Khulna Titans vs Comilla Victorians, Bangladesh Premier League 2019, Today Match Prediction 18 Jan 2019

khut vs cv Match Prediction & Analysis

Khulna Titans and Comilla Victorians are ready for a face off in the 20th game of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), to be played in Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on Friday.

Khulna Titans managed to break their winless streak in the competition with a 25-run win over Rajshahi Kings in a game played at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. With this result, Titans have are still at the bottom of the table with 2 points from 5 matches played so far in the competition.

On the other hand, Comilla Victorians got back to winning ways after comprehensive win over Sylhet Sixers in a game played on Tuesday. Going into this game, Comilla Victorians have 6 points to their name in 5 matches and will be looking to claim top spot in the league table when they come up against Khulna Titans.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Khulna Titans Preview

In their last match, Khulna produced a decent performance with bat and ball to end their losing streak in the competition. The side managed to beat Rajshahi Kings in a low-scoring game played in Sylhet. Captain Mahmudullah will be hoping that side can continue their good form going into this game.

With so much at stake, the focus will be on in-form opener Junaid Siddique to continue leading the way for the team as he is the leading run getter for the side so far in the competition with 121 runs from 5 matches at an average of 24.20. 

Apart from him, David Malan also has produced decent performances for the side in the last two games of the competition. The side is packed with power-hitters like Carlos Brathwaite and David Wiese, who can certainly produce quick runs at the back end of the innings.

In the bowling department, the likes of Junaid Khan, Taijul Islam and Carlos Brathwaite will need to deliver with the ball in hand. Junaid Khan and Taijul Islam picked up three wickets apiece in the previous game to help Khulna register their first win of the competition.

Khulna Titans Predicted Playing XI:

Mahmudullah (c), Junaid Siddique, Dawid Malan, Jahurul Islam (wk), Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Ariful Haque, Carlos Brathwaite, Junaid Khan, Shariful Islam, Taijul Islam, David Wiese.

Khulna Titans Actual Playing XI:

M Junaid Siddique, Dawid Malan, Nazmul Hossain, Carlos Brathwaite, Taijul Islam, Lasith Malinga, Al Amin, Junaid Khan, Mahmudullah, Jahurul Islam, Ariful Haque

Comilla Victorians Preview

Captain Imrul Kayes will be pleased with his side’s dominant display with bat and ball in the previous game played against Sylhet Sixers.

The bowlers put in a pitch perfect performance to dismiss Sylhet Sixers for just 68 runs in 14.5 overs. Shamsur Rahman and Imrul Kayes produced an unbeaten 59-run stand to see Comilla Victorians chase down the runs in 11th over off the innings.

Opener Tamim Iqbal’s poor run continued as he once again perished for a first-ball duck against Sixers. Comilla will be hoping that Iqbal can some time at the middle and score crucial runs for the side in this game.

The likes of Shahid Afridi and Thisara Perera have the ability to the change the game in a space of few overs. All-rounder Thisara Perera has certainly been in rich vein of form and has produced scintillating performances with the bat so far in the competition.

In the bowling department, the team will be relying on left-arm quick Wahab Riaz, who is called a specialist in the T20 format. Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan was the standout bowler on display in the previous game and picked up four wickets against Sylhet Sixers. Liam Dawson and Mohammad Saifuddin also chipped in with crucial wickets for the side.

Comilla Victorians Predicted Playing XI:

 Imrul Kayes (c), Anamul Haque (wk), Tamim Iqbal, Shamsur Rahman, Thisara Perera, Liam Dawson, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Mahedi Hasan, Ziaur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin.

Comilla Victorians Actual Playing XI:

Anamul Haque, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shamsur Rahman, Imrul Kayes, Mahedi Hasan, Thisara Perera, SMSK Afridi, Ziaur Rahman, Tamim Iqbal, Wahab Riaz, Liam Dawson

Weather Conditions

The pitch has been on the slow side in the recent games played at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The surface is expected to assist the spinners throughout the game. The batsmen will need to grind out runs on a sluggish surface. The weather forecast for Friday game is dry and sunny.

Venue

The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has hosted two games so far this season. The last game played was between Sylhet Sixers and Comilla Victorians.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the sides will be looking to bowl first on a surface that will provide assistance to the spinners. The previous game played at Sylhet was won by side batting second.