The left-handed opener made sure that his side join Sonargaon and Mohammedan, who also won on the day against Brothers Union by 36 runs, at second position with 12 points each. Sonargaon take on leaders Abahani in a crucial encounter today at Fatullah.

Mohammedan rode on a couple of half-centuries from Rashedul Haque and Zunaed Siddiqui and some good bowling from left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny to eke out a win against relegation-threatened Brothers.

Both matches were curtailed due to heavy fog in the morning with the Mohammedan-Brothers encounter reduced to 40-overs-a-side while Victoria earned their win in a 43-overs-a-side affair.

Fog also resulted in the postponement of the match between Old DOHS and Bangladesh Biman at the BKSP ground. The game will now be held on Friday.

This was the first round of matches played in the league without the national players being involved as the Tigers left for Harare last night.

MOHAMMEDAN- BROTHERS
Big-hitters Rashedul and Zunaed gave the title-aspirants a good start, with both openers hitting 59 and 52 respectively at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Playing in his first match as Mohammedan are without star players Habibul Bashar, Aftab Ahmed and Tapash Baisya, Rasehdul struck four boundaries and a six in his innings.

Brothers' bowlers sent down 18 wides and 9 no-balls, once again failing to contain the opponents under five an over.

Set 203 to win, opener Imran Ahmed batted impeccably for 33 overs to score 66 but his dismissal sparked a collapse and in the end, the basement side were short by 36 runs. Arafat Sunny was the pick of the bowlers taking three for 26.

Brothers are still winless in the league.

VICTORIA-CITY
In another fog-interrupted encounter, Victoria's left-handed opening pair of Kayes and Nasiruddin Faruque batted purposefully and added 99 for the first wicket. Mahbubul Alam, Pakistani import Jaffar Quarishi, Mahmudullah and Hasanuzzaman all scored quickly to ensure the total went above 250. Again, it was left-arm paceman Kamrul Islam was the best bowler for City as he took 3 for 47.

Although opener Anwar Hossain hit a half-century, City were never in for a fight as they lost wickets in a heap as they pursued 252 to win.

Quarishi took 3 for 17 while Faruque took three catches in the City innings as the Mirpur-based club are slumping closer to the relegation zone.