Second IPL begins todayIndian Premier League

Royals' tough opener

Second IPL begins today

When the glitz and the glamour of the build-up to the Indian Premier League makes way for cricket action Saturday, past form will not count for much.

Defending champions the Rajasthan Royals could find it tough this time around, starting with their opening clash against Bangalore Royal Challengers in the second match of a double header which gets the five-week, 2009 tournament underway.

Mumbai Indians meet Chennai Super Kings, who were runners-up last year, in the early match.

The relocation of the world's richest cricket league from India to South Africa means that conditions will be different, with seam bowlers likely to get far more assistance than they did in the inaugural tournament in India last year.

The Royals had an early taste of the Newlands pitch in a warm-up match last weekend when batsmen struggled to play the sort of dominating innings that marked the first IPL.

It is a major blow for the champions will be without all-rounder Shane Watson and left-arm fast bowler Sohail Tanvir, two of the main match-winners for the underdogs who spent the least money on players but carried away the 1.2-million-dollar prize money.The Royals, who will again be led by veteran Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, will hope that Indian fast bowler Munaf Patel and South Africa's Morne Morkel can compensate for the loss of the two stars.

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Indian Premier League Fixture

Indian Premier League Fixture

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2 killed, 10 injured as AL factions clash in Jhenidah

At least two persons were killed and ten others injured in a clash between two groups of people, led by two local Awami League leaders, in Shailakupa upazila of Jhenidah this morning.

The deceased were identified as Azim Munshi, 40, son of Amir Mondol, and Kafil Uddin, 38, son of Shafi Uddin of Rajnagar village.

Police said the clash broke out in the morning in line with a brawl that took place last night between an AL activist and a shop owner, who also belong to the party, over the accounts of last year's dues. One was injured in the incident.

Locals said in the clash this morning, both groups, one led by AL leader Roise and the other by Altaf, used sharp weapons.

Altaf, Rana, Kayum, Robi and Kuddus are among the injured.

Shailakupa police chief Anwar Hossain said the clash between two groups of AL took place over realising due money.

On information police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.

Additional police contingents have been deployed to avert any further clash.

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Pahela Baishakh celebrated amid tight security

Thousands of city dwellers thronged in and around the capital’s Ramna Batamul area at dawn yesterday to greet the Bangla New Year 1416 amid unprecedented security.

Women wearing colourful saris and men in panjabi and pyjama turned out early in the morning to dance and sing in the lush green Ramna Park, the focal point of celebrations in the capital, to welcome year 1416 in the Bangla calendar while troops with sniffer dogs circled round.

Thousands of people gathered at Ramna Udyan where the artistes of cultural organisation Chhayanaut sang the traditional Pahela Baishakh song of Rabindranath Tagore -- "Esho hey Baishakh esho esho"-- to welcome the Bangla New Year.

Institute of Fine Arts brought out Mangal Shobhajatra, a colourful procession, from the institute gate in the morning. Besides, cultural functions are being held at Ramna Udyan, Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University (DU) and elsewhere in the capital.

People from all walks of life milled around Baishakhi Mela (fair) -- a major feature of Bangla New Year celebration.

They have Panta Bhat and fried hilsha with lentils and green chillies at home and Baishakh gatherings.

The Bangalees also thronged other programme venues in the capital and elsewhere in the country to celebrate the first day of Bangla year.  more.......... http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=16280

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Pahela Baishakh today

Pahela Baishakh today

Pahela Baishakh, the largest cultural festival of the Bengalis to welcome the Bengali new year, will be celebrated today with much enthusiasm and amid stepped-up security across the country. Thousands of people in Dhaka are expected to converge at Ramna Batamul, the main venue of the celebrations, at sunrise as Chhayanaut, which has been observing the day since 1965, will usher in the Bengali year 1416, rendering songs of Rabindranath Tagore sung by its students............. more info... http://www.newagebd.com/2009/apr/14/front.html#2

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