DHAKA, Jan 16, 2026 (BSS) - Pacer Ripon Mondol claimed a 4-34 as Rajshahi Warriors edged past Sylhet Titans by five runs in a low-scoring Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

The victory confirmed Rajshahi's top-two finish on the points table alongside Chattogram Royals, ensuring a place in Qualifier 1 on January 21. 

Both teams, however, still have one group-stage match remaining, which will decide who finishes at the top of the table.

Sylhet could have stayed in contention for a top-two finish had they won the game. After restricting Rajshahi to 147-8, they looked well placed in the chase, but Ripon's incisive bowling ensured they were limited to 142-9.

Ripon struck at the very start of Sylhet's innings, removing Tawfique Khan for 1, and then tightened the screws further by dismissing Afif Hossain for 16.

He returned in his second spell to claim the key wicket of Moeen Ali, who had appeared poised to take the game away from Rajshahi.

Moeen was eventually dismissed for a brisk 27 off 12 balls, an innings laced with one four and three sixes.

His wicket in the penultimate over all but sealed Rajshahi's victory.

Opener Parvez Hossain Emon, who played an attacking knock of 41 off 30 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes, kept Sylhet in the match amid the top order batters' clueless batting. 

However, his efforts were undermined by a lack of intent from the middle order.

Earlier, Sylhet bowlers produced a disciplined performance to keep Rajshahi to a modest total after Mehidy Hasan Miraz opted to bowl first. 

Pacer Shohidul Islam (2-37) and left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed (2-30) shared four wickets to put the brakes on Rajshahi's vaunted batting lineup. 

England recruit Moeen Ali also chipped in with an economical spell, finishing with 1-16 from four overs.

Rajshahi's innings was anchored by senior batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto, who added 56 runs for the third wicket after the team slumped to 27-2 inside four overs. 

Mushfiqur top-scored with a 40 off 30 balls, while Shanto, who had struck a century against Sylhet in the first-leg encounter, made 34 off 21 balls with five fours and a six.

The departure of the duo stalled Rajshahi's momentum, and they fell short of the 150-run mark.