Noakhali Express begin their Bangladesh Premier League journey against Chattogram Royals in the second match of the 2025-26 season, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday, 26 December.
Noakhali look well balanced on paper, with a solid batting line-up and promising bowlers. Captain Soumya Sarkar has scored 1,641 BPL runs in 101 innings at a strike rate of 114, and Johnson Charles and Sabbir Hossain should help set the tone. Mohammad Nabi and Jaker Ali are expected to steady the middle order, while Hasan Mahmud and Mehedi Hasan Rana lead the pace attack and Nazmul Islam Apu could make an impact.
Chattogram were runners-up last season and arrive confident. Mohammad Naim was the leading run-scorer in the previous BPL with 511 runs in 14 innings at an average of 42.58 and a strike rate of 144, and Paul Stirling and Avishka Fernando add international experience. Angelo Perera offers balance with a few overs of spin. Shoriful Islam took 17 wickets at an economy of 9.06 in BPL 2024, and captain Mahedi Hasan and Tanvir Islam will control the middle overs.
A total above 170 could put the chasing side under real pressure, according to our preview, while anything below 155 would need disciplined bowling to defend.
