National skipper Khaled Masud was optimistic and he was right. Victoria Sporting Club, one of the oldest clubs in Bangladesh, has done more than what we have expected it could do. They have formed a very good side for Premier League 2001-2002 by taking a good number of national Team players in. the club officials were pretty serious in making a quick decision to give their aged club a very good shape in its 100th year, therefore, they started off to get as many good players as they could and they made it with excellence.

Think about the big shots of the team – Khaled Masud, Al-Sahariar, Enamul Haque, Manjurul Islam, Jahangir Alam, Sayed Parvej, Sajjad Hossain and Golam Mortuza – all the conspicuous figures in Dhaka cricket. The club, virtually have three wicket keepers – Khaled Masud, Golam Mortuza and Jahangir Alam.

Jahangir Alam, after some unsuccessful years in domestic cricket, has pulled off with a lot of runs in the Ispahani Mirzapore National League. He isn't doing badly in the premier league either. Once he was a reputed wicket keeper who was reliable behind the stumps and aggressive in the front as an opener – came up with both roles in a lot of International matches (The match against Holland in ICC 1994, Jahangir made 118 not out).

Sayed Parvej. The opener, did well last summer, carrying out a streak of half-centuries for Mohammedan Sporting Club. But he will have to fight for the opening slot with Nuruzzaman Nayan, the lad from Rajshahi. Nuruzzaman saw remarkable success this year in National League. He carried off with some very good knocks and got the second position in the highest scorer list.

The inclusion of Rashed Hanif has bolstered the strong batting line-up. The bowling department is equally balanced as well. Pacer Manjurul Islam is always better and Saiful Islam, the ex-national seamer, put on a brilliant show against Mohammedan. Veteran Enamul Haque leads the spin section. Rashed Hanif and Alok Kapali are excellent with their combination of off and leg-spin to help him. Kapali is making marks with the bat too. In fact he is slowly growing up to be a perfect all rounder.

So, Victoria has all the odds in their favor so far. They are really emerging as the giant killers this year (Defeated Abahani Sporting and Mohammedan in successive matches) and we won't be surprised if we see some big upsets steered by this old Motijhil based club.

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