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
Desert Vipers face Sharjah Warriors in match four of the ILT20 2023.
Start of play is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm GMT) on Sunday, January 15.
The game was be played at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Sharjah Warriors lost their opening game against MI Emirates, while Desert Vipers will be playing their first game. Warriors will be playing their second game in as many days with the hope of registering their first win.
Warriors were mostly dismal with both bat and ball. Other than from Chris Woakes, all the bowlers were taken to the cleaners in the opening game, while the batting department failed miserably as well.
Desert Vipers have Alex Hales at the top of the order [Getty Images]
The key matchups for this contest will be between Desert Vipers' top order and Sharjah Warriors' fast bowlers. Woakes was their standout bowler, picking up two wickets conceding just 23 runs in four overs.
Desert Vipers have Alex Hales, Colin Munro and Adam Lyth at the top of their order to combat the threat of the England seamer.
Another key match-up will be Wanindu Hasaranga's battle with Warriors' middle order, particularly given their struggles against fellow leg-spinner Imran Tahir on Saturday.
A sunny day is forecast, with highs of 22 degrees Celsius around the start of play.
Both sides have plenty of options; Sharjah may opt to stay loyal to the side that took to the field on Saturday, while it will be interesting to see how Vipers line up for their opener.
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
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
*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match
Wanindu Hasaranga is one of the world's most potent white-ball spinners [Getty Images]
Desert Vipers: Alex Hales, Adam Lyth, Colin Munro, Sam Billings, Rohan Mustafa, Sherfane Rutherford, Benny Howell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Tom Curran, Matheesha Pathirana, Shiraz Ahmad
Sharjah Warriors: Evin Lewis, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Dawid Malan, Joe Denly, Kohler Cadmore, Moeen Ali, Mohammed Nabi, Chris Woakes, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Naveen-ul-Haq
The home team, Desert Vipers, are favourites at 8/11, with Sharjah Warriors available at 11/10.
Desert Vipers will be playing their first game, while Sharjah Warriors have lost their first game. And given the team balance and match-ups, Desert Vipers must be favourites to get off to a winning start.
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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