Batting first, Noakhali Express posted a competitive total of 173 for 2 in their allotted 20 overs, riding on a superb unbeaten century from Hassan Eisakhil.
The right-hander played a lone warrior’s role, smashing 107 not out from 72 balls, including four fours and 11 sixes, at a strike rate of 148.61. He found support from skipper Haider Ali, who remained unbeaten on 42 off 32 deliveries.
Rangpur bowlers kept things relatively tight despite Eisakhil’s onslaught. Al Islam and Khushdil Shah were the most economical, conceding just 22 runs each from their four overs and picking up one wicket apiece.
In reply, Rangpur Riders chased down the target with ease, reaching 174 for 2 in just 19.4 overs. Towhid Hridoy was the star of the show, delivering a sensational knock of 109 off 63 balls.
His innings was laced with 15 fours and two sixes, as he dominated the Noakhali bowling attack and kept the required run rate firmly under control.
After the early dismissal of Dawid Malan for 15, Hridoy stitched together a match-defining partnership with captain Litton Das, who played a composed unbeaten innings of 39 off 35 balls.
Hridoy eventually fell in the 19th over with Rangpur on the brink of victory, before Litton and Khushdil Shah calmly guided the team home.
Hasan Mahmud was the lone wicket-taker for Noakhali, finishing with figures of 1 for 23, but the rest of the bowling unit struggled to contain Rangpur’s fluent batting.
