Riders roll in style

Bangla Press Desk:  The star-studded Rangpur Riders squad arrived in Sylhet on Sunday ahead of the Bangladesh Premier League’s opening phase, adding to the excitement in a city already buzzing after the tournament’s first two days. They are set to play their first match of this BPL against Chattogram Royals on Monday.

Considered one of the most high-profile teams in this year’s BPL, the Riders boast a blend of local and international talent. The squad includes Bangladesh internationals Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy, Nurul Hasan Sohan and Nahid Rana, alongside several Pakistani players, including young batsman Khawaja Nafay.

Mustafizur Rahman, the team’s leading pacer, joined the squad in Sylhet on Sunday morning after arriving from the UAE. His presence, along with the rest of the team, drew keen attention from local media and fans.

Speaking after his first training session at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Nafay expressed optimism about the Riders’ prospects. “I’m very optimistic about this team. The squad looks very strong. Hopefully, we can do something special this season,” he said.

Nafay, who has featured in previous BPL editions but is representing Rangpur Riders for the first time, also praised the conditions at the Sylhet venue. “I’ve seen the pitch. The environment here is very good. I watched Shanto’s century in the opening match — that shows the wicket is good for batting. Hopefully, we will see many exciting games here,” he said.

The Riders’ balance of experience and youth is viewed as a key strength, with Nafay highlighting the opportunity to learn from senior teammates. “There are many big names in this team. I really like Litton Das’ batting, and you can learn so much from someone experienced like Mahmudullah Riyad,” he said.

“Mahmudullah is a very senior player. I have been watching him play for Bangladesh since I was eight or ten years old,” Nafay added. “Today was my first day; I will try to learn as much as possible from his experience.”

The BPL opening phase has been staged in Sylhet for the first time, a move by the Bangladesh Cricket Board to expand the tournament’s reach beyond Dhaka. The picturesque city, known for its greenery and tea gardens, has already hosted two matches, drawing strong local interest.

With the arrival of the Rangpur Riders, expectations have risen further for a fiercely competitive tournament. The squad is set to begin practice sessions immediately as they prepare for their opening match in the Sylhet phase.

The Riders’ combination of local stars and international recruits is likely to attract attention both on and off the field as the BPL looks to build momentum and create its biggest noise yet.

BP/TD