The day also marked a mixed bag for the national cricketers ahead of the forthcoming home series against India, who will be arriving in Dhaka on December 7 to for two Tests and three one-day internationals.

Bangladesh and Mohammedan captain Habibul Bashar made up for his less than impressive return knock last Thursday with a stroke-filled half century to guide the Motijheel outfit to a 34-run victory against Brothers Union at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium.

Alok Kapali finally ended his batting blues with a refreshing unbeaten 75 to fashion two-time champions Victoria's empathic 110-run win against Orient at the BKSP ground in Savar.

National all-rounder Khaled Mahmud also led City Club from the front as they inflicted a 46-run defeat on Young Pegasus at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium.

But there was little to cheer about for their national mates Rajin Saleh, Nafees Iqbal, Javed Omar and Aftab Ahmed, who disappointed the selectors for the third match running.

MOHAMMEDAN V BROTHERS
The big match promised to be a clash of two Kenyans after Brothers flew in all-rounder Thomas Odoyo to counter the threat of his former national captain Steve Tikolo, a regular campaigner for Mohamme-dan.

But the Kenyans took a back seat as local heroes shone.

It was inspiring to see young Wasel Uddin continue to hit form after his elegant 66 against Indira Road. The right-hander hammered an unbeaten 53 off 55 balls after Bashar made 54 as Mohammedan posted a fighting 207 for 8 in their share of 50 overs after being sent into bat.

Bashar shared 65 runs for the second wicket with opener Nafees Iqbal (32 off 79 balls) to repair the early damage.

After the dismissal of Nafees, Mohammedan lost wickets at regular intervals before Wasel carried the team to a respectable total. His effort earned him a second successive man-of-the-match award.

Brothers young pacer Ziaur Rahman picked up three wickets for 39 in 10 overs while Kamrul Hasan took two for 46 in 10 overs including the prize wicket of Tikolo, who was clean bowled for one.

Tikolo however redeemed himself with the ball as he finished with four for 34 to send Brothers tumbling for 173 in 48.2 overs. It was the Gopibagh outfits second defeat in three outings.

Mohammedan's 'Narail Express' Mashrafee Bin Mortuza also bowled his heart out to finish with 2-29 in nine overs while wily left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique chipped in with 2-21.

Wicketkeeper Anwar Hossain topscored for Brothers with 31, Javed struggled for 28 and Odoyo made just 15 on his Dhaka debut.

VICTORIA V ORIENT
The top four blazed as Victoria posted 296-3 in 50 overs, the biggest total of the competition so far.

The holders went on the rampage once Orient decided to field first with Saqib Al Hasan and Gazi Salahuddin producing 122 for the opening stand. Salahuddin hammered 78 off 87 balls featuring 11 fours and a six while Saqib fell six runs short of a half-century.

Once the platform was laid Ehsanul Haque and Alok Kapali continued the fireworks adding 149 runs for the third wicket. Man-of-the-match Ehsanul hit a sparkling 76 off 78 balls that included nine fours while his stylish partner in crime Kapali smashed 75 off 65 balls. The gifted right-hander struck six fours and a six.

Set to chase a mind-boggling total, Orient could manage 186 before being all out in 47.3 overs. Victoria pacer Shafaq Al Jabir and left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak Raj shared six wickets.

Firoz Alam was the lone Orient batsman who offered any sort of resistance with 53 off 96 balls.

CITY CLUB V YOUNG PEGASUS
Experienced all-rounder Khaled Mahmud scored a 30-ball 40 and then captured four wickets as City Club registered their first win after two disappointing defeats.

After his side slumped to 95-4, Mahmud led a middle-order revival to steer City to 220 for 8.

Pakistani batsman Majeed Saeed played a pivotal role with a patient 58 off 84 balls that featured seven fours and a six. Tushar Imran contributed 45 off 52 balls before Mahmud came up with a cameo that contained four boundaries and a huge six.

Young Pegasus' chase never got going and they were eventually dismissed for 174 in 48.5 overs.

Mahmud, who adjudged man-of-the-match, ripped the heart out of Pegasus' batting taking three of the first five wickets to fall with 74 runs on the board. National right-arm seamer Tareq Aziz captured two wickets for 46.