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 Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in match seven of the ILT20 2023.
Start of play is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm GMT) on Wednesday, January 18.
The game was be played at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Vipers have only played one match in the ILT20 - getting off to the ideal start against Sharjah Warriors.
A frugal bowling display, which saw Benny Howell return 1 for 23, Tymal Mills claimed 1 for 11 and the attack produced 49 dots in 20 overs was then backed up in the chase.
Alex Hales crashed an inspired 83 not out from 52 balls, putting on 128 for the third wicket.
Sam Billings added 49 to help secure victory with 20 balls remaining.
Knight Riders have a 100 per cent record of a different king having lost their opening two. They were beaten in the opening game by Dubai Capitals before losing to Gulf Giants.
Central to their failings has been a batting line-up which has only recorded scores of 114 for 9 in both of their innings.
Alex Hales (Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Hales looked imperious in the opening game, carrying his World Cup and Big Bash form into the ILT20, and quelling him at the top of the order will be key.
Pace-off may indeed be the way to go. Akeal Hosein can create good angles and flight with his left-arm spin and we can expect to see him with the new ball again.
Alternative options come in the form of Matiullah Khan, who conceded just 13 from his two overs against Gulf Giants and deserved a senior role in the attack.
A slightly overcast day, with highs of 22 degrees Celsius around the start of play.
Vipers have Wanindu Hasaranga available after the conclusion of the Sri Lanka-India ODIs.
Adam Lyth is also available for his ILT20 debut and would add experience to a top-order, which despite Hales and Billings' heroics, included three single-figure scores in the opening game.
Marchant de Lange is waiting in the wings for Knight Riders and will punch to their attack. Elsewhere, the batting order requires some attention with the possibility of Brandon King opening and Sunil Narine being moved up.
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
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
*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match
Akeal Hosein (RANDY BROOKS/AFP via 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
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Colin Ingram, Paul Stirling, Brandon King, Zawar Fadrid, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Connor Esterhuizen, Akeal Hosein, Fahad Nawaz, Ravi Rampaul, Marchant De Lange
Knight Riders are favourites with bookmakers Betfair, with a best available price of 11/10. Knight Riders are the outsiders, with odds as long as 8/11 in places.
Knight Riders need to amend their batting frailties quickly but Vipers may come too soon for them.
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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