Eisakhil’s explosive ton propels Noakhali to 173

A breathtaking display of power hitting from Hassan Eisakhil saw Noakhali Express post a formidable 173/2 against the Rangpur Riders at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday, turning a sluggish start into a late-innings blitz.

Eisakhil, the undisputed star of the afternoon, carried his bat for a magnificent 107* off 72 balls. His innings was a masterclass in pacing; having reached his fifty in a measured 50 deliveries, the opener shifted gears with devastating effect. 

Alongside captain Haider Ali (42*), Eisakhil orchestrated an unbroken 137-run partnership for the third wicket that left the Riders' bowlers searching for answers.

Rangpur’s opening bowlers set a clinical tone, restricting the Express to a mere 33 runs in the Powerplay. 

The breakthrough came early when Nahid Rana hurried Rahmat Ali (nine) into a mistimed shot, followed shortly by Aliss Al Islam cleaning up Jaker Ali for just three. 

By the ninth over, the Express were gasping at 39/2, with the run rate hovering below 4.5.

The middle overs were an exhibition in defensive bowling. 

Khushdil Shah and Aliss operated with surgical precision, drying up the boundaries and forcing Eisakhil into a cautious accumulation. At the 15-over mark, the Express had crawled to 98/2, and Rangpur seemed well on their way to chasing a sub-130 total.

However, the discipline that defined Rangpur’s first 15 overs evaporated in the final five.

The Express looted 75 runs from the final 30 deliveries, punctuated by a catastrophic final over from Akif Javed that leaked 28 runs.

The final-over assault included a barrage of over boundaries which saw Eisakhil cross the three-figure mark, finishing with 11 towering sixes to his name.