Brendan Taylor’s absence
in Chittagong Kings’ knock out game against Duronto Rajshahi will be a blow to the
Kings as the Zimbabwean had captained them through a turnaround and scored an important
357 runs in eleven matches.
The Kings have
announced that although Taylor will not be available for the Kings, New
Zealander Jacob Oram is back and Naeem Islam is also fit to play after stepping
on a ball during their second last game. Chittagong Kings' coach Khaled
Mahmud admitted that he will miss the services of his captain in their
next encounter. "We will definitely miss Brendan Taylor. He was not just
the team's best batsman but also someone who managed the team very well. “ He
said.
“We are glad to have
Jacob Oram and Naeem Islam back in the team, it is really a boost for us but we
could have done with a bit of Taylor up the order” he added.
On the other,
Rajshahi's top order will need to play to the best of their ability. Zimbabwean
pinch hitter Charles Coventry, Simon Katich, Dilshan Munaweera and the captain
Chamara Kapugedera will be expected to come good, because often Jahurul Islam
has had to resurrect a chase after a top-order collapse. Islam is the standout performer for
Rajshahi in the tournament, and the team's highest scorer despite batting lower
down the order. His strike-rate of 127 is also remarkable because aggression
isn't his strength.
Matabeleland wicketkeeper
batsman Coventry said in an Interview with OFF THE CREASE that the tournament
has come to an interesting stage and he is looking forward to the match. “We
have worked hard so far and we are definitely in the running for the next stage
of the tournament, l am looking forward to the action against the Kings. Too
bad BT won’t be there to play for them but it would have been nice to play while
he was here” he said.
“The tournament has
taught us a lot and for me personally it’s been so refreshing and very
educational because l have learnt quite a number of things as far as my game is
concerned” he added
Allrounder Mukhtar Ali
and left-arm spinners Monir Hossain and Naeem Islam jnr have done well, but the
Bangladeshi media says this will be the biggest game of their careers.
Chittagong Kings have
had their ups and downs in the tournament having registered three wins and two
loses in the last five head to head encounters. The spotlight will definitely
been on Netherlands opener Ryan ten
Doeschate who has had a fruitful debut BPL so far. He has a high score
of 95 not out and two other fifties. He has also hit 17 sixes, so a lot will
depend on him for the Kings to progress. He also has to score 37 runs to
overtake Shahriar Nafees, Brad Hodge and Shamsur Rahman, to become the
tournament's highest run-getter
The winner of this
match will have to play another knockout contest to reach the final.
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