Rangpur Riders set to represent Bangladesh in the Global Super League

For the first time in history, a Bangladeshi franchise cricket team will compete in an overseas league, as Rangpur Riders prepare to represent Bangladesh in the Global Super League.

The tournament, scheduled to take place in Guyana from 26 November to 7 December, marks a significant milestone for Bangladeshi cricket, with the Riders taking their talents to a global stage.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) team is not only carrying its own banner but also representing the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the nation.

In preparation for the tournament, Rangpur Riders have been training under the guidance of assistant coach Mohammad Ashraful at the academy ground of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Ahead of their departure on 18th November, captain Nurul Hasan Sohan shared the team's plans and ambitions during a press conference held at the Mirpur Stadium. Alongside Sohan, team director Shahinul Tanim and BCB director Nazmul Abedeen Fahim also attended the event, during which the team unveiled their tournament jersey.

Nazmul Abedeen highlighted the importance of this event, stating, "A Bangladeshi team participating in a global T20 tournament is unprecedented. This is a new milestone for our cricket. Rangpur Riders, as the top team among those selected, are taking a well-tested and organised squad. We hope they perform well and represent not only themselves but also the BCB and Bangladesh with distinction."

The Riders aim to showcase their skills and target the tournament final. Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan, who played during Bangladesh's last tour of the West Indies in 2022, believes the conditions in Guyana will favour their preparations. "The wickets in Guyana are somewhat similar to those in Bangladesh. Our discussions with coach Mickey Arthur have provided the team with clarity on plans and expectations. We'll utilise our three to four days of practice upon arrival to adapt fully," Sohan remarked.

The Global Super League will feature five teams, including the hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors, Pakistan's Lahore Qalandars, England's Hampshire Hawks, and Australia's Victoria. Sohan views the tournament as a valuable opportunity for Bangladeshi players, saying, "Participating in such a competitive global tournament is a big step for us. It's an honour for a Bangladeshi franchise team to play abroad, and we are determined to make the most of this opportunity."

The Riders' squad boasts prominent Bangladeshi players, including Sohan, Soumya Sarkar, Sheikh Mehdi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Saif Hassan, Rishad Hossain, Arafat Sunny, and Kamrul Islam. The team has also recruited foreign players such as Steven Taylor and Harmeet Singh from the USA, Matthew Ford from the West Indies, Wayne Madsen and Jack Chappell from England, and Pakistan's Khushdil Shah.

Sohan acknowledged the responsibility of representing Bangladesh, stating, "This tournament is a challenge and an opportunity for us to grow. We rarely get the chance to play T20 matches of this calibre, and this experience will benefit us as we head into the NCL T20s and the BPL. We aim to give our best to ensure more opportunities like this come our way in the future."

The Global Super League will be held entirely at Providence Stadium in Guyana. The tournament offers a prize pool of $1 million, with $500,000 awarded to the champions and $250,000 to the runners-up. Each match victory carries a reward of $25,000. The Riders, representing Bangladesh on a new international platform, are determined to perform at their best and make the nation proud.