11 Jul, 2025 | 12:13 PM

Defending champions Rangpur Riders opened their Global Super League 2025 campaign with a narrow yet hard-fought eight-run victory over hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors, thanks to a match-winning four-wicket haul from Bangladesh pacer Khaled Ahmed.

After opting to bat first at Providence, Rangpur Riders posted a competitive 162 for 5 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Kyle Mayers, who remained unbeaten on 44 off 31 balls, while Soumya Sarkar (35) and Iftikhar Ahmed (34* off 21) added vital contributions. Late cameos from Nurul Hasan (18 off 10) also helped boost the total, although the innings had a sluggish start — 40 for 0 at the end of the powerplay — with Saif Hassan and Sarkar struggling to find fluency.

In response, Guyana Amazon Warriors got off to a brisk start despite losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early to Azmatullah Omarzai. Johnson Charles (40) and Moeen Ali (27) put together a 48-run stand in just five overs, keeping the chase well within reach.

However, Rangpur Riders clawed their way back into the match through Khaled Ahmed's inspired spell. He first broke the Warriors’ momentum by dismissing the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford in the 15th and 17th overs, before returning to remove Dwaine Pretorius and Shamar Springer off successive deliveries in the 19th over, finishing with figures of 4 for 36.

Tabraiz Shamsi (2 for 24) and Omarzai (2 for 13) provided excellent support, with the latter sealing the win by dismissing David Wiese off the first ball of the final over, as the Warriors were bowled out for 154.

The victory gives Rangpur a strong start in their title defense, with Khaled Ahmed rightly named the standout performer for derailing the Warriors' middle order at crucial moments.