DT
26 Sport
FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015
We have to counterpunch: Duminy n Mazhar Uddin
South African cricketer Jean Paul Duminy throws a ball during training at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK
Rahmatganj deny Sk Jamal in stoppage time n Shishir Hoque A last-gasp strike by Nigerian forward Gideon Solomon stunned Sheikh Jamal in the Manyavar Bangladesh Premier League as a spirited Rahmatganj came from behind to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw against the reigning champions at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. The Dhanmondi outfit were unable to keep up with the pace of Rahmatganj and lost points for only the fourth time this season. Sheikh Jamal however, moved four points clear of Mohammedan at the top of the points table with 27 points. Sheikh Jamal began the game brightly with Nigerian striker Emeka Darlington putting them ahead with six minutes into the game, placing home into the far post on a Toklis Ahmed cross. Darlington doubled the lead in the 20th minute, cutting inside the keeper before slotting home. Rahmatganj managed to pull one back in the 41st minute when their Guinean midfielder Lamine Camara found the back of the net from 20 yards out. Solomon then unleashed a powerful volley from inside the box to equalise the margin in the 93rd minute. l
Visiting South Africa, who haven’t played any international cricket since the World Cup in February-March, are focused to do well in their only tour warm-up Twenty20 game as the Proteas all-rounder JP Duminy believes it is their only chance to accustom to the conditions before the series kicks off on July 5. The game at the Fatullah stadium today will see South Africa facing the BCB XI led by opening batsman Imrul Kayes. “There have been few changes. Bangladesh have played good cricket. We are not taking this lightly. This is definitely going to be a tough series. For us the series starts tomorrow (today), not on Sunday. We know how important tomorrow’s (today) warm-up game is. We would want to get the best out of the conditions we are going to face. Going into Sunday, then we will know we are well prepared,” said Duminy at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium yesterday. The Bangladeshi spinners were a headache for opponents in the past but now the seamers have also come up with extraordinarily performances which makes it tougher for South Africa who haven’t been always at their best in Asia. The 31-year old said, “Anybody can change a game of T20. It takes one over. We are not just focusing on their good spinners. Pace has been successful as well. We will have to make sure we understand what the strength and weaknesses are of every bowler and play
accordingly. “There are few things that will be a challenge. The conditions, the heat will come into play. We have to manage ourselves well. It will be our biggest hurdle. Bangladesh are going to come out fighting and we have to counter-punch them.” Over the last couple years Duminy has groomed himself into a perfect player for the shortest format. The left-handed batsman strikes 122.47 and scored 1406 runs from 59 matches and to compliment his willow he bowls off-spin that fetched him 14 wickets.
Bangladesh have played good cricket. We are not taking this lightly. This is definitely going to be a tough series He is a busy player playing all over the world in the Twenty20 tournaments and his stint at the Indian Premier League will certainly come in handy here. Duminy led the Delhi Daredevils just couple months back and he is looking to make the experience count. “I have been working on for a long part of my game, making sure I bat and bowl. Over the years I have gained a lot of experience by playing in different conditions like the IPL. Bowling in various situations in the game, power-play, back-end. I believe as a spinner, I must be able to contribute in any situation and be able to give the captain options whether in the first couple of overs or in the backend,” said Duminy. l
Proteas apologise for drone security breach n AFP, Dhaka
the drone camera cannot be used because of certain restrictions. We are really happy that they’ve taken it in true spirit,” a Bangladesh Cricket Official said, declining to be named. BCB officials said the country’s civil aviation authority last December banned all unmanned aerial vehicles in its airspace with-
out prior permission for national security as well as general safety reasons. South Africa arrived in Bangladesh this week to play two Twenty20 internationals, three one-day internationals and two Tests against the home side. The series starts with the first Twenty20 international on July 5 in Dhaka. l
South Africa’s cricket team apologised Thursday to the Bangladesh military for using a drone at a practice session in Dhaka and breaching national security ahead of the start of their tour. Bangladesh cricket authorities ordered a halt to use of the drone which had been taking photos of the South African players during the Proteas’ first practice on Wednesday. “The Proteas’ behind-the-scenes TV crew brought the drone over to try and obtain creative views and images to use for our YouTube channel,” team manager Mohammed Moosajee said. “We were unaware of the strict security protocols with regards to the Bangladesh airspace and have subsequently stopped using the device. “We do apologise to the Bangladesh military and security forces for any inconvenience this may have caused,” he said in an email to AFP. Ground staff were taken by a surprise when they saw the device overhead, controlled on the ground by a South Africa team official. This drone was used by the visiting South African side during their training session at the Sher-e“South Africa team has been told that Bangla National Stadium premises on Wednesday MAINOOR ISLAM MANIK