Durbar Rajshahi players celebrate. Photo: X/BCBTigers Durbar Rajshahi players celebrate. Photo: X/BCBTigers

The Durbar Rajshahi defeated Rangpur Riders by 2 runs in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024-25 match 34 on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at the Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. (More Cricket News)

This match started as a different one, with the Bangladesh Premier League's technical committee announcing on Sunday (January 26) that Durbar Rajshahi would play against Rangpur Riders without any foreign players due to a payment dispute.

The overseas players of Rajshahi refused to take the field in Dhaka, prompting the team to request special approval from the BPL Technical Committee to field a squad consisting only of Bangladeshi players.

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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed the approval in an official statement, making this a unique scenario in the 2025 BPL.

After winning the toss, Rangpur Riders chose to bowl first. Rajshahi, batting first, struggled to find momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Rangpur's bowlers, both pacers and spinners, kept a tight grip on the scoring, leaving Rajshahi on the back foot.

SAARI Faizal of Malaysia scored two goals for his side, while SAARI Fitri added another, and ANUAR Akhimullah opened the scoring in the first quarter.

It was Sunzamul Islam's gutsy 28-run knock that salvaged the innings, helping Rajshahi reach a modest total of 119. In the end, that total turned out to be decisive, with Islam's vital contribution proving to be crucial.

Taskin Ahmed set the tone with a fiery opening spell, while Mrittunjoy Chowdhurymanaloplay exploited the conditions to leave Rangpur reeling at 23/4 in the Powerplay. Despite late resistance from Mohammad Saifuddin and Rakibul Hasan, Rangpur's batters couldn't handle the pressure.

Needing 25 off the final over, Jishan Alam conceded two early sixes but nailed his yorkers to secure a thrilling win for Rajshahi.

Mrittunjoy earned Player of the Match honors with an impressive 4 for 18 from his 4 overs, including a maiden. Durbar Rajshahi completed a season double over Rangpur Riders, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Playing XIs

Rangpur Riders (Playing XI): Steven Taylor, Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Nurul Hasan(w/c), Mahedi Hasan, Rakibul Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Nahid Rana, Akif Javed

Durbar Rajshahi (Playing XI): Sabbir Hossain, Anamul Haque, Yasir Ali, Akbar Ali(w), SM Meherob, Sunzamul Islam, Jishan Alam, Taskin Ahmed(c), Mohor Sheikh, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Mizanur Rahman