Sluggish win for Biman

Bangladesh Biman launched their defence of the National Cricket Championship on a winning note at the Comilla Stadium yesterday. But the 32-run victory for the national airline outfit against Nilphamari in the opening match of the 12-team final round was far from satisfactory.

Despite having a formidable batting line-up, Biman only scored 123 for eight in the reduced 45-over-a-side match.

They however managed to defend the not-so-impressive total through the spin of Saifullah Khan, Ahsanullah Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain. The trio helped themselves to eight wickets to knock out lightweight Nilphamari for 91 in 41.2 overs.

Slow left-arm spinners Saifullah and Hasan shared six wickets while leg-spinner Mosaddek finished with two for 20 runs.

Babul top-scored with 23 for Nilphamari, one of the eleven qualifiers from the first round.

Biman's innings was salvaged thanks to wicketkeeper batsman Sajjad Kadir scoring an unbeaten 35 and an aggressive 24 from former national captain Faruque Ahmed.

Much was expected from Aminul Islam but the once top batsman of the country struggled once again making just 10 runs off 56 balls.

Biman, who endured a miserable run in this year's Premier League, badly need to lift to themselves before their crucial match against Dhaka University at the same venue on May 25. Otherwise, they are destined to face an early elimination form the championship.

They had the misfortune of playing in the relegation league and narrowly playing in next season's First Division with wins against Kalabagan and Orient in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, in the other match at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong Faridpur registered a massive 117-run win against Barisal.

Batting first, Faridpur scored a fighting 198 for eight in the stipulated 50 overs with the top-order chipping in with useful contributions.

Barisal were bundled out for 81 in 39.4 overs with only Mofizur (15) reaching the double-figures.

It was an inspiring victory for Faridpur after their passage into the final round at the expense of Dhaka. Faridpur won a final round berth by calling the coin correctly after their deciding game against Dhaka was completely washed out due to rain.