Najmul Hossain Shanto opened the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with a statement inning on Friday, becoming the first centurion of the season.
He guided Rajshahi Warriors to an eight-wicket victory over Sylhet Titans in the tournament’s opening match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a challenging target of 191, Rajshahi reached 192 for 2 with two balls to spare, riding on an unbeaten 101 from Shanto, who anchored the chase with authority and control.
The left-handed batter faced 60 balls, striking 10 fours and five sixes, and paced the innings with assurance after early wickets threatened to slow the pursuit.
Rajshahi lost both openers inside the powerplay, but Shanto steadied the innings before accelerating decisively. He found a reliable partner in Mushfiqur Rahim, who finished on 51 not out from 31 balls.
Anamul serves legal notice after exclusion from BPL auction list
The pair added an unbroken 130 runs for the third wicket, effectively shutting Sylhet out of the contest well before the final over.
Earlier, Sylhet posted a competitive 190 for 5 after being sent in to bat. Parvez Hossain Emon led the charge with an unbeaten 65 from 33 balls, while Rony Talukdar contributed 41 and Afif Hossain added a brisk 33.
Rajshahi’s bowlers, however, managed to contain the damage at the death, conceding just 10 runs across the final two overs.