'Can't be lazy under Mash'

English all-rounder Ravi Bopara revealed his intent to take the title of the upcoming fifth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League with his new outfit Rangpur Riders after formally joining the team training sessions at the Academy ground in Mirpur yesterday.

The-32-year-old, who played a crucial role for the champions of the previous season Dhaka Dynamites, informed that the team needs to be well adjusted before the tournament begins on November 4 while adding that a lot depends on pitch conditions.

"I want to win the tournament, there is no point coming here to lose," Bopara said. "There have been big players in the past, like last year you had Kumar Sangakkara and Dwayne Bravo. The competition has always been good in Bangladesh. A lot depends on the pitches – if they are good we are going to have a good tournament. If they are bad then it will be interesting. We expect competition against every team, but we have got a good team."

The T20 specialist also informed that he is already very familiar with the team and their coach, Tom Moody; from his ventures in different franchise leagues all over the world but reserved special praise for Tigers ODI skipper Mahsrafe Bin Mortaza, stating that players can never be lazy under the inspirational leader.

"Mash (Mashrafe) is the type of guy you want to play for. He gives 100 per cent so you have to give 100 per cent. It is good for any team. Nobody can be lazy with Mash. He is a good cricketer. He is a very accurate bowler, and he can smack the ball against spinners. He also has authority, which is good."

Bopara will definitely play his part alongside Rangpur's other experienced foreign recruits, the explosive West Indies batsman Chris Gayle and New Zealand hard hitter Brendon McCullum, as the trio undoubtedly make the side one of the fiercest title contenders this season.