Tanzid hits record ton as Rajshahi post 174 in BPL final against Chattogram

Opener Tanzid Tamim became the first Bangladesh player to register three centuries in Bangladesh Premier League history as his ton propelled Rajshahi Warriors to 174-4 in the tournament's final against Chattogram Royals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday. 

The left-hander struck a fluent 62-ball 100, reaching the landmark in 61 deliveries, an innings laced with six fours and seven sixes. He nearly carried his bat, anchoring the innings until his dismissal in the 19th over.

Tanzid set the tone early, playing the aggressor’s role in an 83-run opening stand with Sahibzada Farhan, who contributed a run-a-ball 30. He then added 47 runs with Kane Williamson, who scored 24 off 15 balls, before stitching together a late 33-run stand with Jimmy Neesham, who remained unbeaten on seven off six balls.

However, Tanzid’s innings was not without fortune. The opener enjoyed two reprieves, both off the bowling of pacer Aamer Jamal. He was first dropped on 56 midway through the 12th over, before another chance went down when he was on 88 in the 17th over.

For Chattogram, tournament-leading wicket-taker Shoriful Islam continued his remarkable run, claiming two for 33 to take his tally to 26 wickets, the highest haul in a single edition of the BPL, surpassing Taskin Ahmed's 25. Fellow pacer Mukidul Islam also picked up two wickets.