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Published : 17 Jan 2026, 02:20 AM
Rajshahi Warriors held their nerve to beat Sylhet Titans by five runs, sealing a top-two finish in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) preliminary round.
Despite a late surge from England all-rounder Moeen Ali, Sylhet fell agonisingly short as Rajshahi’s bowlers executed a flawless death-over plan.
The match at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday began before a crowd of 20,892, although numbers dropped sharply as Rajshahi’s innings progressed.
Batting first, the Warriors struggled to build a substantial total on a tricky wicket, finishing at 147 for 8 in 20 overs.
Sahibzada Farhan scored 14 and Tanjid Hasan made 9 to lay a steady platform, before Nazmul Hossain Shanto struck 34 off 22 balls and Mushfiqur Rahim added 40 off 30 balls in a brisk 32-ball, 56-run partnership that propelled the innings.
Chasing 148, Sylhet came under pressure early. Moeen sparked a late surge with two towering sixes off Ripon Mondol in the 19th over, cutting the equation to 10 from 10 balls.
Mondol fought back immediately, dismissing Moeen and Nasum Ahmed in the same over to stem the tide.
In the final over, Binura Fernando conceded just five runs and picked up a wicket to seal a thrilling five-run victory.
Five Rajshahi bowlers shared the wickets, with Mondol emerging as the standout performer, taking 4 for 34 in his four overs.
The victory lifted Rajshahi to 14 points from nine matches, confirming a top-two finish.
Chattogram Royals occupy second place with 12 points from eight games, while Sylhet Titans end their preliminary campaign in third with 10 points from 10 matches.
Rangpur Riders sit fourth with 8 points from eight matches.
After losing the toss, Moeen hit a boundary off the first ball, but the innings never gained momentum.
Tanjid struggled to rotate strike while Sahibzada hit the first six off Ruyel Miah before falling at short third man for 12.
Shanto and Mushfiqur steadied the innings with crisp strokeplay. Mushfiqur smashed back-to-back fours off Ruhel, cleared Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a six, and lofted Nasum over the ropes.
Shanto fell LBW attempting a reverse sweep for 34 with five fours and a six.
Rajshahi reached 100 in the 12th over with a six from James Neesham, but the last 43 balls brought no boundary.
Neesham was caught, Mushfiqur fell, Akbar Ali caught at long-off, and Ryan Burl bowled. Abdul Gaffar Saqlain finished unbeaten on 16 with a four and six to take the total near 150.
Chasing 148, Parvez Hossain Emon began aggressively, clearing Rubel for a six.
Ripon struck early, removing Tawfique Khan, while Miraz fell cheaply. After two wickets for 15, Parvez and Mominul Haque added 49, with Parvez hitting three sixes.
Ruyel was LBW for 41, Afif Hossian made 16, Mominul 31, and Moeen’s late assault fell short.
Match Summary:
Rajshahi Warriors: 20 overs 147/8 (Sahibzada 14, Tanjid 9, Shanto 34, Mushfiq 40, Neesham 12, Burl 9, Akbar 2, Saqlain 16*, Ripon 7, Rubel 0*; Moeen 4-0-16-1, Salman 3-0-15-0, Shahidul 4-0-37-2, Ruyel 2-0-20-1, Nasum 4-0-30-2, Miraz 3-0-28-1)
Sylhet Titans: 20 overs 142/9 (Tawfique 4, Parvez 41, Miraz 1, Mominul 31, Afif 16, Moeen 27, Brooks 1, Shahidul 11*, Nasum 2, Ruyel 1; Rubel 4-0-26-1, Binura 4-0-20-2, Ripon 4-0-34-4, Saqlain 4-0-26-1, Neesham 4-0-35-1)
Result: Rajshahi won by five runs
Man of the Match: Ripon Mondol
