Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) team Rangpur Riders won the title in their very first appearance at the Global Super League (GSL). Now, as defending champions, they are set to compete in the tournament once again. Ahead of the event, Rangpur Riders have officially announced their squad.
However, star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has not been included in the squad. The Rangpur team management has provided an explanation for his omission. Team director Shaninan Tanim stated that the decision was made considering the current political situation in the country. He said:
“We are people of cricket; we know Shakib only as a cricketer. We don’t know him by any political or other identity. From the little we’ve discussed with him, we believe he also understands the situation. Perhaps due to the circumstances, we couldn’t take him.”
Tanim also clarified that no official directive came from any authority instructing them whether or not to include Shakib.
“There was no such instruction that Shakib could or could not be included. It was a decision made by the team management. Given the situation in our country right now, we’re unsure what kind of reaction including Shakib might provoke,” he added.
Rangpur Riders Squad for the GSL:
Nurul Hasan Sohan
Soumya Sarkar
Naim Sheikh
Mahidul Islam Ankon
Kamrul Islam Rabbi
Saif Hassan
Abu Hider Rony
Rakibul Hasan
Yasir Ali Chowdhury
Kyle Mayers
Tabraiz Shamsi
Ibrahim Zadran
Iftikhar Ahmed
Akif Javed
Harmit Singh
Khaja Nafe
