Rajshahi Warriors moved up to second place in the points table on Sunday after Muhammad Waseem and Najmul Hossain Shanto struck commanding half-centuries to secure a seven-wicket victory over Rangpur Riders while chasing 179.
Set a challenging target, Rajshahi lost Tanzid Hasan Tamim for three early on but recovered swiftly through an aggressive stand between Waseem and Shanto. The pair set the tone in the powerplay, where Rajshahi raced to 62 for one, before reaching 96 for one at the halfway stage.
Waseem brought up his half-century from 32 balls, maintaining the momentum with clean hitting and sharp running. Shanto followed soon after, reaching his fifty from just 28 deliveries. The Rajshahi captain went on to play a decisive innings of 76 from 42 balls, striking six fours and four sixes.
Shanto was eventually dismissed attempting a pull shot off an off-cutter from Mustafizur Rahman, giving a catch at deep midwicket. Before departing, he had added a crucial 142-run partnership with Waseem that left Rajshahi firmly in control.
Although Jimmy Neesham fell cheaply for one, Rajshahi encountered little resistance on the way to victory. Waseem anchored the chase superbly, finishing unbeaten on 87 from 59 balls, while Burl remained not out on seven from five deliveries to seal the win.
Earlier, Rangpur Riders had posted 178 for four after a strong batting display led by Towhid Hridoy. Kyle Myers departed early for eight, but Rangpur reached 54 for one in the powerplay as Hridoy played with intent while Litton Das took a more measured approach.
Rangpur lost wickets at 29 and 57 before Litton was dismissed shortly after the powerplay, caught at point attempting to clear the field off Sandeep Lamichhane. Iftikhar Ahmed failed to settle and was dismissed for eight by Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Hridoy reached his half-century from 39 balls and, alongside Khushdil Shah, rebuilt the innings. The pair added 105 runs before Neesham broke the stand in the final over, dismissing Khushdil for 44 from 29 balls.
Hridoy finished unbeaten on 97 from 56 deliveries, falling just short of a century as Rangpur closed on 178 for four. Despite the effort, the total proved insufficient as Rangpur slipped to third place following Rajshahi’s clinical chase.
