Chattogram Challengers vs Sylhet Strikers, BPL 2023, Today Match Prediction 06 January 2023

cgc vs syst Match Prediction & Analysis

The new season of the Bangladesh Premier League is back. BPL 2023 will kick-off on January 6, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Chattogram Challengers will clash against Sylhet Strikers in the first match of the season. Chattogram have a good record against Sylhet and will start as the favorites for this clash.

 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Chattogram Challengers Preview

The Chattogram Challengers had a good last season. They reached the 2nd Qualifier where they were beaten by eventual champions Comilla Victorians.

This season, the Challengers have a decent batting lineup. Afif Hossain, who has 975 runs in the BPL in 47 innings with a strike rate of 122.79, will be the main batsman to watch out for. Among their overseas recruits, Max O'Dowd will have a crucial role to play. The Netherlands' opening batter has 1645 runs in 65 T20s at a strike rate of 121.67. He also has an international T20 hundred – 133* versus Malaysia.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who had a fantastic Test series against India at home recently, is the most experienced bowler for Chattogram. He has 49 wickets in 66 BPL games at an economy of 7.32. Sri Lankan fast bowler Vishwa Fernando can prove to be an exciting addition to the squad. While he hasn’t played many T20s, his skiddy pace can make things difficult for batters on this pitch. Also, keep an eye out for fast bowler Mrittunjoy Chowdhury who has 15 wickets from his last 8 games.

 

Chattogram Challengers Predicted Playing XI:

Max O'Dowd, Mehedi Maruf, Ashan Priyanjan, Shuvagata Hom, Afif Hossain (c), Unmukt Chand, Irfan Shukkur (WK), Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Mehedi Hasan Rana, Taijul Islam, Vishwa Fernando

Chattogram Challengers Actual Playing XI:

Nihaduzzaman, Usman Khan, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Al Amin, Unmukt Chand, Darwish Rasooli, Afif Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Rana, Malinda Pushpakumara, Shuvagata Hom, Mehedi Maruf

Sylhet Strikers Preview

Sylhet Strikers had a horrible last season, where they finished at the bottom of the table with just 1 win in 10 matches. Therefore, they have a lot to prove this time around. 

Mushfiqur Rahim is by far the most experienced batter on the side and will have to lead by example. The wicket-keeper batter is the second-highest run scorer in the BPL with 2525 runs and 16 fifties in 90 innings at a strike rate of 133.45. Nazmul Hossain Shanto has had a few good months with the bat and will be looking to continue his form here. 

The Strikers have also roped in Sri Lankan all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva this season. De Silva has scored 1975 runs and taken 33 wickets in 99 T20s. They also have Thisara Perera in their ranks. He is one of the most experienced all-rounders in the world, having 271 wickets and 4235 runs to his name in a whopping 337 T20 matches across different leagues. 

In Rubel Hossain (96 wickets in 77 BPL matches at an economy of 7.79) and Mohammad Amir (38 wickets in 25 BPL matches at 6.46), Sylhet Strikers have two fine fast bowlers.

 

Sylhet Strikers Predicted Playing XI:

Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Dhananjaya de Silva, Tawhid Hridoy, Mohammad Haris,Musfiqur Rahim (WK), Akbar Ali, Thisara Perera, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (c), Mohammad Amir, Nazmul Islam Apu, Rubel Hossain

Sylhet Strikers Actual Playing XI:

Colin Ackermann, Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mashrafe Mortaza, Imad Wasim, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Towhid Hridoy, Akbar Ali, Mohammad Amir, Zakir Hasan, Thisara Perera

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur is pretty good for batting, but it does tend to grip and assist the spinners. The first 6-7 overs should be great for batting, but after that, the spinners will get help.

The weather in Dhaka on the day of the game is expected to be cool and pleasant. 

Venue Details

There have been 207 domestic T20 games played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. The average score batting first here is 150. Totals over 170 have been posted 61 times. Since this is the first match of the season to be played here, the wicket will be fresh. The team batting first should look to post a total of around 170-180 runs. 

Toss: To Bowl

The team winning the toss is likely to field first as dew might set in by the second innings, making it easier to chase.