Cricket

Rangpur Riders Appoint Mickey Arthur as Head Coach for Global Super League and Bangladesh Premier LeagueRangpur Riders, a franchise in the Global Super League (GSL) and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), have appointed Mickey Arthur as their head coach for the upcoming seasons. The 56-year-old South African will take charge of the team from November 26, when the GSL kicks off.Arthur brings a wealth of experience to the Rangpur Riders, having previously coached the South African, Sri Lankan, and Pakistani national teams. He has also worked with the Dambulla Aura team in the Lanka Premier League and is currently the director of cricket for Derbyshire County Cricket Club."We have signed Mickey Arthur for the GSL and BPL this year," said Rangpur team director Shanian Taneem. "It is a one-year deal. He will take care of us for these two tournaments this year. He is a great addition to our side. The local players are really excited to be coached by him."Arthur's appointment is expected to benefit the Bangladeshi cricketers in particular. "He has huge experience," said Taneem. "He has already taken care of so many international sides like Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Pakistan."Arthur has previously coached in the BPL with the Dhaka Dynamites in 2015. He is known for his friendly and approachable nature, which is expected to create a positive environment within the Rangpur Riders squad.The Rangpur Riders will be hoping that Arthur can help them improve on their recent performances in the GSL and BPL. The team has not won either tournament since 2017 and will be looking to challenge for the title this year.

The inaugural Global Super League, a groundbreaking T20 competition, is set to kick off on November 26, featuring a diverse lineup of teams from around the world. The opening match will pit the Guyana Amazon Warriors (Caribbean Premier League) against the Lahore Qalandars (Pakistan Super League).The five-team tournament also includes Hampshire Hawks (T20 Blast), Rangpur Riders (BPL), and Victoria (Australia state team). Eleven matches, culminating in the final on December 7, will be played across as many days. Each team will face each other once, with the top two advancing to the championship match.The Global Super League aims to showcase the best of international club cricket and establish Guyana as a global sporting destination. The tournament has received the sanction of Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the full support of the Guyanese government.However, the scheduling of the Global Super League coincides with other major cricket events, potentially affecting player availability. The West Indies will be hosting Bangladesh for two Tests during the same period, which could impact the Guyana Amazon Warriors, who have several players in the West Indies Test squad.Similarly, the Pakistan tour of South Africa, starting with T20Is on December 10, may affect the availability of players from the Lahore Qalandars, including captain Shaheen Afridi and star batsman Babar Azam.Despite these potential scheduling conflicts, the Global Super League is expected to attract top talent and provide a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans worldwide. The tournament offers a unique opportunity for teams from different leagues and countries to compete against each other, showcasing the diversity and depth of T20 cricket.

The Global Super League T20, a groundbreaking five-team tournament, is set to ignite Guyana from November 26 to December 7. Sanctioned by Cricket West Indies (CWI) and backed by the Guyanese government, this inaugural event boasts a prize pool of US$1 million.As South America's first standalone cricket spectacle, the Global Super League will showcase Guyana Amazon Warriors, the reigning Caribbean Premier League (CPL) champions, alongside four renowned T20 teams from across the globe. ESPNcricinfo has confirmed that Hampshire, the three-time English T20 Blast winners, is among the invited participants.The tournament format features 11 matches, with each team playing four group stage encounters. The top two teams will advance to the final, with all matches taking place at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence."The passion for cricket in Guyana is unmatched," said Global Super League chairman Clive Lloyd. "We are thrilled to share our love of the game and our vibrant culture with fans worldwide."The Amazon Warriors, Guyana's home team, have a rich history in the CPL, having won the title in 2023 and finished as runners-up six times.Guyana's President, Mohammed Irfaan Ali, expressed his support for the Global Super League, stating, "Cricket is deeply ingrained in our heritage and plays a vital role in our economic diversification strategy, with a focus on tourism."The Global Super League will coincide with the Abu Dhabi T10 and Bangladesh's tour of the Caribbean. However, the Test matches in the latter series will conclude before the Global Super League begins.