BPL 2017, Match 19 Preview: Dhaka Dynamites vs Rajshahi Kings

After a dismal start to the campaign, Rajshahi pulled off a stunning win on Friday but they’ll lock horns with Dhaka Dynamites on Saturday. With Zakir Hasan playing a gem of an innings, the run chase was made a lot easier and eventually, the Kings grabbed a win which might play a big role in boosting their momentum.

Dhaka Dynamites have been in prolific form as well and despite beginning their campaign with a loss to Sylhet, their star outlets helped them escalate to the top of the table. The Dynamites have three of the best spinners in the shortest format in Shakin Al Hasan, Shahid Afridi, and Sunil Narine, who will be quite a force to reckon with.

This tournament has particularly been brilliant for the spinners. With most of the tracks providing grip for the bowlers, a few teams have gone with 3-4 spinners on their side. Evin Lewis, Kieron Pollard, and Cameron Delport will be their mainstays in the batting lineup, with loads of experience available in Shakib Al Hasan and Shahid Afridi.

Toss: Rajshahi Kings won the toss and elected to bowl first

Playing XI:

Playing XI for Dhaka Dynamites & Rajshahi Kings for today's match.#DDvRK#BPLSeason5
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Focus will be on

Kieron Pollard (Dhaka)

The third highest run-scorer in the history of T20 cricket, Kieron Pollard is a synonym for the word destruction. We have seen glimpses of it in the previous game when he spanked a 19-ball 50 and helped his side pull off a sensational run chase. Clearly, he’s in the mood to score big and considering a fact that the Rajshahi bowlers haven’t done great this tournament, there might be some carnage on Saturday.

Kesrick Williams (Rajshahi)

Highly underrated, but extremely proficient. Kesrick Williams is one of the best bowlers in the world, especially in the shortest format. His trickery and cunning thinking helps him pick up a lot of wickets and over the course of time and he bowled well in his previous game. The Caribbean fast bowler has to spearhead his lineup if they wish to enter the knockouts.

Playing Combinations

Dhaka Dynamites

Evin Lewis and Sunil Narine opened the batting for the Dynamites last time, it might be the same this time around. Shahid Afridi at number 3 is quite terrorizing for anyone and following him in the middle order are some big names like Cameron Delport, Shakib Al Hasan, Jahurul Islam, Nadif Chowdhury, and Kieron Pollard.

Sunil Narine, Shakib, and Afridi are the ones who will be spearheading the bowling attack and in the last few games, these three have worked wonderfully as a trio. Mosaddek Hossain is another spinning option for Shakib, to go with Abu Hider Rony, Delport, and Pollard are their seam bowling options.

Rajshahi Kings

Mominul Haque finally found some form this season in the previous game and accompanying him at the top is Rony Talukdar. With the experienced Samit Patel at number 3, they have some decent batsmen in the middle like Zakir Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Darren Sammy, and James Franklin.

Pakistani stalwart Mohammad Sami will open the bowling attack with the local superstar Mehidy Hasan, or the seam bowler Kesrick Willaims. Farhad Reza was a tad expensive on Friday and he will be eager to turn the tables around. James Franklin and Samit Patel are the other options available for Sammy and he himself can take the ball if he wishes.

StatAttack

9 – Evin Lewis is second in the list of players with the most sixes this season, with 9 big ones after his name.

7 – Abu Hider Rony is the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament thus far, with 7 scalps.