Aktel registered a 45-run victory in a low-scoring encounter at the Fatullah Stadium. It was their first win in two outings.

While CityCell faltered, ARAF Apparels consolidated their position in Group B when they won a rain-curtailed match against Acme Laboratories by 99 runs at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium. It was their second victory from as many games.

In another match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Partex put behind their previous disappointment against CityCell when they defeated BEXIMCO by 41 runs.

AKTEL V CITYCELL
Aktel's surprise victory over CityCell was spurred by experienced paceman Tareq Aziz, who captured four wickets for 44 runs, as his side defended a modest 176 for nine in 50 overs. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique also bowled a tight spell and his fellow national partner Manjarul Islam took 2-18 to send CityCell tumbling.

CityCell never recovered from a poor start despite Rajin Saleh's fighting 27 and were eventually bundled out for 131 in 39.1 overs.

Earlier, young wicketkeeper Anwar Hossain shaped Aktel's innings with a matured 55 off 98 balls. The right-handed Anwar rebuilt the innings after Aktel were reduced to 41-4.

He struck only one boundary in his workmanlike knock.

Rafique, the cricketer of the year 2003, also played a cameo 25 from 22 deliveries that included two huge sixes.

PARTEX V BEXIMCO
Partex, who went down to CityCell in the last round, survived a scare before restricting BEXIMCO to 200 while defending a challenging 241-5 in 50 overs.

Batting first after winning the toss, Partex got off to a horrible start after right-arm seamer Neeyamur Rashid sent back both openers in the first ten overs with only 20 runs on the board.

But Partex recovered with Javed Omar, returning to the national side after a long injury, leading his side from front with a slow but steady 64. Tariq Ahmed and wicketkeeper Kuntal Chandra also provided tremendous support at the other end.

Tariq hammered half a dozen fours and two sixes in his entertaining 74 off 93 balls and Kuntal hit a rapid-fire 51 not out from just 46 balls that featured four boundaries.

BEXIMCO got off to a solid start in their chase with openers Sajjad Ahmed (52 off 129 balls) and Moniruzzaman Tinku (41 off 33 balls) producing 74 runs in the 18th over.

Sajjad took the score to 123 with Parvez Ahmed after the departure of Monir. But BEXIMCO lost their way when three quick wickets fell. And the big blow for BEXIMCO came when star recruit Moha-mmad Ashraful was out for just one.

Ashraful was however unlucky to be given run out by umpire Jahangir although it appeared that the batsman had grounded his bat while attempting a second run. The young batsman stood for a few seconds in disbelief before trudging back to the dressing room.

ARAF V ACME
A 143-run opening stand between Golam Mabud (73 off 81 balls) and Rafiqul Islam (71 off 87 balls) in 27 overs steered ARAF Apparels to 258-9 in the stipulated 50 overs.

Rain interrupted twice and Acme's revised target was 250 in 49 overs at the start of their innings. When the match was finally called off due to another afternoon shower, Acme were stuck on 104 for seven in 32.3 overs.

According to the Duckworth-Lewis Method Acme should have been at 204 at that stage to win the game.