Kusal Perera all set to join Rangpur Riders in BPL season 5

After securing the services of Caribbean batsman Chris Gayle for the fifth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Rangpur Riders have now roped in Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera. This is the franchise’s sixth and overall eighth signing for the upcoming BPL season. The chief executive of Rangpur Riders, Ishtiaq Sadek confirmed the news of Perera’s inclusion in their squad.

Rangpur have earlier confirmed the signings of four overseas players, Samuel Badree, Johnson Charles, Perera and Ravi Bopara. National players Arafat Sunny and Rubel Hasan were also retained by the side for the BPL 2017. It is now speculated that the franchise is attempting to sign the big international cricketers, Australian opener David Warner and South African allrounder Chris Morris.

Speaking to the local media, CEO of the Riders, Ishtiaq Sadek said, “We have signed Sri Lankan cricketer Kusal Perera for our next mission in BPL.”

“Fans and spectators want to see always blistering knocks from the batsmen. We are going to make a balanced team by taking all-rounders in the squad. We are talking with Warner and Chirs Morris. Hopefully, we will be able to ensure their inclusion soon,” he further added.

Maiden BPL appearance for Perera

The 26-year-old left hander also has a vast experience, having played T20s all across the globe. Perera has featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sri Lanka Premier League and various other T20 leagues.

However, this will be his first appearance in BPL. The versatile batsman has been playing for the national cricket team in all the three formats for a long time. He has played 27 T20 international matches for Sri Lanka, scoring 716 runs at an impressive strike rate of 132.10.

He averages 26.51 with the best score of 84 and has six international T20 half-centuries to his name.