LAHORE (Kashmir English): The Rangpur Riders, defending champions of the Global Super League (GSL), have officially signed three Pakistani players – Iftikhar Ahmed, Akif Javed, and Khawaja Nafay – for the upcoming 2025 edition of the tournament. The event is scheduled to take place in Guyana from July 10 to July 18.
This move strengthens the Rangpur Riders’ lineup as they prepare to defend their title in the five-team T20 competition. The new signings will bring a mix of experience and fresh talent to the squad.
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 BPL exposure.
Middle-order batter Khawaja Nafay, meanwhile, has played in two seasons of the LPL.
Rangpur Riders 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.
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The full 16-man squad for Rangpur Riders features a mix of domestic talent and overseas signings, including Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to 13 players for various overseas leagues, with Khawaja Nafay already cleared for GSL participation.
NOCs for Iftikhar Ahmed and Akif Javed are expected shortly.
Iftikhar Ahmed, known for his powerful middle-order batting and useful off-spin, has played in several leagues including the Bangladesh Premier League and Lanka Premier League. Akif Javed, a promising left-arm pacer, also brings international T20 league experience. Khawaja Nafay, a young middle-order batter, has already shown potential with his performance in two Bangladesh Premier League seasons.
This year, a total of six Pakistani players are expected to participate in the tournament. According to the finalised squad lists, Saud Shakeel will play for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, while Mohammad Nawaz and Sahibzada Farhan have been signed by the Hobart Hurricanes.
The Global Super League 2025 will follow a round-robin format, with five teams competing. The top two teams after the league stage will face off in the final.
Read more: BBL Draft 2025–26: Pakistani players set to make big impact
