Khulna Tigers vs Rajshahi Royals – 17/1/2020

Khulna Tigers vs Rajshahi Royals – Team News

The Khulna Tigers have this season’s leading run-scorer in former Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim. He has collected 470 runs in 13 innings. This tally is all the more significant, given that he is also the wicketkeeper. The double role is challenging. He is their captain as well, so the responsibility is actually three-fold. The Tigers also have former Proteas batsman Rilee Rossouw. His collection of runs is right up there with Rahim’s.

Among their bowlers, Frylinck has been superb alongside Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir. It was Amir’s six-for in the 1^st Qualifier against the same opposition the Tigers will face on Friday that kept Pakistan’s national selectors awake to his talent. While Amir has retired from Test cricket, he is still pushing for a spot in Pakistan’s squad for the 2020 T20 World Cup.

The cosmopolitan feel of the Rajshahi Royals’ squad is led by Pakistani duo Mohammad Irfan and Shoaib Malik, West Indian Russell and England’s Ravi Bopara. All four are not likely to be in the XI for the final, but at least three. Russell’s name will surely be the first penned to the team sheet. He has been characteristically solid with the ball and hit a hefty half-century in that 1^st Qualifier. The Royals might not have won the match were it not for his heroics with the willow.

Just like Rahim for the Tigers, Liton Das has kept things going on the homegrown front for the Royals. While the franchise has relied heavily on their international stars, Bangladesh’s Das has batted really well throughout in support of Russell and company. Farhad Reza, meanwhile, has continued to churn out consistency for the Royals. He hasn’t played international cricket since 2014, but at 33 years old is still putting in good performances at domestic level. He has been a touch on the expensive side, but taken enough wickets to justify his selection.

Khulna Tigers vs Rajshahi Royals – Betting Tips

The most attractive bets, particularly those looking for good performances that will likely spill over into the Indian Premier League later this year, are certainly among the international players in the BPL.

Amir to do it again against the Royals

Amir made a difficult decision to retire from Test cricket in order to prolong his white-ball cricket career. The choice has reaped dividends, particularly in this BPL. He bowled with sharp pace, swing and control during that six-wicket haul against the Royals in the 1^st Qualifier. With Betway pricing the Tigers at 1.83 to be the team with the top bowler, it’s a good pick with Amir and Frylinck around.

Russell to rampage against the Tigers

Russell has effectively outperformed Chris Gayle as the West Indies’ leading domestic T20 cricketer over the past couple of years – and it has shown in this season’s BPL again. Russell will play for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL again later this year. In the ‘Any Player to Score 100’ market or the BPL final, at 9.50, it’s an attractive pick. If not Russell, then Das could oblige the ‘yes’ selection in this category.

Khulna Tigers vs Rajshahi Royals – Prediction

The Tigers topped the round-robin table ahead of six other teams and then didn’t mess around in the next round, advancing straight to the final with a win in the 1^st Qualifier. They are familiar with the opposition in the final, having beaten then easily earlier this week. All this suggests they will win the final as well. With the unpredictability of T20 cricket, though, and players like Russell able to win matches almost singlehandedly, don’t discount the Royals from winning this.

Best Bet: Rajshahi Royals to hit the most fours with Betway at 2.10