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
Gulf Giants face MI Emirates in the latest instalment of the ILT20 2023.
Start of play is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm GMT) on Friday, January 27.
The game is to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
Gulf Giants are flying at the top of the table with nine points, with four wins and one loss from their six matches.
They were unbeaten in their first five games, winning every game that had a result, but suffered their first loss to Sharjah Warriors in their last completed outing by 21 runs.
MI Emirates have lost their last two matches, which has seen them drop down the table into third, after winning their opening three games. MI lost to Desert Vipers last time out by seven wickets having been beaten by Dubai Capitals the previous game.
Despite low scores in the last two games, James Vince has been the go-to player with the bat for Giants, scoring 229 runs from five matches including three half-centuries. Shimron Hetmyer has also contributed with the bat, scoring 70 runs off just 35 balls against Desert Vipers.
Kieron Pollard has been leading the way for MI with the bat, scoring a blistering 67 last time out against the Vipers and 86 the game before against Dubai Capitals.
The Giants bowling attack has impressed thus far, managing to keep their opponents to a run rate of 7.54 from the five matches they have played so far.
James Vince has run hot during the ILT20 (Karim Sahib/AFP via Getty Images)
The Giants' bowling has been excellent so far, this season, with the likes of Chris Jordan, David Wiese and Rehan Ahmed, who have taken 23 wickets between them, performing well. But they will be given the ultimate test in Dubai.
MI have batted brilliantly, with an average run rate of 9.27 runs per over across their five matches. Key to that has been the power of Kieron Pollard (strike rate 177) and Najibullah Zadran (224), either side of the anchors in the order including Andre Fletcher and Nicholas Pooran.
The weather isn’t looking promising, with rain showers and thunderstorms forecast throughout the day and evening.
Both sides lost last time out and may look to make some changes to their sides in order to pick up a vital win.
Giants struggled with the bat on their last outing, scoring just 130 and may look to tinker with their order and bring Carlos Brathwaite into the side, who is yet to feature this season.
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
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
*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match
MI Emirates need their bowling to do the talking (Karim Sahib/AFP via Getty Images)
Gulf Giants: Rehan Ahmed, James Vince, Chris Lynn, Tom Banton, Aayan Afzal Khan, Shimron Hetmyer, Liam Dawson, David Wiese, Chris Jordan, Sanchit Sharma, Richard Gleeson
MI Emirates: Muhammad Waseem, Vriitya Aravind, Andre Fletcher, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Najibullah Zadran, Samit Patel, Dwayne Bravo, Trent Boult, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Brad Wheal.
MI Emirates are favourites to win the match with Paddy Power at 4/6. Gulf Giants are outsiders at 11/10.
Gulf Giants should have too much with the ball for a powerful MI batting line-up.
Tickets are available on Platinum List. Tickets are available for just $2.81.
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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