Soumya Sarkar struck a whirlwind knock as Rangpur Riders clinched the maiden edition of the Global Super League T20 title with a crushing 56-run win over Australian domestic side Victoria at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, West Indies, on Saturday.聽
The victory completed a fairytale finish for Rangpur, who lost their first two matches, including one against Victoria by 10 runs in the group phase that raised their prospect of an early exit from the race.聽
But thereafter they won two straight matches in the group phase and moved to the final on a better run rate before securing the trophy in style.
Soumya blasted a 54-ball 86 not out with seven fours and five sixes to lift the side to a decent 178-3 after captain Nurul Hasan Sohan won the toss and elected to bat first.
The bowlers complemented Soumya鈥檚 effort with an excellent bowling show that wrapped up Victoria鈥檚 innings for just 122 in 18.1 overs.
A total of five domestic franchisees from five different countries took part in the maiden edition of the tournament.聽
From Australia, Victoria, Pakistan鈥檚 Super League team Lahore Qalandars, England鈥檚 Hampshire, West Indies鈥� Caribbean Premier League side Guyana Amazon Warriors, and Bangladesh Premier League side Rangpur participated in the tournament.聽
Soumya was ably supported by his opening partner, Steven Taylor, who hammered 68 off 49 with the help of four boundaries and as many sixes.
They put on 124 runs for the opening partnership, Riders鈥檚 highest partnership on the first wicket.
After the dismissal of Taylor, Soumya single-handedly drove the side to a respectable total as the other batters failed to come to terms.
Rangpur bowlers, led by Harmeet Singh鈥檚 3-19, ripped through Victoria to bring the laurel for the side. Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, and occasional bowler Saif Hassan took two wickets apiece to further derail Victoria.
Opener Joe Clarke was the top scorer for the side with a 22-ball 40, while Blake Macdonald was the other notable scorer with 16.