The curtain rises on the 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) as Sylhet Titans and Rajshahi Warriors face off in the tournament’s opening match today. After winning the toss, Rajshahi opted to field first, sending Sylhet in to bat.
The encounter features two of Bangladesh’s cricketing luminaries, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehedi Hasan Miraz, adding significant star power to the match. Their presence has heightened excitement among fans, with anticipation at its peak for the season’s inaugural clash.
Speaking ahead of the match on 25 December, Rajshahi captain Shanto shared his enthusiasm:
“I feel it’s incredibly thrilling as a player to compete in front of the home crowd. It’s truly enjoyable.”
Meanwhile, Sylhet captain Miraz expressed his determination to bring a first championship to his side:
“Sylhet has never won the championship. If we can achieve it for the first time, and I can contribute to that success, it will be a very special moment for me.”
Both teams have carefully selected their playing XIs, balancing experience and youth to start the tournament strongly.
Sylhet Titans Playing XI:
| Player Name | Role | Captain/Wicketkeeper |
|---|---|---|
| Saim Ayub | Batsman | |
| Roni Talukdar | Batsman | |
| Hazratullah Zazai | Batsman | |
| Parvez Hossain Emon | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | |
| Afif Hossain | All-rounder | |
| Mehedi Hasan Miraz | All-rounder | Captain |
| Ethan Brooks | Bowler | |
| Nasum Ahmed | Bowler | |
| Mohammad Amir | Bowler | |
| Khaled Ahmed | Bowler | |
| Ruel Mia | Bowler |
Rajshahi Warriors Playing XI:
| Player Name | Role | Captain/Wicketkeeper |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzid Hasan | Batsman | |
| Shahibzada Farhan | Batsman | |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | Batsman | Captain |
| Yasir Ali | Batsman | |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | |
| Mohammad Nawaz | All-rounder | |
| Tanzim Hasan Sakib | All-rounder | |
| S.M. Mehrab | Bowler | |
| Abdul Gaffar Saklain | Bowler | |
| Binura Fernando | Bowler | |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | Bowler |
The stage is now set for an enthralling start to the BPL, with both sides eager to make a strong statement. Fans across the country are poised for an intense clash, eager to witness early-season fireworks from Bangladesh’s finest talents.
