Shrachi Rarh Tigers’ captain Shahbaz Ahmed receiving the Bengal T20 League trophy from Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Shrachi Rarh Tigres rode on skipper Shahbaz’s explosive unbeaten half-century to beat Sobisco Smashers Malda via the DLS method in the rain-affected men’s final and emerge as the champion in the Bengal T20 League at the Eden Gardens on Sunday night (June 21, 2026).
Asked to bat, Rarh Tigers posted a formidable 165 for four in the reduced quota of 15 overs. In its rain-interrupted innings, Malda scored 97 for five in nine overs to fall short of the revised target by nine runs.
Rarh Tigers lost three wickets for 10 runs before Shahbaz (88 n.o., 46b, 7×4, 6×6) and Gaurav Chauhan (55, 30b, 1×4, 5×6) put up the highest partnership of the league by adding 144 runs.
Shahbaz ruled the leg-side, while Chauhan played some handsome shots on both sides. Rarh Tigers collected 58 runs in the last three overs.
In reply, Malda, in its start-stop innings, gathered runs briskly, with opener Abhimanyu Easwaran (38, 22b, 2×4, 2×6) emerging as the side’s top scorer.
Pacer Sukhmeet Singh removed Kaif Ahmed and Abhimanyu to deal a double blow in the ninth over and give Rarh Tigers a decisive advantage.
Final score board
Men: Shrachi Rarh Tigers 165/4 in 15 overs (Shahbaz Ahmed 88 n.o., Gaurav Chauhan 55, Akhil 2/4) bt Sobisco Smashers Malda 97/5 in 9 overs (Abhimanyu Easwaran 38, Sukhmeet Singh 2/14) (Revised target: 107 in nine overs, DLS method).
Published – June 22, 2026 01:41 pm IST
