Amidst high hopes the current office bearers at the country's most affluent sports body, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), took charge a year back following a free and fair election. The presence of tried and tested organisers made many believe that this time things would be put in the right place to achieve the much-talked about professionalism. It was also expected that cricket would take a few steps forward in the country. Many also believed that the people in charge would make certain of democratic practice in all activities on way to ensuring a good 'team-work' to help achieve the biggest challenge - - hosting the 2011 World Cup as one of the co-hosts.

Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity got their first points of the Premier Division Cricket league in their eighth round match against Partex at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. Khelaghar barely had to break a sweat as they chased down a meagre total of 98 losing only two wickets taking little more than 22 overs. Niaz Morshed scored 41 while Aslam Ali remained not out on 48 to guide Khelaghar to their first win of the season. However, the match's fate was determined earlier when Partex got bowled out for 98 despite a half-century from their opener Gazi Salauddin. Khelaghar spinner Bishwanath Halder did most of the damage with the ball as he took four wickets for nine runs in 9.1 overs.

As a rising star his budding skills helped France along the route to World Cup glory 11 years ago.

Jacques Kallis has been ruled out of the one-day series against England with a fractured rib and is also doubtful for the opening Test at Centurion Park on December 16.

Sri Lanka's opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has fractured his nose after colliding with one of his teammates 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.

Shahidur Rahman Shantoo's boys will play their first practice match against Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today as part of their preparations for the next month's Bangabandhu SAFF Championship. The match will kick off at 5pm.

A replay of the controversial World Cup play-off match between France and the Republic of Ireland is out of the question, the French Football Federation (FFF) reiterated on Friday.

World Cup qualifiers Ghana and Ivory Coast will clash in the first round of the African Nations Cup after the draw here Friday placed them in Group B with Burkina Faso and Togo.

A first-half goal from Gabriel Heinze vaulted Marseille back into the French title race on Friday, securing a 1-0 win at the Stade Velodrome over Paris St Germain.

Wimbledon champion Roger Federer insists his friend Thierry Henry shouldn't be blamed for the controversial goal that sent France to the World Cup at the Republic of Ireland's expense.

South Africa plans to create special courts dedicated to handling crimes committed during the World Cup, aiming to speed up the judicial process, especially for cases involving foreigners.

World football's governing body FIFA on Friday announced its decision to suspend the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) until further notice "because of government interference".

European football was reeling on Saturday from what one UEFA official called the continent's worst ever match-fixing scandal, with 200 games under suspicion of having been rigged in nine countries.

Former French international Eric Cantona launched a stinging attack on national coach Raymond Domenech on Friday following France's controversial qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

At least 18 people died and 312 were injured in traffic accidents during celebrations in Algeria following their World Cup qualifying victory against Egypt, authorities said Friday.

Former France striker David Trezeguet faces a month on the sidelines after pulling his calf in training, Juventus said on their website.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will stage the last chapter of their battle to finish the year as world number one when the ATP Tour Finals get under way in London today.

The West Indians ended a difficult tour game on a high when they fought to secure a draw with a committed batting display against Queensland. After strong half-centuries to Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the tourists can go into Thursday's first Test with some more confidence in their order after they finished the match at 6 for 357.

Pakistan's return to the IPL remains on hold with the national board (PCB) confirming it has not received any letters of invitation from the tournament organisers to its players to initiate the visa process. The deadline set by the IPL for receiving No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and visa paperwork was November 20, but a day after that PCB COO Wasim Bari has said he received no intimation about a step forward.

World athletics' governing body, the IAAF, held their silence over South Africa's gender row 800m world champion Caster Semenya during the first day of their annual congress here on Friday.