Rangpur Riders sign Iftikhar, Akif, and Nafay for 2025 Global Super League
Defending champions Rangpur Riders have confirmed the inclusion of three Pakistani cricketers — Iftikhar Ahmed, Akif Javed and Khawaja Nafay — in their squad for the 2025 edition of the Guyana Global Super League (GSL), scheduled to take place from 10 to 18 July at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence.
The trio will be making their debut in the GSL.
Veteran all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed brings experience from previous stints in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Lanka Premier League (LPL), while left-arm pacer Akif Javed also has LPL exposure.
Middle-order batter Khawaja Nafay, meanwhile, has played in two seasons of the BPL.
Rangpur will be looking to replicate their dramatic success from the 2024 GSL, when they rebounded from three initial defeats to win their final three matches and claim the trophy.
A consistent force in the BPL — where they were crowned champions in 2017 — the Riders have retained several core players for the GSL, including captain Hasan and top-order batter Soumya Sarkar, the leading run-scorer in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
Fast bowler Kamrul Islam Rabbi, who spearheaded the bowling attack last season, also returns.
The full 16-man squad features a mix of domestic talent and overseas signings, including Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to 13 players for participation in overseas franchise leagues.
Among them, Nafay has received his NOC for the GSL, while approvals for Iftikhar and Akif Javed are reportedly pending.
Other Pakistani players set to feature in the tournament include Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan and Saud Shakeel.
According to the finalised squad lists, Shakeel will play for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, while Nawaz and Farhan have been signed by the Hobart Hurricanes.
As of now, official NOCs have been issued for Nafay and Nawaz, with Saud and Farhan awaiting clearance.
Full Squad Lists
Rangpur Riders – GSL 2025:
Nurul Hasan Sohan (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Mohammed Naim Sheikh, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mohammed Saif Hassan, Abu Haider Rony, Rakibul Hasan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ibrahim Zadran, Iftikhar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Harmeet Singh, Khawaja Nafay.
Guyana Amazon Warriors – GSL 2025:
Imran Tahir, Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer, Saud Shakeel, Romario Shepherd, Dwain Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hossein, Ramanullah Gurbaz, Mark Adair, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, Amir Jangoo.
Hobart Hurricanes – GSL 2025:
Ben McDermott, Billy Stanlake, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jackson Bird, Tim Ward, Jake Doran, Raf MacMillan, Marcus Bean, Mac Wright, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Nabi, Odean Smith.