BPL 2017, Match 4 Preview: Khulna Titans v Dhaka Dynamites

Dhaka Dynamites must’ve felt really confident before stepping in for the first game, but Sylhet Sixers in front of their home fans said otherwise. One of the strongest units on paper went down cheaply in the inaugural game of the BPL 2017 and in a span of 24 hours after that game, they’ll be combatting Khulna Titans to get their campaign going.

Khulna Titans have a couple of South African players in Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Abbott and their presence is quite a boost for their skipper Mahmudullah. The Caribbean powerhouse Carlos Brathwaite has been out of form recently, but the world is aware of what he’s capable of. Their bowling looks a bit inexperienced, but you never know what can happen in this format.

Shakib has a lot of rethinking to do with his team, but considering a fact that they have a bunch of match winners on their side, it would be really surprising if they don’t get back on track soon. Some players like Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard, and Adil Rashid weren’t at their best on Saturday, but a turnaround is always on cards when a team filled with so many match-winners.

Toss: Khulna Titans won the toss and elected to field

Dhaka Dynamites (Playing XI): Evin Lewis, Kumar Sangakkara, Mosaddek Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Kieron Pollard, Jahurul Islam(w), Cameron Delport, Abu Hider Rony, Mohammad Shahid, Sunil Narine, Khaled Ahmed

Khulna Titans (Playing XI): Chadwick Walton(w), Rilee Rossouw, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mahmudullah(c), Carlos Brathwaite, Jofra Chioke Archer, Ariful Haque, Akila Dananjaya, Mosharraf Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Abu Jayed

Focus will be on

Carlos Brathwaite (Khulna)

When he hits, it stays hit! Carlos Brathwaite won everyone’s hearts with his majestic performance in the final over of the World T20 finals in 2016. He did show few glimpses here and there of how far the ball can travel off his bat, but inconsistency kept haunting him. He has enough potential to be one of the best in the business, but he will have to showcase his power-hitting more often.

Kumar Sangakkara (Dhaka)

No matter what, Sangakkara can never age. One of the greatest cricketers of all time, Kumar Sangakkara batted at number 3 for the Dynamites and looked comfortable in the little time he spent. This is a great sign for Shakib as an inform Sanga can win you games almost every time. Behind the sticks as well, Sangakkara was effortless and exuberant, very uncharacteristic of a 40-year-old.

Playing combinations

Khulna Titans

Teenager Afif Hossain might get the golden opportunity to open the batting alongside a much more experienced campaigner in Rillee Rossouw. Skipper Mahmudullah will be entering at number 3, with Chadwick Walton, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Carlos Brathwaite, and Seekkuge Prasanna taking charge of the middle order.

Khulna will go in with three in the fast bowling department. Shafiul Islam and Kyle Abbott will be sharing a majority of the responsibility, whilst the like of Abu Jayed will get to learn a great deal. Seekkuge Prasanna and Mosharraf Hossain will be the spinners for the day and Brathwaite will be their sixth bowler.

Dhaka Dynamites

Once again, Mehidy Mahruf will be trusted with the opening duties and he will be joined by the swashbuckling Evin Lewis. Kumar Sangakkara will be coming in at 3, to go with Shakib Al Hasan, Cameron Delport, Kieron Pollard, and Mosaddek Hossain in the middle order.

Their bowling department let them down on Saturday. Nevertheless, Shakib has interesting fast bowling options in Mohammad Shahid and Abu Haider Rony. Shakib might once again take the new ball, with Saqlain Sajib and Adil Rashid being the other options. Kieron Pollard and Delport can roll their arm over if the situation demands them to do so.

StatAttack

350 – If Kieran Pollard gets to bat on Sunday, it’ll be his 350th T20 innings.

396 – Mahmudullah scored a staggering 396 runs for Khulna last season.