BPL 2017, Match 8 Preview: Sylhet Sixers v Khulna Titans

The home advantage is working wonders for the Sylhet Sixers, who thus far have managed to all their three games without much fuss. Their batting unit is going all guns blazing and their bowlers are doing decently as well. Their entire unit looks the most confident and relaxed right now and they’ll play their final home game on Wednesday.

Upul Tharanga fired three successive half-centuries and his outstanding duet with Andre Fletcher is the catalyst for their success. Their middle-order was yet to get a real Test and when they were in a tight situation against Rajshahi, Gunathilaka and Whiteley chipped in with crucial contributions.

It was a forgettable outing for the Khulna Titans in their previous game as Dhaka absolutely annihilated them. Nevertheless, they’re one of the best sides in the tournament on paper and Mahmudullah will be hoping for his troops to replicate their status in the real game. Their bowling unit got clobbered last game, but the pitches are getting damper and batting will only get difficult.

Toss: Khulna Titans have won the toss and have opted to field

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

Sylhet Sixers (Playing XI): Upul Tharanga, Andre Fletcher, Sabbir Rahman, Danushka Gunathilaka, Ross Whiteley, Nasir Hossain(c), Nurul Hasan(w), Abul Hasan, Taijul Islam, Krishmar Santokie, Mohammad Sharif

Focus will be on

Andre Fletcher (Sylhet)

Whilst Upul Tharanga is hogging the majority of the limelight, Andre Fletcher, the Caribbean opener, has done a fantastic job thus far. Just like some other Windies cricketers, he has the ability to clear the ropes easily and he has been a scintillating addition to the Sixers side. He will be keen to finish the home leg on a high and a big score is definitely on cards from the lad.

Carlos Brathwaite (Khulna)

“Remember the name, Carlos Brathwaite!” yelled an ecstatic Ian Botham after his heroics in the 2016 World T20 and though he didn’t do much post then to remember his name, Brathwaite’s ability can never be under-estimated. The boundaries are not long in these Stadiums and a player of his caliber can send it into the stands with a half-hit. The form is something he’s lacking but if he get’s that, we really gotta watch out for him.

Playing combinations

Sylhet Sixers

Skipper Nasir Hossain won’t be making too many changes as he wishes to finish the home leg on a high. Tharanga and Fletcher will open the innings with Sabbir Rahman coming in at 3. Gunathilaka, Tom Whiteley, Nurul Hossain and English all-rounder Liam Plunkett will be comprising the middle order for the Sixiers.

Nasir Hossain was a tad expensive, but he’ll keep bowling with the new ball. Kamrul Rabbi was the only fast bowler who went for runs on the day, but his partners Plunkett and Abul Hasan did a fantastic job. Taijul Islam is the other bowling option for the skipper.

Khulna Titans

Chadwick Walton got off to a blistering start in the run chase last time and he will open the innings alongside Nazmul Hossain Shanto. Rilee Rossouw will come in at 3 with the likes of Mahmudullah, Ariful Haque, Carlos Brathwaite, and Jofra Chioke Archer will be comprising the middle order.

Shafiul Islam is their most experienced fast bowler and they depend heavily on the likes of Abu Jayed and Carlos Brathwaite in the seam department. Jofra Archer is another seaming option available for Mahmudullah. His key strength will be Akila Dananjaya in the spin department.

StatAttack

299 – Andre Fletcher and Upul Tharanga thus far have added 299 runs for the opening wicket.

2 – Scores of 200+ have been achieved twice thus far in the tournament.

154 – Average first innings score in the six games played at Sylhet thus far is 154.