BPL 2018-19, Match 35: Chittagong Vikings vs Comilla Victorians: Preview and Predicted Playing XI - January 29th, 2019

With only a handful of games left in this year's edition of the Bangladesh Premier League, Chittagong Vikings and Comilla Victorians are firmly in the race for the play-offs and will be hoping to get one over each other in the hope of two crucial points.

While Chittagong have fallen off the radar of late with two consecutive losses, Comilla's form has been decent with the likes of Liam Dawson and Tamim Iqbal starring for them. With a play-off place and two crucial points at stake for both teams, the Chattogram pitch that is considered to be a batting paradise, is sure to host a very good match filled with quality.

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Chittagong Vikings:

Batting:

After two consecutive losses at home, the Vikings will be eager to put it behind them and conquer the Victorians. Mohammed Shahzad has been brilliant for them with lightening quick starts for the side but Chittagong would hoping for a big one from their keeper. Yasir Ali and Mushfiqur Rahim have been very good for them too with their captain scoring 321 runs - the second highest tally this season. More would be expected of Sikandar Raza and Cameron Delport, if he plays with the possibility of Luke Ronchi making the side for this crucial match.

Bowling:

Without the services of their spearhead, Robbie Frylinck, Chittagong look thin on their bowling resources. It was evident against the Kings last time out as they struggled to contain an explosive Rajshahi Kings unit. Abu Jayed and Khaled Ahmed have been fairly consistent and more of the same is expected from their new ball pair.

Expected Playing XI:

Cameron Delport/Luke Ronchi, Mohammed Shahzad (WK), Yasir Ali, Mushfiqur Rahim (C), Mosaddek Hossain, Sikander Raza, Najibullah Zadran, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed, Khaled Ahmed and Robiul Haque

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Comilla Victorians:

Batting:

With a very good top-order filled with local talents such as Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes, Comilla are very well balanced in the batting department. Liam Dawson, Shahid Afridi and Thisara Perera provide the impetus in the death overs and have already proven themselves on numerous occasions this season.

With a strike-rate in excess of 200, Thisara Perera would be very lethal on a flat pitch against a depleted Vikings bowling unit.

Bowling:

As in the case of their batting unit, their bowling is also well balanced with the presence of three quality allrounders in Dawson, Afridi and Perera. Afridi has ten wickets to his name this season and is proving everyone that age is just a number. With young talents such as Saifuddin and Mahedi Hasan Rana also performing regularly, Comilla Victorians have proven themselves to be quite tough to put away.

Expected Playing XI:

Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque (WK), Shamsur Rahman, Imrul Kayes(C), Liam Dawson, Shahid Afridi, Thisara Perera, Ziaur Rahman, Mohammed Saifuddin, Mahedi Hasan Rana and Wahab Riaz.