Bengla Tigers vs Northern Warriors, T10 League 2019, Today Match Prediction 20 Nov 2019

bgt vs nws Match Prediction & Analysis

Buoyed by a clinical win over the in-form Delhi Bulls, defending champions Northern Warriors will be facing off against the quietly confident Bangla Tigers. The latter hasn't had the kind of hype that some of their peers have in this competition but have been mighty efficient.

For a side that's been potentially short of bowling resources, the Tigers have done a tremendous job but they will have a huge test of character when they take on a Northern Warriors side that's got some confidence following the addition of Nicholas Pooran and Lendl Simmons. With Dre Russ already in hitting form, Perera's men will need to be on their toes.

The Warriors, despite their flaws, are an experienced side and it was their warhorse Chris Green who showed them the way to fight back after having been down in the previous two games. The reigning champions have bowlers who aren't flashy names but can be effective on their day. When they play as a unit, the Warriors have the ability to go on a winning streak and this would be an ideal time for them to peak, with the business end of the tournament nearing. For the Tigers, one more win could more or less seal a top-four finish and that's a huge incentive for them.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Bengla Tigers Preview

With Andre Fletcher (92 runs) finding form through that whirlwind 14-ball 41, their top three is an enviable combo with Rilee Rossouw (119 runs) and Colin Ingram (68 runs) having been in good hitting touch already.
The middle order is a bit soft despite the presence of all-rounders and keeper-batsman Tom Moores (65 runs) will be a vital player as the tournament progresses, given that top order cannot fire all the time. He's already shown his wares with one match-winning performance.

The bowling continues to be their weaker suit but the Tigers are managing to find answers somehow. Qais Ahmad (5 wickets) has shown some wicket-taking form but the others need to start helping the Afghan leg-spinner.

Key Players: Colin Ingram, Thisara Perera

Bengla Tigers Predicted Playing XI:

A Fletcher, R Rossouw, C Ingram, T Moores(wk), T Perera(c), R Frylinck, D Wiese, L Plunkett, Q Ahmad, C Suri, K Koththigoda

Bengla Tigers Actual Playing XI:

RR Rossouw, R Frylinck, Liam Plunkett, Tom Moores, D Wiese, Colin Ingram, ADS Fletcher , Chirag Suri, Kevin Koththiigoda, Thisara Perera, Qais Ahmad

Northern Warriors Preview

They were written off after massive losses on the trot but the defending champions have shown nerves of steel in the way they swatted aside an in-form Delhi Bulls side. The additions of Pooran (56* off 25) and Simmons (22 off 12) definitely gave an x-factor to the batting unit. There was a bit of self-doubt in there and the pressure was mounting on Russell but he now has his West Indian mates for company in the power-hitting.

Dre Russ (118 runs and 5 wickets) remains the Warriors most valuable player and if they can get valuable contributions from their unsung players like Sam Billings and skipper Darren Sammy, they could get on a role. The bowling has variety, even though they don't have big names in the side.

Key Players: Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran

Northern Warriors Predicted Playing XI:

N Pooran(wk), L Simmons, A Russell, S Billings, D Sammy(c), A Gunaratne, M Deyal, C Green, R Emrit, C Wood, J Siddique

Northern Warriors Actual Playing XI:

Sam Billings, Nicholas Pooran, Christopher Green, Asela Gunaratne, RR Emrit, LMP Simmons, Junaid Siddique, CP Wood, Nuwan Pradeep, DJG Sammy, Andre Russell

Weather Conditions

Rain is predicted during the week in the UAE, starting from Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether the matches are able to be shower-free. Each day a fresh pitch is being used for the T10 matches, so expect plenty of runs. The bowlers who can mix their pace and lengths will have a better chance of stopping the run flow and/or picking wickets.

Venue Details

Sheikh Zayed Stadium is one of the finest stadiums in the UAE and teams have preferred chasing but as the tournament has progressed, teams batting first have started to win more frequently. The average score batting first is gradually increasing and at the end of the fifth day of the competition, it is 111 approximately.

Toss: To Bowl

After the first five days, teams batting second have 7 wins, sides defending scores have 6 wins and there have been two ties. Fair to say that the toss is starting to look irrelevant because of the roller-coaster speed of the format. Sides will still love to chase but wouldn't mind being put in to bat either.