Bangladesh Premier League 2019, Rangpur Riders vs Comilla Victorians: Preview and expected playing XIs

Comilla Victorians are all set to take on the defending champions Rangpur Riders at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, for the first Qualifier of the Bangladesh Premier League.

These two sides will be meeting again at the same venue where Rangpur Riders thrashed the Victorians by 9 wickets just a few days ago. Comilla Victorians would be hoping to bounce back from the defeat in which they were bundled out for just 72 runs in the first innings.

Rangpur Riders have won six games on the trot to secure the top spot in the league table. They would be looking to maintain their winning momentum and make it to the finals.

The bowling department of the reigning champions has performed brilliantly so far in this campaign. They will be looking to restrict the Victorians to a below-par score again so that they can chase it down comfortably.

Both the teams have had similar seasons overall, with 16 league points in 12 outings, but none of that matters now in the playoffs. Comilla Victorians would be hoping to make a comeback against the Riders and book their place in the finals. Even if they fail to emerge victorious in this match though, they will get another shot at the finals in the second qualifier.

Match details

Date: Monday, 4 February 2019

Time: 6:00 PM IST

Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

League: Bangladesh Premier League 2019

Live Telecast: DSPORT

Online Streaming: Rabbitholebd Sports YouTube Channel

Ground Stats (T20I matches)

Total Matches - 39

Matches won batting first - 19

Matches won bowling first - 20

Average 1st Inns score - 150

Average 2nd Inns score - 129

Highest total recorded - 211/4 (20 Ov) by BAN vs WI

Lowest total recorded -72/10 (17.1 Ov) by AFG vs BAN

Highest score chased -194/4 (16.4 Ov) by SL vs BAN

Lowest score defended - 129/8 (20 Ov) by SL vs UAE

Team news

Rangpur Riders

- Alex Hales has been ruled out due to injury.

- AB de Villiers will not be available for this match, with Benny Howell set to replace him.

Comilla Victorians

- Liam Dawson can retain his place if Evan Lewis is fit enough to play.

- Imrul Kayes is set to feature in this crucial match after getting injured in the last game.

Squads

Rangpur Riders

Chris Gayle, Mehedi Maruf, Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Mithun (w), Ravi Bopara, Nahidul Islam, Farhad Reza, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Shahidul Islam, Minhajul Abedin Afridi, Nadif Chowdhury, Shafiul Islam, Sohag Gazi, Nazmul Islam

Comilla Victorians

Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque (w), Shamsur Rahman, Imrul Kayes (c), Liam Dawson, Thisara Perera, Ziaur Rahman, Abu Hider, Wahab Riaz, Sanjit Saha, Waqar Salamkheil, Mosharraf Hossain, Aamer Yamin, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mahedi Hasan

Key players

Rangpur Riders

- Mashrafe Mortaza (c)

- Rilee Rossouw

- Ravi Bopara

Comilla Victorians

- Tamim Iqbal

- Anamul Haque (w)

- Thisara Perera

Probable Playing XIs

Rangpur Riders

1. Chris Gayle

2. M Mithun

3. Rilee Rossouw

4. Ravi Bopara

5. Benny Howell

6. M Maruf / Shahidul Islam

7. M Mortaza

8. Nahidul Islam

9. F Raza

10. Shahidul Islam / Nazmul Islam

11. Shafiul Islam

Comilla Victorians

1. Tamim Iqbal

2. Evin Lewis / L Dawson

3. Anamul Haque

4. Imrul Kayes

5. Shamsur Rahman

6. Shahid Afridi

7. Thisara Perera

8. Mohammad Saifuddin

9. Mahedi Hasan

10. Wahab Riaz

11. Abu Haider / Mosharraf Hossain