The rescheduled 8th match of BPL 2025-26 brings an important early-season clash to Sylhet International Cricket Stadium as Dhaka Capitals take on Rangpur Riders. Both teams will be looking to build momentum — Dhaka to steady their batting, Rangpur to keep firing with their strong bowling unit.
Match details
| Match | Dhaka Capitals vs Rangpur Riders — 8th Match (Rescheduled) |
| Date & Time | Sunday, January 04 — 17:30 IST |
| Venue | Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet |
| Live Stream | FanCode App & Website |
Dhaka Capitals — form and outlook
Dhaka Capitals began the campaign with a comfortable win, defending 132 and chasing down the target in 18 overs. But two back-to-back losses followed — a chase failure against Sylhet (they could not reach 174) and a batting collapse versus the Royals where 122 was not enough. The recurring issue is their middle-order inconsistency. If Capitals are to stay competitive in the power-packed BPL, their batters need to contribute more regularly, especially in the middle overs.
Rangpur Riders — strengths and recent form
Rangpur Riders have shown good balance so far. A clinical bowling display skittled the Royals for 102 in the opener, and their batters chased comfortably. They lost a close one in a Super Over to the Warriors but recovered with a chase of 145 against SLT. Rangpur’s bowling, led by in-form quicks and effective all-rounders, has been the standout; their batters have also provided controlled starts, making them a dangerous opponent on most days.
Pitch report — Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
Sylhet generally offers a fair contest between bat and ball. Expect some early movement for the pacers and a surface that slows a touch through the middle overs, helping spinners regain control. A par team score looks to be around 150–165. Dew could become a factor later in the evening, which often favors the chasing side.
Weather forecast
Conditions look stable with clear skies and no rain predicted. Temperatures should be between 19–21°C with light winds and moderate humidity — ideal for a full game at Sylhet.
Head-to-head (T20)
- Matches played: 2
- Dhaka Capitals wins: 0
- Rangpur Riders wins: 2
- Tied/No result: 0
Probable XIs
- Dhaka Capitals: Usman Khan, Saif Hassan, Zubaid Akbari, Mohammad Mithun (wk/c), Nasir Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Saifuddin, Taskin Ahmed, Salman Mirza
- Rangpur Riders: Dawid Malan, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Kyle Mayers, Khushdil Shah, Nurul Hasan (wk/c), Mahmudullah, Faheem Ashraf, Aliss Al Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury
Players to watch
- Shamim Hossain (Dhaka Capitals) — Aggressive and destructive in T20s, Shamim’s form matters for Dhaka’s middle order. He has 102 runs in three matches including a fifty; his starts can change the game quickly.
- Dawid Malan (Rangpur Riders) — The left-hander has 133 runs in three innings with two fifties. If Malan gets in, Rangpur often post or chase big totals, and he can take the game away on his own.
- Faheem Ashraf (Rangpur Riders) — The all-rounder has been exceptional with the ball, picking up 11 wickets in three matches so far. He also provides late-order hitting, making him a match-winner with both ball and bat.
Toss prediction and strategy
At Sylhet recent trends show captains preferring to bowl after winning the toss. In the last three T20s at this ground, teams elected to bowl first each time. Across 70 men’s T20 matches here, chasing sides have a slight edge (38 wins) over teams batting first (32 wins). Given the pitch and possible dew, the safer call is to bowl first and chase.
Match scenarios
Scenario 1 (Dhaka bowls first)
- Power-play score expected: 40–45
- Rangpur target projection: 165–180
- Likely winner: Rangpur Riders (if they get early wickets and Faheem continues his form)
Scenario 2 (Rangpur bowls first)
- Power-play score expected: 35–40
- Dhaka projection batting first: 155–170
- Likely winner: Rangpur Riders (their bowling depth and experience could defend the total)
Who will win?
Rangpur Riders head into Sylhet with a slight edge. Their bowling is in top form and their top-order, led by Dawid Malan and Litton Das, has shown consistency. Dhaka Capitals have the firepower but must fix their inconsistency in the middle overs. On paper and based on recent performances, Rangpur look favorites — but T20 is unpredictable, and a big showing from Dhaka’s batters could swing the game the other way.