ILT20 2023 match preview: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v Sharjah Warriors

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

What's the match?

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders take on Sharjah Warriors in the latest instalment of the ILT20 2023. 

When is it taking place?

Start of play is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm GMT) on Saturday, February 4.

Where is the match being played?

The game was be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Who's got the form?

Sharjah Warriors are on the rise after a dismal start. They have won three of their last five, with an abandonment in between. That good run came to an end last time out, however, when they were beaten by Desert Vipers by 22 runs.

They still have something to play for, though, with the top four qualifying for the playoffs.

Knight Riders, meanwhile, have been as good as out for some time. Their only point has come courtesy of a washout against Gulf Giants. Otherwise, they have been defeated in every game.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have struggled (Getty Images)

What's the key match-up?

Abu Dhabi's principal sign of life has come from Andre Russell; he is comfortably his team's leading run-scorer.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore has been key for Sharjah, with 245 runs in eight games at an average of 40.83. Naveen-ul-Haq has been excellent for Warriors with the ball; only Chris Jordan, Sheldon Cottrell and Wanindu Hasaranga have taken more wickets in the tournament. 

What's the weather forecast?

A sunny but mild day with temperatures expected to hit 21 degrees Celsius. 

What is the team news?

It is unclear whether the Sharjah Warriors trio of Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and Dawid Malan will have returned following their exertions with England in South Africa.

Colin Ingram has swapped the ILT20 for the SA20 and is no longer available to Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. 

What are the squads?

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, Joe Clarke

Sharjah Warriors: Moeen Ali (c), Dawid Malan, Evin Lewis, Mohammad Nabi, Chris Woakes, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen-ul-Haq, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Chris Benjamin, Mark Deyal, Bilal Khan, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Jawadullah, Marcus Stoinis, Jamal Todd, Joe Denly, Paul Walter, Adam Hose, Marcus Stoinis

*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match

^{Sharjah Warriors could still reach the playoffs (screengrab/ILT20)}

What are the possible starting XIs?

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Paul Stirling, Joe Clarke, Dhananjaya de Silva, Brandon King, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Zawar Farid, Akeal Hosein, Sunil Narine, Matiullah Khan, Lahiru Kumara

Sharjah Warriors: Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Hose/Dawid Malan, Joe Denly/Moeen Ali, Paul Walter/Chris Woakes, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmed, Junaid Siddique, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohammad Jawah Ullah

What are the odds?

Paddy Power have Sharjah Warriors as 8/11 favourites. The even-money being offered on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders still doesn't look long enough.

What's the prediction?

Who backs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders? Sharjah Warriors win, even without key players.

Are tickets available?

Tickets are available on Platinum List. Child tickets are available for just $2.81 while adult tickets start at $8.42.

Where can I watch the game?

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.