Rangpur Riders (Photo Source: Ranpur Riders/Facebook)
The inaugural edition of the Global Super League (GSL) will commence on November 26 as five franchises from across the globe will compete in the tournament for a significant prize fund of US$1 million. Hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors will feature in the tournament alongside four more teams: Lahore Qalandars of Pakistan, Rangpur Riders of Bangladesh, Hampshire of England, and Victoria of Australia.
Rangpur has already confirmed their 13-member squad for the tournament, including experienced stars like Nurul Hasan Sohan, Soumya Sarkar, Afif Hossain, and Mahedi Hasan. Notably, Nurul led the team in the last edition of the Bangladesh Premier League and he is expected to be named as captain once again.
Last year, they played some brilliant cricket in the BPL but suffered a six-wicket defeat to Fortune Barishal in Qualifier 2, who went on to win the tournament by beating Comilla Victorians in the final. Courtesy of the win, Barishal was first invited to participate in the GSL 2024, but they declined the offer. The management later invited Rangpur, who eventually accepted the offer.
Interestingly, none of the overseas players that Rangpur signed in the draft will be available in the tournament. In their absence, they have signed West Indies pacer Matthew Forde, USA’s Harmeet Singh, England’s Wayne Madsen and Zak Chappell. Meanwhile, the franchise recently named Mickey Arthur as their head coach for the upcoming GSL and also for the next edition of the BPL.
Notably, Rangpur will play their first game against Hampshire on November 28. After that, they will play Victoria on December 1, Guyana on December 5, and Qalandars on December 6.
Also Read: Global Super League 2024: Guyana Amazon Warriors announce 13-man squad
Rangpur Riders squad for the GSL 2024:
Nurul Hasan Sohan, Soumya Sarkar, Mahedi Hasan, Afif Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Saif Hassan, Rishad Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Kamrul Islam, Mathew Forde (West Indies), Harmeet Singh (USA), Wayne Madsen (England), and Zak Chappell (England).