BPL 2017, Match 28 Preview: Chittagong Vikings v Rangpur Riders

Whilst the Rangpur Riders are just about lurking in the middle of the table, the Chittagong Vikings are not finding a way to build a winning combination. Right from the outset, the Vikings have struggled and the couple of games they’ve won thus far are due to the brilliance of a couple of individuals.

Gayle and McCullum’s addition in the side has worked out wonders for the Riders, adding a lot of firepower at the top. All-rounders Ravi Bopara and Thisara Perera are doing a spectacular job in the middle order as well, which is giving them a splendid balance. Mortaza is really leading them well from the front but they’ve been a bit unlucky in their previous match.

With 3 wins in 7 matches, the Rangpur Riders need to win this game at any cost. The situation is a little similar when it comes to the Vikings, as they need to win almost all their games from now and expect few other results to go in their way to ensure a berth in the playoffs. The Riders definitely have the edge in this match, but no team in such leagues can be disregarded or underestimated.

Chittagong Vikings (Predicted XI): Soumya Sarkar, Luke Ronchi (c), Anamul Haque (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Sikandar Raza, Stiaan van Zyl, Tanbir Hayder, Luis Reece, Subashis Roy, Sunzamul Islam, Taskin Ahmed.

Rangpur Riders (Predicted XI): Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Mohammad Mithun (wk), Fazle Mahmud, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Ravi Bopara, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nahidul Islam, Sohag Gazi, Rubel Hossain.

Focus will be on

Anamul Haque (Chittagong)

Anamul Haque is one of the senior most local players in the Vikings unit. It’s a little surprising to see him off-beat, but he did manage to find some form in the previous few games. He has the ability to play long innings and is a perfect fit for the number 3 spot in their side. They can’t be too heavily reliant on their openers to fire and this might be Haque’s opportunity to stamp his authority.

Ravi Bopara (Rangpur)

Ravi Bopara has always been touted as a useful T20 outlet, but this season in the BPL, he has been better than ever before. With a couple of match-winning knocks and some brilliant second-fiddle knocks, Bopara is currently the highest run-scorer in the tournament. The openers can play freely initially as they have some trustable players in the middle like Bopara.

Playing Combinations

Chittagong Vikings

Their mainstays Luke Ronchi and icon player Soumya Sarkar will be opening the batting, with another star local player Anamul Haque Bijoy coming in at number 3. Najibullah Zadran, Sikandar Raza, Stiaan van Zyl, and Tanbir Hayder will be comprising the middle order and Sikandar Raza’s innings in the previous game will be a huge boost for the Vikings.

Spinners Sunzamul Islam and Sikandar Raza will be opening the bowling attack and Ronchi has other options like Subashis Roy and Taskin Ahmed, who can bowl in the powerplay given the spinners fail. All-rounders Soumya Sarkar and Stiaan Van Zyl chipped in two crucial wickets a piece last game. They have a total of seven decent options including Tanbir Hayder and Luis Reece.

Rangpur Riders

With two of the greatest opening batsmen in T20 history taking charge early, Rangpur can sit back and relax whilst Gayle and McCullum are on. Mohammad Mithun will come in at number 3, followed by Fazle Mahmood, Mashrafe Mortaza, Ravi Bopara, and Thisara Perera coming in the middle order.

They did a brilliant job with the ball in restricting a strong Dynamites’ lineup. Sohag Gazi and Lasith Malinga did a spectacular job, with both players conceding at less than 5 an over. Mortaza and Rubel Hossain chipped in with crucial wickets. Although Perera was taken for a few runs, he managed to pick up a brace as well. Nahidul Islam is another decent option available.

StatAttack

278 – Ravi Bopara is the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 278 runs.

180.56 – Luke Ronchi has the second-best batting strike-rate in the tournament.