BPL 2017, Match 2: Rajshahi Kings v Rangpur Riders - Result Predictions

The first day of the fifth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will see two heavyweight teams clash head-on in the second game of the tournament. The Sylhet International Stadium in Sylhet will host the match between the Rajshahi Kings (RK) and Rangpur Riders (RR) on Sunday, November 4. It, being only the second match of the much-awaited tournament, will have both the teams on their toes, looking to make an impact at the first draw.

Here is what CricTracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: RK wins the toss

Toss Prediction: RK will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 140-150

Result prediction: RK will win the match by 4 wickets

Scenario 2: RR wins the toss

Toss Prediction: RR will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 150-160

Result prediction: RK will win the match by 15-25 runs

Head to head record

Total matches played – 4, Rajshahi Kings won – 3, Rangpur Riders won – 1, No result/ Tied – 0

Rangpur Riders will go into the tournament, brimming with confidence owing to the presence of superstars like Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum in their squad. On the other hand, Rajshahi Kings will draw inspiration from the fact that they almost clinched the title in the last season against the Dhaka Dynamites. The competition will be a tough one, more so because each team has more than one player capable of demolishing the opposition with the bat as well as the ball.

Playing combinations

Rangpur Riders

Lead by Mashrafe Mortaza, Rangpur Riders can be confident of having a good mix of foreign as well as domestic players in their playing XI. It’s likely that we’ll see Adam Lyth and wicketkeeper-batsman, Mohammad Mithun takes the opening stance for their team. The squad has ample batting as well as bowling all-rounders, thus enabling players like Thisara Perera, Ziaur Rahman, Ravi Bopara and Sohag Gazi to lend their hands at both batting and bowling.

The bowling attack will be headed by the skipper, Mashrafe Mortaza himself. While the pace department might consist of David Willey and Bangladesh’s fiery bowler, Rubel Hossain, the spin duo of Abdur Razzak and the experienced Samuel Badree will give the team a slight edge over the opposition.

Predicted XI: Adam Lyth, Mohammad Mithun (wk), Thisara Perera, Ziaur Rahman, Ravi Bopara, Sohag Gazi, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), David Willey, Rubel Hossain, Abdur Razzak, Samuel Badree.

Rajshahi Kings

Runners-up of the previous season, Rajshahi Kings are bound to try their level best to finish at the top of the table this time around. The opening responsibilities can be taken up by the left hand-right hand combination of Mominul Haque and Lendl Simmons. Down the order, we may expect wicketkeeper, Mushfiqur Rahim to lead the charge, followed by the perpetual big hitter, Darren Sammy.

Rony Talukdar is likely to round up the batting, along with all-rounders James Franklin and Luke Wright assisting the team’s cause in both departments. In the lower order, Hossain Ali, Mohammad Sami and Farhad Reza are likely to shoulder the pace requirements of the team while Nihaduzzaman will come into play with his left-arm orthodox style of bowling.

Predicted XI: Mominul Haque, Lendl Simmons, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Darren Sammy (C), Rony Talukdar, James Franklin, Luke Wright, Hossain Ali, Mohammad Sami, Farhad Reza, Nihaduzzaman

The prediction is for Rajshahi Kings to win the match and open their account straightaway on the points table.

Do let us know of your predictions in the comments section below.