![Sylhet Titans wins thrilling Eliminator [Source: @thecricketgully/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768907481185_SylhetTitans.jpg?type=hq)
Sylhet Titans wins thrilling Eliminator [Source: @thecricketgully/x]
Sylhet Titans overcame Rangpur Riders in a thrilling last-ball finish in Mirpur to make it to the second qualifier of the BPL 2025-26 season. Putting up a low-scoring exhibition, fast bowler Khaled Ahmed and ace left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed hogged the limelight with the ball for the Titans on the big day.
Here, we take a look at the entire highlights from the eliminator match of the BPL 2025-26 season between Rangpur Riders and Sylhet Titans, as it panned out at the Sher-e Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Tuesday, January 20.
Khaled Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed restrict Rangpur Riders to 111
Rangpur Riders crashed to 11-3, and eventually to 29-4 around the end of the opening powerplay. Opening batters Dawid Malan and Towhid Hridoy both fell for sluggish single-digit scores to Chris Woakes and Khaled Ahmed respectively.
Captain and senior wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das also failed to lead Rangpur Riders’ recovery as the cricketer nicked one towards Titans stumper Parvez Hossain Emon off Khaled.
Kyle Mayers at number four struck just one boundary in his 13-ball eight before becoming Salman Irshad’s (1-19) lone victim of the day. Tottering at 29-4, Khushdil Shah led Rangpur’s counterattack by bludgeoning three huge sixes in his fiery 19-ball 30-run knock.
The Pakistani all-rounder crafted a cautious 34-run partnership with Mahmudullah, and the latter of the two players top-scored in the innings through his calculated 33-run effort in 26 balls.
Unfortunately for the Rangpur Riders, both well-set batters were removed by Nasum Ahmed, who claimed sensational figures of 2-12 in his four overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan scored a crucial 18 at the death to stretch Rangpur Riders’ total to 111-9 by the completion of their innings.
For the Titans, Chris Woakes (2-15) and Khaled Ahmed (4-14) also came up clutch in the slog overs after their sublime new ball gambits to account for six Riders wickets between them.
Chris Woakes clinches last-ball thriller after Billings’ anchoring act
Sylhet Titans lost opening batter Tawfique Khan for just two of four balls in the first over of the run chase against Rangpur Riders’ ace paceman and Bangladesh legend Mustafizur Rahman. Jolted early in the innings, Parvez Hossain Emon (18 off 12) and number three Ariful Islam (17 off 18) clattered six boundaries between them to share a counterattacking 36-run partnership.
Just as the Titans were beginning to gain positive momentum, both well-set batters were dismissed by Al Islam and Nahid Rana, before Islam knocked over number four batter Afif Hossain for just three off nine balls. Once comfortably placed at 38-1, the Sylhet Titans soon succumbed to 44-4 after a three-wicket burst from the Riders.
Sam Billings at number five conjured a fighting 29 from 40 balls, and shared a courageous 50-run partnership with captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (18 off 23). However, some late wickets from Khushdil Shah (1-21), Faheem Ashraf (1-28) and to Mustafizur Rahman (2-20) tilted the tide back in Rangpur Riders’ favour.
Fortunately for the Sylhet Titans, tailender Chris Woakes blasted 10* off four balls, including a six off the final delivery to win it for his side. With a thrilling three-wicket win in Mirpur, the Titans made it to the second qualifier of the BPL 2025-26 season.
