Global Super League (GSL) Archives

Hobart Hurricanes rope in Pakistan star player for GSL 2025

The Hobart Hurricanes have bolstered their overseas roster for the ongoing Global Super League (GSL) 2025 by signing Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir, Sri Lanka’s Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and West Indies all-rounder Fabian Allen.

The franchise confirmed the signings on Friday via their official social media channels, announcing the trio as fresh additions to their campaign.

“Our GSL squad gets even stronger with more talented overseas players joining the ‘Cane Train,” the post read.

The Ben McDermott-led side had earlier picked two more Pakistani cricketers, all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz and top-order batter Sahibzada Farhan, in their squad.

However, the duo’s participation in the tournament remains up in the air, as both are currently involved in Pakistan’s preparatory camp in Karachi ahead of the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, starting July 20 in Dhaka.

The Hobart Hurricanes have yet to comment on whether Nawaz and Farhan will be available for selection or if the franchise plans to name replacements.

Meanwhile, Usama Mir, who is set to make his GSL debut, brings with him considerable experience from various franchise leagues around the world.

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The leg-spinner has featured in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Big Bash League (BBL), The Hundred, Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

In T20 cricket, the 28-year-old has played 152 matches, claiming 171 wickets at an economy rate of 7.75. He has also represented Pakistan in five T20Is, where he picked up five wickets.

The 2025 edition of the GSL kicked off on Thursday with Dubai Capitals defeating Central Districts by 22 runs.

Defending champions Rangpur Riders also opened their campaign with a thrilling eight-run win over Guyana Amazon Warriors, powered by a solid all-round show from Iftikhar Ahmed.

READ: GSL 2025: Iftikhar Ahmed stars as Rangpur Riders edge past Guyana Amazon Warriors

Three Pakistani players join Rangpur Riders for Global Super League 2025

Pakistan trio Iftikhar Ahmed, Akif Javed, and Khawaja Nafay are all set to feature for Rangpur Riders in the upcoming Guyana Global Super League (GSL) 2025, scheduled from July 10 to 18.

Iftikhar, who has already showcased his T20 prowess in the BPL and LPL, will bring valuable firepower to the middle order.

Akif adds left-arm pace depth, while Nafay, currently making waves as an emerging batting prospect, enters his second overseas league after two BPL stints.

Rangpur Riders staged a remarkable turnaround in the last season, recovering from three straight losses to win their next three and lift the inaugural GSL trophy.

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For 2025, the franchise has retained several key names, including captain Nurul Hasan Sohan, leading run-scorer Soumya Sarkar, and strike bowler Kamrul Islam Rabbi.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to 13 players for various overseas leagues, with Khawaja Nafay already cleared for GSL participation.

NOCs for Iftikhar Ahmed and Akif Javed are expected shortly.

Meanwhile, Saud Shakeel will turn out for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, while Mohammad Nawaz and Sahibzada Farhan have been picked by the Hobart Hurricanes.

GSL 2025 Squads

Rangpur Riders: Nurul Hasan Sohan, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammed Naim Sheikh, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mohammed Saif Hassan, Abu Haider Rony, Rakibul Hasan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ibrahim Zadran, Iftikhar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Harmeet Singh, Khawaja Nafay

Guyana Amazon Warriors: Imran Tahir, Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer, Saud Shakeel, Romario Shepherd, Dwain Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hossein, Ramanullah Gurbaz, Mark Adair, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, Amir Jangoo.

Hobart Hurricanes: Ben McDermott, Billy Stanlake, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jackson Bird, Tim Ward, Jake Doran, Raf MacMillan, Marcus Bean, Mac Wright, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammed Nawaz, Mohammed Nabi, Odean Smith.

READ: Australia drop struggling batter for first West Indies Test

Soumya Sarkar steers Rangpur Riders to GSL 2024 title victory

GUYANA: Soumya Sarkar played an unbeaten 86-run knock to steer Rangpur Riders to a 56-run victory over Victoria in the final of the Global Super League (GSL) 2024 here at Providence Stadium on Friday.

Rangpur Riders, after opting to bat first, posted a challenging 178-3, courtesy of Sarkar and Steven Taylor’s half-centuries.

Sarkar and Taylor constructed a dominant opening stand of 124 runs before Karima Gore removed the latter on the final ball of the 14th over.

Taylor departed after scoring a quick 68-run knock from 49 balls with the help of four boundaries and four sixes.

New batters could not pose much threat to Victoria bowlers, but Sarkar remained firm and played an unbeaten knock of 86 off 54, laced with seven boundaries and five sixes.

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For Victoria, Gore, Dominic Drakes and Max Birthisel bagged one wicket each.

However, the 179-run target proved too much for Victoria as they were bundled for 122 in 18.1 overs.

Joe Clarke was the only batter who challenged Rangpur Riders bowlers with a 22-ball 40, featuring seven boundaries. Blake Macdonald was the second-highest run-scorer for Victoria with 16 off 15.

Harmeet Singh was the chief destroyer for Rangpur Riders, taking three wickets. Rishad Hossain, Saif Hassan and Mahedi Hasan took two wickets each.

Rangpur Riders Playing XI: Steven Taylor, Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Wayne Madsen, Nurul Hasan (c)(wk), Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Harmeet Singh, Rishad Hossain, Zak Chappell, Kamrul Islam

Victoria Playing XI: Blake Macdonald, Joe Clarke, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Jonathan Wells, Scott Edwards (wk), Corey Anderson (c), Karima Gore, Max Birthisel, Dominic Drakes, Callum Stow, Jackson Smith

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GSL 2024: Lahore Qalandars edge past Victoria to keep final hopes alive

GUYANA: Tabraiz Shamsi and Asif Afridi took three wickets each to steer Lahore Qalandars to a narrow ten-run victory over Victoria in the Global Super League (GSL) here at Providence Stadium on Tuesday.

Lahore Qalandars were invited to bat first and they were bundled for 139 in the final over, courtesy of a dominant bowling attack from Victoria.

Opening batter Mirza Baig top-scored with a scratchy 39 off 36, which featured two boundaries and one six.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Akhlaq and Mohammad Faizan played valuable cameos of 26 and 25 respectively to take their team to a respectable total.

No other batters could pose much threat as Dominic Drakes and Jackson Smith took three wickets each to wrap up Lahore Qalandars. Meanwhile, Max Birthisel and Callum Stow bagged one wicket each.

In response, Victoria got off to a brilliant start with the opening stand of 67 runs between Blake Macdonald and Joe Clarke.

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However, both batters fell in quick succession to leave Victoria reeling at 73-2 in 8.5 overs.

Blake Macdonald scored 33 off 25 with five boundaries, including one six, while Joe Clarke struck 32 runs from 26 balls, laced with two boundaries and one six.

Lahore Qalandars bowlers did not allow any batter to settle in, except Karima Gore, who struck 25 off 22. However, Gore’s cameo was not enough as Victoria bundled for 129 in 19.3 overs.

Tabraiz Shamsi returned with figures of 3-11, while Asif Afridi claimed three wickets after giving away 31 runs. Salman Mirza also contributed with two wickets and Faheem Ashraf took one wicket.

Notably, this was Lahore Qalandars’ second victory in the inaugural edition of the Global Super League (GSL) and they are sitting third in the points table.

With one last group stage match against the struggling Rangpur Riders ahead, they have a chance to make their case strong for the finals.

READ: Aqib Javed explains Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from Test squad

Lahore Qalandars among top five teams in Global Super League

Two-time Pakistan Super League (PSL) champions Lahore Qalandars are set to compete in the Global Super League (GSL), which will feature franchise teams from cricket’s five leading nations.

The inaugural season of the five-team tournament will be played at the Providence Stadium in Guyana from 26 November to 6 December.

Apart from Lahore Qalandars, Three-times Vitality Blast champions Hampshire Hawks, Caribbean Premier League (CPL) team Guyana Amazon Warriors, Rangpur Riders of Bangladesh and Victoria from Australia will be battling for the prize money of $1 million.

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“We are looking forward to welcoming the teams to our beautiful country where we are sure the action on the field will be fantastic,” GSL chairman and former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd said in a statement.

“These are five well-known cricketing entities and we know that their fans from around the world will be tuning in to see them compete for the inaugural GSL title.”

A total of eleven games will be played during the ten-day tournament, with each team playing the other once before the top two making into the final.

Global Super League (GSL) Fixtures

26 Nov – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Lahore Qalandars

27 Nov – Hampshire Hawks vs Rangpur Riders

29 Nov – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Victoria

30 Nov – Hampshire Hawks vs Lahore Qalandars

1 Dec – Rangpur Riders vs Victoria

1 Dec – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Hampshire Hawks

3 Dec – Victoria vs Lahore Qalandars

4 Dec – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Rangpur Riders

5 Dec – Lahore Qalandars vs Rangpur Riders

6 Dec – Hampshire Hawks vs Victoria

7 Dec – Final

READ: Drop-in pitch installed at Perth Stadium for Pakistan-Australia series