The 24th match of the Bangladesh Premier League 2024-25 will feature a thrilling encounter between the unbeaten Rangpur Riders and the second-placed Chittagong Kings. The match will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, where spinners and dew are expected to play a significant role.
Match Overview
- Date: January 17, 2025
- Venue: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong
- Conditions: Cool and dry evening, dew likely to influence the second innings.
- Toss Prediction: Both teams are likely to prefer bowling first, given the dew factor.
Team Previews
Rangpur Riders (RGR)
Rangpur Riders have been unstoppable, with seven wins in seven matches. They lead the standings and have never lost to Chittagong Kings in the BPL. Their comprehensive performances with bat and ball make them favorites for this match.
Key Performances (Last Match):
- Batting:
- Khushdil Shah: 73 off 35 (SR: 208.57)
- Iftikhar Ahmed: 43 off 36 (SR: 119.44)
- Tawfique Khan: 36 off 30 (SR: 120)
- Bowling:
- Akif Javed: 3/16 in 3 overs (Econ: 5.33)
- Mahedi Hasan: 2/27 in 4 overs
- Mohammad Saifuddin: 2/28 in 3 overs
Strengths:
- Explosive middle-order batting with Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed.
- A bowling attack that consistently delivers breakthroughs.
- Proven track record against Chittagong Kings.
Weaknesses:
- Slight over-reliance on key players like Khushdil Shah.
Predicted XI:
- Tawfique Khan
- Steven Taylor
- Saif Hassan
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Khushdil Shah
- Nurul Hasan (c & wk)
- Mahedi Hasan
- Mohammad Saifuddin
- Nahid Rana
- Akif Javed
- Rejaur Rahman Raja
Chittagong Kings (CK)
Chittagong Kings have bounced back strongly after an opening loss, with four consecutive wins. Their batting lineup, led by Usman Khan and Graham Clark, has been dominant. Their bowling attack has also been in excellent form, particularly Aliss Al Islam and Khaled Ahmed.
Key Performances (Last Match):
- Batting:
- Graham Clark: 101 off 50 (SR: 202)
- Parvez Hossain Emon: 39 off 29 (SR: 134.48)
- Bowling:
- Arafat Sunny: 3/25 in 4 overs (Econ: 6.25)
- Khaled Ahmed: 2/26 in 4 overs
- Shoriful Islam: 2/30 in 4 overs
Strengths:
- Explosive batting lineup with multiple match-winners.
- A balanced bowling attack capable of exploiting slower surfaces.
Weaknesses:
- Dependence on Graham Clark and Usman Khan for big scores.
- Lack of depth in the lower-middle order.
Predicted XI:
- Usman Khan
- Parvez Hossain Emon
- Graham Clark
- Mohammad Mithun (c & wk)
- Haider Ali
- Shamim Hossain
- Mohammad Wasim Jr
- Arafat Sunny
- Aliss Al Islam
- Shoriful Islam
- Khaled Ahmed
Pitch & Weather Report
Pitch Conditions:
The surface at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium is known for assisting spinners, especially in the middle overs. Batters who settle in can score freely, while the new ball might offer some assistance for seamers early on.
Weather Conditions:
- Temperature: 18°C–25°C
- Rain: 0% chance
- Wind: Light breeze from the north.
Average 1st Innings Score: 169
- Teams batting second have had more success due to the dew factor.
Key Match Insights
- Head-to-Head Record: Rangpur Riders have dominated Chittagong Kings in the BPL.
- Form Advantage: Rangpur Riders are on a seven-match winning streak, while Chittagong Kings have won their last four games.
- Impact Players:
- Rangpur Riders: Khushdil Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan
- Chittagong Kings: Graham Clark, Usman Khan, Aliss Al Islam
Winning Prediction
Rangpur Riders are the favorites for this game, given their:
- Unbeaten streak and consistency in both departments.
- Depth in batting and bowling.
- Historical dominance over Chittagong Kings.
Predicted Winner: Rangpur Riders
Predicted Scores
- If RGR Bat First: 170-180
- If CK Bat First: 160-170
With two in-form teams clashing, this match promises to be an exciting contest. Can Chittagong Kings break Rangpur Riders’ winning streak, or will Rangpur continue their dominance?