BPL 2019, Chittagong Vikings vs Khulna Titans: Preview and Predicted Playing XI

Khulna Titans will aim to end their poor run when they face Chittagong Vikings in the 25th fixture of this year's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday.

Both teams have faced each other on four occasions with the scoreline favouring the Titans at 3-1. In their previous encounter during the last season, Titans secured a five-wicket win.

Batting first, the Vikings posted 160/5 in their quota of twenty overs, but proved too low as the Titans overhauled the target comfortably with five wickets to spare.

Khulna Titans

The Titans had a disastrous start to their 2019 campaign and are yet to secure a win this season. They will be hoping for a change in fortunes against Vikings.

Batting

Junaid Siddique has been their most consistent performer so far with respective knocks of 33, 31 and 23 in three outings. Interestingly he was the top scorer for Titans in previous two games against Dhaka Dynamites and Rajashahi Kings.

Thus clearly demonstrate how much they depend on him in this department and they will need him to score a big one against Vikings.

Meanwhile, Irish born Paul Stirling is the only batsman to pass 50-run mark so far and he will be expected to come out with a similar knock here. Except these two they will also need strong contributions from skipper Mahmadullah and David Malan.

Bowling

David Wiese, Ali Khan and Zahir Khan have shared two wickets each and these three will be expected to clinch few breakthroughs in early overseas. Meanwhile, Stirling with three wickets in the tournament can be a worthy option during middle overs.

Expected Playing XI

Mahmadullah (C), Paul Stirling, Junaid Siddique, Dawid Malan, Jahurul Islam, Mahmudullah, Ariful Haque, David Wiese, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Subashis Roy and Zahir Khan.

Chittagong Vikings

Chittagong Vikings will aim to avoid losing crucial moments

On the flipside, Vikings had a mixed start to their season with one win and a loss in two BPL games. After defeating Rangpur Riders in their opening fixture, they faced a five-run defeat in the tough fought contest against Sylhet Sixers.

Batting

Mohammad Shahzad is a destructive opener and is known for his big hitting. The opener has not been able to convert his starts in previous games, and he will be expected to play a considerable knock against Titans. Cameron Delport played a steady knock of 38 runs against Sixers and he will be expected to replicate it.

Mushfiqur Rahim, Sikander Raza and Mohammad Ashraful are other key figures in the line with ability to play big innings and these three will be expected to make a sizable contribution in the next fixture.

Bowling

Robert Frylinck has been a star performer for Vikings and currently occupies third place in the list of leading wicket-taker of 2019 with seven wickets in two games. Frylinck is looking in good touch with his respective figures of 4/14 and 3/26 against Rangpur Riders and Sixers.

While Naheen Hasan has been the most economical bowler for Chittagong. The bowler has not been an easy hit for opponents and picked three wickets at an incredible economy of 3.75. He will be backed by skipper to slow the scoring rate in the middle overs.

Expected Playing XI

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

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