Tournament sponsor Grameen-Phone, who made a poor start in Group B, won their last two matches to book a berth in the second stage of the top six sides.

Top three teams from both groups compete in the Cup while the bottom three from each group play for the consolation Plate trophy.

In the fifth and final round yesterday, GrameenPhone (106) defeated Gazi Tank (82-9) by 24 runs in the Twenty20 match at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS). Grameen-Phone finished third in the group with six points, behind Araf Apparels and Bangladesh Biman both of whom finished level on eight points.

Biman's unbeaten streak ended in the competition when the national airliner crashed to a 30-run defeat to Araf at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS). In reply to Araf's 125 in 19.4 overs, Biman were all out for 95 in 19.2 overs.

In the other Group B match, BEXIMCO (124-6) beat Ispahani (96) by 28 runs at BKSP ground in Savar.

Newcomers Robintex Group topped Group A with eight points and were followed into the Cup competition by cellular companies AKTEL (8 points) and CityCell (6).

Robintex (79-6) defeated AKTEL (76) by four wickets at the BNS, CityCell (118-4) beat Epyllion (114-7) by six wickets at the DCS while Partex (94-8) beat Acme Labora-tories (91) by three runs at BKSP.

The second phase will begin on October 28. Both the Cup and Plate groups will be played on single league basis with the top four teams playing in the semifinals.

GROUPINGS
CUP: Robintex, AKTEL, CityCell, Araf, Biman and GrameenPhone.

PLATE: Partex, Acme, Epyllion, BEXIMCO, Gazi tank and Ispahani.