when they mauled Arambagh Krira Sangha 6-0 in the Bangladesh Premier League on Monday to take a solo lead in the points table. Full story

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Razzaq arrives but only just

Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq arrived on Friday to play in the Bangladesh Premier League for Duranto Rajshahi but insisted he will go back if the Pakistan Cricket Board wants him to do so. Full story

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Australia lead Sri Lanka but toss away wickets

Australia made hard work of grabbing a narrow lead over tenacious Sri Lanka on a second day tarnished by reckless run outs and rash shot-making in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The home side, with the series already clinched after wins in Hobart and Melbourne, edged Friday to a 48-run lead over the tourists. Full story

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Brownlie ton goes in vain

Dean Brownlie hit a maiden Test century for New Zealand but could not prevent a South African victory on the third day of the first Test at Newlands on Friday. South Africa won by an innings and 27 runs... Full story

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New Age out of Media Cup

New Age skipper Reazur Rahman Rohan sustained a rib injury as his team bowed out of the Pepsi Media Cup, organised by the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association, after suffering a 36-run defeat against... Full story

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Federer aiming for ‘longevity’ against younger rivals

Swiss tennis great Roger Federer on Friday said he was still hungry to win trophies but ‘longevity’ was now his main goal as younger rivals stand in the way of more records and victories. ‘I want to try and make this last as long as I can... I don’t want to fizzle out,’ the world number two, holder of an unmatched 17... Full story

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Djokovic fires as Tsonga is injured

World number one Novak Djokovic bounced back to his imposing best as Serbia advanced to the Hopman Cup final on Friday. The Serbian pairing of Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic beat Germany 3-0 to finish... Full story

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Australian run-outs must be addressed: Hughes

Run outs continued to haunt Australia’s batting as they edged 48 runs ahead of Sri Lanka with four first innings wickets remaining on the second day of the third Test in Sydney on Friday. Full story

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Murray takes chances to reach Brisbane semis

Defending champion Andy Murray moved into the semi-finals of the Brisbane International on Friday when he downed a tenacious Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-4, 7-6 (7/3). Full story

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Olympics 100m bottle-thrower ‘wanted Bolt to lose’

A man screamed abuse at Usain Bolt before throwing a plastic beer bottle on to the track shortly before the men’s 100 metres final at the London Olympics, prosecutors said at his trial on Thursday. Full story

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McGrath inducted into ICC Hall of Fame

Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath was on Friday inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Hall of Fame, making him its 68th male member. McGrath was formally inducted during the lunch interval of the ongoing... Full story

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Azarenka pulls out injured

Top seed Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from her much-anticipated Brisbane International semi-final against Serena Williams on Friday after failing to recover from an infected right big toe. Full story

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West Ham await United

Having established a seven-point lead in the Premier League over the festive period, Manchester United turn their thoughts to the FA Cup today when they visit West Ham United in the third round. Full story

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Real shift focus from Mourinho to players

Real Madrid’s players have begun giving regular news conferences again in a sign the club is seeking to improve its relations with the media and may want less attention focused on controversial coach Jose Mourinho. Captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas, forward Cristiano Ronaldo and defenders Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa all spoke to reporters... Full story

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Japan new market for talent: Wenger

Having seen the well of talent dry up in France, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has identified Japan as an emerging market to find new players for his Premier League side. Full story

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Rotation key to United’s success, says Giggs

Ryan Giggs insists Alex Ferguson is having no problems keeping his large Manchester United squad happy ahead of the FA Cup third round clash at West Ham today. Ferguson has rotated his players throughout the... Full story

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Aguero splits with Maradona’s daughter

Sergio Aguero has split with his wife Giannina, Diego Maradona’s daughter, after a four-year marriage, reports ANI. Giannina is now believed to be living in Madrid with their three-year-old son Benjamin after confirming the news on Twitter. Full story

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Demba Ba completes Chelsea transfer

Demba Ba has completed his transfer to Chelsea for an undisclosed fee on a 3-1/2-year contract, the club’s website (www.chelseaafc.com) said on Friday. The former Newcastle striker, who is the joint third highest Premier... Full story

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Newcastle complete Debuchy signing

English Premier League side Newcastle United on Friday said they had completed the signing of Lille and France defender Mathieu Debuchy for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old, who has... Full story

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Rooney out for two more weeks

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday that Wayne Rooney will miss a further two weeks with a knee problem. Rooney has been absent since the 1-1 draw at Swansea... Full story

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‘PSG advertising deal with Qatar justified’

A controversial advertising deal designed to help Qatari-backed Paris St Germain meet UEFA’s financial fair-play criteria is justified by the club’s growing influence in the Arabic world, the French club’s president ... Full story

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Vilanova set for Barcelona return

Barcelona expect to have coach Tito Vilanova back at the helm following cancer surgery as they return to league action after the winter break with a local derby against Espanyol. Although news that Vilanova had a recurrence of a tumour on a saliva gland sent shockwaves around the Catalan club, the impact has... Full story

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Mancini downplays Balotelli scuffle

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini played down his row with Mario Balotelli and insists the striker still has a future with him by claiming he will give him another ‘100 chances’ at the club. Full story

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Boateng, Milan storm off pitch after racist chants

AC Milan striker Kevin-Prince Boateng stormed off the pitch after racist chants from a group of fans on Thursday, forcing a friendly away game against fourth-tier club Pro Patria to be suspended. Full story

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Joe Cole re-signs for West Ham

English Premier League side West Ham United on Friday said that they had signed Joe Cole from Liverpool, bringing the midfielder back to the club where he began his career. Full story

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SOCCERLINE

Valdes opens door to possible move away from Spain Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has opened the door to a possible move away from Spain when his contract with the La Liga leaders expires at the end of next season. Valdes, Spain’s number two behind... Full story

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