![Kane Williamson likely to join BPL [Source: @raisul_rifat88/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768965730901_KaneWilliamsontojoinRajshahiWarriorsforBPL.jpg?type=hq)
Kane Williamson likely to join BPL [Source: @raisul_rifat88/X.com]
The Rajshahi Warriors will face immense pressure in Qualifier 2 of the BPL 2025-2026 season, but a major boost may be on its way. New Zealand star Kane Williamson is likely to join up for the knockout match with Sylhet Titans scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, in Dhaka.
The potential inclusion of the experienced batter has added excitement and belief within the Rajshahi camp as they aim to stay alive in the tournament and move one step closer to the final.
Kane Williamson likely to strengthen the Rajshahi Warriors
Rajshahi Warriors captain Najmul Hossain Shanto confirmed ahead of the match that Kane Williamson is expected to link up with the team for Qualifier 2.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Shanto said he was hopeful the New Zealand star would be available for the crucial encounter.
Shanto expressed optimism but kept expectations measured. He stressed that regardless of who plays, performance on the day will matter most. Still, the possibility of Williamson featuring has lifted the mood around the team.
Williamson’s arrival, even at a late stage, could be a big advantage for Rajshahi. The former New Zealand captain recently skipped the ODI series against India to feature in the SA20 League.
In six innings for Durban Super Giants, he scored 110 runs at a 22.00 average. DSG had an awful season overall, finishing out of the knockout stages.
Hence, with his SA20 duties over, Kane Williamson will likely fly to Dhaka for a crucial Qualifier encounter.
Shanto urges focus on the present, not past results
Despite the hype around the match and familiar faces on the opposing side, Najmul Shanto made it clear that the Rajshahi Warriors are not looking back.
He dismissed any talk of past matches or history influencing the outcome of Qualifier 2.
“Leave that friendly match out of it. That was just for fun. I think the whole thing was fun. Tomorrow, I believe it will be a good match, and Sylhet have played good cricket. But the team that plays better tomorrow will win," Shanto said.
The Rajshahi skipper also downplayed a friendly match played earlier in the season against Sylhet captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz. While there was light banter at the time, Shanto said the knockout clash is a completely different contest.
“What happened in the past doesn’t matter. Chattogram played good cricket and reached the final. I don’t think we need to think about history. Tomorrow, whoever plays better cricket will win," he added.
According to him, the Sylhet Titans have played good cricket throughout the tournament and deserve respect. However, he believes the result will come down to which team plays better on the day.
BPL resumed after an unruly suspension
Interestingly, before the Qualifiers could begin, BPL faced a big roadblock earlier this month. Players called a strike, followed by controversial remarks made by BCB director M Nazmul Islam.
This angered players and led to January 16's matches being called off when teams refused to take the field.
They demanded an unconditional apology and the sacking of Nazmul. After late-night talks between BCB officials and the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh, CWAB president Mohammad Mithun confirmed that players agreed to return in the interest of the game.
The BCB has removed Nazmul as finance committee chairman and issued him a show-cause notice, giving him 48 hours to respond before the matter goes to the disciplinary committee.
While players welcomed the action, they sought a public apology. Eventually, Bangladesh’s cricketers withdrew their boycott after reaching an agreement with the BCB, clearing the way for the BPL to resume on January 17.
