ILT20 2023 match preview: Sharjah Warriors v Dubai Capitals

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

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What's the match?

Sharjah Warriors face Dubai Capitals in the latest instalment of the ILT20 2023. 

When is it taking place?

Start of play is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm GMT) on Thursday, January 26.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. 

Who's got the form?

At the midway point in the group phase, both Warriors and Capitals sit on identical records, with two wins and three defeats from their five matches.

But it is the Warriors who come into the game with the better form (and a place higher in the table due to net run rate), having won their last two.

That streak was started by victory in the first meeting with Capitals, a seven-wicket success on January 21.

Warriors start the game with the better net run rate but whoever can prevail can create daylight between themselves and the bottom two.

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Sikandar Raza is braced to return to the competition (KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

What's the key match-up?

Sikandar Raza is expected to be back in the Capitals ranks after leaving the competition for Zimbabwe's ODI series against Ireland.

His two performances thus far have produced 56 runs at a strike rate of 155, and a single wicket with an economy rate of 6.25.

This might be a battle of the off-spinning allrounders with Mohammad Nabi performing a similar role for Warriors.

The Afghanistan international has yet to find his best form, however, scoring just 58 runs in four innings and taking two wickets in 11 overs.

What's the weather forecast?

Rain is expected throughout the day in Sharjah so it could be a heavily-disrupted game.

What is the team news?

Warriors have lost captain Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan and Chris Woakes to England's ODI series against South Africa, so will be forced to dip into their resources to find cover.

Marcus Stoinis is not yet available, so it should mean the first appearances for Chris Benjamin and Paul Walter.

Capitals are without Joe Root but have Niroshan Dickwella, George Munsey or Bhanuka Rajapaksa to call upon to plug the gap. Raza is expected to return following his international jaunt.

What are the squads?

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

Dubai Capitals: Rovman Powell (c), Dasun Shanaka, Fabian Allen, Mujeeb Rahman, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Sikandar Raza, Hazratullah Zazai, Chirag Suri, Daniel Lawrence, Jash Ginayani, Niroshan Dickwella, Fred Klaassen, George Munsey, Hazrat Luqman, Akif Raja, Joe Root, Robin Uthappa, Ravi Bopara, Yusuf Pathan, Ollie White, Jake Ball

*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match

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Is this Mohammad Nabi's time to shine? (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

What are the possible starting XIs?

Sharjah Warriors: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Evin Lewis, Bilal Deyal, Joe Denly, Chris Benjamin, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Paul Walter, Junaid Siddique, Naveen-ul-Haq

Dubai Capitals: Robin Uthappa, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Rovman Powell, Yusuf Pathan, Dan Lawrence, Sikandar Raza, Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, Fred Klaassen, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Hazrat Luqman

What are the odds?

Sharjah Warriors are the favourites a 4/6 with Paddy Power. Dubai Capitals are the outsiders at 11/10.

What's the prediction?

Capitals will be eager for revenge after the defeat to the Warriors over the weekend. The hosts have been gutted by international withdrawals and without Stoinis may struggle.

Are tickets available?

Tickets are available on Platinum List. Child tickets are available for just $2.81 while adult tickets start at $8.42.

Where can I watch the game?

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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