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
MI Emirates play host to Sharjah Warriors in match two of the ILT20 2023.
Start of play is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm GMT) on Saturday, January 14.
The game was be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket ground in the UAE.
It’s just the second match of the inaugural season, as the ILT20 started on January 13 with Dubai Capitals taking on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
MI Emirates are coached by a member of the Mumbai Indians family, Shane Bond. Kieron Pollard is the captain. His career T20 strike rate of 150 will come in handy towards the back end of the innings.
Sharjah Warriors have World Cup-winning quality. Moeen Ali leads the team, with over 5,000 T20 runs and 175 wickets.
Moeen Ali is the Sharjah Warriors captain [Getty Images]
The influence of Nicholas Pooran for MI Emirates will be critical. The West Indies bat has been in fine form out in Abu Dhabi during the T10 League and will be used to the conditions on offer. His explosive batting has found a home in the likes of the Middle East this season, where he boasts a strike rate of 230-plus.
Mostly sunny weather in forecast for this game with highs of 23 degrees Celsius and lows of 18. Expect the dew to become a factor once the sun starts to set.
Both sides are yet to announce any absences from their squads so both teams should have fully fit squads to pick from for both teams first taste of the ILT20.
MI Emirates: Kieron Pollard (c), Dwayne Bravo, Nicolas 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
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
Kieron Pollard leads MI Emirates [Getty Images]
MI Emirates: Will Smeed, Andre Fletcher, Muhammad Waseem, Nicolas Pooran, Samit Patel, Kieron Pollard, Tom Lammonby, Dwyane Bravo, Trent Boult, Imran Tahir, Brad Wheal
Sharjah Warriors: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Dawid Malan, Evin Lewis, Moeen Ali, Chris Benjamin, Mohammad Nabi, Chris Woakes, Junaid Siddique, Noor Ahmad, Bilal Khan
MI Emirates are favourites with the bookmakers with best-price odds of 4/6, while Sharjah Warriors are underdogs at 6/5.
Neither of these two sides have played a game of cricket before, so go figure! MI Emirates have a strong batting line up with good spin options if required, and will give Sharjah Warriors a stern test.
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.
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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