The newly crowned Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) champions, Rajshahi Warriors, were given a rousing reception on Monday as they paraded through the city on an open-top bus, trophy in hand.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and their teammates arrived in Rajshahi on Monday morning following their BPL triumph. At around 10.30am, the squad landed at Hazrat Shah Makhdum (R.) Airport, where an open-top bus had been prepared in advance. Carrying the BPL trophy, the players boarded the bus and began their journey into the city under police escort.
Senior executives from Nabil Group, the team’s owners, travelled at the front of the convoy. A large number of supporters followed on motorcycles, waving placards reading “Pride of Victory”, “City of Heroes” and “Victory Has Come, the Cup Has Been Lifted”. The slogan “The Cup Has Come Home” was displayed prominently on the front of the bus.
The bus travelled from the airport along the Rajshahi–Naogaon highway, passing through Amchattar, Biman Chattar and the RUET flyover before heading towards Paris Road at Rajshahi University. Along the route, fans lined the streets, cheering and raising their hands in celebration.
At the university, students welcomed the players by showering them with flowers. Some supporters removed their shirts, T-shirts and sweaters and threw them towards the bus. Shanto, Mushfiq and other players signed the items and returned them to the crowd. At several moments, the captain and Mushfiq held the BPL trophy aloft as cheers grew louder.
Music played as fans danced along the roadside, while Shanto and Mushfiq joined in atop the bus. After leaving the university area, the procession continued through Talaimari and Saheb Bazar before stopping near Rajshahi Collegiate School, where students again gathered around the bus to greet the champions.
A similar scene unfolded in front of Rajshahi College. The tour then moved through Laxmipur and on towards Darikhardbona, Railgate and Amchattar, before concluding at Nabil Industrial Park in Paba.
Throughout the journey, supporters took selfies from the roadside and waved to the players, capturing a title celebration that turned the city into a moving sea of green and gold.
