"Won't we get to play today?" asked one to the other as they saw hundreds of policemen waking up from sleep and some just lazing around. Apparently, this was not a police hostel or any emergency shelter. They were brought to the area as the Prime Minister was scheduled to visit.

The funny side of this was quickly picked up and the incident had to be forgotten fast as the match ahead was crucial for this young side.

Nobody yet knows if the cricket board, which has some authority on this ground, has any idea as to how these are being used. Last time StarTel played a match at Fatullah on October 18, the players had to share the dressing-room area with an army camp. Bemused, as everyone was this is nothing compared to the poor facilities and scheduling meted out to the players. When it comes to comfort level, the cricketers get the smallest bit of the pie.

But the players are professionals and just move on. Protests in the form of written complaints are usually handed to the match managers but nothing seems to be taken care of.

Most matches have been one-sided, to say the least. When the new teams played, it seemed that they were just enjoying the step-up and not giving enough competition. But you can't blame them.

Small companies (can't even be called corporate houses) were introduced this time around and all they could afford was small-time players. The gulf of difference between the established teams and the debut teams were enormous. Unknown quantities have a certain romance to them, but it quickly fades away to the reality.

Coming back to the cricket, the pitches ought to be better for the semifinals, otherwise two big matches will be spoiled.

Dhanmondi has offered a Jekyll and Hyde of surfaces adding to the woes of most of the batsmen and as both the semifinals are lined up in this open-ended ground, one can only hope for good wickets.

But the likes of Javed Omar, Tushar Imran and Alok Kapali didn't let all this affect them as all of these discarded batsmen proved their weight. Omar struck three fifties while Imran and Kapali were entrusted to rescue Epyllion and Beximco on a number of occasions.

Amongst the youngsters, Nadif Chowdury (hundred and a few other significant efforts), Nayeem Islam (first hundred of the season) and Marshall Ayub were eye-catching to say the least.

Among the bowlers, the fast men Tapash Baisya, Mohammad Shahjada, Alamgir Kabir and Debabrata Paul stood out with some superb spells while left-armers Enamul Haque, Elias Sunny had their moments too.

The semifinals beckon with definitely the four best teams financially as well as on-field strengths. Acme look the best squad with the return of stalwart Mohammad Rafique and national captain Habibul Bashar but the defending champions can have two good days to clinch the title. Partex, a newly promoted side to the Premier League, surprised a lot of critics but now they have their work cut out against Beximco on November 5 while Epyllion, a young side led by Tushar Imran, would give a stiff challenge the much-vaunted Acme line-up this Saturday.