Photo: BCB

DHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS)- An impressive century from Towhid Hridoy outshone 
a brilliant hundred by Hassan Eisakhil as Rangpur Riders sealed a 
comprehensive eight-wicket victory in their final Bangladesh Premier League 
(BPL) group-stage match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

The victory kept Rangpur firmly in contention for a top-two finish on the 
points table. A defeat for Chattogram Royals against Dhaka Capitals later 
tonight would pave Rangpur's way into the top two.

Batting first, Noakhali leaned heavily on a superb knock from Hassan 
Eisakhil, the son of Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. Eisakhil hammered 
an unbeaten 107 off 72 balls, laced with four fours and 11 sixes, to propel 
his side to a respectable 173-2.

But Hridoy helped Rangpur gun down the target in 19.4 overs, smashing a 109 
off 63, which included 15 fours and two sixes.

Noakhali's innings revolved entirely around Eisakhil after Rangpur elected to 
field. Fellow opener Rahmat Ali (9) and No.3 batter Jaker Anik (3) fell 
cheaply, leaving Eisakhil to anchor the innings almost single-handedly. 

Skipper Haider Ali, however, offered valuable support with an unbeaten 42 off 
32 balls, hitting three fours and a six. The pair added 137-run for an 
unbeaten third wicket to lift Noakhali to a competitive total.

But in-form Hridoy ensured the chase was anything but difficult. He and Dawid 
Malan put on 78 runs for the opening stand, in which the former England 
opener contributed just 15 runs.
 
Hridoy then took complete control of the chase, adding 87 runs with captain 
Liton Das to bring Rangpur to the brink of victory.
 
Hasan Mahmud eventually dismissed Hridoy to bring an end to his scintillating 
knock, but the damage had already been done.

Liton Das stayed unbeaten on 39 to guide Rangpur for an emphatic victory in 
19.4 overs.

The defeat marked a disappointing end to Noakhali's maiden BPL campaign, as 
they finished with just two wins from 10 matches and remained at the bottom 
of the points table. 

However, they could still move up one place if Dhaka Capitals suffer a heavy 
defeat to Chattogram later in the day.