⭐ Five-Star Shoriful, Ice-Cold Asif Ali Power Royals to Dominant Win in Low-Scoring BPL Thriller
🏏 When One Spell Decides an Entire Match
T20 cricket is often about towering sixes, lightning-fast chases, and explosive batting lineups. But every now and then, a match reminds the cricketing world that bowling still wins games.
The 25th match of the Bangladesh Premier League 2025–26 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, was one such contest.
It wasn’t a high-scoring spectacle.
It wasn’t a last-over nail-biter.
Instead, it was a clinical dismantling, led by a fast bowler at the peak of his powers.
Shoriful Islam delivered a five-star performance, ripping through Noakhali Express with figures of 5 for 9, while Asif Ali’s calm, unbeaten knock ensured Chattogram Royals cruised home with minimal fuss.
This blog breaks down the match in full detail, offering:
- Ball-by-ball tactical insights 🧠
- Bowling and batting analysis 📊
- Player impact breakdown 🌟
- Tournament implications 🏆
- Cricketory lessons from a low-scoring T20 🧩
📍 Match Overview: BPL 2025–26, Match 25
- Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur
- Date: January 16, 2026
- Teams: Noakhali Express vs Chattogram Royals
- Result: Chattogram Royals won by 5 wickets
- Player of the Match: ⭐ Shoriful Islam (5/9)
🟥 Noakhali Express Innings: Promise Without Substance
📉 Final Score: 126 all out in 18.5 overs
On a surface offering grip and uneven bounce, Noakhali Express never truly settled. They showed flashes of intent, but failed to build partnerships, a fatal flaw in low-scoring conditions.
🔍 Powerplay Phase: Early Movement, Early Damage
The innings began with some positive intent.
- Hassan Eisakhil looked fluent early, attacking the seamers
- Soumya Sarkar played a brief cameo
But the Royals’ bowling unit struck at crucial intervals.
Key moment:
Shoriful Islam removed Eisakhil just as he was finding rhythm, setting the tone for the collapse.
📊 Middle Overs: Shoriful’s Stranglehold
As the field spread, Noakhali hoped to consolidate—but Shoriful had other plans.
🔥 Shoriful Islam’s Spell (3.5–1–9–5)
- Relentless line and length
- Late swing under lights
- Sharp short ball variation
- Perfect use of the Mirpur surface
He dismissed:
- Hassan Eisakhil
- Sabbir Hossain
- Hasan Mahmud
- Mehedi Hasan Rana
- Ihsanullah
Each wicket came at a moment when Noakhali looked to rebuild.
🧩 Supporting Contributions Fell Short
- Jaker Ali: 23 (22 balls) — steady but slow
- Sabbir Hossain: 22 (19 balls) — brief resistance
- Extras: Only 8 — pressure forced mistakes
The innings lacked a defining partnership. Every time momentum threatened to build, another wicket fell.
🚨 Collapse Explained: Tactical Errors
- Poor shot selection against swing
- Inability to rotate strike
- Over-reliance on boundary hitting
- Failure to protect wickets in middle overs
Mirpur rewards patience. Noakhali showed urgency without calculation.
🟦 Chattogram Royals Bowling: A Masterclass in Control
🧠 Bowling Strategy Breakdown
- Attack early with pace
- Suffocate with spin
- Exploit new batters immediately
🔑 Key Performers:
- Shoriful Islam: 5/9
- Mahedi Hasan: 3/12
- Aamer Jamal: 1 wicket, key pressure overs
This wasn’t just individual brilliance—it was unit discipline.
🏏 Chattogram Royals Chase: Calm Amid Early Chaos
📉 Early Wobbles: 29/4 Inside 5 Overs
The Royals didn’t have it easy.
- Mahmudul Hasan Joy fell for a duck
- Mohammad Haris departed early
- Mahfijul Islam struggled
- Mohammad Naim’s cameo ended quickly
For a moment, Noakhali sensed a comeback.
🧠 Enter the Stabilizers: Mahedi Hasan & Asif Ali
🧱 Partnership That Defined the Match
With the scoreboard wobbling, Mahedi Hasan and Asif Ali absorbed pressure instead of chasing quick glory.
⭐ Mahedi Hasan (49* off 36)
- Captain’s knock
- Rotated strike efficiently
- Picked boundary balls wisely
- Controlled the chase tempo
Mahedi didn’t panic. He read the pitch, bowlers, and match situation perfectly.
🧊 Asif Ali (36* off 30): The Silent Finisher
Asif Ali’s innings was a lesson in maturity.
- No reckless slogging
- Targeted weaker bowlers
- Maintained run rate above required
- Finished the game calmly
This was not the Asif Ali of blind aggression—
This was a thinking finisher.
📊 Match Statistics Snapshot
🔴 Noakhali Express
- All out: 126 (18.5 overs)
- Run Rate: 6.69
🔵 Chattogram Royals
- 128/5 (17 overs)
- Run Rate: 7.52
🏆 Player of the Match
- Shoriful Islam: 5 wickets for 9 runs
🔍 Tactical Analysis: Why Royals Won Comfortably
1️⃣ Bowling Won the Match in First 10 Overs
Shoriful and Mahedi crushed Noakhali’s spine early.
2️⃣ No Panic During Chase
Royals respected the conditions.
3️⃣ Smart Match Awareness
Singles mattered more than boundaries.
4️⃣ Leadership Under Pressure
Mahedi Hasan’s calmness filtered through the team.
🌟 Cricketory Insights: Lessons from a Low-Scoring T20
🧠 Lesson 1: Conditions Dictate Strategy
Mirpur is not a 200-run venue—adapt or perish.
🧠 Lesson 2: Strike Rotation Is Gold
Royals won by running, not just hitting.
🧠 Lesson 3: Fast Bowlers Still Rule T20s
Shoriful proved pace and accuracy remain lethal.
🧠 Lesson 4: Finishing Isn’t Always Explosive
Asif Ali showed composure can be just as deadly.
🏆 Tournament Implications: Royals Mean Business
🔵 Chattogram Royals
- Strengthened playoff position
- Bowling attack looks elite
- Middle-order stability improving
🔴 Noakhali Express
- Batting depth under question
- Overdependence on top order
- Need urgent tactical rethink
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Who was Player of the Match?
A: Shoriful Islam for his sensational 5/9 spell.
❓ What was Noakhali Express’s total?
A: 126 all out in 18.5 overs.
❓ Who top-scored for Chattogram Royals?
A: Mahedi Hasan with 49 not out.
❓ How many wickets did Shoriful Islam take?
A: Five wickets for just nine runs.
❓ Was the pitch batting-friendly?
A: No, Mirpur offered assistance to bowlers, especially seamers and spinners.
“Shoriful’s 5-for Destroys Express, Asif Ali Finishes Calmly — BPL Match That Turned Brutal!”
🏁 Final Verdict: A Bowling Blueprint for T20 Success
This wasn’t a flashy contest.
This wasn’t a six-hitting festival.
This was T20 cricket played the right way.
Shoriful Islam delivered a spell that will be replayed for seasons.
Asif Ali showed maturity beyond reputation.
Mahedi Hasan captained with clarity and courage.
In a tournament often dominated by batters, this match reminded everyone: bowlers still write results.
Chattogram Royals didn’t just win —
They outthought, outbowled, and outplayed Noakhali Express.