Tamim faces Shakib in key T20 match today

Bangladesh national skipper Shakib Al Hasan’s Worcestershire will face vice captain Tamim Iqbal’s Nottinghamshire in the Friends Life T20 at Trent Bridge today.

This is the second clash between the two teams with Notts winning the first match back in july 5.

The Notts Outlaws have to beat Worcestershire Royals today stay top in the North Group of the Friends Life T20 after losing out to Lancashire in a rain-reduced encounter at Old Trafford.

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has scored 104 runs in four matches in the Notts outfit, and has so far justified himself in David Hussey’s spot. Sources confirmed that the club officials are happy from his service so far which might be rewarded with a full year contract next season. But today the pressure will be on the left handed batsman as it will be his last appearance according to the contract.

On the other hand, Shakib who was judged man of the match in his last appearance will be determined to apply his tricks today at the Trent Bridge to help his side bag a win that will allow Worcester to stick to the fourth position of the North Group.

The match is scheduled to start at midnight.

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Venus wins first match

WIMBLEDON, England, June 20 (AP): Five-time champion Venus Williams, back on her favorite grass surface, swept into the second round of Wimbledon on Monday with a straight-set win over 97th-ranked Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan.

Williams, who returned to action at Eastbourne last week after an injury layoff of nearly five months, looked right at home at the All England Club as she beat Amanmuradova 6-3, 6-1.

Williams also made a fashion statement, wearing a one-piece halter-top playsuit which exposed some of her back.

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Farewell match a 'farce' : Ballack

Berlin, June 18 (bdnews24.com/Reuters) ? Former captain Michael Ballack has described as a "farce" an offer to end his Germany career with a friendly against Brazil in August, saying on Friday he was not being treated with respect by coach Joachim Loew.

On Thursday Loew ruled out using the 34-year-old Bayer Leverkusen midfielder again, saying a number of talented younger players were now more important ahead of Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

The German football federation has offered Ballack, kept on as official captain despite recent injuries, a 99th and final international against Brazil.

"To call a friendly match that was arranged long ago a farewell match is a farce. I know I owe my fans this match but I cannot accept the offer," Ballack said in a statement.

"I found out yesterday, while on holiday, through an announcement that the national coach does not plan with me (in the squad) any more.

"The style and content of the statement (by Loew) are unfortunately exactly like the way he (has) treated me since my serious injury last summer."

Ballack, who has scored 42 goals in 98 internationals since making his debut in 1999, has not played for Germany since March last year after sustaining an ankle injury that forced him to miss the 2010 World Cup.

Germany finished third in that tournament in South Africa after fielding their youngest World Cup team in 76 years but Loew said at the time that Ballack would return as skipper once he was fit again.

Loew, however, has ignored Ballack's claims in recent months despite his recovery from injury.

The coach said on Thursday he repeatedly explained his views to Ballack and the player had understood.

However, the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder denied that was the case.

"The style and content of this piece of news surprised and disappointed me because it does not in any way reflect what the coach told me," Ballack said.

"If now they say that I and my role were treated openly and with honesty then that is hypocritical."

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