The match lasted one session with last year's runners-up Sonargaon, after four wins in a row, were shot out for 83 in 24.5 overs. Victoria overhauled the target in 26.2 overs losing four wickets, the win paving Abahani's way to enjoy solo lead in the table with an all-win record after five rounds.

Pacemen Waskuruni Ahmed and Nazmul Hossain Milon exploited the condition most by sharing six wickets between them to tear apart the star-studded Sonargaon batting line-up that included the likes of Al-Shahriar, Alok Kapali and Mohammad Ashraful.

Left-handed opener Imrul Kayes then smashed a 50-ball 43 with help of five boundaries and two sixes to take Victoria safely to 85-4 for their third victory.

The outcome of the match, however, raised questions whether the newly prepared pitch is the reason behind several low-scoring affairs at cricket's new home or should the batsmen be blamed for failing to adopt to the situation.

"I think it is unfair to arrange domestic matches on this kind of wicket when the clubs are spending a lot of money. I am not ready to blame my batsmen for the batting debacle," said Sonargaon captain and ace Bangladesh batsman Mohammad Ashraful, who was dismissed for a golden duck. He, however, did not justify his decision to bat first on a foggy morning.

Chief selector Faruque Ahmed, who watched the match his colleagues of the selection panel including coach Dav Whatmore, also believes that there is 'food for thought' for the organisers about the behaviour of the wicket.

"I think the pitch should be a concern when all the matches played here have been low-scoring. I think the authority can offer a delayed start to avoid the early morning fog, which actually played a big part in the game," Faruque observed.

"It is not easy to bat on such kind of low-bounce pitch, especially early in the morning but the basic thing is that it's a newly laid pitch and it will take some time to get better."

The venue has already hosted international matches but the authority has been using new pitches for the Premiership matches with 177 being the highest score so far, made by Mohammedan against Victoria.

Curator Badiul Alam was not ready to accept that the pitches are to blame.

"It was just the second match played at this pitch. I agree that there was low bounce but no way unplayable. The batsmen should adopt. Most of them were caught behind while chasing deliveries outside the off-stump," Alam commented.

"We have to arrange matches on new pitches if we want to fully develop one. I think it would be ultimately helpful for the batsmen if they consistently played here."

But the big question is whether it would be wise to arrange a big match like Abahani-Moha-mmedan here and risk another frustrating show whatever explanation the experts offer. The traditional foes are set to clash on January 28.