Sylhet Titans vs Rajshahi Warriors Prediction & Match Preview – BPL Opening Match

Bangladesh Premier League Sylhet International Cricket Stadium

The 2025-26 Bangladesh Premier League begins with Sylhet Titans facing Rajshahi Warriors at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday, 26 December.

Sylhet had a poor previous campaign, finishing bottom with two wins from 12 games, and they want to reach the top four this time. Mehidy Hasan Miraz is expected to captain them after scoring 355 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 133 and taking 13 wickets last season. Zakir Hasan was their most consistent batter with 389 runs in 12 innings at an average close to 36 and a strike rate of 141. Rony Talukdar, Mominul Haque and Saim Ayub should add stability, Moeen Ali offers late power, and Mohammad Amir, Ruyel Miah, Azmatullah Omarzai and Nasum Ahmed form the bowling group.

Rajshahi finished fifth last year with six wins and six defeats and have made some squad changes. Najmul Hossain Shanto takes over as captain, bringing more than 3,700 T20 runs, while Mushfiqur Rahim has over 6,000. Yasir Ali scored 336 runs at an average of 30.5 and a strike rate of 153 last season, and Akbar Ali supports in the middle order. Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Ripon Mondol lead the pace options, with Mohammad Nawaz and Sandeep Lamichhane as the spinners.

Our preview expects an early swing for the quicks, a slower surface later and a first-innings score of around 160 to 170.

Probable playing XI

Sylhet Titans

Saim Ayub
Rony Talukdar
Hazratullah Zazai
Parvez Hossain Emon (wk)
Afif Hossain
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c)
Ethan Brookes
Nasum Ahmed
Mohammad Amir
Khaled Ahmed
Ruyel Miah

Rajshahi Warriors

Tanzid Hasan Tamim
Sahibzada Farhan
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c)
Yasir Ali
Mushfiqur Rahim (wk)
Mohammad Nawaz
Tanzim Hasan Sakib
SM Meherob
Abdul Gaffar Saqlain
Binura Fernando
Sandeep Lamichhane

Pitch report

T20 pitches at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium usually give bat and ball a fair contest. Fast bowlers can find early movement, so the Powerplay matters, and the surface tends to slow down, helping spinners and cutters in the middle overs. Batters often need time at the crease before they can hit freely. Dew can arrive in evening games and favour chasing sides, and 150–165 is often a competitive total here.

Weather

Dry, pleasant winter weather is expected at around 3:00 pm local time, with temperatures in the mid-20s °C, clear to partly sunny skies and no significant threat of rain. Humidity should be moderate, with light winds.

Expected scores

1st innings: 160–170
2nd innings: 165–180

Frequently asked questions

Who is expected to win Sylhet Titans vs Rajshahi Warriors?

Our preview picks Rajshahi Warriors, who finished fifth last season, ahead of bottom-placed Sylhet.

Who captains the two sides?

Mehidy Hasan Miraz is expected to lead Sylhet Titans and Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain Rajshahi Warriors.

Where is the match played?

At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on 26 December 2025, with a 3:00 pm local start.

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