Rangpur Riders Crowned Champions of Global Super League

Rangpur Riders have clinched the championship title in the inaugural Global Super League, defeating Australia's Victoria Cricket by 56 runs in a thrilling final in Guyana. Batting first, Rangpur posted a formidable total of 178, thanks to a record-breaking opening partnership between Soumya Sarkar and Steven Taylor. In response, Victoria's batting line-up faltered under the spin attack of Rishad Hossain and Mehedi Hasan, managing to score only 122, thus handing Rangpur the victory.

Soumya Sarkar played a match-winning role, scoring an unbeaten 86 runs off 54 balls, which earned him the title of "Finals Player of the Match." In addition to his brilliant performance in the final, Soumya was also named the "Tournament's Best Player" and emerged as the top run-scorer, amassing 188 runs at an average of 47 over five matches.

In the final, after winning the toss, Rangpur Riders' openers took charge. Soumya and Taylor shared a partnership of 124 runs, which became the highest opening stand in Rangpur's T20 history, breaking the previous record of 102 runs held by Jhoorul Islam and Soumya Sarkar. Taylor was dismissed for 68 in the 14th over, but Soumya continued his onslaught, completing his fifty off just 33 balls. He then accelerated further, hammering 7 fours and 5 sixes to guide Rangpur to a total of 178.

Chasing 179, Victoria's batting was never able to get going. They lost their first wicket in the 4th over, and from there, they were continuously kept under pressure by Rangpur's spinners. Rishad Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, and Saif Hassan wreaked havoc, taking crucial wickets. Victoria's batting collapsed, and they were all-out for just 122 runs in 18.1 overs.

Mehedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, and Saif Hassan each took 2 wickets, while pacer Kamrul Islam Rabbi claimed 1 wicket. The best bowling performance came from Harmit Singh of Victoria, who took 3 wickets.

Rangpur's dominant performance in the final secured them the championship, with Soumya Sarkar's extraordinary batting being the highlight of their success in the tournament.