Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) outfit, Rangpur Riders, suffered a 32-run defeat against the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final of the Global Super League (GSL) at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Saturday. This loss meant the Riders, who were the inaugural winners of the five-team tournament last year, were unable to defend their title.
Having won the toss and elected to bat first, the Guyana Amazon Warriors amassed a formidable total of 196 for four, the highest score recorded in the tournament. This imposing total was largely built on the back of explosive half-centuries from opener Johnson Charles, who struck a rapid 67 off 48 deliveries, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who blazed 66 from just 38 balls.
Their aggressive partnership set a challenging target for the defending champions.
In response, Rangpur Riders found themselves unable to keep pace with the escalating required run rate. They were ultimately bowled out for 164 in 19.5 overs. Rangpur had enjoyed a strong run to the final, winning three of their four league stage matches, including an eight-run victory over the same Guyana side and a no-result against Central Districts in their final group fixture.
However, their chase in the final got off to a difficult start. Both openers, Ibrahim Zadran (5 off 4) and Soumya Sarkar (13 off 14), along with Kyle Mayers (5 off 10), were dismissed inside the Powerplay, leaving Rangpur in early trouble. A crucial 73-run fourth-wicket partnership between Saif Hassan and Iftikhar Ahmed then offered a glimmer of hope, helping Rangpur regain some control and rebuild the innings.
Saif Hassan, who had struck three sixes and as many boundaries in his brisk 26-ball 41, was unfortunately run out in the 13th over, a pivotal moment that shifted momentum. Iftikhar Ahmed followed soon after, trapped in front by Dwaine Pretorius, leaving Rangpur reeling at 117 for five in 14.2 overs. Iftikhar's innings was a notable one, contributing a team-high of 46 runs from 29 balls, laced with one boundary and four sixes.
The Riders' chase then dramatically unravelled, as they lost their next three wickets for just nine runs in the space of 14 deliveries, collapsing to 126 for eight in 16.4 overs. While Mahidul Islam Ankon provided some late fireworks with a quickfire 30 from 17 balls, including three sixes, the mounting required rate ultimately proved too steep for Rangpur to overcome.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors' disciplined bowling attack, coupled with their explosive batting, proved too strong on the day, as they deservedly lifted the GSL trophy.
