BPL 2019, Match 1: Rangpur Riders vs Chittagong Vikings: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

The defending champions Rangpur Riders will start their title defence from the opening game of the new edition by taking on the Chittagong Vikings. Mashrafe Mortaza, the newly elected MP of Narail in Bangladesh, will lead the star-studded Rangpur franchise. The champions of the last edition could well witness the likes of Chris Gayle, Alex Hales and AB de Villiers batting in the top three. This trio occupies the overseas slots leaving the likes of Oshane Thomas and Rilee Rossouw on the bench.

The Chittagong Vikings also have some solid overseas players in the form of Mohammad Shahzad, Cameron Delport and Luke Ronchi. The Bangladesh keeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim will have to play a key role in the Vikings’ middle-order. This season is also expected to see the return of Mohammad Ashraful who was banned for corruption activities in the earlier editions of the BPL. The former Bangladesh captain could play as an all-rounder batting at No.5 or 6.

Match Details:

The 1st match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2019 will be played between Rangpur Riders and Chittagong Vikings at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.

The match starts at 12:30 PM local time (6:30 AM GMT) (12:00 PM IST).

Broadcast on TV- DSport. The game can be streamed live on G TV’s official YouTube stream.

Pitch Condition/Report:

Dhaka has always produced high-scoring games to kick-start the Bangladesh Premier League. The opening game of the tournament could well witness the side batting first post somewhere around 190 and defend it successfully.

Squads:

Rangpur Riders:

Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Nazmul Islam, Mohammad Mithun, Chris Gayle, Alex Hales, AB de Villiers, Shafiul Islam, Sohag Gazi, Farhad Reza, Mehedi Maruf, Ravi Bopara, Rilee Rossouw, Nahidul Islam, Nadif Chowdhury, Abul Hasan, Fardeen Hasan, Benny Howell, Sheldon Cottrell, Sean Williams.

Chittagong Vikings:

Sunzamul Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Shahzad, Mosaddek Hossain, Abu Jayed, Khaled Ahmed, Nayeem Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Robiul Haque, Yasir Ali, Nihaduzzaman, Shadman Islam, Sikandar Raza, Luke Ronchi, Robbie Frylinck, Cameron Delport, Dasun Shanaka, Najibullah Zadran.

Injury and Availability Updates after the announcement of the squads:

Dasun Shanaka is part of Sri Lanka’s ODI squad that is in New Zealand. Luke Ronchi was spotted working with the New Zealand keepers ahead of the first ODI on Wednesday.

Power Picks:

Chris Gayle has a brilliant record in the BPL and even better at the Shere Bangla Stadium. He scored 1230 runs at an average of 51.25 with a strike-rate of 162.69. He has hit 79 fours and a stunning number of 109 sixes across the 29 T20 innings here.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

The likes of Chris Gayle, Alex Hales and Cameron Delport should be the first preferred for the damage they are capable of doing. Both Shahzad and Rahim are in the keepers’ category and whoever is picked can be considered for multiplier role. The all-rounders Ravi Bopara and Sikandar Raza can be considered as vice-captain.

Also read- BPL 2019, Match 1, Rangpur Riders vs Chittagong Vikings, Match Prediction: Who will win the Match?

Playing XI #1 for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Mohammad Shahzad

Batters – AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle (C), Cameron Delport, Alex Hales

All-Rounders – Ravi Bopara, Mosaddek-Hossain, Sikandar Raza (VC)

Bowlers – Mohammad Nazmul Islam, Abu Jayed, Sohag Gazi

Playing XI #2 for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Mushfiqur Rahim (C)

Batters – Chris Gayle, Cameron Delport, Alex Hales

All-Rounders – Ravi Bopara (VC), Sikandar Raza (VC)

Bowlers – Mohammad Nazmul Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, Sunzamul Islam, Abu Jayed

Expert Advice:

AB de Villiers began the Mzansi Super League with a fifty and followed it with a couple of cameos. However, as the tournament progressed, the former International player failed to take his team home. He might not be a direct pick in many of the teams but could get himself going on the belters in Dhaka.

Probable Winners:

The Rangpur Riders are expected to start their title defence with a big win over the Chittagong Vikings.

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