Match Center

And that wraps up an entertaining double-header day. Earlier in the day, Fortune Barishal dominated the Sylhet Strikers, securing their spot in the playoffs as the second team to qualify. In the second game, Durbar Rajshahi successfully completed the double over the Rangpur Riders, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Looking ahead, Monday, 27th January will bring another exciting double-header in the 2024/25 Bangladesh Premier League. The first game will feature the Khulna Tigers taking on Fortune Barishal at 1 pm IST (7.30 am GMT), followed by Durbar Rajshahi squaring off against the Sylhet Strikers at 6 pm IST (12.30 pm GMT). As always, our build-up for both games will begin a lot sooner. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The skipper of Durbar Rajshahi, Taskin Ahmed says that the talk before the game was about giving their best. Feels that they were 15-20 runs short but they knew that they could cover it up with their efforts in the field. Mentions that they are a team that never gives up and they will always fight until the last ball is bowled.

Mrittunjoy Chowdhury is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his superb figures of 4 for 18 from 4 overs, including one maiden. He says that at first, the wicket wasn’t good but they had made strategies and Taskin made them understand that if you try to put pressure on the batters by playing them dot ball, they will play those reckless shots and get out. Adds that he gave his 100 per cent in this match and he is happy with the effort. Mentions that he was injured earlier and is happy with the team's win here in this close match.

Nurul Hasan, the captain of the Rangpur Riders says that they didn't show enough attitude on the field and missed a few things here and there. Mentions that the bowlers did well but the batters didn't click in the first few overs. Adds that the momentum is important for them and they need that momentum back in the next few matches to go all the way in this tournament.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier, after being put into bat, Rajshahi struggled to build any momentum as regular wickets derailed their innings. Rangpur applied relentless pressure from the outset, with both pacers and spinners maintaining a stranglehold on the scoring. It was only due to Sunzamul Islam's valiant 28-run knock that Rajshahi managed to scrape their way to a modest total of 119. In the end, that total turned out to be a match-winning one, and Islam's contribution proved to be invaluable, with his knock carrying the weight of gold.

Taskin Ahmed set the tone upfront for his side and then Mrittunjoy Chowdhury used his height and the pitch conditions effectively to strike further blows. With Rangpur Riders reeling at 23/4 at the end of the Powerplay, they desperately needed someone to steady the ship. However, none of the incoming batters were able to curb their attacking instincts, and the pressure kept mounting as the hole continued to get deeper and deeper. Mohammad Saifuddin and Rakibul Hasan kept the chase alive, and with 25 runs needed off the final over, the task with the ball was handed to Jishan Alam. Despite conceding sixes off the first two balls, Alam responded brilliantly, nailing yorkers to close out the game and seal Rajshahi's victory.

Phew... it got too close for comfort in the end, but one sentiment echoing among Durbar Rajshahi and their fans will surely be, 'The first time was so nice, we had to do it twice!' In the span of a week, Rajshahi have defeated Rangpur twice, and remarkably, both victories came while defending totals. Considering they had only 119 runs to defend in this encounter, this triumph will undoubtedly be the sweeter of the two. As for Rangpur Riders, they will be kicking themselves. After their bowling unit set up the game perfectly, the batting unit failed to deliver. A win here would have guaranteed a top-two finish for Rangpur.

SIX! Durbar Rajshahi win the game by 2 runs. Mohammad Saifuddin tried everything he could! Bowled on a fuller length, outside off, quick, Mohammad Saifuddin stays deep in the crease and thumps it back down the ground wide of long off for a six and completes his FIFTY. Rangpur Riders have fallen short but they will be happy with the effort of Saifuddin.

FOUR! That should do it for Durbar Rajshahi and the celebrations have begun in their camp! Fired in a yorker, around off, Mohammad Saifuddin brings his bat down and digs it out in the gap towards short third man for a boundary.

A low full toss, dipping in, Mohammad Saifuddin gets underneath it and hammers it down the ground to long on and doesn't take the single. Both balls need to go for a six for the game to go to a Super Over.

Fired in full, around off, Mohammad Saifuddin drills it to long on off the back foot but refuses the single. Rangpur Riders need 13 off the last 3 balls.

SIX! AND ANOTHER! GAME ON!! Alam drags his length, keeps it around middle, from around the wicket, with pace, Mohammad Saifuddin presses back and launches it over cow corner for another biggie. 13 needed off 4 balls.

SIX! What a way to start the over! Jishan Alam fires in, full and quick, outside off, Mohammad Saifuddin is waiting for that pace and length as he moves across and stays deep in the crease. He thumps it down the ground back over the bowler for a massive six. 19 needed off 5 balls.

Jishan Alam will bowl the final over with Rangpur Riders needing 25 runs from 6 balls.

Slower and shorter, outside off. Akif Javed heaves across the line but misses. 25 needed off the last over!

FOUR! Full toss on off. Akif Javed stays inside his crease and swings across the line and gets it towards deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Akif Javed walks in.