PROVIDENCE, Guyana — The Bangladesh-based Rangpur Riders etched their names in cricketing history on Friday, delivering a spectacular 56-run victory over Cricket Victoria to seize the inaugural Global Super League (GSL) title.
The electrifying clash unfolded at the Providence Stadium, where the Riders’ relentless dominance and breath-taking performances left an indelible mark on the tournament.
The backbone of Rangpur’s emphatic victory was an awe-inspiring, unbeaten 86 off 54 deliveries by the tournament’s undisputed star, Soumya Sarkar, who was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series. Sarkar’s innings, laced with seven boundaries and five towering sixes, propelled the Riders to a commanding 178 for three in their allotted 20 overs.
Sarkar was brilliantly supported by Steven Taylor, whose rapid 68 off 49 balls transformed a cautious start into a ferocious onslaught. Together, the duo crafted a mesmerizing 124-run opening partnership, sending Victoria’s bowlers reeling.
A cautious start, a ruthless finish
The Riders began their innings conservatively, managing only 11 runs in the first three overs. But the tide shifted dramatically as Sarkar and Taylor unleashed an array of attacking strokes, surging to 76 without loss by the 10th over.
Sarkar brought up his half-century with effortless flair, reaching the milestone off 33 balls, while Taylor notched his own half-century with a soaring six off Callum Stow. Though Taylor fell to Karima Gore in the 13th over, Sarkar ensured a blistering finish, anchoring the innings with precision and power.
Victoria falters under pressure
Faced with a daunting target, Cricket Victoria started their chase promisingly, reaching 65 for one by the eighth over. But the pressure soon told as the Riders’ bowlers turned the screws, triggering a catastrophic collapse.
In a dramatic six-over span, Victoria lost six wickets for just 32 runs, plunging to a dismal 97 for seven. Harmeet Singh was the chief architect of their demise, claiming three crucial wickets, while Rishad Hossain, Saif Hassan, and Mahedi Hasan each grabbed two scalps to dismantle the batting line-up.
With the middle and lower order offering little resistance, Victoria folded for 122 in 18.1 overs, handing the Riders a resounding victory.
The win crowned Rangpur Riders as the first-ever champions of the Global Super League, a triumph marked by their all-round excellence and unwavering resolve. “To lift the inaugural trophy is a dream come true,” Sarkar said, reflecting on the historic achievement. “This team has worked tirelessly, and today we showed what we’re capable of.”
