Ripon rescues Rajshahi in super-over thriller against Rangpur

Pacer Ripon Mondol produced a remarkable comeback as Rajshahi Warriors edged past Rangpur Riders in a super over to win a high-voltage Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 match in Sylhet on Thursday.

Ripon first dragged the game into a super over by conceding just six runs in the final over when Rangpur needed seven with seven wickets in hand. He then repeated the feat in the super over, again giving away only six runs to keep Rajshahi firmly in the contest at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Rajshahi's Ripon celebrates the run out of Rangpur's Hridoy at SICS on January 1, 2026. Photo: Rajshahi Warriors

Tanzid Hasan Tamim made the difference with the bat, smashing Mustafizur Rahman for a four, two and another four to seal a dramatic victory as Rajshahi stayed top of the points table with six points from four matches.

Earlier, Rangpur appeared in complete control after Dawid Malan and Tawhid Hridoy struck fifties in a 100-run second-wicket stand. Malan remained unbeaten on 63 off 50 balls -- his second successive fifty of the season -- while Hridoy made 53 off 39 as Rangpur cruised to 153 for three in the 19th over.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the final over. Ripon, who had conceded 37 runs in his first three overs, dismissed Khushdil Shah off the first ball before Nurul Hasan Sohan took six runs from the next three deliveries.

With only one run needed from the final two balls, Ripon struck again, removing Sohan before Mahmudullah was run out off the last ball thanks to brilliant fielding by SM Meherob, forcing the tournament's first super over.

Batting first, Rajshahi were well placed at 105 for one in the 13th over, with Sahibzada Farhan and Najmul Hossain Shanto adding 93 runs for the second wicket. Shanto's run-out for 41 off 30 balls proved costly, as Rajshahi lost momentum and added just 54 more runs to finish on 159 for eight.

Farhan top-scored with 65 off 46 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes, but lacked support from the rest of the line-up.

For Rangpur, Faheem Ashraf once again impressed with the ball, taking 3 for 43, while Aliss Al Islam chipped in with two wickets.