BPL 2019: Match 36, Rangpur Riders vs Rajshahi Kings - Preview and Predicted Playing XI
With only a handful of matches remaining in the league stage of the Bangladesh Premier League 2019, each and every game from now on is more or less, a do-or-die game. Having said that, Tuesday's clash between Rangpur and Rajshahi is one that both teams will be dying to win considering their plight for a playoff spot.
After an eventful couple of matches in the on-going Chattogram leg, Rangpur will be looking to end with another formidable performance although it is far from straight forward for them as they encounter Laurie Evans, one of the best batsman of this edition. Considering the high-scoring nature of Chattogram and with dew playing a huge factor in the night games, this match is sure to deliver as far as entertainment goes.
Rangpur Riders:
Batting:
Perhaps the best batting unit of the tournament and among the best in the world, Rangpur are blessed with some of T20's best in Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Alex Hales and the top scorer of this BPL, Rilee Rossouw. The lesser known of the quartet if stars, Rossouw has been very consistent and has over 400 runs to his name with a hundred to cap off a brilliant season so far.
Apart from the big four, Mohammed Mithun has also played his part with vital contributions rounding off a formidable batting unit.
Bowling:
Mashrafe Mortaza, Shafiul Islam and Ferhad Reza have been at the forefront of Rangpur's victories with as many as 41 wickets between them, paving the way for the likes of ABD and Gayle to pounce upon. With clever change-ups and good yorkers, Shafiul Islam has been highly effective and should be threat to a good Rajshahi batting unit on a pitch that isn't suitable for bowling.
Expected Playing XI:
Chris Gayle, Alex Hales, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers, Mohammed Mithun(WK), Nahidul Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, Ferhad Reza, Shafiul Islam, Shahidul Islam and Nazmul Islam.
Rajshahi Kings:
Batting:
Rajshahi were brilliant in the initial stages of the tournament with the ball and susceptible with the bat. Since the introduction of Laurie Evans, the situation has changed drastically with Rajshahi doing exceedingly well with the bat. Charles and Sarkar should open the batting for them with great things expected from both of them.
Ryan Ten Doeschate and Christiaan Jonker have been great at the death with some meaty blows, enabling them to reach above par totals on a couple of occasions and with a flat pitch, their services would be required once again.
Bowling:
Mustafizur Rahman put in a man-of-the-match performance in their victory over the Chittagong Vikings and is their main bowler with the likes of Arafat Sunny and Kamrul Islam Rabbi also doing damage regularly. With a slingy, round-arm action, Kamrul has been decent in the death overs and has been entrusted with the new ball as well. His performances are detrimental to the Kings with no out-and-out fast bowlers other than him and Mustafizur available in the side.
Ryan Ten Doeschate and Soumya Sarkar's overs are crucial with both of them relying on change-ups to stem the flow of runs. Their overs could be the difference between a loss and a win for the Kings
Expected Playing XI:
Johnson Charles (WK), Soumya Sarkar, Laurie Evans, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Mominul Haque, Christiaan Jonker, Fazle Mahmud, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Arafat Sunny, Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Mustafizur Rahman