Noakhali Express vs Rangpur Riders Prediction & Match Preview – BPL 20th Match
Match summary
Winless Noakhali Express take on Rangpur Riders in Sylhet on 9 January 2026. Our BPL preview covers form, likely XIs, pitch and weather.
Match details
| Match | Noakhali Express vs Rangpur Riders, 20th Match |
|---|---|
| Series | Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26 |
| Date | 9 Jan 2026 |
| Start time | 1:00 pm GMT / 7:00 pm local |
| Venue | Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | Rangpur Riders |
| Toss pick | Rangpur Riders |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Noakhali Express have made a rough start to the Bangladesh Premier League, losing their first five games and sitting at the bottom of the points table. They will need at least two convincing wins in quick succession to climb the standings.
Their batting has leaned on individual efforts rather than team consistency. Mahidul Islam Ankon has steadied the middle order with 117 runs in five games at a strike rate of 93, captain Haider Ali has made 113 at a strike rate of 110, and Mohammad Nabi showed late-order power with an unbeaten 42 off 33 balls against Dhaka Capitals. Even so, the lineup has struggled to lift the scoring rate consistently.
Hasan Mahmud has been the pick of the bowlers with seven wickets at an economy of 5.23, while Zahir Khan and Mehedi Hasan Rana have shared 12 wickets. The attack will need to improve further to cover for the batters. Rangpur Riders bring a lineup built around Dawid Malan, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Kyle Mayers and Mahmudullah, with Mustafizur Rahman leading the bowling, and they go in as the more settled side.
The Sylhet surface usually gives bat and ball a fair contest in T20s. Quick bowlers can find early movement, so the powerplay matters for both sides, and the pitch tends to slow as the innings progresses, helping spinners and cutters in the middle overs. Big hitting is possible, but batters often need time at the crease first. Dew can appear in evening games and may favour the chasing team. A total of 150–165 is often considered competitive here.
Around the 7:00 pm local start, Sylhet should be clear and calm with temperatures of about 17–18°C. There is no significant chance of rain, and the mostly clear skies typical of January suit cricket under lights.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 155–170 | – |
| Second innings | 150–165 | – |
Rangpur Riders
Noakhali Express have lost their first five matches and sit bottom of the table, which makes Rangpur the safer choice.
Toss pick: Rangpur Riders
FAQ
Who is likely to win Noakhali Express vs Rangpur Riders?
Our preview picks Rangpur Riders, as Noakhali Express have lost all five of their matches so far.
Where is the match being played?
At the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet, on 9 January 2026 with a 7:00 pm local start.
Will the weather affect play?
Unlikely. Clear, calm and cool conditions of roughly 17–18°C are expected with no real rain threat.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Noakhali Express
- Soumya Sarkar
- Maaz Sadaqat
- Shahadat Hossain Dipu
- Mahidul Islam Ankonwk
- Jaker Ali
- Mohammad Nabi
- Haider Alic
- Hasan Mahmud
- Zahir Khan
- Abu Jayed
- Mehedi Hasan Rana
Rangpur Riders
- Dawid Malan
- Litton Das
- Towhid Hridoy
- Kyle Mayers
- Mahmudullah
- Khushdil Shah
- Nurul Hasanc, wk
- Aliss Al Islam
- Mustafizur Rahman
- Akif Javed
- Rakibul Hasan