Title aspirants Biman quite easily crossed a big hurdle yesterday when they literally blew away 'new force' Surjo Tarun by 198 runs at the Bangabandhu Nati-onal Stadium.
On the other hand, holders Abahani cruised to their fourth successive victory at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP) ground defeating giant-killers Wari Club by seven wickets.
Meanwhile, promotees Sadharan Bima posted their maiden win in the elite league by handing the other babes Orient Sporting Club a four-wicket defeat at the Dhanmondi Stadium.
The second day of the season's first big match played at the Bangabandhu could not provide any entertainment to the small crowd as Surjo Tarun, considered one of the pre-tournament favourites after they formed a powerful side by spending a handful, surrendered to their third match opponents without offering any notable challenge.
Chasing a fighting Biman total of 287 in 80 overs, the Dhanmondi outfit, who have five national pool cricketers in the squad, could not survive the disciplined Biman attack for even half of their allotted time as they were shot out for a meagre 89 immediately after lunch with 41 overs to spare.
Biman's new-ball duo Mohammad Talha and Pakistani Nasir Shawkat gave Biman the much expected early breakthrough sending both the Tarun openers--Athar Ali and Zahid Razzak -- with the scoreboard reading only 29 runs.
Zahid, the former national opener, was first to go in the seventh over when Nasir bowled him for four while Athar then made his way towards the dressing room offering a simple catch to Biman skipper Faruque Ahmed at the slips of a Talha delivery.
After the downfall of the openers, it were the two Biman tweakers--left armer Saifullah Khan and Pakistani leggie Manzoor Akhter-- who toyed with the experienced Surjo Tarun middle-order and shared five wickets.
Saifullah, who joined the national airliners from Abahani early this season, put Surjo Tarun in dire straits taking two quick wickets in successive overs. Both Ridwan, who came to bat at number three, and number five Al-Shahriar were caught behind scoring only five and two runs respectively to see Surjo Tarun reeling at 42 for four by the 19th over.
Biman took full control of the match when Manzoor Akhter sent Enamul Haque and skipper Minhazul Abedin--the two most accomplished Surjo Tarun batsmen--in two successive balls.
Coming to bowl in the 20th over of the day, the Pakistan leg spinner, who earlier on Tuesday scored 44 to help Biman reach 287, earned a maiden in his first over and then struck in his next over.
Minhazul, the former national skipper who scored 117 against Orient in their previous match, was trapped leg before by a brilliant googly from Manzoor Akhter while Enamul was out for a duck giving a simple catch to Ziaur Rashid at silly point.
After Enamul's departure with Surjo Tarun tottering at 45 for six in the 22nd over, it was Nasir Shawkat, who ripped through the tail to send the Dhanmondi boys packing for an insignificant 89.
When all their specialist batsmen fell like flies, Surjo Tarun wicketkeeper Khaled Masood held one end with patience. The national keeper was eventually unbeaten on 30.
For Biman, Nasir Shawkat and his compatriot Manzoor Akhter captured three wickets each while Saifullah Khan took two wickets.
At the BKSP, opener Mehrab Hossain scored his first fifty of the season as defending champions Abahani, who were 41 for no loss on Tuesday while chasing a paltry Wari total of 189, went on to reach 193 in 50.1 overs with seven wickets in hand.
Mehrab, who shared a 121-run partnership with Azam Iqbal in the opening stand, scored 75 off 112 balls inclusive of eleven boundaries to steer the Dhanmondi-based club, bidding for a treble in the league, to their fourth successive win.
He was ably helped by his opening partner Azam Iqbal who scored 42 runs.
After Abahani lost their third wicket on 169 with one-down Naimur Rahman caught behind off a Murad delivery, it were the two Pakistani middle order--Azam Khan and Mohammad Hossain-- who took Abahani home without any further damage.
Azam, who scored an unbeaten 100 against Victoria in their previous match, was not out on 19 while Hossain remained unbeaten on 23.
At the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium, Sadharan Bima, chasing a manageable Orient Sporting Club total of 261 in 80 overs, reached 263 for six with more than three overs to spare, thanks to Indian batsman Kamal Chopra who played the sheet anchor role in the victory with a workmanlike 82 off 111 balls.
Today's matches
Brothers vs Agrani Bank (Banganandhu National Stadium) Kalabagan vs Ajax (Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium).