Noakhali Express Defeat Rangpur Riders by 9 Runs in Thrilling BPL 2026 Clash

In a nail-biting Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) game at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on January 9, 2026, Noakhali Express pulled off a fantastic 9-run win against Rangpur Riders. This 20th match of the season was packed with drama, great plays, and even a record or two. Hasan Mahmud was named Player of the Match for his amazing bowling, taking 4 wickets for just 26 runs. It was only Noakhali’s second win this season, and it came down to some tough batting early on and some really great bowling at the end against a strong Rangpur batting lineup.

This Noakhali Express versus Rangpur Riders game kept us on the edge of our seats with some tense moments, smart moves, and personal bests. This is why the BPL is getting bigger and better as one of the top T20 leagues out there.

Noakhali Express Fights to a Decent Score

Noakhali Express won the toss and decided to bat first, ending up with 148 all out in a game that went back and forth. It wasn’t the highest score we’ve seen in the BPL this season, but it was enough on a pitch that helped the bowlers, especially in the middle overs.

Jaker Ali really held the innings together for Noakhali, scoring 38 off 37 balls after some early wickets fell. With help from Soumya Sarkar and Habibur Rahman Sohan, they pushed the team past 100, which turned out to be a big deal later on. Soumya Sarkar hit 31 off 27 balls, and Sohan added a quick 30, keeping Noakhali in the game even though they kept losing wickets.

Mahidul Islam Ankon also chipped in with 28 off 21 balls, playing aggressively but smart. But Mustafizur Rahman bowled really well, making it hard for Noakhali to score big, and finished with 3 wickets for only 18 runs in his four overs.

Even though Noakhali’s late batters struggled and Rangpur bowled tightly, they managed to get to 148 in 19.5 overs. It wasn’t a huge score, but with some good bowlers, it was just enough.

Hasan Mahmud’s Bowling Makes All the Difference

The real star of this match was Hasan Mahmud, Noakhali’s best fast bowler. He bowled an amazing spell, probably one of his best ever, taking 4 wickets for 26 runs in four overs. He really messed up Rangpur’s batting at some key moments.

Mahmud got rid of Litton Das, Khushdil Shah, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, and then Mustafizur Rahman on the very last ball, which sealed the win for Noakhali. He bowled with pace, accuracy, and changed things up at the end, which put a lot of pressure on Rangpur’s batters, especially when it mattered most.

This performance also put Mahmud in the Noakhali record books. He now has the most wickets for the team in T20s, with 12, beating Mehedi Hasan Rana’s old record. This is a big deal as Noakhali tries to become a strong team in the BPL.

Rangpur Riders Just Miss Out on the Win

When Rangpur Riders were chasing 149, they had a bad start, losing some important wickets early on. Mohammad Nabi got Dawid Malan out cheaply, and then Mahmud got rid of Litton Das soon after, which put the pressure on right away.

Iftikhar Ahmed played well for Rangpur, scoring 37 off 31 balls, and Towhid Hridoy added a steady 29. They had a good partnership for a while, but Rangpur never really looked like they were going to catch the target. Khushdil Shah also played well, scoring 24, but it came at the wrong time when they needed bigger partnerships.

Even though they tried hard, Rangpur’s lower order couldn’t handle the pressure, and the team finished at 139 for 9 – nine runs short of Noakhali’s score. Zahir Khan and Bilal Sami tried to get some late runs, but Mahmud kept taking wickets and keeping Rangpur down.

Important Stats and Records

This match had some noteworthy records and stats that people will be talking about all season. The 43-run partnership between Soumya Sarkar and Habibur Rahman Sohan for the second wicket was Noakhali’s highest ever for that wicket in T20s, beating the old record. These kinds of partnerships are key in T20 cricket, especially when you’re trying to get enough runs on a pitch that helps the bowlers.

Also, Hasan Mahmud becoming Noakhali’s top T20 wicket-taker is a big achievement and shows how important he is to the team’s bowling plans. His last over, where he got Mustafizur Rahman out, will be shown over and over again as one of the best performances at the end of an innings this BPL season.

Mustafizur’s 3 for 18 also shows that he’s one of Bangladesh’s best T20 bowlers, able to take apart batting lineups with his clever slower balls and seam movement.

Players React: Joy and Disappointment

After the match, Noakhali Express captain and Hasan Mahmud praised the team’s toughness and teamwork. Mahmud said he just did what he had to do under pressure and thanked his teammates for supporting him and said that Noakhali should use this win to get more confident.

Soumya Sarkar also said that the early partnerships really helped Noakhali get enough runs to defend. He said that the team believes in its bowlers to defend totals, especially with guys like Mahmud and Nabi in great form.

On the other side, Rangpur Riders’ captain said he was disappointed to lose but praised Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah for their good efforts. The Riders said they need to do a better job of building on good starts and forming partnerships, which is something they’ll work on for the rest of the BPL.

Key Moments and Turning Points

There weren’t that many controversial moments, but there were a couple of close calls that changed the game. Rangpur challenged Noakhali’s appeal on Soumya Sarkar’s dismissal in the 9th over, but the umpire’s decision stood, a moment that stopped Rangpur from building a stronger base.

Also, the strategic timeout periods were key. Rangpur’s choice to change their bowlers in the middle overs didn’t work out as they hoped, which let Noakhali get ahead. Noakhali’s decision to use Mahmud in the 16th and 19th overs really paid off when it mattered most.

What it Means for the BPL Table

This win moved Noakhali Express up to two points on the BPL table, which is a nice change after a tough season. For Rangpur Riders, who were in second place, this loss is a setback as they try to finish in the top four and make the playoffs.

The effect on net run rate and the confidence boost from winning close games are really important. Noakhali’s ability to defend low scores shows that good bowling and tactics can win games even when the batting isn’t great. Rangpur will use this game to work on their batting and finish stronger under pressure.

What’s Next: Noakhali’s Confidence and Rangpur’s Reply

For Noakhali Express, this win gives them belief and energy. The team will try to build on this, especially by supporting their bowlers and being more consistent with their batting. Rangpur Riders need to regroup, focus on building partnerships, scoring faster at the right times, and making sure they bowl well at the end.

The Noakhali Express versus Rangpur Riders game will be remembered all season, not just for the exciting finish, but for how individual brilliance, team tactics, and tough play shaped the outcome. T20 cricket is always unpredictable, and this game was another reminder that every ball counts in the Bangladesh Premier League.