In the Global Super League, Soumya and Steven Taylor had opened the innings for Rangpur, setting expectations for a similar role in the BPL.

Rangpur’s foreign signing, Alex Hales, also entered the fray as a strong contender for the opening slot, given his reputation as a top-order batter in international and franchise cricket.

The injury to Soumya simplified Rangpur’s batting order decisions, with Saif Hasan taking the No. 3 spot. In their opening match, Rangpur stumbled early, losing Hales and Taylor for just 20 runs.

Saif then joined Iftikhar Ahmed to steady the innings, forming a crucial 89-run partnership. Saif’s composed knock of 40 runs off 33 balls, including two fours and two sixes, highlighted his adaptability and skill.

Rangpur’s head coach Mickey Arthur expressed confidence in Saif’s abilities, stating, “This is a big opportunity for Saif at No. 3. We’ve seen his potential during the West Indies series. He’s a talented player, and we’ll manage him carefully. I’m optimistic about his future.”

To bolster their squad in Soumya’s absence, Rangpur added Azizul Hakim Tamim, the U-19 captain who led Bangladesh to the Youth Asia Cup title. Azizul’s aggressive batting, including a century in the tournament, and his performance in the National Cricket League (NCL) T20, where he scored 237 runs at a strike rate of 136.99 for Khulna, earned him a spot in the squad.

Though Azizul didn’t make the playing XI in the opening match, Arthur hinted at future opportunities for the promising left-hander.

“I’ve been impressed with Azizul’s talent and work ethic. He’s a leader and a hard worker. While our priority is to win the BPL, we also aim to develop players. I hope to give him a chance at some stage in the tournament,” Arthur remarked.