🏏🔥 BPL 2025–26: Ripon Mondol’s Ice-Cold Nerves Power Rajshahi Warriors to Thrilling Super Over Win Against Rangpur Riders
🌍 A Night That Defined the Bangladesh Premier League
The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025–26 delivered one of its most dramatic spectacles on Thursday night at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, where Rajshahi Warriors edged past Rangpur Riders in a nail-biting Super Over finish. What seemed like a comfortable chase for Rangpur Riders turned into a tale of collapse, pressure, and nerves — with one man standing tall amidst the chaos: Ripon Mondol.
In a match that had momentum swinging wildly from over to over, Mondol’s astonishing composure in the final over and Super Over sealed a come-from-behind victory, cementing Rajshahi Warriors’ position at the top of the BPL standings. This wasn’t just another league match — it was a masterclass in death bowling, leadership under pressure, and the unpredictable magic of T20 cricket.
🏟️ Match Context: High Stakes Early in the Tournament
The eighth match of the BPL 2025–26 may have come early in the season, but the intensity mirrored that of a playoff clash. With both teams boasting international stars and strong domestic cores, this contest was viewed as a litmus test for title credentials.
- Venue: Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
- Result: Match tied, Rajshahi Warriors won Super Over
- Player of the Match: Ripon Mondol
- Impact Player (MVP): SM Meherob
The outcome not only thrilled fans but also reshaped the points table, giving Rajshahi Warriors a commanding early lead.
🧠 Toss & Strategy: Riders Choose to Chase
Rangpur Riders’ captain Nurul Hasan won the toss and opted to bowl first — a decision influenced by the evening conditions in Sylhet, where dew often aids chasing teams. On paper, it looked like a sensible call.
However, Rajshahi Warriors had other plans.
🏏 Rajshahi Warriors Innings: Built on Balance, Not Brute Force
🧱 Early Setback, Calm Recovery
Rajshahi’s innings didn’t begin explosively. Opening batter Tanzid Hasan departed early for just 2, leaving the Warriors slightly unsettled at 12/1. But what followed was a textbook example of controlled aggression.
🔥 Farhan & Shanto: The Backbone Partnership
The second-wicket stand between Sahibzada Farhan and Najmul Hossain Shanto laid the foundation for a competitive total.
- Sahibzada Farhan: 65 off 46 balls
- Najmul Hossain Shanto: 41 off 30 balls
Farhan played the aggressor’s role, timing the ball sweetly and punishing loose deliveries with authority. Shanto, on the other hand, anchored the innings, rotating strike and ensuring stability.
Together, they absorbed pressure, rebuilt momentum, and took Rajshahi past the 100-run mark without panic.
📊 Middle Overs: Momentum with Control
Unlike many T20 innings that lose shape after a big partnership breaks, Rajshahi maintained composure. Contributions from Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Nawaz, and Hussain Talat ensured the scoreboard kept ticking.
Though wickets fell at regular intervals, the Warriors avoided a collapse — a key difference between them and their opponents later in the match.
🎯 Rangpur’s Bowlers: Faheem Leads the Fightback
Rangpur Riders clawed back into the contest thanks to disciplined bowling late in the innings.
- Faheem Ashraf: 3/43
- Al Islam: 2/16
- Mustafizur Rahman: 1 wicket
Faheem’s variations at the death restricted Rajshahi from pushing beyond 170, limiting them to 159/8 — a total that felt slightly under par but defendable.
📉 Rangpur Riders Chase: Control to Chaos
🧨 Ideal Start Sets the Tone
Chasing 160, Rangpur Riders began confidently. Litton Das provided early intent before falling for 16, setting the stage for a monumental partnership.
🌟 Malan & Hridoy: A Match-Winning Stand That Almost Was
The partnership between Dawid Malan and Towhid Hridoy was the defining phase of the chase.
- Dawid Malan: 63* off 50
- Towhid Hridoy: 53 off 39
At 122/1 in 15 overs, Rangpur were cruising. The required rate was under control, wickets were in hand, and Rajshahi looked short of answers.
Everything pointed toward a Riders victory.
⚠️ The Turning Point: One Wicket, Total Collapse
The dismissal of Towhid Hridoy proved catastrophic.
What followed was a dramatic collapse:
- Kyle Mayers dismissed cheaply
- Khushdil Shah fell under pressure
- Nurul Hasan perished attempting a quick finish
- Mahmudullah was run out on the final ball
Despite Malan remaining unbeaten, Rangpur somehow managed only 159/6, failing to score the seven runs needed in the final over.
And at the heart of this chaos stood Ripon Mondol.
🧊 Ripon Mondol: Ice in His Veins
🎯 Final Over Heroics
With Rangpur needing 7 runs off the final over with 7 wickets in hand, Mondol was entrusted with the ball — a massive vote of confidence in an emerging pacer.
What followed was pure drama:
- Just 6 runs conceded
- Two wickets taken
- Run-out on the final ball
Malan, the set batter, was stranded at the non-striker’s end — unable to influence the outcome.
The match was tied. The crowd was electric.
⚡ Super Over: Pressure Multiplied, Nerves Tested
🛡️ Mondol Does It Again
Rangpur chose to bat first in the Super Over. Mondol, once again, took the ball.
- Runs conceded: 6
- Wickets: 1
- Dot balls: Crucial
Under the brightest spotlight, Mondol delivered another flawless over, setting Rajshahi a modest target of 7 runs.
🚀 Tanzid Hasan Finishes in Style
Rajshahi Warriors sent Tanzid Hasan to open the Super Over — and the decision paid off instantly.
- 10 runs off just 3 balls
- Two crisp boundaries
- Match sealed with authority
Rajshahi Warriors won the Super Over without losing a wicket, sending their fans into raptures.
🏆 Player of the Match: Ripon Mondol
While his figures (2/43) may not scream dominance, cricket is a game of moments — and Mondol owned the biggest ones.
- Defended 6 in the final over
- Defended 6 in the Super Over
- Dismissed key batters under pressure
This was a career-defining performance that elevated Mondol from a promising pacer to a trusted match-winner.
📊 Impact Player: SM Meherob’s Silent Influence
Though overshadowed by Mondol’s heroics, SM Meherob played a crucial role:
- Tight spells in the middle overs
- Two vital wickets
- Highest MVP impact score (79.66 points)
His discipline squeezed Rangpur at a crucial phase, setting the stage for the late drama.
🧠 Tactical Analysis: Why Rangpur Lost from a Winning Position
❌ Over-Reliance on One Partnership
Rangpur failed to build depth beyond Malan and Hridoy.
❌ Poor Game Awareness
Needing just 7 off the last over, the Riders played risky shots instead of securing singles.
❌ Pressure Mismanagement
The inability to rotate strike in the final over — especially leaving Malan stranded — proved fatal.
🔍 Why Rajshahi Warriors Look Like Title Contenders
✅ Calm Under Pressure
From batting to bowling, Rajshahi showed maturity in crunch moments.
✅ Death Bowling Depth
With Mondol and support bowlers executing plans, they possess a rare T20 asset.
✅ Leadership & Balance
The blend of youth and experience — Farhan, Shanto, Mushfiqur — gives them stability.
📈 Points Table Impact
Rajshahi Warriors:
- Matches: 4
- Points: 6
- Position: 1st
Rangpur Riders:
- Matches: 2
- Points: 2
- Position: 3rd
The win strengthens Rajshahi’s early dominance and sends a warning to the rest of the league.
🔮 What This Match Means for the BPL 2025–26 Season
This thriller reaffirmed why the BPL remains one of the most exciting T20 leagues in the world. Emerging players stepping up, international stars being challenged, and matches decided by fine margins — this is the essence of modern cricket.
For Rajshahi Warriors, this victory could be the turning point that defines their season. For Rangpur Riders, it’s a harsh reminder that T20 games are never over until the final ball is bowled.
🧠 Cricketing Insights & Deep Match Analysis
🔍 Why Ripon Mondol’s Spell Was Elite T20 Bowling
Ripon Mondol’s performance wasn’t just about defending six runs twice — it was about execution under extreme pressure. He consistently bowled into the pitch, attacked the stumps, and forced batters to generate power instead of gifting pace. His awareness to deny Dawid Malan the strike in the final over showed game intelligence beyond his experience.
📉 Rangpur Riders’ Tactical Failure Explained
Rangpur lost a winning game due to:
- Poor strike rotation in the final over
- Lack of calm decision-making despite wickets in hand
- Failure to shield tailenders and get Malan on strike
🏆 Why Rajshahi Warriors Look Like Championship Material
- They absorbed pressure phases instead of panicking
- Middle-order contributions prevented a collapse
- Death bowling plans were clear and well-drilled
- Leadership trusted an emerging bowler in crunch moments
This is the profile of a title-winning T20 side, not just a table-topper.
📊 Key Tactical Turning Point
The dismissal of Towhid Hridoy instantly shifted momentum. Rajshahi tightened the field, bowled stump-to-stump, and forced Rangpur into risky shots — triggering a collapse from 122/1 to 159/6.
❓ FAQs
1️⃣ Who won the Rajshahi Warriors vs Rangpur Riders match in BPL 2025–26?
A: Rajshahi Warriors won the match via Super Over after the scores were tied at 159.
2️⃣ Who was Player of the Match in Rajshahi vs Rangpur?
A: Ripon Mondol won Player of the Match for his decisive final over and Super Over bowling.
3️⃣ Why did the match go to a Super Over?
A: Rangpur Riders failed to score 7 runs in the final over, finishing on the same total as Rajshahi Warriors.
4️⃣ What went wrong for Rangpur Riders in the chase?
A: Poor strike rotation, panic under pressure, and failure to protect set batter Dawid Malan cost them the match.
5️⃣ How many points do Rajshahi Warriors have in BPL 2025–26?
A: Rajshahi Warriors have 6 points from 4 matches, sitting at the top of the table.
6️⃣ Why is Ripon Mondol’s performance significant?
A: He defended 6 runs in both the final over and Super Over — a rare feat highlighting elite death-bowling temperament.
7 Runs Needed, 7 Wickets in Hand — And Rangpur Still Lost! Ripon Mondol’s Unreal BPL Night
🏁 Final Word: A Classic BPL Night to Remember
The Rajshahi Warriors vs Rangpur Riders clash wasn’t just a match — it was a lesson in pressure, belief, and execution. Ripon Mondol’s name will be remembered long after this season ends, symbolizing what fearless cricket looks like when opportunity meets courage.
As the BPL 2025–26 unfolds, one thing is certain: if this match is any indication, fans are in for a spectacular ride.
🏏🔥 Cricket won. Drama triumphed. And the BPL delivered once again.