Rajshahi Warriors cruised to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Noakhali Express in the opening match of the day at the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), extending the newcomers’ losing streak to six matches this season.
After losing the toss, Noakhali batted first at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium and posted 151 for five in their allotted 20 overs. Their openers, Shahadat Hossain Dipu and Soumya Sarkar, put on 57 for the first wicket, with Dipu dismissed for 30 from 28 balls and Maz Sadakat adding just seven from 13. Sarkar anchored the innings alongside Mohammad Nabi, scoring a vital 59 from 43 balls, while Nabi contributed 35 from 26 deliveries. In the final overs, Mahidul Islam Ankon added 10 from five balls, taking Noakhali to 151.
Ripon Mondal was the pick of the Rajshahi bowlers with two wickets for 27 runs, while Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Binura Fernando, and Ryan Burl claimed one each. Mehedi Hasan Rana captured three wickets for Noakhali in reply, with Nabi and Hasan Mahmud taking one apiece.
Chasing the target, Rajshahi got off to a strong start as openers Mohammad Waseem and Tanzeed Hasan Tamim put on 47 runs in the first five overs. Tamim fell for 21, and Shanto scored only one before Waseem anchored the innings with a superb 60 from 35 balls, reaching the milestone before being run out at 105. Mushfiqur Rahim added 19 from 22 balls, while quick wickets briefly put the side under pressure.
Ryan Burl steadied the innings with an unbeaten 19, guiding Rajshahi to victory with six balls and four wickets to spare. With this result, Noakhali Express have now lost all six of their matches in this BPL season, completing their “hexa” of defeats.
