Rajshahi Warriors booked their place in the BPL final after a thrilling 12-run win over Sylhet Titans in the second qualifier at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on 21 January. The match went down to the final over, with Sylhet needing 87 runs from the last five overs but ultimately falling short.
Sylhet’s chase began poorly, losing Zakir Hasan in the very first over, caught by Sahibzada Farhan off Binura Fernando’s delivery. Ariful Islam fell in the third over, also to Binura, leaving the Titans reeling at 7/2. Billings and Parvez Emon then rebuilt the innings with a measured partnership, gradually taking Sylhet forward. Parvez scored a brisk 48 off 34 balls, including five fours and two sixes, before being run out following a mix-up with Billings. Billings added 37 off 28 balls but was caught by Sahibzada Farhan attempting a big hit off Abdul Gaffar Sakline’s delivery. Moeen Ali contributed seven runs off five balls but could not alter the course of the game.
Afif Hossain and Mehedi Hasan Miraz came in with intent to accelerate, yet both failed to finish the chase, scoring 21 and minimal contributions respectively, while Khaled Ahmed also fell in quick succession. Despite a late cameo from Oaks, Sylhet’s lower order could not muster the required runs.
Rajshahi’s hero was Binura Fernando, who returned remarkable figures of 4/19, including two crucial wickets in the 18th over for just five runs. Abdul Gaffar’s economical 19th over left Sylhet needing 24 off the final over. Oaks and Nasum Ahmed managed 13 runs, but Rajshahi held their nerve to secure a 12-run victory.
Sent into bat after losing the toss, Rajshahi got a strong start from Sahibzada Farhan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim, who put on 41 runs for the opening wicket. Salman Irshad broke the partnership in the fifth over, dismissing Sahibzada for 26 off 21 balls, and Tanzid fell soon after for 32 off 15 balls, caught by Billings.
Spin proved decisive as Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up consecutive wickets, followed by another wicket off Nasum Ahmed’s spin. After the early setbacks, the New Zealand duo of Kane Williamson and Jimmy Neesham stabilised the innings with a 77-run partnership. Williamson, on his BPL debut, scored 45 off 38 balls, while Neesham made 44 off 26 balls with four fours and two sixes.
Rajshahi finished on 165/9, with Salman Irshad taking three wickets and Nasum and Miraz two each for Sylhet, setting up a blockbuster final against Chattogram Royals.
