Rangpur rely on local players to break BPL Eliminator jinx

Dhaka, 2 Feb - Rangpur Riders allrounder Mahedi Hasan believes 

their local players should play a big role if the team wants to give a shot 
at the final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

In a bid to make it to the final, Rangpur will take on Khulna Tigers in the 
Eliminator game tomorrow (Monday) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. 

The loser of the game will be eliminated from the final race straightway 
while the winner will get another opportunity to give a shot at the final. 

Despite forming a formidable team, Rangpur lost the Eliminator game for the 
last two consecutive seasons, so breaking the jinx would be top priority, 
according to Mahedi.

"For the last two years we could not make it to the final, after losing the 
Eliminator game. That was very unfortunate for us. There is another chance 
this year. We want to break this barrier this time," Mahedi said here today. 

"We want to go to the final. Tomorrow's match is important to make a stride 
toward the final. We've seven local players who have to play a vital role in 
sealing the game. Our four foreign players also are in good stead but local 
players should play a big role in knock out matches."

Rangpur came into the tournament after winning the Global Super League (GSL) 
Trophy in West Indies. Keeping the winning spree, they began BPL with a bang 
by sealing victory in eight straight matches that put them on top of the 
table. But a sudden slump of form saw them losing last four matches on the 
trot, a streak that pushed them to third spot and so they have to play the 
Eliminator game.

The top two teams will play the Qualifier 1 and the winner will make the 
final directly. The loser will take on the winner of the Eliminator game in 
Qualifier 2, which is virtually a semifinal game.

Mahedi argued that they are not morally down despite going into the 
Eliminator game on the back of four straight defeats.

"It would have been better if we could finish as the top two teams. But we 
are not down. Our challenge is to achieve greater height," he said, citing 
the Eliminator game is a 'do or die' match for them.

"If we are in the top two, we would have got two chances. Now we have reached 
the knockout stage. It is actually a do or die situation. One thing is sure 
we'll come all guns blazing."
 
He further said that Rangpur shouldn't be judged with the four straight 
losses and insisted they have faith in their ability. 

"We have faith in our ability. Every player will take the field to win the 
game. But not every day goes the same. We could not qualify as top two but 
that's not the end of the world," he remarked.

"We still have the chance. We are taking the chance positively. I think 
everyone in the team is in good shape. Because if we collapse as a team at 
this time, we will not be able to get out of here." BSS