Sylhet edge past Noakhali in last-ball thriller

Sylhet Titans pulled off a nerve-racking one-wicket victory over Noakhali Express in the fourth match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), keeping the contest alive until the very last delivery. The dramatic encounter at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium saw the hosts hold their nerve under immense pressure to secure two crucial points.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Noakhali Express suffered a nightmare start. Their top order collapsed early as they lost three wickets for just nine runs, putting the innings under immediate pressure. Mahidul Islam Ankon, however, steadied the ship with a responsible knock, remaining unbeaten on 61 off 51 balls. Late cameos from Jaker Ali, who scored 29 off 17 balls, helped Noakhali post a total of 144 runs in their allotted 20 overs.
Sylhet’s bowling attack was led by Khaled Ahmed, who delivered a disciplined spell to claim four wickets for 23 runs in four overs. Saim Ayub also made a significant contribution with the ball, picking up two wickets.
In reply, Sylhet Titans also struggled to build momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals. Left-hander Parvez Hossain Emon anchored the chase with a crucial 60 off 41 balls, keeping Sylhet in the contest under mounting pressure. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz added a vital 33 runs, but the chase took a dramatic turn when Mehedi Hasan Rana struck repeatedly in the latter stages.
With the match seemingly slipping out of Sylhet’s grasp, Ethan Brookes changed the course of the game with a calm and composed innings. He scored 16 off 13 balls, guiding the team to the brink of victory. Sylhet eventually crossed the line on the final ball, sealing a dramatic one-wicket win.
For Noakhali Express, Mehedi Hasan Rana fought valiantly with the ball, returning figures of 4 for 34 from his four overs. However, the visitors failed to hold their nerve in the closing moments, allowing the match to slip away.
With this victory, Sylhet Titans registered their first win in two matches, while Noakhali Express were left to rue a heartbreaking defeat in a contest decided on the final delivery.