Rangpur Riders vs Comilla Victorians Qualifier Prediction

Rangpur Team News

With Alex Hales ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a shoulder injury, Ravi Bopara seized his opportunity in the final league game by claiming 3-7 from his three overs. Shafiul Islam also missed out injured, with Minhajul Abedin Afridi handed a T20 debut in his place. If Shafiul is still sidelined, and with Bopara offering another seam option with the ball, Afridi could retain his place.

Rangpur Key Players

Alex Hales may be out injured but Rangpur Riders' star-studded batting line-up still boasts three of the game's most explosive batsmen. Two of them ticked last time out - Chris Gayle scoring 35 not out and AB de Villiers an unbeaten 34 - with the former's form particularly ominous given his form in the play-offs last season.

Gayle hit two centuries in three games to earn Rangpur victory in 2017. This year he is yet to reach those same heights but his big-hitting prowess has never been questioned. De Villiers, meanwhile, has inspired the Riders' improved form. They have won all six games since he came into the team, with the South African hitting 247 runs in those matches - including an unbeaten century.

Rilee Rossouw remains the tournament's leading run scorer, meanwhile. He has scored 514 runs in 11 innings, including - like De Villiers - one unbeaten century. He has also hit five half-centuries. 

The bowlers have contributed too, not least in the two wins against Comilla Victorians. Mashrafe Mortaza took 4-11 in the first win against Comilla and 2-18 last time out. He has 19 wickets so far in the tournament and an economy rate of 6.63 runs per over.

Farhad Reza has taken 17 wickets, meanwhile, and Ravi Bopara was the star last time out with 3-7 from three overs on his return to the team. He had not bowled in his first spell in the team, but contributed 44 and 40* with the bat in his first two matches.

Rangpur Team Form

Rangpur Riders stormed to the top of the league with six consecutive wins - coinciding with AB de Villiers arrival. It was Rilee Rossouw and Alex Hales who led them to victory in the first game, however, as the Riders chased 195 to beat Sylhet Sixers by four wickets.

Chris Gayle and Hales then both hit 55 and De Villiers scored 41 to power a chase of 182 in the win against Khulna Titans. 

Hales and Rossouw's centuries in a total of 239/4 against Chittagong Vikings inspired them to a 72-run win and a third straight win. Next to smash a century was De Villiers, in a total of 189/2 as the Riders beat Dhaka Dynamites by eight wickets, before Rossouw's half-century helped them chase 142 to beat Rajshahi Kings by six wickets.

After the batsmen's excellence, the bowlers them came to the fore against Comilla Victorians last time out. Ravi Bopara took 3-7 from his three overs to lead the way as Comilla were bowled out for 72. The Riders sealed a nine-wicket win in 9.3 overs to ensure they go into this game as group winners.