Shahbaz Ahmed's 4/15 and 31 power Rarh Tigers to 5-wicket win in Bengal T20 League
Synopsis
Shahbaz Ahmed turned in a match-winning double — 4/15 to skittle Malda for 117, then 31 off 18 to seal a five-wicket chase in 16 overs. It is exactly the kind of all-round display that could define Bengal T20 League Season 3's title race.
Key Takeaways
Shrachi Rarh Tigers beat Sobisco Smashers Malda by 5 wickets in Bengal T20 League Season 3 at Eden Gardens on Monday, 8 June .
Shahbaz Ahmed was the standout performer, taking 4/15 with the ball and scoring 31 off 18 balls in the chase.
Sobisco Smashers Malda were bowled out for 117 in 19.4 overs ; Vikas Singh Sr top-scored with 33 .
Rarh Tigers reached 118/5 in 16 overs , with Saurabh Kumar Singh contributing 29 off 30 .
Rohit Kumar and Dipanjan Mukherjee claimed two wickets each to support Shahbaz's bowling effort.
Shahbaz Ahmed delivered a standout all-round performance on Monday as Shrachi Rarh Tigers beat Sobisco Smashers Malda by five wickets in Bengal T20 League Season 3 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The victory was built on Shahbaz's match-winning figures of 4/15 with the ball and a brisk 31 off 18 balls with the bat.
Smashers Malda Bowled Out for 117
Sobisco Smashers Malda, asked to bat first, never found their footing as wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Vikas Singh Sr top-scored with 33 off 22 deliveries, but the rest of the batting order failed to build meaningful partnerships. The side was bowled out for 117 in 19.4 overs.
Shahbaz Ahmed was the chief destroyer with his figures of 4/15, while Rohit Kumar and Dipanjan Mukherjee chipped in with two wickets apiece, keeping Malda under sustained pressure throughout their innings.
Rarh Tigers Chase Down Target with Ease
Shrachi Rarh Tigers made light work of the 118-run chase, reaching 118/5 in just 16 overs. Shahbaz continued his fine form with a quickfire 31 off 18 balls, while Saurabh Kumar Singh provided the anchor with a steady 29 off 30 deliveries. The partnership between the two ensured the Tigers crossed the line with 24 balls to spare.
About Bengal T20 League Season 3
Now in its third edition, the Bengal T20 League is organised under the aegis of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and features eight city-based franchises representing West Bengal — Adamas Howrah Warriors, Novus Royals Purulia, Kolkata Royal Tigers, Murshidabad Kings and Kueens, Rashmi Nes Medinipur Wizards, Servotech Siliguri Strikers, Shrachi Rarh Tigers, and Sobisco Smashers Malda.
Men's matches are played at the iconic Eden Gardens, while women's fixtures are hosted at the JU Salt Lake Campus. Season 3 carries the theme 'Ebar Jombe Khela!' — a rallying cry reflecting the league's fierce, unmistakably Bengali spirit.
Brief Scorecard
Sobisco Smashers Malda 117 all out in 19.4 overs (Vikas Singh Sr 33; Shahbaz Ahmed 4-15) lost to Shrachi Rarh Tigers 118/5 in 16 overs (Shahbaz Ahmed 31, Saurabh Kumar Singh 29) by 5 wickets.
Rarh Tigers will look to carry this momentum into their next Bengal T20 League fixture as the competition intensifies.
Point of View
The league is steadily building a talent pipeline — but whether it translates into consistent Bengal Ranji and India A selections remains the real metric of success.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Bengal T20 League match between Rarh Tigers and Smashers Malda?
Shrachi Rarh Tigers won the match, defeating Sobisco Smashers Malda by five wickets at Eden Gardens on 8 June. They chased down 118 in just 16 overs.
How did Shahbaz Ahmed perform in the Bengal T20 League match?
Shahbaz Ahmed delivered an outstanding all-round display, claiming 4/15 with the ball to restrict Malda to 117, then scoring 31 off 18 balls to help Rarh Tigers complete the chase comfortably.
What is the Bengal T20 League Season 3?
Bengal T20 League Season 3 is a franchise-based T20 cricket tournament organised by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), featuring eight city-based teams representing West Bengal. Men's matches are held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and women's matches at the JU Salt Lake Campus.
Which teams are in the Bengal T20 League Season 3?
The eight franchises are Adamas Howrah Warriors, Novus Royals Purulia, Kolkata Royal Tigers, Murshidabad Kings and Kueens, Rashmi Nes Medinipur Wizards, Servotech Siliguri Strikers, Shrachi Rarh Tigers, and Sobisco Smashers Malda.
What was the top score for Sobisco Smashers Malda in this match?
Vikas Singh Sr top-scored for Sobisco Smashers Malda with 33 off 22 deliveries. Despite his effort, Malda were bowled out for 117 in 19.4 overs, a total that proved insufficient.
