Rangpur Riders was the most benefited side more than other franchise by the ‘Players by Choice’ system as they have ensured the service of the most-sought-after player Shakib Al Hasan as their icon for the upcoming edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). World No.1 ODI all-rounder Shakib, who is now in USA with his wife and new-born baby, is expected to return home on November 20/21. The left-arm spinner turn batsman, who is all set to be named as the captain of the side formally on November 19.
BPL franchise Rangpur Riders formed the most balanced team on pen and paper as they first roped in batting sensation Soumya Sarkar alongside picked
up the left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny.  They have enriched their local stock with Mohammad Mithun, Saqlain Sajib, Muktar Ali, Jahurul Islam Omee, Abu Zayed Chowdhury, Murad Khan, Russell Al Mamun and all-rounder Muktar Ali.
They are not far behind other franchise in terms of strength as they have recruited Sachitra Senanayake, Thisara Perera (SL), Lendl Simmons, Darren Sammy (WI), Misbah-Ul-Haque, Wahab Riaz (Pak) and Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan) to strengthen their arsenal. The team meanwhile started their intense practice for the BPL-3 with the participation of the available local players under the supervision of assistant coach Mohammad Rafique. They penned a contract with former Bangladesh head coach Australia-born Shane Jurgensen as their head coach, who is expected to arrive here in Dhaka on Monday.
They have planned to launch their formal programme for the forthcoming edition of the BPL with the participation of the local and overseas players on November 19. Their recruited foreign players are scheduled to land in Bangladesh on November 17 and 18 respectively. BPL franchise Rangpur Riders got Fresh Cement, a sister concern of Meghna Group, as the gold sponsorship. In this regard, The Riders inked a year-long deal with Fresh Cement. Earlier, Riders made BRB Cable as their platinum sponsorship.
Tanjima Mostafa, director of Fresh Cement and Mustafa Rafiqul Islam, owner of Rangpur Riders, signed the deal on behalf of their respective side. Tahmina Taif Mostafa, director of the Fresh Cement, was present on the occasion. “We have saturated with Rangpur Riders as we have the same passion like Riders. Even the franchise has roped in the player like Shakib Al Hasan. Hopefully Riders will fare high performance in the BPL with the similarity of the Fresh Cement’s slogan “High Performance Cement,” said Tanjima Mostafa in her reaction after signing the contract with Riders.  
“I talked with both Shakib Al Hasan and Shane Jurgensen. Shakib will come on November 20 or 21. But Jurgensen, the head coach of Riders, is expected to arrive here in Dhaka on Monday,” Mustafa Rafiqul Islam told media at signing ceremony in the capital yesterday.  “We will get both Shakib and Soumya from first match. We’ve formed a well balanced team and looking for winning the maiden title,” concluded Rafiqul Islam.