Mickey Arthur will oversee Rangpur Riders‘ title defence in the 2025 edition of the Global Super League on a virtual basis. The news has come out from Rangpur’s director, Shanian Taneem, that Arthur will not be present in Guyana during the entirety of the tournament.
The reason behind the same is his coaching contract with Derbyshire in Division Two of the ongoing County Championship, which has compelled him to stay back and coach the BPL franchise from a whopping 7500 kilometres away. The GSL will commence on July 10, with Rangpur starting their campaign in the second match of the season. The 20-over spectacle will involve Central Stags (Super Smash), Dubai Capitals (ILT20), Guyana Amazon Warriors (CPL), and Hobart Hurricanes (BBL).
Shanian shared during a jersey unveiling ceremony in Dhaka that Greg Smith will work with the team in person, with Mickey staying in constant touch with Greg and the players.
“As the English County Championship is ongoing and Mickey is coaching Derbyshire County Cricket Club, he is unavailable at the moment. Therefore, we are appointing Greg Smith as our head coach. He is someone Mickey fully trusts. Mickey will stay connected with the players and continue to offer his input. Greg will lead the team under Mickey’s guidance,” stated Shanian, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Shanian also shared that the management was consulted by Arthur while the squad and strategies related to the unit were being formed in the buildup to the tournament.
“Mickey Arthur was our head coach during the previous Global Super League and the last edition of the Bangladesh Premier League. We have strong confidence in his abilities. While forming our squad, we remained in constant touch with him and discussed which players would perform well on Guyana’s pitches,” added Shanian.
Rangpur will be captained Nurul Hasan, who has been the side’s leader since 2023. The personalities to be retained from their 2024 squad are Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, and Harmeet Singh. Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Ibrahim Zadran are part of the overseas contingent.
Rangpur Riders’ squad: Nurul Hasan (c), Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim, Mahidul Islam, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mohammad Saif, Abu Hider, Rakilbul Hasan, Yasir Ali, Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ibrahim Zadran, Akif Javed, Iftikar Ahmed, Harmeet Singh, Khawaja Nafay
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