Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live from the Stadium.

Bangladesh earned two points from three matches while England collected five points from four outings.

Bangladesh need win in the today’s match if they want to keep their quarter-final hope.

On the other hand, if England win the today’s encounter, then the English will confirm their quarter-final berth.

Shakib Al Hasan, the skipper of Bangladesh team said that they forgot the bad day against West Indies. ‘This can happened once or twice.’ Shakib added.

Shakib said, ” We want to bounce back tomorrow.”

Shakib added that earlier they could came back from those situations.

Shakib also added that the cricketers of Bangladesh team had confident to return from debacle.When asked to comment about England team, Shakib replied that there were professional cricketers in the English team.

The Bangladesh skipper added that they would be careful about their opponents.

Shakib also added that the final squad would be announced the next day.

Captain of England team Andrew Strauss said that he had awareness about the loud voices of the supporters of Bangladesh and he was also conscious about the hot weather of Bangladesh. Strauss added that he was aware of Bangladesh’s spinners.

Strauss said that Bangladesh team was hundred percent prepare to face them.

Strauss added that Tamim Iqbal was a formidable batsman. He also added that Tamim had three centuries against England One was in ODI match and two was in Test matches.

Strauss said, ” Tamim is such kind of cricketer who can change any game.”

Strauss also added that he was confident about his two spinners Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy.

The cricket lovers of the country want to watch that Bangladesh will win in the today’s high-voltage game against in-form England.

http://www.thenewnationbd.com/

The arrogant remarks made by some lawyers while conducting the writ petition of Nobel Laureate  Prof. Muhammad Yunus before the Division Bench of the High Court Division must be seen as highly disturbing specially in the context that they came to defend the honour of an honourable person. Yet, their Lordships heard the matter most patiently for three days before the order of rejection was delivered last Monday.  Surely the lawyers could not be stopped from saying everything they wanted to say in praise of Dr. Yunus add his international position.

One such lawyer representing a foreign financed NGO had termed Monday as a sad day for the people of Bangladesh. She blamed the court for legalising Bangladesh Bank’s illegal order. She insisted that a man of great honour was dishonoured because their Lordships found the writ petition not maintainable.

A senior lawyer claiming himself to be a brave lawyer told the High Court Division Bench, “We apprehend that Dr Muhammad Yunus will not get justice from you, since you are holding hearing on his petition for so long without issuing any rule.” The newspaper reports go, he even asked the judges to feel embarrassed and not to hear the writ petition.

“We have come to you for something. If you don’t give us anything, then just reject the petition, and we will leave,” he said, adding that there is no scope for holding such a long hearing before issuing the rule. He said it is a matter of few minutes for the HC to issue a rule following a writ petition.

He reminded the judges how important the matter was and how 16 crore people of Bangladesh, and even people of foreign countries had been waiting to know its result. In reply Justice Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, the presiding judge, said, “We will also be deprived of justice, if you leave.” The presiding judge politely wanted to know the law.

The lawyers of Prof. Yunus have preferred an appeal with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. The chamber judge of the apex court has sent the appeal to its full bench to hear Prof Muhammad Yunus’ petition. The appeal will be hopefully heard on 15th March.

The lawyers who felt free to make uncharitable remarks about the High Court Division’s decision have in fact earned their name and fame because of the reliefs they were able to obtain from the judges over the years. Some of them promoted the cases of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and hugely benefitted personally as well. They forget that the judges of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court had shown real courage in giving judgements against the government in many human rights violation cases.

It should be considered irresponsible for a lawyer to represent a client in court when he has no faith that he will get justice. Yet they are the ones who rush to court seeking justice for everything.

The dispute over Dr. Yunus’ matter has  much to do with the dignity of a Nobel Laureate. If there is any legal aspect to be examined, only that aspect can be looked into by the judges. The full court of the Appellate Division will again consider the legal aspect of Dr. Yunus’ writ. But we have been emphasising from the beginning that the legal aspect of Managing Directorship of Dr. Yunus is not everything. The whole nation is hurt and angry over the treatment of Dr. Yunus. More than legality, the callous disrespect shown in removing him has to be taken seriously. Dr. Yunus himself says he did not want to continue life long as Managing Director of the Grameen Bank. Some of the government’s men have made it clear that the main motive behind the action was political. Our party politics knows no respect for respectable men or women.  It is the party politics of our country that should be on trial.

We strongly feel a respectable way should be found for accommodating Dr. Yunus in running of the Grameen Bank as its founder. It is not necessary that he should remain Managing Director. Dr. Yunus is also eager to see that the bank is run properly maintaining international trust and reputation. A graceful arrangement for keeping Dr Younus involved in the management of Grammen Bank has to be ensured no matter what happens to the legal battle.

Managing Directorship of the Grameen Bank is not an issue for Dr Yunus or the nation. The Nobel Laureate of our country has been humiliated and his honour must be protected. We do not say that Dr Yunus has no accountability, but some people have to learn do things in a dignified manner. There is no alternative but to take initiative by eminent persons to reach a negotiated arrangement for graceful restoration of Dr Yunus’ link to Grameen Bank. Confrontatin will only worsen the situation for our national image and international standing.

http://www.thenewnationbd.com/

Suspects of Sanaullah Nur Babu’s murder were released from Natore Jail on Thursday evening after a High Court order on Mar 6 granted them bail. The victim’s family expressed alarm and dismay at the incident.

Local Awami League leaders received them with garlands at the jail gate around 7pm and later took them on a motorcade for a reception where they issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the witnesses.

The accused are Russel Hosain alias ‘Rappu’, Mohammad Rezaul Karim alias Rikon, 25; Hashem Mridha, 34; Gautam Ghosh, 22; Abdul Khaleque, 28; ‘Habib’, 24′ Bablu Molla, 24, Babu Molla, 25, Badsha Mandal, Ashraful Islam and Lutfar Rahman.

A High Court bench of justices Shamsul Huda and Abu Bakar Siddiqui granted their bail on Mar 6 subject to Natore’s chief judicial magistrate’s satisfaction.

Lawyer of the accused, Arifur Rahman, submitted the bail orders to chief judicial magistrate Mohammad Sharif Uddin on Thursday morning and the bails were granted for Tk 10,000 each.

On Oct 8 last year Baraigram Upazila chairman and BNP leader Sanaullah Noor Babu was chopped and beaten in public when the local BNP brought out a procession as part of the party’s month-long protest. Babu later died in the hospital.

At the reception ceremony the prime suspects, district Awami League publication and research secretary Zakir Hossain, said, “We did not kill Babu. But some people in Banpara have held meetings, processions, human chains demanding our punishment.”

“Within seven days the Banpara businessmen will have to prove we were involved in this murder. Otherwise, we vow that we will judge them ourselves.”

Another accused, Khokon Molla, said, “Not seven days, they will have to prove it within 72 hours.

Otherwise actions will be taken against them.”

bdnews24.com/corr/sh/2306h

The court fixed March 6 (Sunday) for delivering an order on a writ petition filed by Yunus. The Nobel winner found himself in the middle of a campaign since a Norwegian TV documentary alleged that he had transferred Norway government’s money unlawfully to another organisation. Norway later in a statement cleared the air and said no corruption or illegal activity had taken place.

Challenging the legality of the government’s move to remove Yunus from Grameen, nine directors of the microlender jointly filed a second writ petition with the High Court.

Dr Kamal Hossain who appeared for Yunus told the court that the government has removed the Grameen Bank founder from his post without issuing any show-cause notice.

Earlier when Yunus had asked the Grameen Bank board of directors to exempt him from the office considering his age, they requested him to continue, Dr Kamal said.

The directors last met on February 27 and decided to hold another meeting later on, but Yunus has been removed from the office before that meeting could be held, Dr Kamal said.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam opposed the writ petition, saying that Grameen Bank was established as per Grameen Bank Ordinance 1983, and as per its section 36, the retirement age of its officials is 60.

This provision applies to Dr Muhammad Yunus as it does to the other employees of Grameen Bank, he said.

The attorney general said Yunus is now 70 years old, and as per section 36 of Grameen Bank Ordinance 1983, he cannot hold this office.

After the court hearing, Yunus said he wanted a “graceful solution” allowing him to step down from his post at the microfinance institution.

“I have said repeatedly that I don’t want to be in the position of managing director but the (Grameen Bank) board would not accept my resignation. They asked me to stay and this is why I am in this position now,” he said.

“I want a graceful solution to my departure from Grameen,” he added.

“I urge all of you to save and protect this institution. Grameen Bank has come this far on its own money and labour, not foreign funds,” Yunus told reporters at the Supreme Court premises.

Grameen is a large organisation, in which a third of the country’s population is involved directly and indirectly, he said warning that the institution will not survive if people’s trust in it is damaged.

Who will remain in charge is not vital; survival of the institution is, he observed.

Meantime, Finance Minister AMA Muhith briefed diplomats at his office yesterday to explain the government actions.

Muhith said the government had no choice but to remove Yunus because he had held the position “illegally” since 2000; he had failed to seek the central bank’s prior approval when he was reappointed.

“The law took its routine course. Bangladesh Bank exercised its powers under section 45 of the Banking Company Act of 1991,” the minister said in a written speech.

But the diplomats seemed to be unconvinced by the arguments.

US Ambassador James F Moriarty, coming out of the meeting, said: “We are deeply troubled by the process here…that is trying to remove Prof Yunus who has continued to hold the position. It strikes us. It is an unusual way to handle a Nobel laureate, who is considered outside the country as one of the greatest Bangladeshis.”

Asked what would be the move now that they have received the Bangladesh Bank letter for removal of Yunus, Grameen Bank Chairman Khondker Muzammel Huq said: “The matter is sub judice. I won’t comment on the issue. I have to wait for a court decision.”

At Grameen Bank Building in Mirpur, a sense of insecurity seems to have set in following the removal of the managing director.

“It worries me when the head of a family becomes a victim of injustice. It is worrisome when an institution is likely to suffer political abuse,” said one of the employees hiding his identity card from view.

The presence of two Special Branch officers at the main entrance of the bank for over the last few days has added to the jitters.

What internal BB note states
Prof Muhammad Yunus has been “removed” from his position as his appointment violated the Grameen Bank Ordinance, 1983 that says a managing director must be appointed with prior approval of the Bangladesh Bank (BB), says an internal BB document.

In 1990, an amendment regarding the appointment of the managing director (MD) was brought to the Grameen Bank Ordinance making the provision of taking approval of the BB instead of the government.

On August 14, 1990, after the amendment, the then chairman of the board of directors of Grameen Bank requested the BB to appoint Muhammad Yunus as the MD of Grameen Bank.

On August 25 that year, the BB approved the appointment on certain conditions.

The conditions were: The terms and conditions for the MD’s post would follow the regulations of section 14(4) of the 1983 ordinance. The board of directors will make the regulations and those would take effect after being published in government gazette. Appointment of the MD requires a prior approval of the BB if the new regulations are inconsistent with the existing ones.

After obtaining the no-objection from the BB, Grameen Bank on August 29, 1990 appointed Prof Yunus as the MD. One of the conditions of his appointment was that he would be a regular officer and the chief executive of the bank. BB says the retirement age of a regular bank officer is 60 years.

In a comprehensive inspection in 1999, the BB raised an objection that the MD and DMD of Grameen Bank had been holding their posts for an indefinite period beyond their retirement age limit with the approval of the board of directors.

According to BB, the chief executive did not take prior approval of the central bank for this extended stay in office. Consequently on November 19, 2001, Grameen bank formulated regulations regarding the appointment of its MD. The new regulations include that age limit as per the bank ordinance is not applicable for the MD, Prof Yunus.

The regulations also made the post of the MD a contractual job, which the BB says a violation and “material alteration” of the terms and conditions of the previous appointment

Pakistan celebrate after defeating Sri Lanka in Colombo Photo: AFP

Pakistan and Sri Lanka played in the 10^th match of the World Cup, 2011, at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Both the teams have already played one game each. Pakistan played against Kenya and Sri Lanka played against Canada. Both the teams played very well till to the last ball of the match. The match was an enjoyable one for the viewers.

Pakistan won the toss and choose to bat first. Pakistan played the match with their consistent performance. Though it is difficult to believe both that, at 36, Misbah-ul-Haw hasn’t played a World Cup before and that he is playing this one at all. The man who played the best batting innings in this game in favor of Pakistan. Through the batting performance of Misbah & Younis Khan who scored 72 runs, Pakistan would able to make 277 by losing 7 wickets. Besides, Shahid Afridi did a very well job in the bowling side and have taken 4 wickets at the time when Pakistan really need for it to win the match.

From the Sri Lankan side the bowling was not that bad depending on the condition of the pitch. The starting of the Sri Lankan batting was good and in the opening partnership Tharanga & Dilshan made 76. But After K Sangakkara only Silva contributed a good score which causes them not to get win in this match. However, the match was very enjoyable because both the team played well. As of Shahid Afridi took 4 wickets in this match which made the Sri Lankan batting line-up weaken. And leads Shahid Afridi to be the Player of the match.

Fall of Wickets: 1-28 (Ahmed Shehzad, 5.3 over), 2-76 (Mohammad Hafeez, 13.1 over), 3-105 (Kamran Akmal, 20.2 over), 4-213 (Younis Khan, 40.5 over), 5-238 (Umar Akmal, 45.3 over), 6-267 (Shahid Afridi, 48.5 over), 7-277 (Abdul Razzaq, 49.6 over)

Fall of Wickets: 1-76 (Tharanga, 14.2 over), 2-88 (Dilshan, 17.3 over), 3-95 (Jayawardene, 20.2 over), 4-96 (Samaraweera, 21.2 over), 5-169 (Sangakkara, 37.4 over), 6-209 (Mathews, 43.4 over), 7-232 (Perera, 45.5 over), 8-233 (Silva, 46.0 over), 9-265 (Kulasekara, 49.5 over)

Player of the match: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

Player of the Match

In the 7th match of ICC world cup 2011, SA won by 7 wickets and made history. SA won the toss and choose to field first. By playing 47.3 overs WI able to take 222 runs. J. Kallis taken the catch of C. Gayle which is one of the main bating power for WI. D. Smith and D. Bravo made 111 run in their partnership which made it possible to reach 222. D. Bravo played an outstanding innings of 73 runs. Imran Tahir played a very well in his debut match and taken 4 wickets. Tahir did a very good job for SA as he taken the wicket of Chanderpaul. This bowling line-up made it possible for SA to get all the wickets of WI within 222 runs.

Besides, SA did not face that much difficulty to reach in their destination and making hte winning score of 223 runs. Though H. Amla & J. Kallis did not made a tremendous contribution in this match but after them  AB D. Villiers made his 107 runs with 8 fours and 2 sixes. G. Smith and JP Duminy also played well to give support to Villers.

Fall of wickets of WI: 1-2 (Gayle, 0.3 over), 2-113 (DM Bravo, 23.1 over), 3-117 (Smith, 24.4 over), 4-120 (Sarwan, 26.1 over), 5-178 (DJ Bravo, 37.5 over), 6-209 (Chanderpaul, 42.2 over), 7-213 (Pollard, 43.3 over), 8-213 (Thomas, 44.6 over), 9-213 (Sammy, 45.1 over), 10-222 (Benn, 47.3 over)

Fall of wickets of SA: 1-15 (Amla, 3.3 over), 2-20 (Kallis, 4.6 over), 3-139 (Smith, 28.3 over)

Man of the match: AB de Villiers (South Africa)

The President, in his message to Kuwaiti Amir on the eve of the day, said: “I sincerely hope that the existing relations between our two brotherly countries will gain in strength and dimension in the days ahead.”

He wished good health, long life and personal well-being of the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al Jaber Al- Sabah.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a separate message to Prime Minister of thestate of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Ahmed AL-Sabah, said: “I am confident that the existing brotherly relations between our two countries will be further consolidated and strengthened in the days ahead.”

She wished good health and personal well-being of Kuwaiti Prime Minister and continued peace, progress and prosperity of brotherly people of Kuwait.

Egyptian authorities also imposed a travel ban on two former ministers and the head of state TV and radio —  a measure that often serves as a prelude to a criminal investigation and a possible trial, the official MENA news agency said. The move is the latest from Egypt’s new military rulers against stalwarts of the former regime.

The three former top officials who appeared in a Cairo Criminal Court on Wednesday — ex-housing minister Ahmed Maghrabi, former tourism minister Zuheir Garana and steel tycoon and prominent ruling party leader Ahmed Ezz — wore white prison uniforms and sat in a metal cage as a judge issued a ruling blocking any commercial dealings in the men’s properties.

Maghrabi shouted out from behind the cage: ‘I will not be a scapegoat. I am innocent.’ Ezz and Garana also said they are innocent.

The trio, who face allegations that range from money laundering to abuse of authority and squandering state wealth, are among some dozen ex-ministers and businessmen who are under investigation. The protesters who ousted Mubarak in 18 days of demonstrations against his regime often mentioned the deep corruption of the government as a key reason behind their movement.

The popular anger felt against such former regime powerbrokers was evident Wednesday. As the vehicles carrying Maghrabi, Garana and Ezz drove through the streets of Cairo to the courthouse, dozens of cars followed them honking and people chanted ‘there are the thieves.’

When the men arrived at court, more than 500 people standing outside the building shouted at them, ‘thieves’ and ‘you robbed our money.

The travel ban was slapped on former prime minister Atef Obeid, who served as premier from 1999 to 2004, as well as long-serving culture minister Farouq Hosni and state TV and radio chief Osama el-Sheiky. The same restrictions were also imposed on nine businessmen deemed to have cushy ties with the Mubarak regime.

Also Wednesday, hundreds of low-ranking police officers set fire to parts of the security headquarters after four days of protests to demand better salaries, a security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press.

India’s prime minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday defended his record in office as his embattled government looked to revive its fortunes during a new parliamentary session.

Manmohan pointed to the country’s rapid development in recent years as he tried to shrug off a series of corruption scandals that have undermined his personal reputation and led to damaging deadlock in parliament last year.

‘The whole world has admired India’s economic growth,’ he told lawmakers. ‘The government is committed to achieving a growth rate of nine to 10 per cent this year.’

He again vowed to tackle graft, which many Indians believe has increased as the economy has boomed.

‘Nobody will escape the law,’ he said. ‘Action has been taken against the wrongdoers as and when there has been credible evidence. The government will do everything to clean public life of corruption.’

A corruption scam in which the treasury lost up to $40 billion through the cut-price sale of mobile phones licences in 2008 has become a major challenge for Singh, but he said there was ‘nothing wrong in the telecom policy’.

Inflation and the rising cost of food has been another key issue — tens of thousands of people protested in New Delhi on Wednesday against surging prices.

Food inflation is running at over 11 per cent, hitting India’s poor — key supporters of the ruling Congress party — the hardest.

‘The government’s policy is to control inflation in a manner that does not hurt employment growth. We will expand frontiers of our ability to control inflation through the national food security bill,’ Singh said.