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After weeks of matches, Kevin O’Brien’s Rangpur Riders’ fate in BPL 2013 comes down to just one. The Riders are vying with Duronto Rajshahi for the last available spot in the top four.
If Kevin and Niall O’Brien’s Riders beat the Barisal Burners this morning, they will go through on 12 points; lose and Rajshahi will go through on head-to-head instead of the Riders and the Burners because all three will be on 10 points.

“It’s basically a last eight tie,” the younger O’Brien said. “We have won the last two games so are high in confidence. It will be a tough game, Barisal are a good side and have some world class players and they will be confident as they have won the last few games.”

Other than playing for the Rangpur Riders, there’s not a lot for the brothers to do. “I have just been relaxing in the hotels and watching DVDs and television when not training or playing,” says Kevin. “The locals are crazy here, in a good way of course,” he laughs, “so you can’t be walking around the city as you’d be mobbed!”

Well, at least they always have company. “It makes it a lot easier having both Niall and Paul here. It gives me someone to chill out with, especially in the first few days, but since I have got to know my teammates, it is easier to socialise with them.”

Playing cricket over the winter is something Kevin thinks will stand him in good stead. “Playing in these conditions for a month makes you a better player. It gives you new ideas of how to play and approach your game. Also, playing with and against some of the world’s best T20 players is a great experience.”

And Bangladesh is somewhere he would return to. “I would love to come back and play for Rangpur again next season. I have enjoyed every minute of my time here in the BPL. It is a fantastic tournament with great support from the local supporters.”

Thinking about playing in the BPL next year, however, is low on both brothers’ priorities right now as they try to help Rangpur to a semi-final slot. “I have been very happy with how I have bowled in the last 6/7 games and feel very comfortable with my bowling skills in T20 cricket,” said Kevin.

“Coming away from having played no cricket since the World Cup it was always going to take time for me to get used to conditions over here. I would have liked to score more runs up to now, but hopefully there are some good scores in me in the next few games.”

The better the Irish players in Bangladesh do, the better for the Ireland team. “Even though I have enjoyed the last 4 weeks here Bangladesh, nothing beats coming home. I have around a week to ten days to rest before flying off to Dubai with the Irish team for a big month in March.

“It’s a big trip. We know what we have to do once we get there. We are in a great position in both the Intercontinental Cup and also the World Cricket League so if we can win the three games we will be in pole position to qualify for the Intercontinental Cup final and also the World Cup in 2015.”

All in good time; first things first for the O’Brien brothers and that’s a BPL semi-final for the Rangpur Riders.

Cricket Ireland
Kevin O’Brien hopes to help Rangur Riders qualify for the BPL semi-finals
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