BPL 2017, Match 35 Preview: Comilla Victorians v Rangpur Riders

With two resounding victories against two of the best sides in the tournament, Comilla Victorians took the number one spot in the League table. They have been comprehensive across all departments, annihilating their opponents without showing any mercy. Beating Khulna Titans and the Dhaka Dynamites in their last two games almost confirmed their playoff spot.

Rangpur Riders are flirting around the danger zone of the table right now. Nevertheless, they are 4th on the table and a couple of wins will do the job for them. They have some very big names in the world and still they are struggling to find their feet, which indeed is a little surprising. Yet, they currently are the hot favorites to take that fourth and final playoff spot.

The League stage is heading towards a close and some intense battles can be expected in the next few matches. Although it looks quite close with Rajshahi and Rangpur looking to take the final spot, the main battle to watch out for would be between Dhaka, Comilla, and Khulna, who will be aiming for a spot in the top two, which grants them an extra shot at the final.

Comilla Victorians (Predicted XI): Shoaib Malik, Alok Kapali, Tamim Iqbal (C), Imrul Kayes, Jos Buttler (wk), Al-Amin Hossain, Mujeeb Zadran, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Saifuddin, Hasan Ali, Mahedi Hasan.

Rangpur Riders (Predicted XI): Lasith Malinga, Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle, Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Shahriar Nafees, Ravi Bopara, Rubel Hossain, Thisara Perera, Sohag Gazi, Mohammad Mithun (wk), Nahidul Islam.

Focus will be on

Fakhar Zaman (Comilla)

The swashbuckling southpaw from Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman pairing up with Tamim Iqbal will be a delight for the fans. This young batsman played a crucial role in Pakistan’s triumphant Champions Trophy campaign and he certainly has the ability to change games on his own with some power hitting. If he can help his earn another priceless win, they will be in the playoffs.

Ravi Bopara (Rangpur)

The English all-rounder Ravi Bopara is making a good case for himself to get a national callback. He has been outstanding this tournament, amassing 322 runs thus far. In a side where there are some big players like Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle in the lineup, it’s not easy to make a name for yourself but he has been spectacular in the few opportunities he received.

Playing Combinations

Comilla Victorians

Tamim Iqbal and Fakhar Zaman will open the innings for the Victorians. With the in-form Imrul Kayes coming in at number 3, they have loads of experience in their middle order, which comprises of big names like Shoaib Malik, Jos Buttler, Alok Kapali, and Mohammad Saifuddin, who can tonk the ball a long way.

Hasan Ali was the star last time, picking up a crucial five-fer. He will be accompanied by some stellar fast bowling talents like Saifuddin and Al-Amin Hossain. They used all their three spinners judiciously last time and Malik, Mujeeb Zadran, and Mahedi Hasan will come in to play very early in the game one again.

Rangpur Riders

With two of the greatest opening batsmen in T20 history taking charge early, Rangpur can sit back and relax whilst Gayle and McCullum are on. Mohammad Mithun will come in at number 3, followed by Shahriar Nafees, Mashrafe Mortaza, Ravi Bopara, and Thisara Perera coming in the middle order.

They did a brilliant job with the ball in restricting a strong Dynamites’ lineup. Sohag Gazi and Lasith Malinga did a spectacular job, with both players conceding at less than 5 an over. Mortaza and Rubel Hossain chipped in with crucial wickets. Although Perera was taken for a few runs, he managed to pick up a brace as well. Nahidul Islam is another decent option available.

StatAttack

4 – In the three games he has played, Nahidul Islam has conceded runs at just 4 runs an over.

322 – Ravi Bopara is currently the highest run-scorer in the tournament.