Chattogram takes on Dhaka to ensure play-off berth in BBPL

Chattogram Challengers is eyeing to win their next match against Dhaka Platoon tomorrow, knowing that this victory would almost ensure their playoff berth in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BBPL).

With the match between Chattogram and Dhaka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, the second phase of BBPL's Dhaka part will in fact start tomorrow.

Chattogram is currently leading the point table with 10 points in seven games and a win would make their point to 12, which means they could be somewhat sure about their play-off phase.

Stand-in captain Imrul Kayes said Chattogram would try to make it happen in the next game when they take on Dhaka, a team that also is strong and growing with the strength to strength as the tournament progresses. 

"Our target is to win the next game because if you win six games, the play-off berth is almost certain," Kayes said here today after the team's practice session.

"After the next match, we will have four matches in hand, for which we will plan later. Now the first and foremost task is to win the match against Dhaka."

Chattogram showed their strength right from the start of the tournament but the whole team flourished with full glory at their home venue in Chattogram in which they made runs in abundance to leave the opponents in a dazed state. 

However, their last match in Chattogram venue against Rangpur Rangers didn't go augurs well for them as they conceded six-wicket defeat.  

One of the key reasons for their ruthless run in Chattogram was the wicket, which their batsmen found to their strength until the last match when the pitch was slow to some extent. 

As the BBBPL is in Dhaka now, there is a possibility that the Mirpur wicket won't be heaven for the batsmen like the one in Chattogram. This could go against Chattogram's strength. 

But Kayes hopes to get a good wicket in Dhaka also at this phase. 

"We've got a very good wicket in Chattogram, especially at the beginning. But look Dhaka's wicket is better than other times and the matches we played in Dhaka in the first phase were very good. Since there was a long gap and Dhaka wicket got to rest, I hope it won't change its character. This sort of wicket is very good for T20 cricket and obviously, the spectators enjoy it very much," Kayes said. 

"The fact that Dhaka wicket always gets less rest because of the national team, HP team, or A-team practice here always. But Chattogram doesn't hold matches that much and therefore it's easier to make a good wicket in Chattogram. However, I hope that Dhaka wicket will remain the same as what we got in the first phase." 

Chattogram is likely to begin the second phase of Dhaka part of BBPL without the service of regular captain Mahmudullah Riyad, who sustained a hamstring injury.  

"His matter depends on the physio. I heard a scan was done. We hope that we will get his service in the coming matches but I am not sure."