The second phase of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League 2023 will get underway at the port-city Chattogram today with the hosts Chattogram Challengers taking on Fortune Barishal in the day’s first game at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Meanwhile, Khulna Tigers will face Rangpur Riders at the same venue in the day’s second and last match.

Both Chattogram and Barishal have a similar stint during the opening Dhaka phase as both of them won one and lost the other after playing two matches in the tournament so far.

Chattogram, which lost their opening game against table-toppers Sylhet Sixers, made a great turnaround in the second game as Usman Khan struck a brilliant unbeaten hundred to help his side earn a nine-wicket win over Khulna Tigers.

“If we talk about hitting power, there is Usman. He has hitting power. Afif has punching power with skill and touch, so they are different. Afif is more skilful than Usman but he is powerful. I believe there is a right balance with power, skill and touch in the squad,” Chattogram head coach Julian Wood told reporters in Chattogram on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Barishal pacer Ebadot Hossain feels that the bowlers needed to be cleverer while bowling in Chattogram wicket as it provides more assistance to the batters than Mirpur.

“We all know that Chattogram wicket is always helpful for the batters. Bowlers need to increase their skills. They need to bowl with brains,” said Ebadot.

“We played both matches well…Maybe we made some small mistakes in the second game and that’s why we lost the match. We are very confident and hopefully, we will do well against them (Khulna),” Rangpur left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan said.

Khulna, however, lost both their Dhaka phase matches and will be looking to clinch their first win against Rangpur and open their account in the ongoing tournament.