Rangpur Riders head coach Sohel Islam feels that his side can make a top two finish in the league stage of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League 2023 which will give them an extra advantage to confirm their place in the final.
The 2017-edition champions have already confirmed their place in the playoff stage of the ongoing meet alongside Sylhet Strikers, Fortune Barishal and Comilla Victorians.
Only table-toppers Sylhet have gathered 16 points so far in the tournament but they have already played 11 matches.
Rangpur will play their remaining two league stage matches against Chattogram Challengers and Comilla respectively and if they can beat their oppositions in both the matches, they will progress to the next phase as one of the top two teams.
The top two finish will provide Rangpur an extra opportunity if they fail in the first qualifier as according to the tournament format, the losing side will play in the second qualifier against the winners of the eliminator match to determine the second finalist.
“The equation is now for finishing in the first two positions. All four teams have that chance. We are also in the same race,” Sohel told reporters after the match on Saturday.
“Now we have good confidence on our side. If we can play the same in the next two matches, we have a good chance,” said Sohel about Rangpur, which won their last five games on a trot.
Mashrafe had to leave the field after feeling discomfort with his knee during the 12th over of Khulna Tigers’ innings on January 30 and he missed the next match against Rangpur Riders on Saturday.
A member of Sylhet franchise informed that Mashrafe won’t be available in their last league match against Khulna Tigers on Wednesday but his participation in the playoff game will be decided later on following getting his recovery reports.
