Rangpur Riders came heartbreakingly close to victory in their opening match of the Global Super League but stumbled at the finish line, losing to Hampshire Hawks in a Super Over. Captain Nurul Hasan Sohan pinpointed two crucial run-outs—those of Khushdil Shah and Wayne Madsen—as the main reason behind the defeat.

Chasing a modest target of 133, Rangpur Riders needed just 13 runs from the last three overs with five wickets in hand. However, an unexpected collapse saw them tied with Hampshire Hawks, forcing the match into a Super Over. Despite a strong start in the chase, Khushdil’s run-out, followed by Madsen’s, shifted the momentum dramatically.

After the match, a disappointed Sohan shared his thoughts: "This is extremely frustrating for us. We had a great opportunity to start the tournament positively. It was our first match, but we let the opportunity slip away."

Earlier, Hampshire Hawks were restricted to 132 runs after Rangpur’s Zak Chappell delivered a stunning spell, claiming five wickets for just 23 runs. Chappell’s bowling performance gave the Riders a firm grip on the match, with the team in control through the first 15 overs of the chase.

However, after Khushdil Shah and Wayne Madsen’s dismissals, Rangpur’s middle-order, including Mahedi Hasan and Harmeet Singh, faltered under pressure. Hampshire Hawks capitalized on the collapse, forcing the game into a dramatic Super Over, where the Riders fell short.

"He (Zak Chappell) bowled exceptionally well and gave us the momentum. After 10 overs, we were in a strong position, and even after 15 overs, we were close to victory. But those two run-outs cost us the match."

Sohan also commented on the pitch conditions at Guyana, which played a role in the low-scoring thriller. "The wicket was a bit tricky. The ball stayed low occasionally but came onto the bat well. It required batsmen to stay focused and play according to the situation," he explained.

Despite the loss, Rangpur Riders have a chance to bounce back in their next match against Australia’s Victoria on December 1.