Sports Desk:

Rangpur Riders have been flying and look like a class above the rest in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) so far.

They’ve made the top spot in the league their own with seven consecutive wins in their first seven matches before the Chattogram phase.

At the heart of their success lies a strong core of local players, supported by impactful contributions from their foreign recruits when it matters most.

Yet, one figure stands out as the orchestrator of it all — their captain, Nurul Hasan.

Whether it’s on the field, marshalling his troops from behind the stumps, or during training sessions, Nurul is a constant presence. Vocal, active, and committed to improvement, he never misses an opportunity to make things better.

His leadership shone brightest during a miraculous final-over batting display against Fortune Barishal in Sylhet. With 26 runs needed off the last 6 deliveries, Nurul unleashed a blistering assault, scoring 30 runs to snatch victory for his team.

It was a perfect example of a captain leading from the front.

Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed, who has been in sensational form for Rangpur, believes Nurul is the driving force behind the team’s success — making all the difference both on and off the field. He also lauded the Rangpur franchise for its professionalism and creating a ‘family-like’ atmosphere.

“I have to mention the captain (Nurul). He always stays involved with the team and oversees everything. This might be what sets Rangpur apart from other teams.

“All good things in a team start with its management. When the team management is strong, the path to success becomes easier. Our team has incredible people in both the coaching staff and management. They’ve created a family-like atmosphere,” he added.

“This year, I’m with Rangpur Riders. This franchise is also very well-organized. You can see the planning in everything they do. They provide excellent support for both foreign and local players. When you’re part of a good franchise, it naturally makes the game more enjoyable.”

Rangpur’s local players have been in tremendous form. Saif Hassan has already shown his class with the bat, while the bowlers have been relentless in dismantling opponents.

Nahid Rana has emerged as the star of the tournament with his fiery pace, picking up nine wickets, the same as Mahedi Hasan, who has been equally instrumental. Mohammad Saifuddin, too, has played a pivotal role with his consistent performances.

“Absolutely (importance of local players). They are the heartbeat of a franchise tournament. In our team, Sohan (Nurul Hasan), Rana (Nahid), Saifuddin, and Saif (Hasan) have been performing consistently well. That’s why Rangpur are in such a good position,” an impressed Iftikhar said.

“Whenever I’ve come to play in Bangladesh, luck has always favored me. I’ve performed well. Playing here has often opened the door for me to return to the national team. That’s why I’m always drawn to playing here. Moreover, the quality of local cricketers has improved over time, which has elevated the game itself,” Iftikhar, who has been out of the Pakistan national side for a while, concluded with an optimistic tone, hoping to make his way back in the team again.