Shoriful, Mahedi lead Chattogram to victory against Noakhali
Saturday, 17 January 2026
Noakhali's slim chance to keep their Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playoffs hope was completely shattered after their five-wicket defeat to Chattogram Royals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday, reports BSS.
Pacer Shoriful Islam set the record of a five wicket-haul as he conceded the lowest nine runs during a 3.5 over spell at the BPL match against Noakhali Express. He helped dismiss Noakhali for a modest 126 and guided his side to the victory. This was his maiden five-wicket haul in a premier league cricket tournament. The previous record was held by Abu Haider Rony, who had claimed five wickets for 12 runs for Rangpur Riders against Fortune Barishal in 2024.
The victory, however, confirmed Chattogram's top-two finish at the point table, ensuring that they would play the Qualifier-1. The advantage to play the Qualifier-1 is that a team would get two shots to the BPL final.
Chattogram Captain Mahedi produced an all-round performance, with 12 runs in three overs and bagging three wickets to script the side's comfortable victory.
Chattogram faced a hiccup in their chase but the skipper played a 36 ball-49 not out to steer the side to victory with 128-5 in 17 overs.
Noakhali gave themselves a glimmer of hope, thanks to Ihsanullah who snapped up 2-23 to help the side reduce Chattogram to 29-4.
But, Mahedi showed a steely resolve to get the side back into the contest. First sharing a 40-run with Hasan Nawaz, who scored 11, before adding 59 runs with Asif Ali for the unbeaten sixth wicket stand. Asif Ali was unbeaten on 36.
Earlier, after Noakhali were asked to bat first, Hasan Eisakhill and Soumya Sarkar began on a confident note. But, the breakthrough came from Mahedi who removed Soumya for 23, ending the duo's 34 runs partnership in just 3.1 overs.
Shoriful got into the groove with the wicket of Eisakhil, who was at 25 facing 20 balls, before Mahedi ripped through Noakhali middle order with two more wickets that included Hasan Ali (12) and Habibur Rahman Sohan (11).
Shoriful took the last four wickets in his 11 balls to complete his first five-wicket haul and wrapped up Noakhali in 18.5 overs.