Rangpur Riders' season of missed opportunities
Table-toppers at one stage, Rangpur fell away and failed to deliver when it mattered most
Mohammad Isam
05-Dec-2016
Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Shahzad stood out with their individual performances • BCB
Tournament overview
Rangpur Riders will feel hard done by, after Khulna Titans qualified for the playoffs on the last evening of the league stage. Dhaka Dynamites fielded an under-strength side, and Khulna dominated them for most of the contest.
Rangpur Riders will feel hard done by, after Khulna Titans qualified for the playoffs on the last evening of the league stage. Dhaka Dynamites fielded an under-strength side, and Khulna dominated them for most of the contest.
But Rangpur got themselves into a situation where their qualification depended on other results, which is never ideal. They should have defeated Comilla Victorians in their last game, which would have all but ensured their progress.
It ended up being a season of missed opportunities as Rangpur, who were sitting on top of the table at one stage.
However, they still have a few reasons to be happy, given the performances of Mohammad Shahzad, Mohammad Mithun, Shahid Afridi, Sohag Gazi, Rubel Hossain and Arafat Sunny. Liam Dawson looked in good touch at times, while Ziaur Rahman, too, had a good finish to the season despite not being an automatic choice in the XI.
High point
Rangpur were on top of the table at the end of the Chittagong leg, with 10 points in six games. They chased down 126 easily against Khulna Titans, with Shahzad, Mithun and Afridi making important contributions.
Rangpur were on top of the table at the end of the Chittagong leg, with 10 points in six games. They chased down 126 easily against Khulna Titans, with Shahzad, Mithun and Afridi making important contributions.
Low point
Rangpur's defeat in their last match would probably go down as their worst moment. Needing a win against Comilla to qualify, Rangpur were insipid with bat and ball, and lost by eight runs. That summed up their campaign of missed opportunities.
Rangpur's defeat in their last match would probably go down as their worst moment. Needing a win against Comilla to qualify, Rangpur were insipid with bat and ball, and lost by eight runs. That summed up their campaign of missed opportunities.
Top of the class
Wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad's ability was already well known, but, in this tournament, he showed greater consistency. Shahzad topped Rangpur's batting charts with 350 runs, which included two fifties. On the down side, Shahzad earned a suspension for poking his bat at Sabbir Rahman; he needs to work on controlling his temper better next time.
Wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad's ability was already well known, but, in this tournament, he showed greater consistency. Shahzad topped Rangpur's batting charts with 350 runs, which included two fifties. On the down side, Shahzad earned a suspension for poking his bat at Sabbir Rahman; he needs to work on controlling his temper better next time.
Under-par performer
Opener Soumya Sarkar's poor form did not do Rangpur or himself any favours ahead of Bangladesh's tour of New Zealand later this month. Sarkar ended his season with 135 runs at 12.27 and a highest of 26.
Opener Soumya Sarkar's poor form did not do Rangpur or himself any favours ahead of Bangladesh's tour of New Zealand later this month. Sarkar ended his season with 135 runs at 12.27 and a highest of 26.
Tip for 2017
Rangpur's owners have had a feel of what will be required next season, and will be more prepared to build a squad that takes them into the qualification stage. A more experienced coaching unit can also give them an advantage.
Rangpur's owners have had a feel of what will be required next season, and will be more prepared to build a squad that takes them into the qualification stage. A more experienced coaching unit can also give them an advantage.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84