Tanzid’s blazing ton guides Rajshahi Warriors to BPL throne

In a clinical display of power and precision, the Rajshahi Warriors were crowned champions of the 12th Bashundhara Cement Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) after crushing the Chattogram Royals by 63 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Friday.

This victory marks Rajshahi's second BPL title—though achieved under a different franchise banner—and served as the ultimate act of revenge after the Royals had previously humbled the Warriors in Qualifier 1.

The night belonged to one man: Tanzid Hasan Tamim. On the grandest stage of all, the young left-hander played an innings for the ages, smashing a blistering 100 off just 62 deliveries.

Tanzid’s masterclass included half a dozen boundaries and seven towering sixes, providing the "icing on the cake" for a tournament that had survived countless hurdles.

Alongside Sahibzada Farhan (30) and a steady Kane Williamson (24), Tanzid propelled Rajshahi to a formidable 174-4. Despite a disciplined spell from Mukidul Islam (2-20), the Royals’ captain Mahedi Hasan found himself under fire, conceding 48 runs in his four-over quota.

Defending 174, Rajshahi’s bowling unit was relentless.

Binura Fernando set the tone early, removing Mohammad Naim and Mahmudul Hasan Joy in the third over to leave Chattogram reeling at 18-2. While Mirza Tahir Baig (39) offered some resistance, he lacked support as the middle-order collapsed under pressure. Hasan Murad turned the screws in the middle overs, finishing with exceptional figures of 3-15. He stifled the Royals' chase, removing the dangerous Mahedi for just four.

James Neesham (2-24) and Fernando (4-9) cleaned up the tail with clinical efficiency, bundling Chattogram out for 111 in 17.5 overs.

As the final wicket fell, the Mirpur sky erupted in a fascinating display of fireworks that mirrored the explosive cricket seen earlier in the evening.