The Rangpur Riders have confirmed that star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will not be available for the upcoming Global Super League (GSL) in Guyana, as he has prior commitments with the Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10.
The clash of schedules has left the Riders without one of their key players, who is currently both the captain and ambassador of the Bangla Tigers.
The inaugural edition of the GSL is scheduled to take place from November 26 to December 6, featuring five franchise teams from around the world.
Despite being a Cricket West Indies (CWI) sanctioned event, the tournament enjoys full support from the Guyana government. The Rangpur Riders have also received full clearance from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to participate.
Click here to Find --> Schedule & Fixtures of GSL 2024
Shakibâs Absence Confirmed
According to Shanian Taneem, team director of Rangpur Riders, there was initial discussion about Shakibâs potential participation in the GSL. However, it became clear that he would be fulfilling his obligations in the Abu Dhabi T10, scheduled from November 21 to December 2.
âThere were some talks regarding Shakib accompanying us, but he will play in the Abu Dhabi T10 at that time,â Shanian stated. He further confirmed, âHe is both the captain and ambassador of Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10. I donât think there is any chance of change in plans now.â
The schedule overlap doesnât just affect the GSL and T10 leagues; it also clashes with Bangladeshâs upcoming tour of the West Indies, which is set to commence on November 22 in Antigua. This scheduling complexity leaves Shakibâs availability for national duty in question.
Rangpurâs Squad Preparations Amid Visa Constraints
Despite Shakibâs absence, the Rangpur Riders are moving forward with a squad of regulars and new recruits, balancing preparation for the GSL and future tournaments.
Shanian Taneem confirmed that the team will be heading to Guyana with five of their usual players Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Soumya Sarkar, and Kamrul Islam.
Additionally, they have brought in Rony Talukdar, Afif Hossain, and Arafat Sunny, who already hold the necessary U.S. visas.
The visa situation has posed challenges, limiting the teamâs options for player selection.
âBasically, if there was an option, we could have taken our entire Rangpur Riders squad for the tournament. It would be a very good preparation for us ahead of the BPL. But in order to go to Guyana, everyone needs a valid USA visa or England visa,â Shanian noted.
GSLâs Tournament Structure and Rangpurâs Strategy
The GSL will feature five franchise-based teams, including the Rangpur Riders from Bangladesh. They will compete alongside the Hampshire Hawks (England), Guyana Amazon Warriors (West Indies), Victoria (Australia), and Lahore Qalandars (Pakistan) for a prize pool of $1 million.
The Riders are particularly excited about this opportunity, as it allows them to represent Bangladesh on a global stage.
The teamâs strategy is clear: meet the tournamentâs regulations of fielding a squad with 14 members, where the playing XI must include six local and five foreign players.
To fulfill this requirement, the Riders are exploring options to include promising young talents from the USA and England. According to Taneem, head coach Mickey Arthur is eager to integrate new players from these regions and foster talent development.
A Step Toward Global Recognition
For the Rangpur Riders, participating in the GSL is about more than just winning; itâs a chance to raise Bangladeshâs profile in the global T20 circuit.
âWe are going to represent Bangladesh for the first time in a global franchise tournament. If we can do well there, our local franchises will also be motivated to participate on the global stage,â Shanian stated.
With the GSL marking a milestone in international franchise cricket, Rangpur Riders are set to bring a blend of experience and fresh talent, despite the absence of their marquee player, Shakib Al Hasan.
This tournament will not only serve as a preparatory stage for the Bangladesh Premier League 2025, but also as a platform to demonstrate the strength and depth of Bangladeshi cricket to a worldwide audience.