Rajshahi seal qualifier spot with win over Chattogram

Mushfiqur Rahim’s composed unbeaten 46 off 41 balls guided Rajshahi Warriors to a three-wicket win over Chattogram Royals, helping them finish the league stage at the top of the points table in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

The win saw Rajshahi finish the league stage with 16 points from 10 matches and confirm their place in Qualifier 1, scheduled for January 20. Despite the defeat, Chattogram remain second with 12 points from nine matches and still have a chance to secure a spot in the first qualifier if they beat Dhaka Capitals in their final league fixture in Mirpur on Sunday.

Mushfiqur’s knock, which included three fours and a six, proved decisive as he shared an 84-run fifth-wicket partnership off 66 balls with Akbar Ali, who contributed 48 off 40 deliveries. The duo rebuilt the innings after Rajshahi were reduced to 31 for four in seven overs while chasing a modest target of 126.

Although Akbar fell to pacer Abu Hider on the final ball of the 18th over and Rajshahi lost two more wickets in quick succession, Mushfiqur, alongside Jahandad Khan (five not out), ensured a safe passage. Rajshahi reached 126 for seven in 19.3 overs to seal the victory. For Chattogram, Shoriful Islam was the standout bowler, returning figures of three for 13 from his four overs.

Earlier, Rajshahi produced an impressive bowling and fielding display to dismiss Chattogram for 125 in 19.5 overs after opting to field.

Pacer Tanzim Hasan Sakib starred with the ball, claiming four wickets for 17 runs from his four overs, while Jahandad Khan and Ryan Burl chipped in with two wickets apiece. Rajshahi were equally sharp in the field, pulling off several spectacular catches, notably by Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and Sakib.

For Chattogram, Asif Ali top-scored with a brisk 39 off 24 balls, smashing four sixes to help his side cross the 120-run mark after they had slumped to 74 for seven in 12.4 overs.