Shanto to Tanzid: ‘Win me the match when it matters’ — and he did

Tanzid Hasan Tamim saved his best for the big match, striking a magnificent century to power Rajshahi Warriors to their second Bangladesh Premier League title — a triumph captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said was built on belief, planning and an unbreakable team culture.

Rajshahi crushed Chattogram Royals by 63 runs in Friday’s final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, with Tanzid’s 100 off 62 balls providing the backbone of a commanding 174-4 that proved far beyond the Royals’ reach.

“In a final, an innings like Tanzid Tamim’s gives the whole team extra confidence,” Shanto said after lifting the trophy. “When you get that kind of start in a big match, it pushes the team forward. We all know how good Tamim is. He didn’t get many starts early in the tournament, but in the last few matches he made a big impact,” he added.

The left-hander’s knock, laced with six fours and seven sixes, came after a mixed tournament, but Shanto said Rajshahi never doubted him.

“I kept telling him throughout the tournament: you don’t need to play well every game — just win me the match when it matters. Alhamdulillah, he did exactly that with a brilliant innings at the right time,” he said.