Rajshahi Warriors stormed into the final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), defeating the Sylhet Titans by 12 runs in a gripping second Qualifier on Wednesday.

A stellar all-round bowling performance, led by Sri Lankan pacer Binura Fernando, dismantled Sylhet’s chase and set up a title clash against the Chittagong Royals, scheduled for Friday.

Chasing a target of 166, Sylhet finished on 153 for 8, falling short despite valiant efforts from opener Parvez Hossain Emon and Sam Billings.

The chase began disastrously as Fernando struck early, removing Zakir Hasan and Ariful Islam in a fiery opening spell. He finished with match-winning figures of 4 for 19 from his four overs.

Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan was equally instrumental in the field, taking a record-breaking five catches—the most by any fielder in a single BPL innings.

Sylhet’s hopes were kept alive by a 69-run partnership between Parvez (48 off 34) and Billings (37 off 26). However, a crucial run-out of Parvez in the 11th over shifted the momentum.

Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals, and despite the equation narrowing to 24 runs off the final over, Chris Woakes and Nasum Ahmed could not pull off a miracle.

Earlier, Rajshahi posted a competitive 165 for 9 after being asked to bat first. New Zealand star Kane Williamson, making his BPL debut after arriving in Dhaka just this morning, anchored the innings with a composed 45 off 38 balls.

He was supported by fellow Kiwi Jimmy Neesham, who finally found form with a 44 off 26 balls. The duo rescued Rajshahi from a precarious 80 for 5, adding 68 runs for the sixth wicket.

Rajshahi’s innings had started briskly with Tanzid Hasan smashing three sixes in an over off Moeen Ali, but a middle-order collapse sparked by Sylhet captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who took two wickets in two balls, threatened to derail them. Ultimately, the Kiwi pair’s resilience ensured Rajshahi had enough on the board to defend.