Chattogram Royals Storm into the Final, Crushing Rajshahi

Chattogram Royals looked destined for the final long before the match reached its conclusion—and once on the field,Sheikh Mehedi Hasan’s side proved exactly why. In the first qualifier of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League, Chattogram sealed their place in the final with a commanding six-wicket victory over table-toppers Rajshahi Warriors.
The match was played on Tuesday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, Rajshahi failed to last the full 20 overs, collapsing for just 133 runs. From the outset, Chattogram’s disciplined bowling attack kept the Rajshahi batting unit under constant pressure.
Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim was the top scorer for Rajshahi, making 41 runs off 37 balls with three fours and a six. On an otherwise difficult day for the batters, Abdul Gaffar Saklain added some late momentum, smashing 32 runs off just 15 deliveries, including two fours and three sixes.
Chasing a modest target, Chattogram Royals took control early. Openers Miraj Beg and Mohammad Naim laid a solid foundation with a 64-run partnership off 70 balls. Naim was dismissed after scoring 30 runs from 38 balls, hitting three boundaries.
Hasan Nawaz then accelerated the chase with a quick 20 off 14 balls, striking two sixes, while Asif Ali contributed 11 runs from 8 deliveries. However, it was opener Miraj Beg who anchored the innings and guided the team close to victory. He fell just 10 runs short of the target after scoring 45 off 47 balls, with four boundaries.
Captain Sheikh Mehedi Hasan finished the job calmly at the end. Partnering with Amer Jamil, he led Chattogram to the finish line, remaining unbeaten on 19 off just 9 balls, including two sixes.
Earlier in the day, Sylhet Titans booked their place in the second qualifier by eliminating Rangpur Riders in the eliminator match. On Wednesday, Sylhet Titans will face Rajshahi Warriors in the second qualifier, with the winner set to take on Chattogram Royals in Friday’s BPL final.