Royals’ Last-Minute Lineup Shocks Opponents, Tops Table

Just a day before the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) kicked off, Chattogram Royals faced a crisis. Unable to pay their players, the franchise relinquished ownership, and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stepped in to take charge. What appeared to be a recipe for chaos has instead turned into a remarkable tale of resilience.

Despite fielding a team with only two overseas players in their opening match, Chattogram Royals have defied expectations. After four matches, the team sits at the summit of the points table. Their record: three wins and one defeat, yielding six points. Although Rajshahi Warriors have also accumulated six points, Chattogram leads on net run rate, giving them the top spot. Notably, the Royals have achieved consecutive dominant victories in their last two outings, bolstering their confidence ahead of the tournament’s critical stages.

Fresh from a 10-wicket demolition of Dhaka Capitals at Sylhet, the Royals continued their winning streak by defeating Sylhet Titans by nine wickets on the same ground. Chasing a modest target of 127, Chattogram reached it comfortably in 16 overs, losing just one wicket.

The backbone of this victory was the opening partnership between Mohammad Nayeem and Adam Rensington. Together, they amassed a commanding 115-run stand off 82 balls. Nayeem scored a quick 52 from 37 deliveries before being dismissed, while Rensington remained unbeaten on 73 from 53 balls. Interestingly, this duo had also put together an unbroken 123-run partnership against Dhaka Capitals, with both batsmen crossing fifty in that game as well.

Chattogram’s bowlers had already laid the groundwork for victory. The team’s disciplined attack reduced Sylhet to 34 runs for the loss of five wickets. Mukidul Islam set the tone by removing opener Mehedi Hasan Miraz for just 5 runs. He was supported by Hazratullah Zazai, Ethan Brooks, and Afif Hossain, who each claimed crucial wickets. Parvez Hossain offered some resistance with 17 runs, while Azmatullah Omarzai’s brisk 44 off 41 balls helped Sylhet reach a total of 126.

Match Summary

Player of the Match: Mohammad Nayeem

Chattogram Royals’ extraordinary run demonstrates that even a team thrown together at the last minute, with limited resources, can dominate when talent, strategy, and determination converge. Their combination of disciplined bowling and explosive batting has made them one of the most exciting sides to watch in this year’s BPL.