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Published : 23 Jan 2026, 10:32 PM
Rajshahi Warriors clinched the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) title after outclassing Chattogram Royals by 63 runs in the final, completing a commanding all-round performance.
The title-deciding match was played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday night, where Chattogram were bowled out after losing wickets at regular intervals while chasing a stiff target.
Left-arm seamer Binura Fernando led the bowling effort, striking twice in the powerplay and returning later to remove Asif Ali and Shoriful Islam in the same over, effectively ending Chattogram’s hopes.
From the start, Rajshahi’s dominance was clear in the stands. Thousands of fans waved orange flags and cheered loudly, creating an atmosphere that felt like a home game.
Yet the real contest was on the 22 yards of the pitch. As the match progressed, Rajshahi grew unstoppable, with Tanvir Hasan’s record-breaking century leaving Chattogram’s bowlers with no answer.
Tanzid laid the foundation for victory with a scintillating innings. Having managed only one fifty in the previous twelve matches, he produced a masterclass, blasting 100 off just 62 balls, including seven towering sixes.
This marked his third BPL century, making him the first Bangladeshi to reach three hundreds in the tournament and the first to score a century in a BPL final.
Despite his heroics, Rajshahi could not accelerate too far, finishing 20 overs at 174/4.
Chattogram, however, were never in contention, bowled out for just 111.
Fernando outshone himself, improving on his previous match figures of 4/19, while Hasan Murad also delivered a career-best three-wicket haul.
Rajshahi lifted the BPL crown in their debut season, though it is the second title for a Rajshahi franchise overall.
Chattogram Royals remain without a BPL trophy, despite reaching the final under the BCB supervision following an ownership change just before the tournament began.
Chattogram had beaten Rajshahi in two of their three league encounters this season, but the final told a different story. Their main strength, bowling, lost its edge in the tournament’s biggest match.
Tanzid’s power repeatedly drew loose deliveries, making the bowlers’ task far easier.
Batting first after losing the toss, Rajshahi started cautiously, scoring 40 without loss in the powerplay.
Tanzid, however, had already signalled intent with two fours and two sixes.
Post powerplay, he unleashed his full arsenal, hitting back-to-back sixes off Sheikh Mehedi Hasan and two more off Mirza Baig in a single over, reaching fifty in just 29 balls.
By the 10th over, Rajshahi were 82, with Tanzid on 51. The opening stand ended when Sahibzada Farhan fell for 30 off 30 balls.
Tanzid kept the momentum alive, surviving a straightforward catch at square leg off Aamer Jamal, spilled by Mukidul Islam.
He stitched a crucial 47-run partnership with Kane Williamson before Williamson fell for 24 off 15 balls.
Tanzid raced to three figures, surviving another drop by Asif Ali, and finally departed immediately after reaching his century, guiding Rajshahi to a competitive 174/4.
Shoriful finished the innings by dismissing Najmul Hossain Shanto on the final ball, claiming his 26th wicket of the season and setting a new BPL record, surpassing Taskin Ahmed’s 25 from last season.
Chattogram’s reply never gathered steam. Mohammad Naim Sheikh and Mahmudul Hasan Joy fell in the third over, while Hasan Murad perished after a boundary and a six.
Mirza resisted with 39 off 36 balls, but the middle order could not support him. Asif chipped in 21 off 16, yet the Royals were bowled out for 111, 13 balls short.
Rajshahi players and staff erupted in unbridled celebration, reveling in their maiden BPL triumph, powered by Tanzid’s masterclass and a dominant bowling display.
Scorecard Highlights:
Rajshahi Warriors: 174/4 (Sahibzada 30, Tanzid 100, Williamson 24, Neesham 7*, Shanto 11; Shoriful 4-0-33-2, Mukidul 4-0-20-2, Tanvir 3-0-17-0, Sheikh Mehedi 4-0-48-0, Mirza 1-0-13-0, Jamal 4-0-43-0)
Chattogram Royals: 111 (Mirza 39, Naim 9, Joy 0, Nawaz 11, Zahiduzzaman 11, Sheikh Mehedi 4, Asif 21, Jamal 8, Shoriful 0, Tanvir 1*, Mukidul 1; Binura 3-0-9-4, Neesham 4-0-24-2, Tanzim 3-0-37-0, Saqline 3.5-0-24-1, Murad 4-0-15-3)
Result: Rajshahi Warriors win by 63 runs
Man of the Match: Tanzid Hasan
