BPL 2025: Khulna Tigers eliminate Rangpur Riders in lopsided win to reach Qualifier 2

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BPL 2025: Khulna Tigers stormed into Qualifier 2 of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025 with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Rangpur Riders in the Eliminator at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, on February 3.

The Tigers will now face the loser of Qualifier 1- either Chittagong Kings or Fortune Barishal- on February 5 for a place in the final. The Qualifier 1 will be played later today at the same venue.

Opting to bat first, Rangpur Riders endured a nightmare innings, crumbling to 85 all out in just 16.5 overs. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed was the wrecker-in-chief, returning figures of 3/16 in his four overs, including the crucial wickets of James Vince, Mahedi Hasan, and Tim David. Mehidy Hasan Miraz provided excellent support, bagging 3/10, while Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Mahmud, and Musfik Hasan chipped in with a wicket each.

Rangpur's innings never gained momentum, losing opener Soumya Sarkar for a duck in the second ball of the match. The top order collapsed swiftly, with Vince (1), Saif Hassan (4), and Mahedi Hasan (1) failing to contribute. Skipper Nurul Hasan showed some resistance with a run-a-ball 23, but it was a late flourish from Akif Javed (32 off 18) that helped Rangpur cross the 80-run mark.

Chasing a modest target of 86, Khulna lost captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz (0) in the first over, but Mohammad Naim and Alex Ross ensured there were no further hiccups. Naim played an aggressive knock, smashing 48 off 33 balls with three fours and four sixes, while Ross remained unbeaten on 29 off 27. The duo stitched an unbeaten 87-run partnership, sealing the victory in just 10.2 overs.

Nasum Ahmed's outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match award, capping off a memorable outing for Khulna Tigers. With this emphatic win, the Tigers stay alive in the competition and will now await their next challenge in Qualifier 2.