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Will keep Big Boss ahead of Smith: Maruf

Sports Reporter
Following yesterday's rest day, the sixth edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is set to resume today with what could be an exciting day of cricket as Comilla Victorians will take on Rangpur Riders under lights after Dhaka Dynamites face off against Khulna Titans in the first match of the day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
While both matches have enough firepower to ensure fascinating contests throughout, the focus will remain on the second match of the day where a thrilling battle between Comilla's skipper Steve Smith and Rangpur Rider's destructive opener Chris Gayle could take place.
Although Gayle joined Rangpur on the opening day, the West Indian batsman was unable to play in the first two matches as he received his No Objection Certificate (NOC) just after the side took to the field in their second game against Khulna on Sunday. However, the left-hander is most likely to start in today's game having received the NOC.
Smith, who is participatingin his maiden BPL, is said to have lifted the tournament's standards with his presence, however, the former Australia skipper provided a tame performance on his BPL debut against Sylhet Sixers but that could also work as extra motivation to prove his worth in today's match. On the other hand, the gigantic West Indian Gayle has already proved his prowess in BPL as he participated in all five previous editions of the tourna-
merit and remains the highest run-getter among overseas players after featuring in 26 BPL matches so far.
Rangpur opener Mehedi Maruf also kept the "Big Boss" ahead in the contest as Gayle has more experience of playing in the country between the two.
"The truth is we have Gayle in our team. Gayle has been playing cricket in Bangladesh for many years, which is our biggest plus point. Smith may be playing his first BPL. He never came to play in Bangladesh except for the international tours with his country. So the advantage will be with Gayle as he knows all the bowlers here very well. I will keep big boss ahead," said Maruf after Rangpur's practice session at the Academy Ground
in Mirpur yesterday.
However, all-rounder Mahedi Hasan of Comilla, who scalped the wicket of Gayle a few times before in the BPL, was confident about keeping the West Indian at bay.
'It does not matter, if I bowl well then Gayle and other big names will also get dismissed. If I bowl badly then any batsmen will hit me. This is the rule of cricket. Playing a good ball is difficult for any batsman. *
The first match of the day also promises to be an enthralling contest as Shakib Al Hasan's Dhaka will look to continue their winning ways while Mahmudullah Riyad's Khulna will be desperate to secure their first win of the tournament after falling short by just eight runs in their opener against Rangpur.