Like any other global tournament, the Global Super League sees different teams qualify for the tournament every season. It isn't easy to pick a favorite at the start of the season. Let us look at the strengths and weaknesses of the five teams participating in the tournament.
Rangpur Riders
The Rangpur Riders are the defending champions and aim to secure back-to-back titles. The former Bangladesh Premier League champions will start the tournament high on confidence, having played well last year. Nurul Hasan will look to lead from the front in this game and get the best out of his players. They have big T20 stars on the side and expect good performances from Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Harmeet Singh, and Iftikhar Ahmed. They lack firepower in the batting department, and it will be interesting to see if the bowling attack can carry the team on its shoulders.
Squad - Nurul Hasan (c), Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Harmeet Singh, Akif Javed, Khawaja Nafay, Soumya Sarkar, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Kamrul Islam, Saif Hassan, Khaled Ahmed, Rakibul Hasan, Yasir Ali, Ibrahim Zadran, Iftikhar Ahmed
Guyana Amazon Warriors
It is the team's second appearance in this tournament. Last year, the side failed to reach the final and aims for a better performance at its home ground. The Caribbean Premier League 2024 runner-up is familiar with the conditions at this venue and will look to take full advantage of them in this game. Imran Tahor is an experienced skipper, and he will look to get the best out of his players. They have big names in the squad and expect good performances from Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Squad - Imran Tahir (c), Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer, Saud Shakeel, Romario Shepherd, Dwaine Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mark Adair, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, Amir Jangoo
Dubai Capitals
The International League T20 champions make their first appearance in the tournament, and they will look to relive the dream campaign they had in the 2025 edition of ILT20. Shakib Al Hasan brings vast experience to the table as skipper and shall look to get the best out of his players. The power-packed squad features notable names such as Rovman Powell, Gulbadin Naib, Keshav Maharaj, Niroshan Dickwella, and Dominic Drakes. They have the right balance in the batting and bowling departments and shall be one of the teams to watch out for.
Squad - Shakib Al Hasan (c), Farhan Khan, Aryaman Varma, Zeeshan Nasser, Rovman Powell, Kaleem Sana, Said Shah, Ibrahim Masood, Sediqullah Atal, Kadeem Alleyne, Gulbadin Naib, Keshav Maharaj, Niroshan Dickwella, Jesse Bootan, Dominic Drakes, Jordan Johnson
Central Stags
The Super Smash 2024-25 champions will play in this tournament for the first time. Among all the teams participating in the tournament, they have the least experience, with the entire team consisting of domestic players. Tom Bruce would like his team to punch above their weight as they face big names that the other teams have. Doug Bracewell, Dane Cleaver, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, and Will Young are the best players in this team, and they will look to do well in this tournament.
Squad - Tom Bruce (c), Doug Bracewell, Will Clark, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Toby Findlay, Matthew Forde, Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Jayden Lennox, Ajaz Patel, Angus Schaw, Blair Tickner, Will Young
Hobart Hurricanes
The Big Bash League 2024-25 champions are one of the strongest contenders for the title. Ben McDermott and his team grabbed their maiden BBL title earlier this year and shall aim to add another jewel to their crown. The side will miss some of its key players, who are busy with the national side, but it has a strong group of players. Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Nawaz, Odean Smith, and Jackson Bird are key players in the team, and the side will expect a strong show from them. They have a strong bowling attack and shall be one of the teams to watch out for in this tournament.
Squad - Ben McDermott (c), Sahibzada Farhan, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jackson Bird, Billy Stanlake, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Nawaz, Odean Smith, Mac Wright, Jake Duran, Tim Ward, Rafael Macmillan, Marcus Bean
We are in the second season of the Global Super League. Among the myriad franchise leagues, the Global Super League stands out with its unique differences. Unlike other tournaments that are country or region-specific, GSL involves teams from different franchise leagues. It is the second such experiment, following the defunct Champions League Twenty20, which had a brief stint between 2009 and 2014. The first season of the GSL was fairly successful and grabbed the attention of fans, who have no dearth of options.
