In-form Barishal take on Rangpur

Shakib Al Hasan’s Fortune Barishal will lock horns with Rangpur Riders in their Bangladesh Premier League 2023 clash at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Thursday.

Barishal, currently in the second position of the points table, have a chance to get one step closer to the table toppers Sylhet Strikers if they win against Rangpur as Sylhet stumbled in their last match against Liton Das’ Comilla Victorians.

Rangpur, who are trailing Barishal by two points, will try their chances to move up to the second position replacing their opponents.

The two sides faced each other in Dhaka earlier in the tournament, where Barishal won the match by six wickets and their all-rounder Mehedy Hasan Miraz was named the player of the match for his all-round performance both with the bat and with the ball.

Barishal are a balanced side with both quality batters and bowlers along with quality all-rounders in skipper Shakib, Miraz and Mahmullah Riyadh. Shakib and Miraz have been in good form so far in the tournament as the duo brought three match-winning performances between them. But the names in the batting line aren’t shining might be a concern for them.

Rangpur, on the other hand, started the tournament well in the Dhaka round but stumbled in the Chattogram round as they lost their last game to Khulna Tigers by nine wickets where they were all out for 129. Opener Rony Talukdar has been the star performer for the Riders along with their Pakistani recruit Shoaib Malik.

However, both sides have some big names in their squad and will try their chances to fight for the win to catch up with Sylhet.

Dhaka Dominators and Comilla Victorians will face each other in the other match of the day at the same venue.