Redemption in Sylhet: Mahmudullah Reclaims Hero Status

The narrative arc of professional sport is rarely as swift or as poetic as the one witnessed at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium this week. Just forty-eight hours after being cast as the scapegoat for a gut-wrenching Super Over defeat—having failed to secure a single run off the final ball against Rajshahi—Mahmudullah stood at the centre of the pitch as the architect of a brilliant Rangpur Riders victory. The veteran, who had been heavily criticised by supporters for his previous lapse, delivered a masterclass in poise and power to dismantle the Sylhet Titans’ aspirations.

Chasing a target of 145, Rangpur’s pursuit appeared to be stagnating. While Litton Das provided a steady platform with 31, the departure of the aggressive Kyle Mayers in the 15th over left the Riders in a precarious position, requiring nearly ten runs per over to secure the points. The pressure was a physical presence in the stadium, and for Mahmudullah, the ghosts of the previous match seemed to linger. However, rather than succumbing to the weight of expectation, he chose the 16th over to launch a calculated counter-offensive against the bowling of Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

In a sequence that changed the complexion of the match, Mahmudullah plundered 19 runs from the final four balls of the over, including three boundaries and a spectacular six. The assault reduced the required run rate significantly, allowing Rangpur to coast toward the target with uncharacteristic ease. Finishing the match with seven balls to spare, Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on 34 from just 16 deliveries—a strike rate of over 212% that effectively silenced his detractors and secured a vital six-wicket win.

The evening was also notable for a landmark achievement by the “Cutter Master,” Mustafizur Rahman. Leading the bowling attack, Mustafizur dismantled the Titans’ middle order, returning figures of 3 for 28. His second scalp of the night marked his 400th wicket in the T20 format, an extraordinary milestone that places him in the highest echelon of global short-format bowlers. Though Afif Hossain (46) and Ethan Brooks (32) had threatened to set a more imposing total, Mustafizur’s discipline and Mahmudullah’s late-innings pyrotechnics ensured it was Rangpur’s night to celebrate.

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