BPL 2019, Sylhet Sixers vs Chittagong Vikings: Preview and predicted playing XI

Sylhet Sixers will look to open their account in the tournament, when they face Chittagong Vikings in the seventh fixture of the Bangladesh Premier League 2019 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Wednesday, January 9.

Both teams have faced each other twice in BPL with the honours levelled on 1-1. Where Chittagong are coming on the back of a three-wicket win against Rangpur, Sylhet lost their encounter to Comilla by four wickets.

Sylhet Sixers

After losing a nail-biting encounter, Sixers will try to keep a check on their batting flaws and avoid the similar mistakes against Vikings. Despite the loss, they are expected to come out with a more positive frame of mind against the Vikings.

Batting

Nicholas Pooran was their key performer last time out for Sylhet Sixers against Comilla Victorians, as he smashed 42 runs off 26 balls, to help the team stand after top-order failure. He will be expected to replicate the same against the Chittagong Vikings. While David Warner (14) failed to convert his start and the Aussie will be eager to rectify that in this encounter.

Except these two they will also bank on the likes of Litton Das, Hossain and Sabbir Rahman to put their best and get the team towards a decent total.

Bowling

Sandeep Lamichhane claimed a 2/16 against the Victorians, while Al-Amin Hossain also notched up a couple of wickets and these two will be responsible for getting their side off to a good start early. Meanwhile, they will also need strong contributions from Taskin Ahmed and Mohammad Irfan.

Expected Playing XI

David Warner (C), Liton Das (W), Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Nicholas Pooran, Alok Kapali, Taskin Ahmed, Sandeep Lamichhane, Al-Amin Hossain and Mohammad Irfan.

Chittagong Vikings

Vikings won a low scoring thriller against Rangpur in their opening fixture.

Chittagong Vikings started off their BBL campaign with a win against Rangpur Rides and will aim to continue it against Sixers.

Batting

Mohammad Shahzad and Mushfiqur Rahim are the key men in the batting line-up. Shahzad is a destructive opener and is known for his big hitting. The opener scored 27 runs in opening encounter and will be eager to make it better against Sixers. While Rahim is no less than a rock in the middle-order and played a sensible knock of 25 runs to get them closer to victory line and can cause a headache for opponents if in full swing.

Cameron Delport and Mohammad Ashraful failed to perform in the previous game, and these two along with Sikandar Raza will be expected to make a sizable contribution in the next fixture.

Bowling

Robbie Frylink was the pick of the lot in the previous outing and picked a four-fer against Rangpur Riders. While Aby Zayed and Naeem Hasan, both snared two scalps in the opening fixture against and will be expected to replicate their show against Sixers.

Expected Playing XI

Mushfiqur Rahim (C), Mosaddek Hossain, Sikandar Raza, Robbie Frylinck, Nayeem Hasan, Sunzamul Islam, Abu Jayed, Khaled Ahmed, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Cameron Delport and Mohammad Ashraful.