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.
