Chattogram take on Riders on return to Dhaka

Struggling Chattogram Challengers will take on Shoaib Malik’s Rangpur Riders at Shere Bangla National Stadium on Monday, as Bangladesh Premier League returns to Dhaka after completing the Chattogram phase successfully.

Chattogram had been struggling from the start of the season as they had won only one match in the first round of the tournament. The fans would have hoped they would do good when they would play as the hosts as tournament shifted to the city.

But the situation for Chattogram only worsened as they managed to win only one and lost three matches in their stronghold. They now sit on the sixth position with four points from two wins.

Rangpur had also been inconsistent in the tournament as they are on fifth, just ahead of Chattogram with the same points from two wins and three losses, though they have played a match less than the Challengers.

In their last match, Rangpur bowlers conceded the highest runs in the tournament so far as Shakib Al Hasan’s Fortune Barishal thrashed them all over the field to take their innings to 238-4. Their batters are struggling to find consistency as well.

Opener Rony Talukdar seemed really well in the opening round of the tournament but failed to put up a show as the tournament progressed. Their innings hugely depends on the opener for a foundation as they have a quality middle order led by the skipper Malik, Mohammad Naim and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.

Chattogram batters are all short of runs and inconsistent as they have all failed in both the grounds. The batting line only saw Usman Khan’s quick hundred and that’s all. Shuvagata Hom’s side will look up to their batter Afif Hossain for a good start.

The winner will move up to the fourth position ahead of Khulna Tigers.