BPL 2017, Match 3 Preview: Sylhet Sixers v Comilla Victorians

After thumping the defending champions fair and square, the Sylhet Sixers are riding high on confidence in their home leg of BPL 2017. Up next for them will be Imrul Kayes’ Comilla Victorians, who are currently missing their stalwart Tamim Iqbal due to an unfortunate injury. To face an on-song side in this situation won’t be easy, but they have some other brilliant players in their side.

The likes of Jos Buttler joining the league is just a great addition to its glory. They have some wonderful talents like Liton Das, Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo, who can make a match winning impact. Their bowling department will be heavily reliant on the Afghan spin duo, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.

Upul Tharanga and Andre Fletcher’s opening partnership was a perfect way to kick-off the season for the Sixers. Dhaka entered the game as the favorites, instead they got humilated. Their bowling and batting clicked wonderfully and skipper Nasir Hossain can’t ask for more. Definitely, the home crowd will not make things easy for the Victorians.

Toss: Sylhet Sixers won the toss and opted to field

Comilla Victorians (Playing XI): Imrul Kayes, Liton Das(w), Marlon Samuels, Jos Buttler, Alok Kapali, Dwayne Bravo, Mohammad Nabi(c), Mohammad Saifuddin, Rashid Khan, Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain

Sylhet Sixers (Playing XI): Upul Tharanga, Andre Fletcher, Ross Whiteley, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain(c), Shuvagata Hom, Nurul Hasan(w), Taijul Islam, Abul Hasan, Liam Plunkett, Krishmar Santokie

Focus will be on

Nasir Hossain (Sylhet)

Talk about the captain leading from the front, Nasir Hossain did a terrific job taking the new ball. He picked up 2 crucial wickets and despite bowling in the powerplay, he conceded just 20 runs. He provided the much-needed momentum for his side with a wicket of the very first over. Clearly, this will do his confidence a world of good after taking down the best side in League’s history with such ease.

Rashid Khan (Comilla)

After a highly impressive first season in the BPL, Rashid Khan is all set for another edition. His efforts in BPL 4 won him an IPL contract and the rest, as they say, is history. Within no time, the teenager has managed to put his name on the global map. He has been the highest wicket-taker in 2017 in T20 Internationals and he will be a vital nail in the cog for the Victorians.

Playing Combinations

Sylhet Sixers

They won’t be doing a lot of changes will the Sylhet side, after such a resounding win on Saturday. Upul Tharanga and Andre Fletcher will be opening the innings, with Ross Whiteley coming in at number 3. Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Shuvagata Hom and Nurul Hasan will comprise the middle order and Liam Plunett down at 8 can be decent as well.

Liam Plunkett and Abul Hasan did an excellent job in restricting their batters. Nasir Hossain was the standout with the ball and though Krishmar Santokie was taken for a few runs, the skipper will entrust him with few more chances. Taijul Islam bowled just 1 over suprisingly, whilst Shuvgata Hom bowled three.

Comilla Victorians

Imrul Kayes will be the interim captain for the side and he will open alongside Liton Das. The experienced campaigner Darren Bravo will come in at 3, with some powerful strikers like Marlon Samuels, Jos Buttler, Mohammad Nabi available in the middle order.

They have one of the best bowling units, with a good mixture of youth and experience. Mehedy Hasan and Al-Amin Hossain will be taking the new ball, with some high quality spinners operating like Rashid Khan, Arafat Sunny and Mohammad Nabi.

StatAttack

1 – Comilla Victorians are the only other team to win the BPL barring Dhaka.

35 – The Afghan duo of Nabi and Rashid picked up 35 wickets between them last season.