In a contest that fluctuated between clinical batting and absolute anarchy, the Sylhet Titans emerged victorious by a solitary wicket against the Noakhali Express on 28 December 2025. The match, held at the Sylhet International Stadium, appeared to be a straightforward affair for the hosts before a sensational hat-trick by Mehedi Hasan Rana turned the stadium into a cauldron of nerves. Sylhet eventually surpassed the 144-run target on the very last delivery, securing their first win of the season in a manner that will be remembered as a classic of the format.
The foundation for this dramatic finish was laid by a disciplined Sylhet bowling performance, spearheaded by Player of the Match Khaled Ahmed. After electing to bowl, the Titans dismantled the Noakhali top order with ruthless efficiency, reducing them to a precarious position as three of the top four batsmen were dismissed for ducks. It was only through a patient, unbeaten 61 from Mahidul Islam and a spirited 29 from Jaker Ali that the Noakhali Express managed to post a total of 143/7—a score that initially seemed insufficient but eventually proved to be a daunting mountain for the Sylhet middle order.
Titan vs Express: Statistical Match Overview
| Category | Noakhali Express | Sylhet Titans |
| Total Score | 143/7 (20 Overs) | 144/9 (20 Overs) |
| Top Batsman | Mahidul Islam (61*) | Parvez Hossain (60) |
| Top Bowler | Mehedi Hasan Rana (4/34) | Khaled Ahmed (4/23) |
| Key Stand | Mahidul & Jaker (42 runs) | Parvez & Miraz (83 runs) |
| Match Result | Lost by 1 Wicket | Won by 1 Wicket |
Sylhet’s chase was initially anchored by an excellent half-century from Parvez Hossain, who struck 60 off 41 balls to continue his rich vein of form. Alongside captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz, who added 33, Parvez seemed to have navigated the Titans to the brink of a comfortable victory. However, the game entered a state of frenzy in the 18th over when left-arm seamer Mehedi Hasan Rana claimed the ninth T20 hat-trick by a Bangladeshi, removing Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, and Khaled Ahmed in consecutive balls. This sparked a staggering collapse where Sylhet lost five wickets for just eight runs, leaving them needing 13 from the final six deliveries.
The final over was a masterclass in tension, starting with two dot balls from Sabbir Hossain that seemed to seal Sylhet’s fate. A pivotal no-ball call changed everything, allowing Ethan Brookes to launch a six on the free hit, followed by a crucial four. Despite Brookes being run out on the penultimate ball after a slip on the turf, the equation came down to one run required from the final delivery. A wide ball followed by a frantic leg-bye off the final ball saw Salman Irshad scramble home, surviving an LBW review to spark jubilant celebrations across the Sylhet stands.