Fortune Barishal vs Rangpur Riders, BPL 2023, Today Match Prediction 19 January 2023

brsal vs rgr Match Prediction & Analysis

This will be the second match between these two teams. In their last encounter, Fortune Barishal beat Rangpur Riders by 6 wickets in Dhaka. Rangpur Riders quickly bounced back and won their next game against Khulna Tigers. However, their batting performance had dropped significantly. 

Chasing a small target of just 131 runs against the Tigers, Rangpur lost 6 wickets and finished the chase in the 20th over. The signs were clear. Riders were struggling with the bat and only Shoaib Malik was a reliable batsman in the side.

Their luck ran out in the next game and Rangpur finished with 129-10 in their return game against Khulna Tigers. Fortune Barishal have won both of their games in Chattogram so far completing a hat-trick of wins. They’re also the most successful team at this venue in terms of batting.

Fortune Barishal is the only team to score 150+ batting first at this venue twice this season. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan is in great form with both bat and ball and will be a key player to watch out for.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Fortune Barishal Preview

Shakib Al Hasan led his team to their 3rd consecutive win of the season with an all-round performance. He scored an unbeaten 81 off 45 at number 4 and followed it up with a spell of 1 for 11 from 3 overs.

The good thing about this batting lineup is the number of reliable batters who’ve made significant contributions so far. The last time Fortune Barishal played Rangpur Riders, it was Ibrahim Zadran and Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the middle order who led the successful run chase. 

Later, Iftikhar Ahmed in the lower order joined the in-form Zadran to lead Barishal to a 200+ total. And now, when others failed to score big, Shakib himself joined the party.

There are many match-winners in this side. Anamul and Chaturanga de Silva are other key players in the top order to watch out for. Shakib has been using almost all of his bowling options in every match.

In the last game, while defending 177 runs against Comilla, he used up to 8 bowlers. Chaturanga de Silva, Karim Janat, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz are among the lead bowlers for Fortune Barishal. 

The availability of other bowling options means if any of these bowlers aren’t on their best day, Shakib can turn to some other bowler. There is Iftikhar Ahmed, Kamrul Islam, and Sunzamul Islam who can all chip in a few overs and create opportunities for breakthroughs. 

Fortune Barishal Predicted Playing XI:

Anamul Haque (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mahmudullah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Karim Janat, Chaturanga de Silva, Kamrul Islam, Qazi Onik, Sunzamul Islam

Fortune Barishal Actual Playing XI:

Iftikhar Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Anamul Haque, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Fazle Mahmud, Karim Janat, Mahmudullah, Ibrahim Zadran, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan

Rangpur Riders Preview

Rangpur Riders have reached a crucial point in their BPL campaign this season. They have almost hit their lowest in terms of momentum and consistency and desperately need a comeback.

They struggled to chase down 131 runs and lost 6 wickets on the way to victory in their first encounter against Khulna Tigers. In the very next game, the Tigers bowled out Rangpur for just 129 runs. 

And while defending this low total, Rangpur bowlers managed to pick only 1 wicket. This must have hurt the Riders’ confidence. And confidence is what they need as they prepare to stop the Fortune Barishal juggernaut.

Nurul Hasan was dropped from the team in the last game and the Pakistan veteran Shoaib Malik led the team. Parvez Hossain Emon came in for Nurul Hasan as the wicket-keeper batsman and also opened the innings for the Riders.

Rangpur Riders have a deep batting lineup with Mohammad Nawaz coming in at number 7. Malik walks in at number 5 and has the ability to strike partnerships and lead a comeback after a few early losses.

However, it is now high time that the top order stops depending so much on Shoaib Malik. Mohammad Naim, Rony Talukdar, and Mahedi Hasan will play a key role in a Riders’ comeback. Rakibul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, and Haris Rauf will be the key bowlers for Rangpur Riders.

Rangpur Riders Predicted Playing XI:

Mohammad Naim, Rony Talukdar, Mahedi Hasan, Shoaib Malik (c), Parvez Hossain Emon (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shamim Hossain, Azmatullah Omarzai, Hasan Mahmud, Haris Rauf, Rakibul Hasan

Rangpur Riders Actual Playing XI:

Hasan Mahmud, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Nawaz, Mahedi Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Robiul Haque, Shoaib Malik, Rony Talukdar, Saim Ayub

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch is known to be batting-friendly and has seen some really high-scoring matches in the past. Recently spinners seem to be enjoying a great purchase from the surface and will be crucial in both teams. The weather is expected to be sunny with a high of 26 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium has hosted 8 matches so far this season. And except for those two matches where Fortune Baishal played first, the teams batting first have almost always scored a below-par total. A 170+ score from the team batting first would put them in a strong position to win the match.

Toss: To Bowl

The toss will not make much of a difference for Fortune Barishal as they’ve been consistent at scoring competitive totals batting first. However, most matches at this venue have seen teams batting first finish with a below-par total. Given how the Riders are struggling with their batting, Shakib can guarantee himself a strong position in the game if he opts to bowl first.