BPL 2017, Match 29 Preview: Chittagong Vikings vs Dhaka Dynamites

After losing their previous game by a whisker, Chittagong will now be facing one of the most ruthless teams thus far, the Dhaka Dynamites. From their batting to bowling, they have been outstanding across all departments and despite losing their previous two games, they have enough firepower to bounce back.

Stiaan van Zyl’s excellent show with the bat helped the Vikings notch a big total, but they capitulated with the ball in the death overs. Thisara Perera’s sensational innings towards the death made the difference as Vikings registered yet another defeat in what has already been a disappointing campaign.

Although it’s hard to figure out the precise reasons behind Dhaka’s previous two defeats, one thing is certain that they are one of the favourites to win the title. It’ll come in as a huge surprise if they won’t make it to the final four and despite those two blips, they will come out roaring on Monday afternoon and pounce hard on Ronchi’s men.

Chittagong Vikings (Predicted XI):  Luke Ronchi (c), Stiaan van Zyl, Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Al-Amin, Taskin Ahmed, Luis Reece, Sikandar Raza, Sunzamul Islam, Tanbir Hayder

Dhaka Dynamites (Predicted XI): Shahid Afridi, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Nadif Chowdhury, Kieron Pollard, Mohammad Amir, Sunil Narine, Jahurul Islam (wk), Abu Hider Rony, Mosaddek Hossain, Evin Lewis, Mehedi Maruf

Focus will be on

Sikandar Raza (Chittagong)

Highly underrated, but extremely effective. Sikandar Raza will go down as one of the finest cricketers Zimbabwe has produced and in the shortest format, he is an invaluable asset. Raza played a brilliant knock to help his side register a much-needed win against Sylhet and the Zimbabwean has been brilliant with the ball as well.

Sunil Narine (Dhaka)

Not many were aware of Narine’s batting capabilities before the IPL 10, but post then, he is being recognized as an invaluable batsman up the order. Narine has been opening with Evin Lewis for Dhaka and the duo have complimented each other brilliantly. He stroked a breathtaking 75 in the previous game and will be looking to get more of such big scores.

Playing combinations

Chittagong Vikings

Skipper Ronchi and Soumya Sarkar will once again be their mainstays, as they’ve been through out the tournament. Anamul Haque at three played a couple of good knocks and might retain his place. With Stiaan van Zyl, Sikandar Raza, Najibullah Zadran, and Luis Reece, they now have a compact middle order.

They have two brilliant local seamers in Al-Amin Hossain and Taskin Ahmed, but the latter had a horrible outing the other day. Stiaan van Zyl and Sunzamul are the part-timers in the side alongside Soumya Sarkar. Sikandar Raza might be taking the new ball, with Luis Reece being another option for the skipper.

Dhaka Dynamites

The most explosive opening pair thus far, Sunil Narine and Evin Lewis have been outstanding. With Shahid Afridi coming in at number 3, they can make a case for being the most devastating top 3 in the world. Shakib Al Hasan, Jahurul Islam, Kieron Pollard and Mehidy Mahruf will follow the top 3 in the middle order.

Apart from the three masterclass spinners in Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, and Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Amir’s return to the side has just boosted their strength. Abu Hider Rony has been amongst the wickets and they have two decent part-timers in Mosaddek Hossain and Pollard.

StatAttack

182.30 – Luke Ronchi has the second best strike-rate in the tournament thus far.

14 – Evin Lewis has hit the most sixes (14) in the tournament as of now.