BB T20 Cup Match 17: Beximco Dhaka vs Gemcon Khulna Predictions

It’s hard to falter when you’re this close to possible greatness, yet it’s a part of life and something we have to take in our stride. Gemcon Khulna were mighty close to making it to the top of the table by besting the current resident of that spot, Gazi Group Chattogram. Alas, they faltered at the very end and remain in second place. Next up, they will face Beximco Dhaka, the team closest to usurping the second spot on the table from them. Dhaka Themselves have had an awakening after being down in the dumps for a while, and are looking stronger than ever. As the league stage nears its end, this match will be critical in determining who goes through in which playoff berth. Before it gets under way, let’s take a look at the two teams.

Beximco Dhaka preview & form

In any sport, a comeback story is always the best. Granted, given their lineup, Dhaka were never thought to be going away quietly, but the manner in which they’ve come back has been emphatic so far. In a trio of wins that includes one against then-unbeaten Chattogram, Dhaka have jumped from the bottom right up to third place. In that match, despite a dismal start, captain Mushfiqur Rahim was the only one to really step up with a fiery 73 off 50 to get his team to a decent 145. On the defense, Muktar Ali was incisive despite being expensive, and Robiul Islam Robi and Rubel Hossain chipped in with two each to limit Chattogram’s score to 138. If they win their next two matches, they have a chance to climb into second place and demote Khulna.

Gemcon Khulna preview & form

The second team in the BBT20C to have a poor start only to make a comeback thanks to a stellar lineup (which has had Mashrafe Mortaza added to it in a strange series of events), Gemcon Khulna were on top of their game with 3 straight wins until they lost their most recent game against Chattogram. In that match, they had a bit of a scrappy batting performance, with number 9 Shuvagata Hom saving them from a very average score with a quickfire 32 off 14. In the second inning, despite keeping the more well-known and in-form batsmen in check, and Shakib Al Hasan and Shuvagata Hom picking up two each, they just couldn’t do enough to stop Chattogram, who won with a six off the very last delivery. With this being their last league match, Khulna desperately need this win to stay in the top two.

Predictions

With Dhaka’s reputation on the line, they will do whatever it takes to get the win. Expect Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir Ali to get the runs again, while Muktar Ali and Shafiqul Islam strike with the ball. 

Khulna have way too strong a lineup to let this one slip. Expect Ariful Haque and Mahmudullah Riyad to own the bowlers, while Shohidul Islam and Shakib Al Hasan dominate the batsmen. 

Can Dhaka trump Khulna to make a bid for the top playoff slot? Or will Khulna’s powerful squad prove to be too strong? Find out if our Beximco Dhaka vs Gemcon Khulna predictions come true on Thursday!