Shanto shines in high-scoring start to BPL 12

Published : Friday, 26 December, 2025 at 8:45 PM Count : 9

Najmul Hossain Shanto's magnificent century set the tone for the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League as Rajshahi Warriors opened their campaign with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Sylhet Titans at a packed Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Shanto produced an unbeaten 101 off 60 balls, smashing 10 fours and five sixes, and forged an unbroken 130-run partnership off just 71 deliveries with Mushfiqur Rahim. The veteran campaigner remained not out on 51 from 31 balls as Rajshahi reached 192 for two in 19.4 overs.

Earlier, Sylhet Titans posted a competitive 190 for five after being asked to bat. Parvez Hossain Emon led the charge with an unbeaten 65 off 33 balls, while Rony Talukdar contributed 41 and Afif Hossain added 33.

Rajshahi's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost both openers early. Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Pakistani recruit Sahibzada Farhan managed just 10 and 20, respectively, leaving the side struggling at 62 for two in 7.5 overs.

From there on, it was all Shanto. The Rajshahi skipper took complete control of the chase, peppering the boundaries with authority and composure. He brought up his second BPL century, joining Tamim Iqbal and Tanzid Hasan as the only Bangladeshis to score multiple hundreds in the tournament's history.

Mushfiqur provided ideal support at the other end and sealed the victory in style by striking the winning boundary off pacer Ruyel Miah, which also completed his half-century.

Earlier with the ball, Rajshahi pacer Binura Fernando struck the first blow by dismissing Saim Ayub for 28 off 15 balls. Sandeep Lamichchane (2-38) then removed Rony and Hazratullah Zazai (20) to reduce Sylhet to 104 for three in the 13th over.

However, Emon and Afif counter-attacked with an 85-run stand off just 41 balls to lift Sylhet to a challenging total -- an effort that ultimately proved insufficient against Shanto's brilliance.

The tournament was formally inaugurated before the match by Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul. A minute's silence was also observed in memory of the late Sharif Osman Hadi, a youth activist and July uprising leader.

FP/MI