The Sylhet International Stadium pulsed with electrifying energy on Friday night (January 26) as the Khulna Tigers secured a commanding 28-run win over the Rangpur Riders in a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) encounter. Mohammad Nawaz's dazzling half-century and Dasun Shanaka's stellar bowling performance, bagging four wickets, proved decisive in the Tigers' triumph.

The Khulna innings got shaky, with Captain Anamul Haque dismissed for a golden duck. However, resilience took hold as Evin Lewis (37) and the in-form Nawaz (55) stitched a crucial partnership, steadying the ship. Shanaka then upped the ante with a rapid 40, adding fire to Nawaz's explosive knock and propelling the Tigers to a competitive 160/6.

The boisterous crowd, thrilled by the return of Shakib Al Hasan despite concerns about his eye, roared with every Khulna run. But the Rangpur reply faltered against the Tigers' disciplined bowling attack. Mohammad Nabi's valiant fightback with a lone fifty wasn't enough to chase down the target, as the Riders fell short by 28 runs.

Shanaka's (40) all-around brilliance, with his four wickets adding to his batting contribution, earned him the coveted Player of the Match award.

The cricketing action continues in Sylhet with the evening's second clash between the Sylhet Strikers and the Comilla Victorians. Sylhet Strikers won the toss and chose to field. After a captivating 10-match leg in Sylhet, the BPL is set to return to Dhaka, promising more edge-of-the-seat encounters in the coming days.