ILT20 2023 match preview: MI Emirates v Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

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?

MI Emirates take on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 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 Friday, February 3.

Where is the match being played?

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

Who's got the form?

MI Emirates are currently third in the table with nine points from eight matches but have only won one of their past four matches. Last time out, they lost to Gulf Giants by five wickets off the final delivery of the match. 

The Knight Riders sit rock bottom of the table and are still searching for their maiden win. They have only picked up one point this season (when their match up with Gulf Giants was abandoned).

Kieron Pollard is having an excellent season with the bat for MI Emirates, scoring 294 runs from eight innings at an average of 73.5 and will be looking for his fourth half-century of the season. Fazalhaq Farooqi is their leading wicket-taker with nine wickets from seven matches.

Lahiru Kamara has been a bright spark for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, picking up eight wickets in five matches this season.

Kieron Pollard is a threat for MI Emirates (Karim Sahib/Getty Images)

What's the key match-up?

MI have many heavy hitters in Andre Fletcher, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran and Pollard, who will look to dominate the Knight Riders' bowling attack. Pollard has scored at an average of 73.5 and a strike rate of 192.1.

Expect them to have fun against a bowling attack which has been over-reliant on the wickets of Kumara and the economical bowling of Sunil Narine and Akeal Hosein.

What's the weather forecast?

There are temperatures expected of around 21 degrees Celsius, with expected humidity of 70. 

What is the team news?

Both sides have maintained a similar side throughout the season, unaffected by injuries or international tours.

What are the squads?

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

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

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

^{Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have had very little to celebrate (Francois Nel/Getty Images)}

What are the possible starting XIs?

MI Emirates: Andre Fletcher, Muhammad Waseem, Basil Hameed, Nicholas Pooran, Najibullah Zadran, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Jordan Thompson, Trent Boult, Imran Tahir, Fazalhaq Farooqi

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

What are the odds?

MI Emirates are favourites to win the match with Paddy Power offering odds of 4/7. Knight Riders are the underdogs at 5/4

What's the prediction?

MI Emirates should ease past the winless Knight Riders.

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.