Chittagong kings claim dominant win over Rajshahi for first BPL victory

Chittagong Kings announced their arrival in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with a resounding 105-run win over Durbar Rajshahi on 3 January at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.

After losing their opening match to Khulna Tigers, the Kings bounced back emphatically, powered by Usman Khan's blistering century and a collective bowling performance.

Batting first, Chittagong set a season-high total of 219 for 5, courtesy of a stunning 123 off 62 balls from Usman. The Pakistan opener's innings, laced with 13 fours and 6 sixes, was the first century of the BPL 2025.

Graham Clark contributed 40 runs off 25 balls, while Mohammad Mithun chipped in with 28 off 15. Despite Rajshahi's bowlers struggling for control, Taskin Ahmed stood out with figures of 2 for 22, continuing his impressive form after a record seven-wicket haul in the previous game.

Chasing a daunting target of 220, Rajshahi's innings fell apart quickly. Their opening pair of Mohammad Haris and Sabbir Hossain lasted less than an over, with Sabbir departing for 8 runs off 5 balls, undone by Shariful Islam.

Captain Anamul Haque Bijoy joined Haris to stabilise the innings, but their partnership ended at 41 runs when Anamul fell for 8.

Haris played a quick cameo, smashing 32 off 15 balls, including three sixes and two fours, but was dismissed before the powerplay, leaving Rajshahi reeling at 52 for 3.

Akbar Ali and Yasir Ali attempted a recovery, adding 31 runs for the fourth wicket. However, both fell in quick succession, scoring 18 and 16 runs, respectively.

The rest of the batting line-up folded under pressure, with Ryan Burl, who had hit a fifty in the previous game, managing just 10 runs. Rajshahi were eventually bowled out for 114 in 17.1 overs.

Chittagong's bowlers delivered a clinical performance, with Arafat Sunny and Aliss Al Islam taking three wickets each.

Mohammad Wasim and Shariful Islam picked up two wickets apiece, ensuring that Rajshahi never gained momentum.

The 105-run victory is tied for the second-largest winning margin in BPL history, equalling feats achieved by Dhaka and Cumilla franchises in 2019.

Chittagong continues to hold the record for the largest margin of victory, with a 119-run win in a previous season.

After starting the tournament with a 37-run loss to Khulna, Chittagong needed this win to regain momentum.

Rajshahi, on the other hand, have now faced two defeats in three matches, despite a promising performance in their second game.