After nearly 12 years, Naeem Islam hit a half-century in the BPL and was crowned Player of the Match. Despite a new captain, Rajshahi suffered a massive defeat due to numerous dropped catches.
Back in the 2013 BPL season, Naeem scored his last fifty, playing for Chittagong Kings under Brendan Taylor’s captaincy. Fast forward to 2025, the 38-year-old turned back time with an outstanding all-round performance. His 56 off 41 balls and a bowling spell of 3 overs for 6 runs with 2 wickets led Chittagong Kings to a resounding 111-run victory over Rajshahi.
Rajshahi’s fielders contributed significantly to Chittagong’s success, dropping catch after catch. In their reply, Rajshahi’s batting lineup collapsed like a house of cards, managing only 80 runs.
Chittagong’s Domination at Home
After two consecutive losses at home, Chittagong Kings bounced back with a strong win, making it their fifth victory in eight matches. This win strengthens their playoff hopes, while Rajshahi, with just three wins in nine matches, sits in fifth place.
Rajshahi’s Captaincy Shake-Up
Hours before the match, Rajshahi announced a captaincy change, replacing Anamul Haque with Taskin Ahmed. Anamul was removed after showing emotional distress following their last defeat.
Naeem’s Redemption and Usman’s Struggles
Taskin created an early opportunity, but Naeem was dropped by Sanjamul Islam before scoring. Meanwhile, Usman Khan’s poor form continued, dismissed for just 7 runs. After three consecutive fifties earlier in the season, he has now failed to score in four straight matches.
Clark-Naeem Partnership Anchors Chittagong
Naeem capitalized on his reprieve, showcasing his experience with a fifty off 36 balls. He hit back-to-back sixes off Jisan Alam and followed up with more boundaries. Graham Clark joined the party, smashing two sixes and contributing 45 runs off 28 balls. Their 84-run stand laid the foundation for Chittagong’s 191/8 in 20 overs.
Mithun and Haider Add the Finishing Touch
Rajshahi’s sloppy fielding gave multiple lives to Chittagong captain Mohammad Mithun, who scored 32 off 20 balls. Haider Ali added a quickfire 25 off 14.
Taskin Shines Despite Setbacks
Despite Rajshahi’s overall struggles, Taskin Ahmed stood out. The captain bowled brilliantly, taking 2 wickets for 23 runs in 4 overs, maintaining his position as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 20 scalps in 9 matches.
Rajshahi’s Disastrous Batting
Chasing 192, Rajshahi’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure. Only Anamul (21) and Akbar Ali (10) reached double digits. Their innings folded in just 14.2 overs.
Match Summary:
- Chittagong Kings: 191/8 in 20 overs (Naeem 56, Clark 45, Mithun 32; Taskin 2/23)
- Durbar Rajshahi: 80 in 14.2 overs (Anamul 21; Shariful 2/10, Naeem 2/6)
Result: Chittagong Kings won by 111 runs.
Player of the Match: Naeem Islam
