Rangpur Riders coach Mickey Arthur feels BPL 'better than it was in 2015'

Rangpur Riders, fresh from their triumph in the West Indies Global Super League, marked the beginning of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) with a significant victory over Shakib Khan's Dhaka Capitals by 40 runs at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on the 30th of December 2024.

The team, now under the guidance of South African coach Mickey Arthur, expressed satisfaction with the start.

Arthur, who has previously led Pakistan to win the 2017 Champions Trophy, was delighted with the performance and the support from the fans.

He highlighted the improvements in the franchise cricket environment in Bangladesh over the last decade.

Reflecting on his time with Dhaka Dynamites in 2015, his last stint before returning to Bangladesh's domestic cricket scene after nearly 10 years, Arthur noted significant advancements in fan engagement and the overall ambience of the matches.

"I came here a long time ago. After working in Dhaka in 2015, I've worked in international cricket. I've enjoyed the work. Now I'm with a fantastic franchise, and I'm enjoying it. The franchises have improved a lot since then. Today was great. It was almost a full house, which was wonderful to see on a Monday afternoon. I find this environment much better than it was in 2015."

Off-spinning all-rounder Mahedi Hasan played a pivotal role in securing the win by taking Dhaka's first four wickets.

Arthur praised Mahedi's recent form, "He's been fantastic over the last six weeks. He did well for us in the Global Super League and carried that form into the T20 series in the West Indies. Here too, he's performing well. He's highly skilled with the white ball, especially in the power play. He's an excellent cricketer with a bright future."

Pace bowler Nahid Rana was commended for his middle-over performance where he conceded only 11 runs in 3 overs, without giving away any boundaries.

Arthur commented, "He's special. It's great to see such pace bowlers coming out of Bangladesh. He has pace, good length, and consistency. He was outstanding in the middle overs. In T20 cricket, you want to take wickets in the middle overs, and he was a strong option for us at that time."

The match not only showcased the strategic acumen of coach Mickey Arthur but also highlighted the individual talents within the Rangpur Riders squad.

The team looks forward to building on this victory as they progress through the tournament, with both fans and coaches optimistic about their prospects.