Nazmul Hossain Shanto smashed an unbeaten 101 as Rajshahi Warriors handed Sylhet Titans a crushing 8-wicket defeat in the Bangladesh Premier League opener in Sylhet on Friday.
Shanto hit five sixes and 10 boundaries in his 60-ball innings that propelled Rajshahi to chase down the target with two balls remaining as Mushfiqur Rahim was unbeaten on 51-off-31.
Sylhet rode on Parvez Hossain Emon’s 65-off-33 that saw five sixes and four boundaries.
Rajshahi lost both openers inside the powerplay, but Shanto steadied the innings before accelerating decisively. He found a reliable partner in Mushfiqur Rahim.
The pair added an unbroken 130 runs for the third wicket, effectively shutting Sylhet out of the contest well before the final over.
Earlier, Sylhet posted a competitive 190 for 5 after being sent in to bat. Parvez Hossain Emon led the charge, while Rony Talukdar contributed 41 and Afif Hossain added a brisk 33.
Rajshahi’s bowlers, however, managed to contain the damage at the death, conceding just 10 runs across the final two overs.
Mirza Baig steers Chattogram
Chattogram Royals made a clear statement in their opening match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season.
They cruised to a 65-run victory over Noakhali Express at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium later on Friday night.
Batting first after winning the toss, Chattogram posted a competitive 174 for six, built around a composed innings from Mirza Baig.
The right-hand batter anchored the innings with 80 off 69 balls, striking seven fours and two sixes, and held the Royals together after early wickets.
Mohammad Naim fell cheaply, but Baig found support from Mahfijul Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who kept the scoreboard moving through the middle overs.
Captain Mahedi Hasan provided late momentum with a brisk 26 off 13 balls, lifting Chattogram past the 170 marks despite regular breakthroughs from Noakhali’s bowlers.
Noakhali’s chase never gained traction.
They lost three wickets inside the powerplay and were under constant pressure against a disciplined Chattogram attack.
Maaz Sadaqat offered brief resistance with 38 off 27 balls, while Haider Ali added 28, but partnerships were short-lived.
Mahedi Hasan led from the front with the ball, taking two wickets for 17 runs, while Shoriful Islam and Mukidul Islam struck at key moments. Tanvir Islam’s three-wicket spell further dismantled the chase as Noakhali collapsed to 109 all out in 16.5 overs.