HOME  SPORTS

HC declares NSC action in BCB constitution illegal

The High Court on Sunday declared illegal the actions of the National Sports Council that had given final approval of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s constitution on November 29, 2012 by making some amendments to it. Full story

---

Abahani eye top spot as second leg begins today

Defending champions Abahani Limited will be eying the top spot of the league table when they take on hosts Feni Soccer Club in the first match of the Bangladesh Premier League’s second leg at the Feni stadium today. Full story

---

Supreme Djokovic grinds down Murray

World number one Novak Djokovic wore down Andy Murray in an attritional four-set final to clinch a historic hat-trick of Australian Open titles and reaffirm his tennis supremacy on Sunday. The Serbian world number one lost the opening set in a tiebreaker but got progressively stronger to dominate the battle-weary Murray and win 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-2. Full story

---

Cricket set to return to old Ctg home

Cricket is set to return to its old Chittagong home at the MA Aziz Stadium after seven years as the third leg of the Bangladesh Premier League matches begin here today. Local team Chittagong Kings will take on table-toppers Sylhet Royals in the first match at 2:00pm while newcomers Rangpur Riders will face... Full story

---

England end on a high

India paid the price for some poor shot selection by their top order batsmen as England rode on Ian Bell’s unbeaten century to salvage some pride by winning the fifth and final one-dayer by seven wickets and reduce the margin of defeat to 3-2 on Sunday. Full story

---

PCB, Inzamam-ul-Haq trigger controversy

The PCB and Inzamam-ul-Haq have triggered off a controversy in Pakistan cricket because of their differing views on why the former captain was not sent to South Africa with the national team as its batting consultant. Full story

---

Sarfraz, Gul spur Pakistani revival

Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and opening bowler Umar Gul spurred a strong showing by the touring Pakistani team on the second day of their four-day match against a South African Invitation XI at Buffalo Park on Saturday. Full story

---

Gooch steps down as England limited overs batting coach

Graham Gooch has stepped down as batting coach for England’s one-day and Twenty20 teams and will focus exclusively on the test side, the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement on Sunday. Full story

---

United sail, Norwich, QPR fail

Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers joined Aston Villa on the FA Cup scrapheap after famous wins for non-league Luton Town and third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the fourth round on Saturday. Luton, of the fifth-tier Conference National, won 1-0 at Norwich through an 80th-minute Scott Rendell goal... Full story

---

Azarenka dreams big after crazy win

A glint of Belarusian steel and the support of her crazy entourage have given Victoria Azarenka hope she can win any Grand Slam title—and take on her nemesis, the great Serena Williams. Celebrations were long and noisy for the world number one after her win over Li Na in Saturday’s eventful final, when she overcame a hostile crowd and a host of distractions to successfully defend her title. Full story

---

Ronaldo passes 300 club goals with Getafe treble

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick and passed the landmark of 300 club goals as Real Madrid put a turbulent week behind them with a 4-0 win at home to Getafe in La Liga on Sunday to close to within four points of second-placed Atletico Madrid. Full story

---

Juventus sign Anelka on short-term deal

Juventus have signed French striker Nicolas Anelka from Shanghai Shenhua on a five-month rolling contract, according to club president Beppe Moratta. The former France international, 33, becomes the Serie A champions’ second big-name... Full story

---

SOCCERLINE

Mourinho shuns Madrid-based media Under-fire Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho again chose not to face the Madrid-based media as he celebrated his 50th birthday on Saturday but told Italian TV he was certain he would win at least one more... Full story

---

Torres spares Chelsea from FA Cup humiliation

Much-maligned striker Fernando Torres rescued FA Cup holders Chelsea from an ignominious fourth-round exit after his 83rd-minute equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw at third tier Brentford on Sunday. Full story

---

Genoa hold Juve as Chievo stun Lazio

Juventus spurned the chance to move eight points clear of Napoli and Lazio after being held 1-1 by Genoa in what was Davide Ballardini’s first game back in charge of the visitors. Antonio Conte’s side had relaunched their title defence with... Full story

---

Leverkusen reclaim second despite draw

Bayer Leverkusen reclaimed second place in the Bundesliga from defending champions Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, despite being held to a goalless draw at gritty Freiburg. Leverkusen’s draw means league leaders Bayern... Full story

---

United hungry for overdue FA Cup win

Manchester United are targeting a first FA Cup triumph for nine years after breezing into the last 16 with a 4-1 thrashing of Fulham on Saturday. The competition has often been shunted down manager Alex Ferguson’s... Full story

---

Referee breaks player’s nose in freak accident

Germany midfielder Daniel Bierofka had his nose broken by the referee after being hit in the face in a freak accident during a friendly match for his second-division club 1860 Munich. The 33-year-old was playing for 1860 Munich against VfR Aalen... Full story

---

City hit by Kompany blow

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has been ruled out of the Premier League champions’ crucial trip to QPR on Tuesday after suffering a calf injury during his team’s 1-0 win at Stoke in the FA Cup... Full story

---