Sylhet Strikers vs Khulna Tigers: Who will win? What's your prediction?
The Bangladesh Premier League is at its business end of proceedings as teams at the bottom half of the table face do-or-die situations to make the top four, while teams at the top half look to consolidate their positions eyeing the Qualifiers.
With such contrasting realities, Yasir Ali's Khulna Tigers, who are six points off the fourth-placed Rangpur Riders, will take on league-leaders Sylhet Strikers led by Mashrafe Mortaza.
Sylhet are one of the most likely teams to take hold of the Qualifier positions and with seven wins in nine matches, they will be favourites going into the contest against Khulna.
The hosts have the highest run-getter of the tournament, Najmul Hossain Shanto, on their side and with Mushfiqur Rahim slowly finding back his touch, Sylhet look like a well-settled side.
They have also had their foreign recruits delivering for them with Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Amir coming up with vital contributions in crunch situations.
On the other end of the table, Yasir-led Khulna have failed to put up performances as a team consistently having to bank on individual performances to take them through. They have had some close contests but on most occasions have come down second best.
Azam Khan, since his maiden BPL ton, hasn't been able to impose himself on the game and with the absence of their best bowler, Wahab Riaz, Khulna would have to play out of their skin to upset Sylhet's run.
When: 6:30 pm, January 30, Monday
Where: Sylhet international cricket Stadium, Sylhet
This is the first time that the teams are facing each other this season.
Probable XI
Khulna Tigers: Tamim Iqbal, Andy Balbirnie, Shai Hope, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Azam Khan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Yasir Ali, Nahidul Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Paul van Meekeren
Sylhet Strikers: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Ryan Burl, Zakir Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Akbar Ali, Thisara Perera, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Players to watch
Azam Khan (Khulna Tigers)
Matches: 7
Runs: 181
Strike-rate: 149.58
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Sylhet Strikers)
Matches: 9
Runs: 350
Strike-rate: 117.05