Soumya Sarkar struck a whirlwind knock as Rangpur Riders clinched the maiden edition of Global Super League (GSL) T20 trophy by romping to a 56-run win over Australian side Victoria at Providence in West Indies on Saturday (Dec 7). The victory completed a fairytale finish for Rangpur Riders who lost the first two matches, including one against Victoria by 10 runs in the group phase and sparked fear of their early exit. However, they thereafter won two straight matches and moved to the final on better a run rate before securing the trophy in style.
Soumya blasted 54 ball-86 not out with seven fours and five sixes to lift the side to a gigantic 178-3, after Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan won the toss and elected to bat first. The bowlers complemented Soumya's effort with an excellent bowling show that wrapped up Victoria's innings for just 122 in 18.1 overs.
A total of five domestic franchisees from five different countries took part in the maiden edition of the tournament. From Australia Victoria, Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Lahore Qalandars, England's Hampshire, West Indies' Caribbean Premier League (CPL) side Guyana Amazon Warriors and Bangladesh's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) team Rangpur Riders played in the tournament.
Soumya was ably supported by his opening partner Steven Taylor who hammered 68 off 49 with the help of four boundaries and as many sixes. They put on 124 runs for the opening stand, the Rider's highest partnership on the first wicket. After the dismissal of Taylor, Soumya single-handedly drove the side to a respectable total as the other batters failed to come to terms.
Rangpur bowlers led by Harmeet Singh's 3-19 ripped through Victoria to bring the laurel for the side. Off spinner Mahedi Hasan, Legspinner Rishad Hossain and occasional bowler Saif Hassan took two wickets apiece to further derail Victoria.
Opener Joe Clarke was the top-scorer for the side with 22 ball-40 while Blake Macdonald was the other notable scorer with 16.
