Flower banks on Swann

England's new coach Andy Flower has wasted little time publicly backing his troops in their bid to reclaim the Ashes following the three-day demolition of the West Indies at Lord's, and off-spinner Graeme Swann is seen as the man most likely to trouble Australia's top-order.

While Cricket Australia is forced to hold a spin summit and has no clear-cut favourite for the tweaking role, Swann has bolstered his reputation by terrorising the Windies' left-handers.

With Australia set to play five lefties in their batting line-up, Swann is being billed as a potential saviour for England.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted England captain Andrew Strauss as saying: "Swann is an excellent bowler at left-handers in particular. I haven't seen a left-hander play him with real confidence yet. He troubles everyone, has a good variety -- and I think he's a smart bowler.

Possibly the fact he's come in a little bit late in his career means he's had a little bit more time to think about his variations, how to out-think people and get them out. We're excited about what he can offer us."

Flower's first match in charge yielded a 10-wicket win, capping a remarkable turnaround from the humiliation of the 51-run dismissal in Kingston three months ago, and he believes England can perform a similar about-face from the 5-0 drubbing of the previous Ashes series in Australia.

"We have not talked about the Ashes series in detail but we have had a few thoughts and discussions. We aim high. We want to win the Twenty20 World Cup and, yes, I do believe we can win the Ashes," Flower said.

England has also been buoyed by the emergence of young guns Ravi Bopara at first drop and Graham Onions in the pace attack.

Closer to home, Australian players are locked in a tense standoff with CA over payments for next season, with their contracts having expired two weeks ago.

The Australian Cricketers' Association is fighting for higher wages for players but CA says the global economic crisis has forced it to tighten the belt.

Younus bucks up Akhtar and Afridi

Pakistan captain Younus Khan has backed senior players Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi to fire in next month's ICC World Twenty20 Championship and said he was satisfied with the duo's performance in the just-concluded one-day series against Australia.

"People are criticising Shoaib's performance but the good thing is he is gradually returning to form and fitness and he took part in five of the six matches," Younus said.

With just three wickets in four ODIs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Akhtar continues to remain a target for critics and some former players.

Younus, though, said he was happy that Akhtar had tried and worked hard in the series and was hopeful he would deliver better performances in the T20 World Cup in England.

"He can be a handful in English conditions," the skipper said.

Younus also pointed out that Afridi had surprised everyone with his performances.

"I have told him he has so much talent that instead of scoring just 30 or 40 runs he should be converting them into centuries. He is an extraordinarily talented player."

He said Afridi had been one of the most committed players against Australia and during team meetings became emotional with the team not performing well.

"He still has a lot to give Pakistan cricket. There is no doubt that before the series they were the players whose places in the team were doubtful. But both these seniors have done well," he said.

Younus also dismissed reports of rift in the team.

"There is no such thing, the team is united and everyone tried very hard against Australia," he added.

Younus admitted that former captain Shoaib Malik was a bit down after losing the captaincy but he had made him realise his importance to the team.

"I am sad that some people are saying that since I was captain some players deliberately under-performed. This is all rubbish, everyone tried very hard and we will be a different team in the T20 World Cup," he said.

The Pakistan captain said he was unhappy that he could not spend enough time or focus on all-rounder Sohail Tanvir.

"He is a very talented player who had a tough time in the series. But he is our key performer and important for us in the T20 World Cup. I am sure he will regain his confidence soon," the senior batsman said.

ICC World Twenty20 'Make Warne captain'

Impressed with performances of Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royal and Deccan Chargers under Adam Gilchrist in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), John Buchanan has advised selectors to request the duo out of retirement to lead the national team in the World Twenty20 tournament in England.

Serie A Inter close in

Inter Milan closed in on the Serie A title despite being held to a 2-2 draw at lowly Chievo on Sunday after rivals AC Milan failed to take advantage with a 1-1 stalemate against Juventus.

Inter, who lead by seven points with three matches left, could have wrapped up the title this weekend had they won and Milan lost but now they can do so next weekend if either they beat Siena at home or Milan lose away to Udinese.

Coach Jose Mourinho, though, was still confident enough about his team's scudetto chances to predict they will seal it next weekend.

"Our destiny is in our own hands and that's something extremely positive," he said.

"Almost always what I say happens: who knows if what I predict will happen or not but we'll win the scudetto at home to Siena."

Inter got off to a flying start as former Argentina international Hernan Crespo made the most of a rare start - only his second in the league all season due to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's suspension.

After just three minutes Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino spilled a tame strike from Esteban Cambiasso, allowing Crespo to prod home the rebound.

The visitors threatened to run away with things as veteran Portuguese winger Luis Figo's shot deflected off Nicolas Frey and came back off the post after another Sorrentino mistake.

But on 27 minutes Chievo struck back in stunning fashion as Michele Marcolini lashed in a left-foot drive from 25 yards out and slightly left of centre. Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar could do nothing but stand and admire it.

Inter were back in front on 65 minutes through teenage forward Mario Balotelli with a goal even better than Marcolini's: a rocket of a volley from just inside the area.

That appeared to be that, but the hosts struck back as Andrea Mantovani sent a deep cross over from the left to Brazilian Luciano at the back post on 73 minutes.

Inter full-back Maxwell had been drawn into the middle and he could not get back across quickly enough to stop Luciano side-footing home across Julio Cesar from 15 yards.

At the San Siro, Milan dominated but Juve created the more clearcut chances in an entertaining end-to-end game.

Milan went ahead fortuitously when Filippo Inzaghi crossed for Massimo Ambrosini and his scuffed shot wrong-footed Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and ran into the path of Clarence Seedorf to tap home into the empty net.

The lead lasted only three minutes, though, as Juve equalised on the hour when Vincenzo Iaquinta held off Mathieu Flamini to convert Mauro Camoranesi's cross with a diving header from close range.

The result ended Milan's run of five straight victories and took Juve's spell without a win to six games.

Juve did at least put in an improved performance and under-fire boss Claudio Ranieri denied he was worried for his job.

"There are critics but I'm not worried about them because the important thing is who they are," he said. "I know I'm on the right track."

In the day's other matches, Fiorentina opened up a three-point lead over Genoa in the race for fourth place and Champions League football next season as they won 2-0 at Catania, while Genoa were held 1-1 at Atalanta.

At the bottom Torino stayed one point above the relegation zone after drawing 1-1 at home to Bologna, who are one place below them.

Barclays English Premier League Blues thrash Gunners

Chelsea found the perfect cure for their European misery as the Blues won 4-1 against Arsenal on Sunday to guarantee a top-three finish in the Premier League.

Guus Hiddink's side arrived at the Emirates Stadium still smarting from their controversial Champions League exit to Barcelona, but first half goals from Alex and Nicolas Anelka followed by a Kolo Toure own-goal and Florent Malouda's late effort helped salve the wounds from Wednesday's defeat.

Although Chelsea's biggest league victory at Arsenal since 1970 mathematically keeps their title challenge alive, more importantly it seals a place in next season's Champions League group stages and condemns Arsenal to fourth place and the pressure of a qualifier, potentially against a formidable opponent from Italy, Spain or Germany.

Nicklas Bendtner got one back for Arsenal but defeat capped a miserable week for Arsene Wenger's team, who lost their 21-match unbeaten run in the Premier League five days after being brushed aside by Manchester United in Europe.

Hiddink said: "I was very proud of the reaction of the team. Everyone knows after Wednesday that it's very difficult to make it happen.

"I think the team reacted perfectly except for the first 15 minutes. It shows that this team is one of strongest in Europe."

Wenger was furious that Didier Drogba appeared to dive to win the free-kick that led to Chelsea's first goal. He said: "It was (a dive). We live in a league now where the divers are rewarded.

"It is not right but it is like that. I don't want to go into any individual assessment. It is down to the referee to do his job.

"I don't think the free-kick should have been given but we should still clear the cross."

Hiddink had resisted the temptation to take Drogba out of the firing line following his rant at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo in the aftermath of Barcelona's last-gasp victory.

Wenger was less forgiving to Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who was dropped after another lacklustre display against United.

Arsenal's Theo Walcott raided down the right dangerously in the early stages, forcing Petr Cech into action when he met Samir Nasri's astute pass with a close-range shot that the Chelsea keeper parried for a corner.

Walcott was at the heart of an equally incisive move that should have led to the opening goal.

Nasri turned to pick out Walcott and his low cross was perfectly weighted for Abou Diaby. But with just Cech to beat the French midfielder scuffed tamely wide.

Diaby tried to make amends as he teased Alex with a powerful run and cross that gave Walcott a clear sight of goal. Once again, poor finishing let the hosts down as Walcott side-footed wide.

Those misses came back to haunt Arsenal as the Blues snatched the lead completely against the run of play.

Inevitably it was a moment of controversy involving Drogba that produced the 28th minute goal. He went down easily under pressure from Cesc Fabregas, earning the Arsenal captain a booking when he protested Drogba had dived.

From the resulting free-kick, Drogba curled over an inviting delivery that Alex, climbing above Mikael Silvestre, met with a powerful header which beat Lukasz Fabianski via the crossbar.

Chelsea had become the first side to score a league goal at Arsenal since Robbie Keane struck for Liverpool in December.

Fabregas's frustration poured out and he was fortunate to escape a second booking for a lunge on Malouda moments later.

There was worse to come as former Arsenal forward Anelka increased Chelsea's lead in the 39th minute.

Taking possession just inside the Arsenal half, Anelka made a surging run towards the penalty area and, with the Gunners defence backing off, he lashed a fierce swerving strike past Fabianski.

Chelsea's sheer size and power had worn down Wenger's more fragile talents and the visitors scored again in the 49th minute with the assist coming from another former Gunner.

Ashley Cole, taunted as usual by the home fans, made a forceful run down the left and, when he crossed into the penalty area, Toure diverted the ball into his own net.

Bendtner provided a brief respite from the gloom in the 70th minute when he rose to power Bacary Sagna's cross past Cech.

But Malouda put the seal on Chelsea's day - and Arsenal's heaviest home league defeat since 1977 - when he tapped-in after Anelka's shot hit a post in the 86th minute.

LFP Barca party crashed

Barcelona must wait another week to clinch the Spanish title after Jose Llorente scored a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser as Villarreal gatecrashed the party with a 3-3 draw at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Barcelona were on course to win their 19th title in front of their fans when they held a 3-1 lead, but Villarreal scored twice in the final 12 minutes to put the celebrations on hold.

Barcelona need just one point from the final three matches, with the next league match at Real Mallorca, to win their first league title since 2006.

Real Madrid's 3-0 defeat at Valencia on Saturday meant Barcelona could have won the title in front of their own fans and they came so close.

"It is a real shame we couldn't celebrate the title with all the people who came to the stadium today," admitted Barca coach Pep Guardiola.

"We did the same thing (scoring a late goal) at Stamford Bridge (in the Champions League semifinal) with (Andres) Iniesta and today it was Llorente.

"We have to pick ourselves up quickly, put a smile on our faces and prepare for the Kings Cup final on Wednesday."

A 28th goal of the season from Samuel Eto'o and a Dani Alves free-kick built on Seydou Keita's opener as Barcelona held a 3-1 advantage at half-time.

However, Eric Abidal was sent off for Barcelona late on after conceding a penalty which Matias Fernandez converted and the hosts were hit with the sucker punch in stoppage time as Llorente scored his second goal.

Barcelona fans were understandably disappointed and must now wait for the title while the players need to concentrate on Wednesday's Kings Cup final against Athletic Bilbao at the Mestalla Stadium.

Barca got off to a flying start when Keita saw his deflected shot loop in on 12 minutes.

Villarreal, still without injured captain Marcos Senna, equalised through Llorente on 22 minutes after Yaya Toure lost possession.

Eto'o restored Barcelona's lead after 36 minutes and Alves, suspended for the Champions League final, curled in a free-kick seconds before half-time to make it 3-1.

Frenchman Abidal was sent off for the second time in a week, after being dismissed against Chelsea, for giving away a spot-kick and Fernandez converted to ensure a tense final 12 minutes.

Llorente then took advantage of the nerves to equalise and spoil the party. Barca now have 103 goals for the season and are just four from equalling Real's all-time record of 107 set back in 1990.

The champions-elect have amassed 86 points and have three games to try to overtake Real's all-time points record of 92 set back in 1997, although there were 42 games then instead of the current 38.

For Villarreal the point leaves them three points adrift of fourth-placed Valencia in the Champions League race.

Atletico Madrid moved a point behind Valencia with a 3-2 comeback win over Espanyol with Villarreal old boy Diego Forlan scoring a sensational 90th minute winner.

Atletico had been reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Luis Perea and trailed 2-0, but came storming back with Kun Aguero scoring and Forlan grabbing a brace to take his season's tally to 27 - just one behind Eto'o.

Valencia and Atletico face each other next weekend at the Vicente Calderon in a Champions League decider.

Espanyol saw their run of four straight wins come to an end and they are not safe yet lying four points above the drop zone.

Indian Premier League Chargers thrash Royals

Dwayne Smith smashed a brisk 47 and Rohit Sharma grabbed three quick wickets as Deccan Chargers thrashed Rajasthan Royals by 53 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Monday.

Deccan rode on West Indian Smith's 32-ball knock to post 166-7 before restricting Rajasthan to 113 for their sixth win in 10 matches. Rajasthan have so far won five of their 11 games.

Defending champions Rajasthan faltered against the pace-spin combination, with opener Swapnil Asnodkar alone offering resistance with a 39-ball 44.

Veteran Sri Lankan seamer Chaminda Vaas (2-19) did the early damage with two wickets in a lively opening spell to reduce Rajasthan to 19-2.

The left-arm paceman trapped South Africa skipper Graeme Smith (one) leg-before and then had Australian Lee Carseldine (eight) stumped by Adam Gilchrist.

Off-spinner Sharma ensured an easy win with three wickets for just 12 runs off three tight overs.

Deccan earlier plundered 58 runs in the last five overs, thanks to man-of-the-match Smith who smashed four sixes in a superb exhibition of hard and clean hitting.

Spinners Yusuf Pathan (3-34) and Ravinder Jadeja (2-26) threatened to restrict Deccan to a modest total before Smith propped up the innings with a 37-run stand for the fifth wicket with Vaas (20).

Off-spinner Pathan struck with his third delivery when he trapped Gilchrist (10) leg-before and then accounted for Vaas and Smith.

Left-arm spinner Jadeja also kept pressure on the batsmen and got a big wicket when he bowled Andrew Symonds, who hit a 19-ball 30.

BRIEF SCORES
DECCAN CHRGERS: 166-7 in 20 overs (Smith 47, Symonds 30, Suman 29, Vaas 20; Pathan 3-34, Jadeja 2-26)
RAJASTHAN ROYALS: 113 in 19.3 overs (Asnodkar 44; Sharma 3-12, Vaas 2-19)
Result: Deccan win by 53 runs.

Indian Premier League We know what you're doing Buchanan

It was tolerable for the first three games but after the Kolkata Knight Riders ignored Mashrafe Bin Mortaza for the tenth consecutive time, patience is running thin for millions of cricket fans in the country.

The Knight Riders turned a million heads when they insisted on landing Mashrafe in their books for an astonishing 600,000 dollars back in February. In fact the effort shown by the black-and-gold brigade during the auction to capture Mashrafe made sure that their fan base here was greater than before.

But the honeymoon is over, thanks to the oddball nature of coach John Buchanan.

With only four foreigners allowed, it was natural to load a Twenty20 team with world-class batsmen. Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum and Brad Hodge were automatic selections while the last spot would naturally go to Ajantha Mendis or Mashrafe since David Hussey was unavailable for much of the campaign.

But Buchanan gave that spot to Moises Henriques, a little known Australian all-rounder. Obviously the talent has not come through for the Australian: just 35 runs and two wickets from the four matches he's played.

Clearly the Australian coach did not take past success or experience as a prerequisite when it came to picking a foreign bowler. How else would one describe the snub on Ajantha Mendis after just a few opportunities when commentators are waxing lyrics on the less-illustrious spinners on the dry South African pitches?

But the point here is picking a paceman and whether or not Henriques is better than Mashrafe. One would have felt Mashrafe was unlucky if the deadly Charl Langeveldt was picked ahead of him but to go for a greenhorn ahead of experienced international bowlers is simply illogical.

But for the 'lateral-thinking' Buchanan, being illogical could probably be a compliment.

Remember the multi-captain theory? The studious looking coach tried to employ what Kolkatans call the 'get rid of Ganguly' theory. It's history now even though McCullum has clearly been out of his depth with the bat. If the multi-captain theory had its merit then why wasn't the Kiwi dropped and the captaincy rotated?

When Gayle left, Morne van Wyk was picked as the fourth overseas player and although he did well, the Kolkata side has been inundated with wicketkeepers when the need of Twenty20 cricket is hard-hitters and wicket-takers.

The quirky selection decisions have greatly contributed to Kolkata's eight losses out of ten games and so has the squabbles we hear about every day.

The rather large support staff sent Aakash Chopra and Sanjay Bangar home and if the phantom 'fake IPL player' is to be believed, Buchanan's dispute with Sourav Ganguly is still on. Like most unsuccessful teams, the Kolkata Knight Riders also have the poisonous grouping problem where Mashrafe is neither in the Indian party nor in the foreign faction.

And all this means that only Ishant Sharma has taken the wickets while the second best has been Hodge's occasional off-break. So what could possibly make a successful coach not pick a likeable international fast bowler who has the track record, form and the hunger to perform?

Mashrafe was not just picked to fulfil BCCI's promise but because he has been in top form since 2007. Just before the auction, Mashrafe destroyed the Sri Lankan batting line-up in a one-day final. His fielding has always been rated top-class and for a team that drops a million catches, Mashrafe's athleticism could have been useful.

But as is the case, Mashrafe is yet to make his IPL debut despite Kolkata's standing in the points table. Wickets don't fall after Ishant finishes his four overs and Mashrafe just sits in the dugout.

Mashrafe is not on holiday; this is professional cricket and based on conceivable logic, our boy must play.

AFC President's Cup Qualifiers 2009 Abahani start favourites

Current B. League champions Abahani will play the Sri Lankan Army team in the opening game of the AFC President's Cup Group-B Qualifiers today at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS).

The game starts at 6 pm local time and will be broadcasted live by the state-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV). Ashgabat Football Club from Turkmenistan is the other participating team in this tournament.

Abahani team manager Satyajit Das Rupu and head coach Amalesh Sen is confident that their side will do well as they had a preparation time of nearly two months.

"We have prepared well for this meet and expect our boys to do well. When preparing for this challenge we took all aspects into consideration, which included acquiring videotapes of our opposition and assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, AFC gave us the wrong videotape for the Sri Lanka Army team but we have had a fairly good look at Ashgabat," said Rupu.

Coach Amalesh has not been keeping well off late as he recently had an eye surgery and was suffering from jaundice but asserted that it will not have a bearing on the team's performance.

"The team has been in training for the last few weeks and there has not been any interruptions, although I was unwell for a while the assistant coach and Rupu has filled in the role and made sure the practice went well. Our main striker Zahid Hossain Emily is fully fit and available to play. Yesterday he got hit on the ankle but it's a minor concern and that shouldn't prevent him from playing," informed Amalesh.

Kazi Nazrul Islam who will be leading the sky blues in this prestigious meet is hopeful of repeating their B. League magic and winning the two matches viewing them as a semifinal and a final.

Abahani will be fielding two foreign players; Samad and Ibrahim from Ghana.

Opponents Sri Lankan Army seemed excited to be participating in this contest and are optimistic of their chances while stating their belief that Abahani were still the favourites. "We are excited to be playing alongside two quality clubs and believe that we can become the champions and qualify for the final round. Our team won the championships back home in 2008 and we have a three-month preparation behind us so I am optimistic about our chances. If I am to assess the strengths and weaknesses of my opposition I would say Abahani are the favourites in the tournament," said head coach of the Lankan Army Major S.Pathmanathan.

Ashgabat FC team manager Sahatov Nurgeldy felt that his team are strong contenders to triumph in the tournament as they have eight national players in the side and have been champions of Turkmenistan's top football league for the last two years.

Ashgabat play their first match against Sri Lanka Army on Thursday.

Barclays English Premier League Gerrard puts L'pool top

Steven Gerrard fired Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League and then voiced optimism that rivals Manchester United could yet slip up in the final stages of the season.

Two first-half goals from Gerrard and a late strike by substitute Ryan Babel gave Rafael Benitez's side a comfortable 3-0 win at West Ham and lifted them above United on the strength of their superior goal difference.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who face Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, remain in the driving seat and will be champions again if they take seven points from their remaining four matches.

With games against Wigan and Arsenal on Wednesday and next Saturday respectively, United could have wrapped up their 18th English title by the time Liverpool next play, at West Brom on May 17.

But Gerrard is refusing to give up hope.

"They have got a tough game on Sunday," he said. "Man City have come into a bit of form and derby games are never easy so we wait and hope that Man City can do us a favour."

At the other end of the table, West Brom gave their supporters reason to believe another great escape from relegation could be possible after a 3-1 win over Wigan.

The victory, combined with Hull's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Stoke, lifted West Brom to within three points of safety with two matches -- at home to Liverpool and away to Blackburn -- left to play, a situation that has echoes of 2005 when Bryan Robson's side beat the drop from an apparently hopeless position.

On-loan striker Marc-Antoine Fortune was West Brom's hero, scoring the Baggies' first and third goals as well as earning a penalty which Chris Brunt converted on the rebound from his own spot-kick.

Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega had claimed his first goal for Wigan to cancel out Fortune's opener.

Hull's fall continued as a first-half strike from Ricardo Fuller and a stunning long-range effort from Liam Lawrence secured three points which guarantee Stoke, back in the top flight for the first time since 1985, will stay there next season.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was delighted to see his players confound the pundits who had almost unanimously predicted an immediate return to the Championship.

"It means everything and to prove a lot of people wrong is nice," Pulis said. "It's been a tough season for us but we have kept going and the players have always believed."

Andy Dawson scored a stoppage-time consolation goal for Hull, who have won just once in 20 matches and could fall into the drop zone depending on the result of Monday's meeting between Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

Blackburn are virtually -- if not quite mathematically -- safe after moving to 40 points with a 2-0 win over Portsmouth that was sealed by a second-half penalty by South Africa striker Benni McCarthy.

Norwegian playmaker Morten Gamst Pedersen had opened the scoring before the interval with what was his first goal since the last day of last season and John Utaka missed a late penalty for Pompey, who cannot completely relax yet but should be safe on 38 points.

Sunderland pulled five points clear of the drop zone after a goalless draw at Bolton but that margin could be cut to two points if either Middlesbrough or Newcastle win Monday's high-stakes encounter at St James' Park.

Fulham inflicted further pain on Aston Villa, who have now won just once in 11 matches after a 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

Ashley Young cancelled out Danny Murphy's early penalty but Fulham were always on top and took the points thanks to Diomansy Kamara's second-half double.

Villa's latest setback meant Everton had a chance to leapfrog them into fifth place but David Moyes's side were unable to overcome Tottenham at Goodison Park in a match overshadowed by news that the remains of Spurs midfielder Wilson Palacios's abducted brother had been found in Honduras.

Indian Premier League Mumbai march on

Mumbai Indians rode on a record stand by Jean-Paul Duminy and Ajinkya Rahane to beat Bangalore Royal Challengers by 16 runs in the Indian Premier League on Sunday.

The duo put on 104 off 72 balls, the highest third-wicket partnership in the IPL, as Mumbai scored 157-2 in 20 overs before restricting Bangalore to 141-7 at St George's Park here.

Mumbai's fourth win in 10 matches took them to nine points and kept their hopes alive of making the semifinals. Bangalore were stuck on eight points from 10 games.

Both teams have four more league matches to play.

Rahane and Duminy came to the crease after skipper Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for zero in the second over and Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya fell for 29 in the eighth.

Rahane, a 20-year-old from Mumbai, remained unbeaten on 62 off 49 balls with four boundaries and a six.

Duminy, the left-handed South African, made 59 not out off 41 balls, a knock that was studded with three sixes and two fours.

Bangalore's challenge faded after four wickets fell for 58 by the 10th over, including those of Jacques Kallis (12) and Rahul Dravid (10).

South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher smashed an unbeaten 48 off 33 balls, but his gallant effort was not enough for Bangalore to snatch an unlikely win.

India spinner Harbhajan Singh was Mumbai's star bowler with two wickets for 15 runs in his four overs.

SCORES IN BRIEF
MUMBAI INDIANS: 157-2 in 20 overs (Rahane 62 not out, Duminy 59 not out, Kumar 1-30, Van der Merwe 1-17).
BANGALORE ROYAL CHALLENGERS: 141-7 in 20 overs (Kohli 20, Boucher 48 not out, Harbhajan 2-15)
Result: Mumbai Indians won by 16 runs.
Man-of-the-match: Jean-Paul Duminy.

PCL T20 Chittagong 2009 Brothers claim T20 glory

Chamara Kapugedera's blitzkrieg and yet another captain's knock from Nafis Iqbal gave Chittagong Brothers Union the glamorous first-ever Habib Group Port-City Cricket League Twenty20 tournament title here at the MA Aziz Stadium yesterday. They defeated Dhaka Sports Club by six wickets in front of a full house 40,000-crowd with some fans sitting close to the boundary rope giving it a theatre feel.

With his side in huge trouble while chasing 147 set by Dhaka Sports, hometown boy Nafis had Sri Lankan international Kapugedara for company as the pair added an exciting 98 for the fourth wicket to ensure the much-coveted trophy stayed in Chittagong.

The victory also marked the return of Nafis Iqbal into the country's cricketing limelight after a few years in the oblivion and being slightly overshadowed by younger brother Tamim.

Nafis paced himself well and laced his 43-ball 53 with five superb boundaries as he played the holding role since the man at the other end -- Kapugedera -- took full charge. The stout Lankan rightly received the man-of-the-match award for his scintillating 31-ball 61 that had three sixes and six boundaries.

"We had the confidence that we can win the title if wickets are in hand. It was a wonderful effort and Kapugedara deserve a special mention. He played a key role in winning the final," Nafis told reporters after receiving the trophy from Chittagong City Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury.

Kapugedara, who only departed with the team needing six more runs, made way for Abdur Razzak (5*) who proceeded to smash Tigers teammate Shahadat Hossain to the boundary for the winning runs.

But it wasn't all plain sailing for Brothers. They struggled to get off to a good start, losing Jehan Mubarak (4) in the second over and Mehrab Hossain (8) in the fourth over leaving the team at 15 for 2 with both wickets going to Rashed Hanif. Their misery mounted further in the ninth over when Tushar Imran (6) was run out while trying to take an impossible second run.

But Nafis and Kapugedera combined well to add the 98 runs in just 56 balls. Hanif was the most successful Dhaka Sports bowler, picking up three for 15 but it was the reckless Shahadat and Ziaur Rahman who let the runs leak. Shahadat gave 31 off his 2.1 overs while semifinal hero Zia looked meek, giving away 17 in his only over.

However the Brothers bowlers were as tight as they could be in a 20-over bash with Razzak, Mubarak and Dollar Mahmud picking up two wickets each.

Dhaka Sports' innings was built around their Pakistani duo -- Wasim Nayeem and Hanif. The right-handed opener Nayeem lost opening partner Rashedur Rahman (1), skipper Rajin Saleh (0) and senior batsman Anisur Rahman but did not lose heart as he joined with Hanif to extend the innings.

Man-of-the-series Nayeem five fours and a couple of huge sixes in his 34 off 18 balls while Hanif struck 56 from 48 balls. But the duo's departure left Dhaka Sports struggling and although they reached a competitive 146 for nine, it was not enough for a rampant Brothers Union.

Truly the MA Aziz Stadium came back to life after several years as the locals flocked in huge numbers to enjoy a thrilling encounter that lasted less than four hours. In fact, this was the first floodlit match in the business capital after more than five years.

BRIEF SCORES
DHAKA SPORTS CLUB: 146 for 9 in 20 overs (Nayeem 34, Rashedur 1, Rajin 0, Anisur 7, Hanif 56, Ziaur 14, Wasel 6, Mashud 13, Taposh 1, Nahid 4*, Shahadat 1*; Razzak 2-32, Mubarak 2-28, Yunus 1-26, Shahjada 1-31, Dollar 2-28).
BROTHERS UNION: 148 for 4 in 18.1 overs (Mubarak 4, Nafees 53*, Tushar 6, Mehrab 8, Kapugedara 61, Razzak 5*; Hanif 3-15).
Result: Brothers Union won by six wickets.
Man-of-the-match: Chamara Kapugedara.
Man-of-the-series: Wasim Nayeem.