Bangladesh Premier League (BPL 2018-19): Khulna Titans vs Rajshahi Kings, Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI Updates & Fantasy Cricket Tips - January 15th, 2019
As the Bangladesh Premier League bandwagon moves from Dhaka to Sylhet, an opportunity arises for bottom placed Khulna Titans to pick up valuable points. They take on a resurgent Rajshahi Kings side who were able to pick up a thrilling win over the Rangpur Riders despite being handed a five-run penalty.
With the league table slowly taking shape, Khulna will be hoping for a reversal in fortunes as soon as possible but that would not be easy against the likes of Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman.
Squads to pick from
Khulna Titans
Mahmudullah, Ariful Haque, Carlos Brathwaite, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Dawid Malan, Jahurul Islam, Shariful Islam, Taijul Islam, Al-Amin, Zahir Khan, Brendan Taylor, Sherfane Rutherford, Subashis Roy, Junaid Siddique, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Tanvir Islam, Lasith Malinga, Yasir Shah and Paul Stirling
Rajshahi Kings
Mominul Haque, Mehidy Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Qais Ahmad, Christiaan Jonker, Soumya Sarkar, Mustafizur Rahman, Fazle Mahmud, Ryan ten Doeschate, Arafat Sunny, Alauddin Babu, Isuru Udana, Laurie Evans, Marshall Ayub, Kamrul Islam, Seekkuge Prasanna, Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Hafeez
Playing XI Updates
Khulna Titans
Mahmadullah and co were pretty ordinary towards the death overs and should look into a few possible changes there. While the opener pair of Paul Stirling and Junaid Siddiqui have done well, the middle order hasn't come to the party yet and would be under some pressure with the Titans already in danger of losing out on a playoff spot.
In Mahela Jayawardene, they have a coach who is fairly experienced in these situations with Mumbai Indians famously coming from the depths to clinch the IPL title in 2015. Not many changes are expected of the Titans though. Youngster Shoriful Islam should make way for Subashish Roy. Lasith Malinga could play his first game also after the completion of his national duty in New Zealand.
Possible XI: Stirling, Siddiqui, Malan, Mahmadullah, Ariful, Shanto, Mahidul, Taijul, Junaid/Malinga and Subashis Roy
Rajshahi Kings
After a breathtaking victory against the Rangpur Riders, Rajshahi should ideally play the same side with Mehidy Hasan batting higher up the order. But not everything is ideal for the Kings with overseas star, Laurie Evans' form a reason for concern. He could be replaced with Jonker, who could chip in with his medium pace as well.
Much will be expected of star batsman, Soumya Sarkar who has been able to get decent starts but not big ones.
Possible XI: Momimul, Sarkar, Mehidy, Hafeez, Zakir, Evans/Jonker, Ten Doeschate, Udana, Mustafizur, Rabbi and Arafat Sunny
Fantasy Tips and Suggestions
Wicket-keeper: Going by current form, Zakir Hasan is the ideal choice to go with. The strength of the Khulna Titans batting unit doesn't help Mahidul's case and his uncertainty in the team also directs towards Zakir Hasan's inclusion.
Batsmen: Dawid Malan was brilliant with the bat in the Titans' last outing. He along with Paul Stirling and Soumya Sarkar are viable options to go with. The latter has been consistently throwing away good starts and a big score is due for the southpaw. Mominul Haque has also been impressive at the top of the order and is a good pick too.
All-rounders: Carlos Braithwaithe and captains, Mehidy Miraz and Mahmadullah Riyad are the ideal set of players to go along with. Mahmadullah's record for the Titans is brilliant and fantasy players can back him to come good in a must-win match for them.
Bowlers: Isuru Udana and Mustafizur Rahman have been brilliant with the ball. Both left-arm pacers have used the slower balls to perfection and are invaluable picks for any fantasy team. With the uncertainty of Lasith Malinga's inclusion, Taijul Islam is a safer pick to go by.
Captain: Mahmadullah Riyad is slowing finding his feet in the competition. His canny off-spinners have also yielded him a few wickets which is an added advantage over many players. Expect him to put in a match-defining performance with the likes of Soumya Sarkar and Paul Stirling also capable of being assigned as captain.
Fantasy Suggestion #1: Zakir Hasan(WK), Paul Stirling, Dawid Malan, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Mahmadullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan, Carlos Brathwaithe, Isuru Udana, Taijul Islam and Mustafizur Rahman. Captain: Mahmadullah Riyad.
Fantasy Suggestion #2: Zakir Hasan(WK), Paul Stirling, Soumya Sarkar, Junaid Siddiqui, Laurie Evans, Mohammed Hafeez, Mahmadullah Riyad, Carlos Brathwaithe, Isuru Udana, Junaid Khan and Mustafizur Rahman. Captain: Paul Stirling.
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