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Riders to face Victorians in crucial encounter


Published : 09 Feb 2023 08:28 PM

The defending champions Comilla Victorians and Rangpur Riders, currently second positioned in the point table of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) cricket will play a do or die match today to remain in the contest to play the first qualifiers.

Fortune Barisal, who left sill a slim hope to play the second qualifiers, will play their important match against Khulna Tigers following the high voltage encounter between Cumilla and Rangpur, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at 2pm and 7 pm respectively.

Sylhet Strikers, who have been leading the points table with 18 from 12 matches, ensured their first qualifiers, when the reigning champions Cumilla Victorians and Rangpur Riders are closely following them with 16 points each after playing 11 matches, one match less than the table toppers.

Now, the match turned into very crucial for both Cumilla and Rangpur, as the winners will move into the first qualifier phase and the loser will have to wait for the winners of the eliminators to fight against them for the second qualifiers.

However, mounting of the Cumilla Victorians from the bottom stage to upper position is like a revolution, as after losing first three matches in a row, they did not look back, as they bounced back strongly to win the next eight matches at a stretch.

Cumilla began their campaign with going down by 34 runs to their today’s opponents Rangpur and suffered defeat to Sylhet and Barisal in the next two matches and it was hardly imagine that the holders would shin up to move into the top third of the points table.

The match will be a battle for both sides to remain in the race firmly and as well as also the issues of honors, when it is a chance for Cumilla to take revenge of their defeat during the first appearance and for Barisal it’s a challenge to prove their supremacy remain unbeaten (against Cumilla).

On the other hands, Fortune Barisal, who will take on Khulna Tigers in the day’s second match would also be a very crucial, as they are in must win position to move up.

Barisal, who began the campaign with a defeat to Sylhet Strikers, looked to turn into indomitable when they won next five matches in a row but losing another three matches, including the match against today’s opponents pushed them to fourth position in the points table from second.   

So it will be a bit challenging for Barisal to win against Khulna Tigers, as the latter is the winners of their previous meeting.