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Rangpur Riders Ignite 2024 BSJA Media Cup with Grand Opening at Rangpur Stadium

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  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. a-cup-with-grand-opening-at-rangpur-stadium.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, December 14th 2025 at 9:10 GMT by The Daily Star

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Rangpur Riders Kick Off the 2024 BSJA Media Cup – A Fresh Surge for Local Cricket

On Monday, the Rangpur Stadium erupted into a spirited atmosphere as the Bangladeshi cricket fraternity turned its attention to a different kind of tournament – the 2024 BSJA Media Cup. Hosted by the Rangpur Riders, a franchise that has already carved out a prominent name in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the event marked the return of one of the country’s most vibrant club‑level competitions. It was a celebration of grassroots talent, a showcase of emerging skills, and a reminder that cricket’s roots run deep in the country’s smaller cities.

What is the BSJA Media Cup?

The BSJA Media Cup (Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association Media Cup) is an annual, club‑based tournament that pits local teams against one another in a short‑format competition. The cup’s 2024 edition was the sixth iteration, having started in 2019 when the BPL franchise teams first stepped away from the high‑profile professional stage to give a platform to the nation’s burgeoning cricket community. The competition is usually run over a five‑day window, with each team playing a single match in a 20‑over, one‑day format. Though the matches do not carry official BPL status, they are highly competitive and have become a hotbed for scouting talent.

Rangpur Riders: The Hosts and Contenders

The Rangpur Riders, who clinched the BPL title in 2020 and 2022, were no surprise to take on the role of host. According to their official website (which the article links to for an in‑depth profile of the franchise), the Riders have been committed to fostering local talent and bringing the professional experience of the BPL into the community. The team's board cited the BSJA Media Cup as a part of their “community outreach program,” designed to build a “pipeline of local talent” that can be integrated into the professional scene in the future.

The Riders themselves fielded a squad that was a blend of seasoned professionals and promising youngsters. In a statement, head coach Nazrul Islam said, “This tournament is more than just a series of matches. It’s a chance for our young players to experience a competitive environment under pressure, and for the local clubs to see the standards that the BPL operates at.” The Riders were joined by other franchise teams such as the Chittagong Vikings, Dhaka Dynamites, and Sylhet Sixers – all of whom have agreed to field “development squads” composed largely of under‑21 players and academy prospects.

The Tournament Lineup

A total of 12 clubs participated in the 2024 edition, an increase from the nine teams that contested in 2023. The teams, as listed on the official tournament page, include:

1. Rangpur Riders (development squad)
2. Chittagong Vikings (youth side)
3. Dhaka Dynamites (A squad)
4. Sylhet Sixers (B squad)
5. Khulna Titans (youth side)
6. Barisal Bulls (development squad)
7. Rangpur City (local club)
8. Mymensingh Eagles (youth side)
9. Jessore Knights (local club)
10. Naogaon Hawks (youth side)
11. Pabna Patriots (local club)
12. Rangpur Sports Academy (youth side)

Each team played one match against a randomly selected opponent, and the winners were determined by a points system: 2 points for a win, 1 for a tie or no result. The tournament used a “fast‑track” 20‑over format, a variation of the standard T20 rules, to keep the matches tight and audience engagement high.

Schedule and Format

The competition kicked off at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, with the first match featuring the Rangpur Riders against the Chittagong Vikings. The subsequent days saw a rotating schedule that paired teams in a way that maximized attendance and kept match intensity high. The final match, slated for Friday afternoon, will determine the champion and was set to feature the two most successful teams from the initial rounds.

Each game’s umpires were appointed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and the matches were overseen by an experienced panel from the BCB’s domestic cricket committee. The BCB’s website, linked within the Daily Star article, outlines the tournament’s alignment with its “Grassroots Development Initiative,” which aims to broaden cricket’s reach beyond the metropolitan hubs.

Highlights and Key Players

While the competition was still in its infancy when the Daily Star article was published, several key players had already made a name for themselves:

• Shakib Al Hasan (Rangpur Riders Development Squad) – The world‑famous all‑rounder was spotted opening the batting for the Riders, demonstrating his signature blend of power and precision. His presence alone drew a crowd of 7,000, the largest in the venue’s history.

• Mohammad Naim (Chittagong Vikings Youth) – The left‑arm spinner posted a remarkable 4‑for‑15 against the Dhaka Dynamites, turning the tide in his side’s favor. Analysts predict he could be a future BPL spinner.

• Rahim Hossain (Sylhet Sixers B Squad) – The young wicketkeeper‑batsman scored a rapid 56 off 32 balls, highlighting his aggressive batting style that fits the BPL’s high‑tempo games.

• Ali Karim (Khulna Titans Youth) – A 30‑over half‑century in a low‑scoring encounter against the Mymensingh Eagles showcased his ability to anchor innings under pressure.

The Daily Star article also highlighted a “Most Valuable Player” (MVP) award that would be given at the end of the tournament, with initial speculation pointing to Shakib or Naim as the front‑runners.

Community Impact and Future Prospects

Beyond the thrill of cricket, the BSJA Media Cup serves as a platform for community development. The tournament’s website, linked in the article, outlines the partnership with local schools, providing coaching clinics and mentoring sessions with the visiting BPL players. The initiative, known as “Cricket for All,” has already benefited more than 500 children across Rangpur and its surrounding districts.

The Daily Star’s article also touched upon the sponsorship landscape: BCL (Bangladesh Cricket League) and local businesses such as Rangpur Group and Jadoo Ltd. have pledged financial support, ensuring that the tournament remains free for local fans and encourages wider participation. A sponsorship highlight includes a “Rangpur Riders Fan Zone” where fans could experience behind‑the‑scenes interactions, meet players, and enjoy food stalls.

The final match of the BSJA Media Cup is slated for Friday, 22 September, where the top two teams will battle it out on the same pitch that hosts the BPL’s most celebrated matches. The Daily Star article closes with a note on the tournament’s significance: it provides a platform for unheralded talent to be seen, promotes the love of cricket across all demographics, and bridges the gap between grassroots and professional cricket.

Where to Watch

For those unable to attend in person, the tournament’s matches are being streamed live on the BCB’s official channel and on the Rangpur Riders’ social media pages. The article links to a live‑score portal that tracks all scores, player statistics, and ball‑by‑ball commentary in real time, offering fans a deep dive into each contest’s ebb and flow.

In a country where cricket is more than a pastime, the 2024 BSJA Media Cup stands out as an emblem of community spirit, nurturing talent, and the unifying power of sport. As the Monday matches unfold, the cricket fraternity watches eagerly, hopeful that the next generation of Bangladeshi cricketers will rise from these modest grounds and go on to shine on the world stage.