Match overview

Chattogram Royals beat Rajshahi Warriors by 2 wickets in a low-scoring BPL T20 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on 9 January 2026. Rajshahi posted 128/9 from their 20 overs, a total that sat well below the venue's average first-innings score of 172. Chattogram's reply was anything but straightforward: they slipped to 34/4 inside the powerplay before steadying in the middle overs. From there, they pushed on to win with their eighth wicket falling on the final runs, securing a nervy 2-wicket victory. Hassan Nawaz was named Player of the Match.

The chase was effectively won in overs 7 to 15, where Chattogram scored 58 runs and lost only 1 wicket. That middle-overs phase provided the platform that the powerplay had failed to offer. Rajshahi, for their part, never generated enough momentum in their innings to set a total that would have tested a steadier batting side, losing 9 wickets across 20 overs with their own death overs yielding just 30 runs for 3 wickets.

With this result, the head-to-head record between the two sides stands at 2-2 across 4 T20 meetings. It remains one of the more evenly contested rivalries in the current BPL cycle.

Venue and conditions

The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has hosted 104 T20 matches, making it one of the better-documented venues in the BPL. Its average first-innings score of 172 and average second-innings score of 157 suggest that batting second carries a genuine advantage here, which is consistent with the 53 per cent chase success rate. The average powerplay score of 41 runs indicates the pitch typically offers enough to keep the contest honest early on, though Chattogram's 34-run powerplay shows even experienced sides can struggle.

Toss decisions at Sylhet lean heavily towards fielding: 75 per cent of toss winners in those 104 matches have chosen to bowl first. Chattogram's decision to field on winning the toss followed that trend and, in hindsight, was the correct read on conditions. The death-overs average of 36 runs per innings across all matches at the ground is a useful measure; Rajshahi's 30-run death phase came in below that figure, which contributed to a below-par total.

How to watch

BPL matches are not currently part of the Sky Sports or BBC Sport portfolio for UK viewers. Coverage of the Bangladesh Premier League is primarily available through T Sports, the official broadcaster, which streams internationally via its app and website. UK fans should also check whether their existing cricket streaming subscriptions include South Asian domestic competitions, as availability varies by provider and season.

Recent form

Chattogram Royals arrived at this match in reasonable shape, having won 3 of their last 5 BPL fixtures. Their two losses in that run both came against Rangpur Riders, who appear to be the stronger side in the standings. Three consecutive wins against Sylhet Titans and Dhaka Capitals in their most recent four matches gave them confidence coming into this game.

Rajshahi Warriors' recent form has been more patchy. They won 3 of their last 5 as well, but their defeats have come against Rangpur Riders and Dhaka Capitals. Their win over Noakhali Express appeared twice in that five-match run, suggesting they have found it easier to beat the lower-ranked sides than to perform consistently against top opposition. Heading into their next fixture, Chattogram's ability to bat through a crisis will be the more encouraging sign for their campaign.