LVG challenges Rashford

        UEFA Europa League

Afp, Manchester

Louis van Gaal has challenged young forward Marcus Rashford to show consistency in his Manchester United career following a breathtaking first appearance in the 5-1 Europa League victory over Denmark's FC Midtjylland.
Rashford was only called into the starting line-up for his debut when Anthony Martial injured his hamstring in the pre-match warm-up -- the second successive week United have lost a player in such circumstances after goalkeeper David de Gea pulled out of the first leg.
But the 18-year-old scored two well-taken goals as United won 5-1 on the night, 6-3 on aggregate, to ease through to the last 16 of the competition.
"I've said already a lot of times, that's fantastic for him, but you have to be consistent," said the United manager.
"We are looking for consistent strikers and there are not so many on this earth, but he gave a brilliant performance.
"I didn't have another option so it was easy. He was there on the bench because he was the natural sub for Martial.
"I put (Joe) Riley in there because he is playing left-back in the second team and I have seen him play well, he has been the best player on the pitch, that's what I'm looking at these matches.

"I'm always confident in these players but the first match, they always play well. It is the second or the third match that mostly gives problems. That's why it's a fantastic step for them in their learning process, their development process."

Young full-back Riley was also impressive in the game and van Gaal's mood was helped by the news that Martial's injury does not appear to be too serious.

ICC mulls Test revamp

Agencies, Dubai

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is contemplating coming up with a two-division Test cricket format in order to make the longest format of the game more competitive. The two-division split will allow for relegation and promotion of teams from the respective divisions, reported the Guardian.
The top-seven ranked Test sides will be a part of the first division, while the next three (West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at present) will be in the second division. They will retain their Test status and will play alongside the two best teams from the second tier group based on their performance in the Intercontinental Cup. Thus, there will be five teams playing in the second division.
The last placed team from division one will be relegated to division two, while the best team from division two will get promoted. Every team from each division will play a Test series at home or away in the two year period.
The proposal is likely to be put forward in the ICC's annual conference, set to be held in June and could come into effect after the 2019 World Cup.
The plans are still not fool-proof with numerous issues yet to be discussed, especially the financial complications. With some of the boards not in a state to host matches that aren't as lucrative, ICC plans to fund such series.
ICC is also contemplating changes in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals, but the design isn't as detailed. One of the options taken into consideration is to have two divisions of six teams each.

Zakir ton puts East in charge

 BCL Longer Version

Sports Reporter

Islami Bank East Zone's youngster Zakir Hasan had a field day in Cox's Bazar yesterday. The 19-year-old not only managed to complete his second first-class century but was also involved in all of the dismissals that took place after the exchange on the third day of their third-round Bangladesh Cricket League match against Prime Bank South Zone. The wicketkeeper affected two stumpings and took two catches and in the process helped East Zone take a firm grip on the game.
By stumps South Zone, buoyed by half-centuries from Anamul Haque and Taibur Rahman, finished on 204 for four. While they may seem to be in a good position, the fact remains that they are only 59 runs ahead at the moment.
They will need to put on at least another 150 runs on the final day today in order to save this game. It is a task that is still possible considering that they have two set batsmen at the crease.
Anamul finished unbeaten on 84, while Taibur scored three boundaries in the last over of the day to reach 52.
Anamul, who hit four fours and four sixes, will be key to South Zone's survival today.
Earlier, East Zone added 59 more runs to their total before they were bundled out in 119.3 overs. Considering that they began the day on 359 for 5, it was a disappointing performance. Spinners Shohag Gazi and Abdur Razzak ran through East Zone's lower order. Razzak finished with a five-wicket haul while Gazi recorded figures of 3 for 109.
Zakir was the only batsman who managed to survive the spin onslaught and remained unbeaten on 128. He scored four sixes and 10 fours during the 188-ball innings.

It was also a good day for Marshall Ayub, who scored a patient 141 to put Central Zone in control of their game against North Zone, also at Cox's Bazar. He was well supported by Zabid Hossain's 91. The duo took Central to 329 for 7, at which score they declared. Before stumps Mohammad Shahid and Mohammad Sharif took a wicket each to reduce North Zone to 22 for 2. North Zone require 422 runs to win this game, a task that seems highly unlikely.
Scores in brief
SOUTH ZONE: 262 and 204 for 4 (Anamul 84 not out, Taibur 52 not out; Iftekhar 2-76) v East Zone: 407 all out in 119.3 overs (Zakir 128 not out, Mominul 112; Razzak 5-161, Gazi 3-109)
CENTRAL ZONE: 260 and 329 for 7 dec (Marshall 141, Zabid 91; Farhad 5-49 v NORTH ZONE: 168 and 22 for 2(Jahurul 12; Shahid 1-10, Sharif 1-12)