Rajshahi Warriors vs Noakhali Express Prediction - Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26
RJW Rajshahi Warriors
NKE Noakhali Express
Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26
Rajshahi Warriors vs Noakhali Express Match Recap
Rajshahi Warriors are our pick against a struggling Noakhali Express side. The Warriors have Bangladesh's form batter in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (138 runs, 156 SR), while Noakhali sit bottom of the table at 0-2 with a -1.650 NRR and off-field drama to boot.
Team Context & Recent Form
Noakhali Express (0-2): The new franchise is finding BPL life tough. Lost to Rangpur by 27 runs (scored 166/6 chasing 194) and collapsed to 109 all out against Sylhet (chasing 145). Captain Shykat Ali has struggled at the top. The big news: coach Khaled Mahmud walked out on December 25 after just 3 days, reportedly due to lack of basic equipment (not enough cricket balls for practice). This chaos adds uncertainty.
Rajshahi Warriors (1-1): Started with a dominant 9-wicket win over Chattogram (chased 109 in 11.5 overs), then lost a close chase against Dhaka Capitals (190/8 chasing 206). The positive: Najmul Hossain Shanto is the tournament's leading run-scorer with 138 runs at a 156 strike rate. Experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Nawaz, and Sandeep Lamichhane add depth.
Key Player Stats (BPL 2025-26)
| Player | Team | Role | This Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Najmul Hossain Shanto (C) | RJW | Opener | 138 runs, SR 156 (tournament leader) |
| Mushfiqur Rahim | RJW | WK-Bat | Experience, 270+ T20 matches |
| Mohammad Nawaz | RJW | All-rounder | 3 wickets vs Dhaka |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | RJW | Leg-spin | World-class spinner, 450+ T20 wickets |
| Shykat Ali (C) | NKE | Opener | Struggling - team at 0-2 |
| Andre Fletcher | NKE | Opener | 31 runs in 2 matches |
Head-to-Head
First meeting between these franchises. Noakhali is a new team in BPL 2025-26, while Rajshahi Warriors is the renamed Durbar Rajshahi.
Venue Analysis
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has hosted high-scoring matches this season. Key stats:
- Average score: 166
- Chasing teams have won 54% of matches
- Rajshahi successfully chased 191 against Chattogram at this venue in 2024
- Dew factor: Evening matches favour chasing. Toss winner likely to bowl first.
Key Factors (Ranked)
- Shanto's Form: 138 runs at 156 SR - he's carrying Rajshahi's batting and is in exceptional touch.
- Noakhali's Collapse Issues: 109 all out against Sylhet suggests mental fragility under pressure.
- Experience Gap: Mushfiqur, Nawaz, and Lamichhane bring 700+ T20 matches combined. Noakhali's squad is untested.
- Off-field Chaos: Coach walkout adds uncertainty to Noakhali's preparation.
- Dew Factor: Evening match favours chasing - both teams prefer to bowl first.
Final Verdict
Rajshahi have the better form, the better players, and the tournament's leading run-scorer. Noakhali are winless, have collapsed under pressure, and just lost their coach. The experience gap is significant.
Rajshahi Warriors at 65% confidence is our pick.
Value Note
Bookmakers have Rajshahi at 1.58 (63.3% implied). Our 65% assessment creates +1.7% edge.
Bet on Rajshahi Warriors if you find odds above 1.54.
