The Victory Day cricket tournament involving eight teams from the Premier Division. will start at different venues in the city from January 3 under the auspices of Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolitan (CCDM).

According to the draw held at the CCDM office at Dhaka Stadium last night, top seed Abahani will face Biman in the first round of the knock out tournament while Brothers Union will meet Surjo Tarun Club.

The other two heavyweights — Mohammedan Sporting Club and Kalabagan Krira Chakra have been drawn against comparatively weaker opponents in the first round which can otherwise be termed as quarterfl-

The four winners of the first round will qualify for the semifinals.

Meanwhile, the CCDM has announced a handsome cash award for the tournament which will be played by only local players.

The winners of the first round matches will earn Tk 10.000 in cash while the play-ers-of-the-matches in the round will be richer by Tk 2.000.

In the semifinals, the play-ers-of-the-matches will earn Tk 3.000 which will increase to Tk 5,000 in the final.

Besides, the winners of the final will earn Tk. 1,00,000 while the runners-up team will get Tk 75.000.

Ail the cash awards will be provided by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Following is the fixture of the tournament except the final which will be announced later.