"Feels amazing"- Najmul Hossain Shanto embraces maiden BPL win with victory parade

Rajshahi Warriors players on a victory parade in Rajshahi [Source: Facebook]

Rajshahi Warriors bagged their maiden Bangladesh Premier League title after a successful 2025–26 campaign. Led by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Warriors delivered a dominant performance in the final against Chattogram Royals on January 23, winning by 63 runs.

After the triumph, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his excitement, while veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim also shared his joy as the team celebrated the historic achievement with a city-wide trophy parade in Rajshahi.

Shanto speaks of historic victory after BPL title win

For the unaware, thousands of supporters turned out as the Rajshahi Warriors took the trophy through the city, marking a memorable moment for the franchise and its fans.

Speaking during the victory parade, Shanto, who was captaining the BPL side for the first time, reflected on what the title meant to him personally.

“Playing the BPL for Rajshahi and winning the trophy is incredibly special. Being a local boy and winning it in my very first season as captain feels amazing,” Shanto said.

He described the city tour as an emotional experience and credited the fans for their immense support throughout the tournament, saying it was something he felt deeply proud of.

“This feels different, it’s something special. Cricket has always been celebrated in Rajshahi, whether by fans or players. Bringing the trophy here is a matter of pride. The way the people supported us gave us extra motivation, and being able to deliver the cup is truly something to be proud of,” Shanto added.

Shanto on the inspiration for Rajshahi

Shanto also believed that the title win could provide a significant morale boost for cricket in the region, inspiring younger generations to take up domestic cricket in the future.

“I honestly feel this win can push Rajshahi cricket forward. There are so many young players here who dream of playing in the BPL and for Bangladesh.

This victory can inspire them. If tournaments continue to be organised and facilities improve, I believe Rajshahi can regularly host BPL and even international matches and produce top-level cricketers,” Shanto added.

Mushfiqur Rahim reflects on massive win

Mushfiqur Rahim, who played a key role in the Warriors’ campaign, scored 244 runs in 11 matches at an average of 34.86 and was a vital part of the team setup.

Speaking after the trophy parade, Mushfiqur said the title was well deserved and praised the enthusiastic support from the Rajshahi crowd.

“Alhamdulillah, it feels great to receive so much love. I truly believe this was something the people of Rajshahi deserved. They waited a long time to see a trophy here. It’s a big achievement for Nabil Group as well, winning the title in their very first attempt.

Sharing this joy with the supporters has doubled our happiness. Feeling their love made the championship even more meaningful,” Mushfiqur said.

Mushfiqur vouches for growth

Mushfiqur also echoed the sentiments of Najmul Hossain Shanto, who said that the growth of cricket in the city will be a major uplift after the title win, with the city also deserving to host matches.

“Both Rajshahi and Bogura deserve to host BPL matches. There’s almost a year to prepare, and I hope the BCB is looking into it. If matches are held in these cities, fan turnout will be even higher,” Rahim added.

Nevertheless, besides the final victory, Rajshahi Warriors also enjoyed a strong campaign overall. In the group stage, they dominated the competition by winning eight of their ten matches, with their only losses coming against Chattogram and Dhaka.