In a thrilling finale at the Guyana National Stadium, Rangpur Riders clinched the first-ever ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) title with a commanding 56-run victory over Cricket Victoria. The Riders delivered a near-perfect performance, showcasing dominance with both bat and ball to lift the coveted GSL trophy.
A Batting Masterclass
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Riders’ captain Nurul Hassan couldn’t have hoped for a better start. Openers Steven Taylor and Soumya Sarkar unleashed a flurry of boundaries, building a colossal 124-run opening partnership in just 14 overs.
- Steven Taylor’s Knock: 68 runs off 45 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes)
- Soumya Sarkar’s Heroics: 86* runs off 54 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes)
Taylor’s aggressive strokeplay set the tone before falling to Karima Gore, but Sarkar carried his bat till the end, anchoring the innings and propelling Riders to a daunting 178/3 in 20 overs.
Victoria’s Struggles Under Pressure
Cricket Victoria, unbeaten throughout the tournament, found themselves overwhelmed by the daunting target. Joe Clarke played a fiery knock of 40 off 22 balls, but the rest of the batting line-up crumbled under the Riders’ relentless bowling attack.
Key Bowling Performances:
- Harmeet Singh: 4 overs, 3/19 (Player of the Match contender)
- Sanjay Krishnamurthi: Consistent pressure with crucial breakthroughs
Victoria was bowled out for 122 in 17.4 overs, sealing the historic win for Rangpur Riders.
Captain’s Words
Speaking after the match, Riders’ captain Nurul Hassan said:
“I’m incredibly proud of the team. We believed in ourselves and played fearless cricket. The way Taylor and Sarkar batted set the platform, and our bowlers backed it up perfectly. It’s a dream come true.”
A Night to Remember
The GSL final marked a perfect ending to the tournament’s inaugural season, leaving fans eager for the next edition. With a remarkable all-round performance, Rangpur Riders etched their name in history as the first-ever GSL champions, lifting the Kaieteur-inspired trophy under the lights of Providence.
Match Summary:
Rangpur Riders: 178/3 (20 overs)
- Soumya Sarkar: 86* (54)
- Steven Taylor: 68 (45)
Cricket Victoria: 122 all out (17.4 overs)
- Joe Clarke: 40 (22)
- Harmeet Singh: 3/19 (4 overs)
Result: Rangpur Riders won by 56 runs (GSL Champions)
