BPL 2019-20: Match 13, Khulna Tigers vs Rangpur Rangers: Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

Barring the two fifties Naim and Shahzad, the Rangers' batting has imploded big time.

Published - 19 Dec 2019, 13:07 IST | Updated - 19 Dec 2019, 13:07 IST

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Khulna Tigers is the only unbeaten team thus far in the Bangabandhu BPL. Moreover, Mushfiqur Rahim and Co have played the least matches and also have the best net run rate of +1.765. Hence it can be said that the Tigers have been the most formidable unit until now in the T20 league. Their next game is against Rangpur Rangers in the first of Friday’s doubleheader in Chattogram.

The Rangers, on the contrary, are the cellar dwellers, having lost their first three matches. Their net run rate of -2.078 is the worst. In the last contest, Mohammad Nabi’s men gave Cumilla Warriors a run for their money, but couldn’t defend 181. Needless to say, that the Rangers need to play out of their skins and the Tigers look like having the upper hand going into the next encounter.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch in Chattogram has been a belter for batting thus far. And teams batting first have won three out of the four matches. On Wednesday night, Dhaka Platoon almost chased down 222, losing by 16 runs. It shows the true nature of the surface. The atmosphere will be a tad on the hazy side with the temperature around 22 degrees Celsius. The humidity will be in the 50s and 60s.

Team Combination

Khulna Tigers

The Tigers’ batting has been an explosive one. After Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 19-ball 50, it was skipper Mushfiqur’s 51-ball 96 that stole the show against the Rajshahi Royals. Mushfiqur is also their leading run-scorer, having notched 124 runs at an average of 124 and striking at a decent 169.86.

Gurbaz will be looking to make amends after faltering last time. Rilee Rossouw has stood like a rock. Shanto’s form remain a concern as he has only four runs from two outings. Frylinck has been their standout bowler, having picked two wickets at 6.25. The rest has economy in the 8s and 9s.

Probable XI

Najmul Hossain Shanto, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rilee Rossouw, Mushfiqur Rahim (C & WK), Shamsur Rahman, Robbie Frylinck, Shahidul Islam, Aminul Islam Biplob, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shafiul Islam, Mohammad Amir

Rangpur Rangers

Shahzad and Naim have gotten a half-century each. But apart from the openers, the rest of the Rangers’ batting has looked off colour, to say the least. The middle order hasn’t displayed any sort of consistency. Nabi, Tom Abell and Lewis Gregory have scored in the 20s, but those haven’t been enough.

Nabi’s tactic has been hard to comprehend while marshalling the bowling troops. After under-using Taskin for two games, he was dropped. Sunny, being a specialist spinner, didn’t get to bowl last time. Nabi himself has been impressive with three wickets at 6.27. Mustafizur is also not in great form.

Probable XI

Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Mohammad Naim, Tom Abell, Al-Amin, Mohammad Nabi (C), Lewis Gregory, Nadif Chowdhury, Jahurul Islam, Arafat Sunny, Mustafizur Rahman, Mukidul Islam