2019-20 Bangladesh Premier League – Chattogram Challengers vs Sylhet Thunder Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Chattogram Challengers vs Sylhet Thunder taking place? Wednesday 11th December, 2019 – 07:30 (UK)
Where is Chattogram Challengers vs Sylhet Thunder taking place? Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium
What is the expected weather for Chattogram Challengers vs Sylhet Thunder? 28c and sunshine forecast all day
What channel is Chattogram Challengers vs Sylhet Thunder on? This match will be televised live on BT Sport 1 in the UK
Where can I stream Chattogram Challengers vs Sylhet Thunder? This match will be streamed live in the UK on the BT Sport app
Where can I get tickets for Chattogram Challengers vs Sylhet Thunder? Tickets for this match can be purchased directly from the stadium
What was the outcome in the last meeting? Sylhet Thunder beat Chattogram Challengers by 29 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
CHATTOGRAM CHALLENGERS
- Chattogram Challengers come into this new BPL campaign hoping to fare much better than in recent years as they have only managed to finish better than fourth on one occasion in the six editions which came in 2013 when they were runners-up so they will hope for better under English head coach Paul Nixon.
- The Challengers have a trio of strong local players in Mahmudullah, Imrul Kayes and Rubel Hossain but their big name signing was Chris Gayle who has an outstanding record in their competition but the Universe Boss will only be available in the second half of the tournament to January when he will hopefully have recovered from a hamstring strain.
- Their team selection is weakened further while the West Indies are playing India in the current T20 series as Kesrick Williams and Lendl Simmons are playing in that but they have some talented individuals like Imad Wasim, Chadwick Walton, Rayad Emrit and Avishka Fernando who will form a strong line-up along with their locals.
SYLHET THUNDER
- Sylhet Thunder have little reputation in this tournament with their best finishing position being third in 2013 and they will be coached by South African Herschelle Gibbs who will be tasked with improving a team that has the lowest win ratio of any side in the tournament’s history.
- Similar to the Challengers, the Thunder spent a chunk of their budget in West Indian stars and while Sherfane Rutherford and Sheldon Cottrell are on international duty, they can count on Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher for some fireworks with the bat and Krishmar Santokie with the ball.
- They have a solid core of local talent also with Mohammad Mithun, Mosaddek Hossain and Nazmul Islam their key players but they will rely heavily on their West Indians for their batting in what once again looks like one of the weaker squads in the tournament.
THE PREDICTION
Sylhet Thunder had a star-studded team last year but could only finish sixth out of seven teams, and this roster already on paper looks much weaker as things stand. They face Chittagong Challengers who will be desperate themselves to improve on last season’s performance but it may take them some time to get up and running as some of their key players will miss the start of the tournament. That said, they certainly possess the greater quality of the two teams and they have to be favoured to get off to a winning start here.
