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.
