BPL 2017, Match 33 Preview: Chittagong Vikings v Rajshahi Kings

Chittagong Vikings and Rajshahi Kings find themselves occupying the last two spots on the table and another loss would end their chances. Both these sides have been struggling to make the most of the resources they have and eventually, they managed to lose six of their nine games. It’s a do-or-die game for both and the home side would be looking finish the Chittagong leg on a high.

The Kings are currently placed last on the table and to be fair, their chances of qualifying despite winning all their remaining games are very grim. These sides have created a situation for themselves where their qualification is not left in their hands. They have to win all their remaining games and expect some other results to go in their favor.

With Khulna Titans, Dhaka Dynamites, and Comilla Victorians playing spectacular cricket, it’s needless to say they’ll grab three of the four available spots. But the one spot up for grabbing will have a lot of competition and both these sides, who have played pretty ordinary cricket thus far, will have to pull up their socks.

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

Rajshahi Kings (Playing XI): Dwayne Smith, Mominul Haque, Luke Wright, Zakir Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), James Franklin, Darren Sammy(c), Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Sami, Mustafizur Rahman, Hossain Ali

Focus will be on

Luke Ronchi (Chittagong)

The Chittagong skipper Ronchi has no other choice but to go all guns blazing and play some stellar knocks for his side. They need him to fire more than anyone else and the situation too is a little precarious for them as of now. He has been performing exceedingly well thus far and to round off this tournament on a high, he would love to get some big scores.

Mustafizur Rahman (Rajshahi)

Mustafizur Rahman’s absence in the first few games did have a major impact on their side. The Kings were struggling in the death overs, the exact area where Mustafizur excels. The young, lanky, left-arm spinner needs to be at his best to ensure he doesn’t let his side down in front of their fans. It’ll be interesting to see how this lad copes with the extra added pressure of the qualification scenario.

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.

Rajshahi Kings

Mominul Haque finally found some form this season in the previous game and accompanying him at the top is Dwayne Smith. With the experienced Daniel Bell-Brummond at number 3, they have some decent batsmen in the middle like Zakir Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Darren Sammy, and James Franklin.

Pakistani stalwart Mohammad Sami will open the bowling attack with the local superstar Mehidy Hasan or Hossain Ali. Naeem Islam Jr is another option they have in the spin department. James Franklin and Dwayne Smith are the other options available for Sammy and he himself can take the ball if he wishes.

StatAttack

27 – Luke Ronchi ha struck 27 fours this edition, which is the second highest as of now.