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 face Gulf Giants in the 2023 ILT20.
Start of play is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm GMT) on Wednesday, February 1.
The game was be played at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Gulf Giants currently sit second on ten points but back-to-back no results due to the weather have put the brakes on their season. Prior to that, they had lost just once in five matches.
MI Emirates have had a mixed bag of results. Currently sat in third and pushing for a place in the first semi-final, they have four wins from seven (two defeats, one no result).
They ended a run of three matches without a win with a crushing 157-run victory over Desert Vipers, bowling their opponents out for just 84.
Kieron Pollard is in fine form for MI Emirates (Karim Sahib/Getty Images)
Last time out, Andre Fletcher, Muhammad Waseem and captain Keiron Pollard all smashed fifties at healthy strike rates for MI Emirates as they dominated Desert Vipers' bowling attack. And it was far from a one-off for Pollard, who has scored 275 runs at a strike rate of 188 in six innings.
James Vince leads the way with the bat for Gulf Giants, averaging 57 and scoring three half-centuries in five innings. However, it is with the ball that they've particularly impressed, with Chris Jordan leading the way with 10 wickets.
However, the bowlers will have to be at their best against Pollard and co., who will have their tails up after scoring 241 runs in their previous outing. One things for sure, MI Emirates can punish poor bowling.
Humid temperatures of around 22 degrees Celsius are expected in Dubai.
Both sides have managed to remain for the most part unaffected by international tours.
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
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
*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match
James Vince has been among the runs for Gulf Giants (Karim Sahib/Getty Images)
MI Emirates: Andre Fletcher, Muhammad Waseem, Keiron Pollard, Najibullah Zadran, Dan Mousley, Lorcan Tucker, Dwayne Bravo, Trent Boult, Imran Tahir, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Zahoor Khan
Gulf Giants: Rehan Ahmed, James Vince, Chris Lynn, Tom Banton, Aayan Afzal Khan, Shimron Hetmyer, Liam Dawson, David Weise, Chris Jordan, Sanchit Sharma, Richard Gleeson
MI Emirates are the favourites, with Paddy Power offering odds of 4/6. Gulf Giants are available at 11/10.
MI Emirates should use their mammoth win against the Vipers as a boost against the Giants, who are lacking in match practice, and leapfrog their opponents into second-placed side.
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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