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Beach cricket carnival

begins in  COX'S BAZAR

The 2nd AB Bank Citycell WECCA (Weekend Cricket Club Association) Beach Cricket kicked off at the beach stadium here yesterday.

Minister for Information and Cultural Affairs Abul Kalam Azad inaugurated the three-day beach cricket carnival as the chief guest.

The minister said, "Our national cricketers have made us proud in international arena by winning series against Zimbabwe, West Indies and ODI series whitewash against New Zealand and now former national cricketers have come forward with this meet to bolster the chance of having Cox's Bazar as an international venue for beach cricket in this subcontinent."

He hoped that this type of cricket would inspire our cricketers to do well in the forthcoming World Cup.

Thirteen cricket teams with a unique blend of ex-national players and avid cricket lovers who despite not being able to find time to play regular cricket are taking part in the beach cricket party.

The teams are Cricketers (Ispahani), Royals (Acme), G-Team and Gladiators(Lafarge) placed in Group A. Josephites (GDFSL), Ramblers (Fu-Wang),Partex, Millennium make up Group B, while Group C consists of Commonwealth CC (Eastern Bank Ltd), FUCC (Maximus), Cavalier (PHP) and Rengades and Aamra.

In the inaugural match, Josephites clinched a thrilling three-wicket win over Millennium.

Winning the toss, Millennium scored 38 for 4 in four overs. In reply, Josephites strolled to 39 for two wickets in 3.4 overs.

In the day's second match, Ascent Royals beat Gladiators by seven runs at the same venue.

Ascent garnered 52 for 4 in their allotted four overs while Galdiators could only manage 45.

Former national captain and selector Naimur Rahman Durjoy, Faruque Ahmed,Akram Khan, Atahar Ali Khan, Minhajul Abedin Nannu, Khaled Ahmed Sujon,former national players and reputed cricket organisers were included inthe teams.

A concert was organised in the evening.

Satellite television channel Desh TV is telecasting the matches and other programmes live.