Noakhali Express vs Rajshahi Warriors

Rajshahi Warriors beat Noakhali Express by 4 wickets in the BPL at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on 8 January 2026. Noakhali Express batted first and posted 151/5, a total that looked competitive on paper but fell around 20 runs short of the venue's average first-innings score of 172 across 104 matches at this ground. Rajshahi Warriors accelerated from the outset, reaching 61/1 in the powerplay before their middle overs provided the platform to see the chase home. Waseem Muhammad took the Player of the Match award. The result leaves Noakhali winless in five consecutive BPL matches.

Noakhali's innings was built in stages rather than built at pace. A steady powerplay of 41 runs without loss matched the venue average exactly, but they never quite found the gear to push beyond it. Fifty-four runs from the middle phase and 56 from the death overs made the total respectable, though a batting unit of their calibre would have targeted something closer to 165.

Rajshahi's chase was largely controlled. The powerplay blitz of 61 from the first 6 overs gave them a significant head start. The middle phase brought 64 more runs for the cost of 3 wickets, keeping the asking rate in check. The final phase was tighter, 27 runs and 2 wickets in the death, which explains why the margin was 4 wickets rather than something more comfortable.