Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 ILT20
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders face MI Emirates in the latest installment of the ILT20 2023.
Start of play is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm GMT) on Saturday, January 21.
The game was be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi have been woeful so far, losing four out of four.
MI Emirates, meanwhile, have a perfect record, winning both their matches in straightforward fashion. They appear to have most bases covered, with Will Smeed and Muhammad Waseem an aggressive opening pair, followed by a stacked middle order featuring both Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard.
Trent Boult and Fazalhaq Farooqi provide an all-left-arm new-ball attack, while Imran Tahir has taken five wickets in two games. Both their wins have come over Sharjah Warriors, who have the same losing record as Knight Riders, who've been well beaten by Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers and Gulf Giants.
Knight Riders have struggled so far [Getty Images]
Brandon King made 57 for Abu Dhabi in a comprehensive battering by Vipers and Andre Russell smashed the same score in a battering by Desert Vipers, but otherwise they have been short on contributions from their big players.
A 111-run defeat by Vipers was a nadir, on the end of a hundred from Alex Hales and particularly forlorn in a reply that collapsed to 18 for 4.
Russell's fifty needs to be only the start for Knight Riders, who also need more from Sunil Narine and Colin Ingram.
A sunny yet mild day, with highs of 23 degrees Celsius around the start of play.
Abu Dhabi could well make changes as they look for an elusive winning formula. Paul Stirling missed out against Vipers and could return.
Emirates have been excellent so far and have plenty in reserve too.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Sunil Narine (c), Andre Russell, Paul Stirling, Lahiru Kumara, Charith Asalanka, Colin Ingram, Akeal Hosein, Ravi Rampaul, Raymon Reifer, Kennar Lewis, Ali Khan, Brandon Glover, Sabir Ali, Matiullah Khan, Zawar Farid, Fahad Nawaz, Marchant de Lange, Dhananjaya de Silva, Connor Esterhuizen, Traveen Mathew
MI Emirates: Kieron Pollard (c), Dwayne Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, Andre Fletcher, Imran Tahir, Samit Patel, Will Smeed, Jordan Thompson, Najibullah Zadran, Zahir Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Brad Wheal, Bas de Leede, Muhammad Waseem, Basil Hameed, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Craig Overton, Tom Lammonby, Dan Mousley, McKenny Clarke, Lorcan Tucker
*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match
Abu Dhabi need Andre Russell to fire [Francois Nel/Getty Images]
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Brandon King, Paul Stirling, Kennar Lewis, Colin Ingram, Charith Asalanka, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein, Matiullah Khan, Sabir Ali, Marchant de Lange
MI Emirates: Will Smeed, Muhammad Waseem, Andre Fletcher, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Najibullah Zadran, Dwayne Bravo, Trent Boult, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Imran Tahir, Zahoor Khan
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are the rank 13/8 outsiders with Paddy Power. MI Emirates are a very short 4/9.
MI Emirates ought to have far too much for Abu Dhabi unless Russell and Narine fire.
Tickets are available on Platinum List. Child tickets are available for just $2.81 while adult tickets start at $8.42.
ZEE have obtained the broadcast rights for the ILT20 on a long-term deal.
All 34 matches will be aired across the company's 10 linear channels, with coverage provided in more than 10 languages, including English, Hindi and Tamil, as well as on ZEE5 Global.
In the UK, Zee TV can be accessed via channel 709 on Sky and channel 809 on Virgin Media. Every match will also be available via BT Sport (TV/online/app) following a deal betwee the broadcaster and Zee.
Elsewhere in the world, the full tournament will be available via Zee Cinema (SD/HD), Zee Anmol Cinema, ZEE Thirai, Zee Bangla Cinema, Zee Zest (SD/HD), &Pictures, &Flix, and ZEE5.
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