It will be an exciting encounter when the two best teams in the Bangladesh Premier League — defending champions Dhaka Dynamites and an inspired Comilla Victorians — clash for the first time this season in the first game of the day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.
Tamim Iqbal’s Comilla is brimming with confidence after their 14-run win over a star-studded Rangpur Riders when they managed to diffuse the explosive duo of Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum to defend a rather modest total of 153 on Saturday.
Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has been phenomenal for the Victorians so far with an economy rate of just over four runs per over and along with surprise package of young off-spinner Mahedi Hasan, who was instrumental in their win over Rangpur, will be the key figures in the bowling line-up.
The Victorians will be looking for skipper Tamim, who has looked shaky since returning from his injury, to fire but another local left-hander in Imrul Kayes is in fine form and is expected to come good along with West Indian Marlon Samuels and English batsman Jos Buttler.
With four wins in five games, Comilla are just a point behind table-toppers Dhaka Dynamites, who have nine points and the same number of wins in six games.
Dhaka’s West Indian opener Evin Lewis is the second-highest run-scorer in the league so far with 204 runs in five innings, one of which was a blistering 38-ball 64 against Rajshahi Kings as Dhaka posted over 200 for the second time in the tournament.
From Shahid Afridi to West Indies big hitter Kieron Pollard, Dhaka’s stalwarts are in terrific form and the addition of Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, who joined the side on Saturday, only added more firepower to an already formidable line-up.
Meanwhile, the second fixture of the day will pit Nasir Hossain’s Sylhet, who are yet to win a game after their three successive victories in the first leg in Sylhet, will be up against a demoralised Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led Rangpur, who are languishing at the bottom of the table with just one win from four games.
Despite having Gayle and McCullum in the line-up, Rangpur were unable to chase a 154 against Comilla, and will surely be desperate to make a comeback.
Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis, who is the mentor of Sylhet, informed that he is helping the young cricketers in the team to develop as a unit.
“I think we have got the experience in our bowling line-up. We have got Tim Bresnan and [Liam] Plunkett in our side, who have experience in the international arena. We have couple of youngsters also. Abul Hasan is also there. They are talented kids. We started the tournament well by winnings three games. “Unfortunately some injuries halted our progress. Plunkett could not give his hundred per cent. But we are hoping to bounce back,” Waqar told the reporters yesterday.
“I am trying to help the fast bowlers and also trying to help the batsmen. I am in this business for many years. I have worked in all these T20 leagues also. I know how things can be done in this kind of competition,” he added.
Source: The Daily Star.
