Rajshahi Warriors vs Chattogram Royals Prediction & Match Preview – BPL Qualifier 1
Match summary
Table-toppers Rajshahi Warriors face Chattogram Royals in BPL 2025-26 Qualifier 1 at Mirpur on 20 January. Form guide, pitch, weather and expected scores.
Match details
| Match | Rajshahi Warriors vs Chattogram Royals, Qualifier 1 |
|---|---|
| Series | Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26 |
| Date | 20 Jan 2026 |
| Start time | 12:00 pm GMT / 06:00 pm local |
| Venue | Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | Rajshahi Warriors |
| Toss pick | Chattogram Royals |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Qualifier 1 of the 2025-26 Bangladesh Premier League pairs Rajshahi Warriors with Chattogram Royals at Mirpur. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s Rajshahi finished the league phase at the top of the standings and signed off by beating these same opponents by three wickets, so they arrive with momentum and a direct route to the final within reach.
Rajshahi’s openers Sahibzada Farhan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim have been inconsistent, and a solid start from them would ease the load on a middle order built around Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and James Neesham, with Ryan Burl and Akbar Ali down the order. The attack looks well balanced. Jahandad Khan and Neesham are expected to hunt early wickets, Tanzim Hasan Sakib is in confidence after four wickets in the last game, and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, Hasan Murad and Burl add middle-over control.
Chattogram, led by Mahedi Hasan, also had a good season but would have preferred a better send-off than a 42-run defeat to the Dhaka Capitals, in which their batting fell short. Mohammad Naim has been among their most dependable scorers and needs to start well alongside Mohammad Haris, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam and Hasan Nawaz asked to improve in the middle order. Their bowling has been a strength all tournament. Shoriful Islam has regularly troubled batters and looks for early strikes with Mukidul Islam, while Tanvir Islam and Aamer Jamal hold the middle overs, backed by Mahedi and Nawaz.
Mirpur normally provides a true surface with even bounce that suits strokeplay and partnerships. The new ball can seam a little early, but that help fades quickly, and the pitch tends to flatten in the middle overs before offering spinners some grip later. Par T20 totals here are usually 160–180, and evening dew can give chasing sides a slight edge. Teams with batting depth and a disciplined spin attack tend to do well.
Around 6:00 pm on 20 January, Dhaka should be clear and dry at about 23°C, cooling gradually after sunset. Winds are expected to be light and rain is very unlikely, as January is one of the driest months in the city.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 160–180 | – |
| Second innings | 155–170 | – |
Rajshahi Warriors
Rajshahi finished top of the table, beat Chattogram in their last league game and have a balanced bowling group with good batting depth.
Toss pick: Chattogram Royals
FAQ
Who is favoured in Rajshahi Warriors vs Chattogram Royals?
Our preview picks Rajshahi Warriors, who topped the league table and won the most recent meeting between the sides.
What stage of the BPL is this match?
It is Qualifier 1 of the Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26, played at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
Which Rajshahi bowler had a four-wicket haul in the previous game?
Tanzim Hasan Sakib took four wickets in Rajshahi’s last league match against Chattogram.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Rajshahi Warriors
- Muhammad Waseem
- Tanzid Hasan Tamim
- Najmul Hossain Shanto
- James Neesham
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Ryan Burl
- SM Meherob
- Ripon Mondol
- Abdul Gaffar Saqlain
- Binura Fernando
- Md Rubel
Chattogram Royals
- Mohammad Naim
- Adam Rossington
- Mahmudul Hasan Joy
- Hasan Nawaz
- Asif Ali
- Mahedi Hasan
- Aamer Jamal
- Shadman Islam
- Abu Hider Rony
- Tanvir Islam
- Shoriful Islam
Head-to-head
Earlier meetings of Rajshahi Warriors and Chattogram Royals that we covered.