Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the final encounter in the 2023 ILT20
Gulf Giants take on Desert Vipers in the final of the ILT20 2023.
Start of play is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm GMT) on Sunday, February 12.
The game was be played at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Desert Vipers made a direct entry into the finals after beating Gulf Giants in Qualifier 1. The table-topping Gulf Giants, however, defeated MI Emirates and are set to meet the Vipers again.
Vipers registered a 19-run win over the Giants in the first qualifier. Previously, Desert Vipers had lost against the Gulf Giants on both occasions in the group stage.
Additionally, Gulf Giants lost just one game in the group stages, recording seven victories and two no results. They come into the final after defeating MI Emirates comfortably in Qualifier 2.
James Vince of Gulf Giants (Getty Images)
The two highest run-scorers of the ILT20 campaign, Alex Hales and James Vince, will carry their respective batting lineups. Hales tops the charts with 468 runs, and his match-up against his countryman Chris Jordan will be interesting.
Vince has been the Giants' saviour with the bat, while Chris Lynn and Shimron Hetmyer have chipped in with useful knocks. When they go up against Tom Curran and the spin wizard Wanindu Hasaranga, who picked four and three wickets respectively in the first qualifier, sparks could fly.
Wall-to-wall sunshine is expected in Dubai, with temperatures peaking around 23 degrees Celsius.
No major issues have been reported by either side.
Gulf Giants: Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Jordan, Chris Lynn, Tom Banton, Dominic Drakes, David Wiese, Jamie Overton, Richard Gleeson, Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson, James Vince (c), Qais Ahmad, Ollie Pope, Aayan Khan, Sanchit Sharma, CP Rizwaan, Ashwant Valthapa, Tom Helm, Gerhard Erasmus
Desert Vipers: Colin Munro (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Sam Billings, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Matheesha Pathirana, Sherfane Rutherford, Sheldon Cottrell, Benny Howell, Ruben Trumpelmann, Mark Watt, Tymal Mills, Adam Lyth, Rohan Mustafa, Shiraz Ahmad, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dinesh Chandimal, Gus Atkinson, Jake Lintott, Luke Wood
*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match
Wanindu Hasaranga of Desert Vipers (screengrab/ILT20)
Gulf Giants: Chris Lynn, Tom Banton, James Vince, Shimron Hetmyer, David Wiese, Carlos Brathwaite, Dominic Drakes, Colin de Grandhomme, Chris Jordan, Aayan Afzal Khan, Sanchit Sharma
Desert Vipers: Rohan Mustafa, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Sam Billings, Sherfane Rutherford, Wanindu Hasaranga, Tom Curran, Luke Wood, Gus Atkinson, Sheldon Cottrell, Shiraz Ahmed
Paddy Power can't split them, with both Gulf Giants and Desert Vipers available at 5/6.
Despite Gulf Giants finishing at the top of the table, current form suggests Desert Vipers are the favourites to win this encounter.
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 between 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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