Defending champions Rangpur Riders book spot in ExxonMobil Guyana GSL final

Iftikhar Ahmed’s all-round performance has led to Rangpur Riders being unbeaten at this year’s ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), thus securing their spot in the final showdown billed for Friday evening at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

It was Rangpur Riders who won the toss and opted to bat first against the Dubai Capitals. Dominic Drakes struck early for the Capitals as he trapped Ibrahim Zadran lbw for 1 on the fourth ball of the innings.
The in-form Kyle Mayers walked out at number 3 and took the attack to the Capitals bowlers. In the 11 balls he faced, he hit 2 sixes and one four as he scored 19. Mayers fell to the bowling of Rohan Mustafa as Drakes claimed the catch. After the powerplay, the Riders were 48 for 2 with Soumya Sarkar and Mahidul Islam Ankon at the crease.

Ankon, who made 11 from 15 balls, was caught by leg spinner Qais Ahmad off his own bowling as the batter was trying to inject some momentum into his innings. Sarkar, who was in and settled, played an ill-advised shot to give his wicket away to the bowling of Shakib Al Hasan. Sarkar was dismissed on 36 off 28 balls, and at the halfway stage, the Rangpur Riders were 75 for 4.
In the 14th over, Iftikhar Ahmed brought up the 100-run mark for the Riders with a huge six straight back over the bowler’s head. Azmatullah Omarzai was dismissed shortly after by Capitals Captain Gulbadin Naib, causing the Riders to lose momentum once again.
With the score at 117 for 5 and 3 overs remaining, Iftikhar Ahmed came to the Riders’ rescue as the Pakistani all-rounder continued to clear the ropes and find the boundaries. Captain Nural Hasan also had his say as he finished the innings with consecutive sixes. Iftikhar Ahmed remained not out with a score of 41 from 32 balls at a strike rate of 128.2. Captain Hasan played a superb cameo, finishing his innings with 34 from 18 balls, which included 3 boundaries and 2 sixes. The Rangpur Riders ultimately ended their innings on 158 for 5 in their 20 overs.

With a required run rate of 7.95 needed for victory, Dubai Capitals got off to a horrid start as they were 7 for 2 after 2 overs. Mayers struck in his first over as he bowled Kadeem Alleyne for just 1. Iftikhar Ahmed once again was in the action as he knocked over Capitals Captain Naib for a golden duck.
After being dropped on 7, Niroshan Dickwella missed his chance to score big when he was caught by Mayers on 9 off Saif Hassan’s bowling, leaving the Capitals at 28 for 3 after 5 overs.  Sediqullah Atal and Sanjay Krishnamurthi steadied the ship with a 43-run partnership as the Dubai Capitals reached the 10-over mark at 71 for 3.
Sanjay Krishnamurthi lost his wicket for 27 runs after losing focus and launching a ball straight to extra cover after the break. The Capitals were at 85 for 6 after 13 overs when Saif Hassan performed an important double strike in the 13th over of the game, trapping opening batsman Atal for 38 and taking the big wicket of seasoned all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for just 3.
Jesse Bootan was beginning to look dangerous, but clumsy cricket saw his demise as he was run out on 15. Capitals needed 31 from 18 balls with Drakes and Rohan Mustafa at the crease. Mustafa was bowled by Khaled Ahmed, swinging across the line of a straight delivery.
From the most unlikely source, Ahmad smashed 18 off 8 balls to turn the game in the Capitals favour. Ahmad was caught at long-on trying to clear the ropes once again. At the end of the 19th over, the score was 150 for 9.
With 9 needed off 6 balls, Drakes was on strike as he was up against Khaled Ahmed. Khaled Ahmed and Rangpur Riders held their nerve as Drakes smashed the ball straight down to deep mid-wicket. Rangpur Riders stayed unbeaten in the tournament as they won the game by 8 runs