BPL 2019, Match 3, Comilla Victorians vs Sylhet Sixers, Match Prediction: Who will win the Match?

While Warner is all set to lead his team, Smith has also joined the Victorians ahead of the match.

Published - 05 Jan 2019, 13:23 IST | Updated - 05 Jan 2019, 13:23 IST

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The T20 extravaganza has begun in Bangladesh. The table toppers of the last season Comilla Victorians will get their campaign underway against the Sylhet Sixers in the third match of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Both the teams will be eager to start their tournament with a victory and the local talent will be on show from both the sides along with many renowned overseas faces.

One of the iconic and most loved players in the country, Tamim Iqbal will lead the Victorians and will have the likes of Shahid Afridi and Steve Smith up his sleeve to make an impact. Shoaib Malik, the T20 veteran from Pakistan, will also be crucial to the team’s fortunes this season while the local players like Mohammad Saifuddin and Mohammad Shahid and the skipper’s job will be to manage them well.

On the other hand, the Sixers have an overseas skipper in David Warner who has entered the last leg of his 12-month ban and will be keen on getting back into the groove. The team is filled with a lot of utility players who have the ability to turn the game in a jiffy. The likes of Liton Das, Mohammad Nawaz and Sandeep Lamichhane among many will make it tough for the opposition on their day.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch for the tournament opener had a lot of moisture and this being an afternoon game, the bowlers might enjoy the first 10 overs again. The team winning the toss will definitely want to bowl first. The temperatures will hover around 24-26 Degrees Celsius during the course of the game.

Team Combinations

Comilla Victorians

The Victorians will miss Steve Smith as he will join the team in the second week of January. But the team still looks good with Tamim and Evin Lewis opening the innings. The experience of Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi in the middle-order will be important for them while Liam Dawson is also the veteran in the shortest format. The pace bowling department consists of some local talent comprising of Mohammad Saifuddin, Abu Hider and Mohammad Shahid.

Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal (c), Evin Lewis (wk), Imrul Kayes, Shamsur Rahman/Mahedi Hasan, Shoaib Malik, Liam Dawson/Steve Smith, Shahid Afridi, Mosharraf Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abu Hider Rony, Mohammad Shahid.

Sylhet Sixers

David Warner will open the batting alongside Liton Das. Lack of local fast bowlers in the squad will lead to Sohail Tanvir definitely making it to the side while one of Nicholas Pooran and Andre Fletcher are expected to play as only four overseas players are allowed. Nasir Hossain and Sabbir Rahman will be key to the team’s performance in the middle-order while the bowling attack will be led by Sandeep Lamichhane.

Probable XI: David Warner (c), Liton Das (wk), Towhid Hridoy/Alok Kapali, Nicholas Pooran/Andre Fletcher, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Afif Hussain, Al-Amin Hussain, Taskin Ahmed, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sohail Tanvir.