Khulna Titans vs Rajshahi Kings, Bangladesh Premier League 2019, Today Match Prediction 15 Jan 2019

khut vs rajk Match Prediction & Analysis

BPL action moves from Dhaka to Sylhet for the next set of matches for the coming week. Khulna Titans are yet to achieve their first victory after playing four matches. They came agonizingly close last match which ended in the super over after scores were tied at the end of the 20 overs. Their Skipper Mahmudullah would expect their fortunes would change with change in the venue from Dhaka to Sylhet. Their openers Paul Stirling and Junaid Siddique have been amongst the runs and provided some good start to their innings. Their middle order has enough firepower with David Malan, Mahmudullah, David Wiese and  Carlos Brathwaite. Pakistani pacer Junaid Khan, Shariful Islam And Carlos Brathwaite form the pace battery. Taijul Islam is their lead spinner and Stirling and Malan provide support with their part-time spinners. Khulna Titans will look to go one step higher than their previous match to win this encounter.

Rajshahi Kings have registered alternating wina and losses in their matches so far. They have won their last match against star studded Rangpur Riders team. They are led by young Bangladeshi all-rounder Mehdi hasan. Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar and Mohammed Hafeez have been getting starts at the top but they are yet to make a substantial score. Ryan ten Doeschate, Laurie Evans, Keeper Zakir Hasan and Isuru Udana form the middle order of their batting. Mustafizur Rahman is the bowling spearhead and Sri Lankan Isuru Udana and Kamral Islam share the pace bowling duties. Skipper Mehdi Hasan, Mohammed Hafeez and Arafat sunny form a varied spin attack and will look to strangle the opposition batsmen. Rajshahi Kings would look to win this match and move up the points table. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Khulna Titans Preview

Key Players:

Carlos Brathwaite – Brathwaite is capable of clearing any ground with ease and he would love to showcase some fireworks to the Bangladeshi crowd. His bowling with new ball may generate uncomfortable bounce to the batsmen.

Taijul Islam – Taijul has been bowling good so far by stopping the flow of runs in the middle overs. But he is short of wickets and look to get some wickets under his name.

Stats from the league:

Junaid Siddique  - 107 runs at a Strike rate of 135 (HS- 33)

Paul Stirling - 3 wickets at an economy of 5 RPO (BB- 2/2)

Khulna Titans Predicted Playing XI:

Mahmudullah (C),Paul Stirling, Junaid Siddique, David Malan, Carlos Brathwaite, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mahidul Islam(Wk), Taijul Islam, Shariful Islam, Junaid Khan, Subhasis Roy.

Subhasis Roy may get a place in the place of Ariful Haque. They would look to improve their bowling depth after they were left stranded during last match.

Khulna Titans Actual Playing XI:

M Junaid Siddique, Dawid Malan, Nazmul Hossain, Carlos Brathwaite, Taijul Islam, Junaid Khan, Mahmudullah, Jahurul Islam, Ariful Haque, D Wiese, Shariful Islam

Rajshahi Kings Preview

Key Players:

Soumya Sarkar – Sarkar has been struggling and is yet to make a contribution with the bat in the league. As a senior plyer, he has to play responsibly and help for the team`s cause.

Mustafizur Rahman – Mustafizur bowled beautifully and defended 9 runs in the last over in their last match against Rangpur Riders. His variations are not easy to pickwhen he is on song. 

Stats from the league:

Mehdi Hasan - 82 runs at a Strike rate of 124 (HS- 51, 50s-1)

Isuru Udana - 4 wickets at an economy of 5.2 RPO (BB- 3/15)

Rajshahi Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Mehdi Hasan (C), Zakir Hasan(Wk), Mominul Haque, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Chris Jonker, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammed Hafeez, Mustafizur Rahman, Isuru Udana, Kamral Islam, Arafat Sunny.

Chris Jonker may make his BPL debut in the place of Laurie Evans. Jonker`s big hitting prowess could well support the team`s batting.

Rajshahi Kings Actual Playing XI:

Kamrul Islam, Christiaan Jonker, Laurie Evans, Mominul Haque, Mustafizur Rahman, A Sunny, Mohammad Zakir Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan, RN ten Doeschate, Isuru Udana

Weather Conditions

The match is scheduled to start at local time 1.00 PM local time. This is the first match at the Sylhet stadium this year and both teams will be eager to look how the pitch plays. Sylhet has been traditionally a high scoring ground with runs in the range of 180-200 runs scored easily. 

 

Toss: WIN the toss, BOWL First

Teams chasing have won more matches than batting first at the Sylhet ground. The conditions are not expected to change owing to the afternoon start. So both teams will look to chase in this match.