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The highly anticipated International League T20 (ILT20) 2025 kicks off with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders taking on Desert Vipers at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on January 12, 2025, at 8:30 PM IST. After finishing last season in fifth and fourth positions respectively, both teams will be looking to start this campaign on a positive note. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, led by Sunil Narine, have added depth to their squad and look to challenge the Vipers, who will rely on their explosive top order and all-round brilliance of Wanindu Hasaranga.
Match Details
| Fixture | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Desert Vipers |
|---|---|
| Date | January 12, 2025 |
| Time | 8:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
Teams Preview
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Preview
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are hoping to shed their inconsistency from previous seasons. Led by Sunil Narine, they boast a powerful lineup featuring experienced players like Andre Russell, David Willey, and Joe Clarke. The team has a well-rounded mix of explosive batters and versatile bowlers, offering depth across departments.
The all-round contributions of players like Andre Russell will be crucial, while Sunil Narine and Gudakesh Motie will look to stifle the opposition with their spin prowess. With a revamped bowling attack featuring quality pacers, Abu Dhabi will be eager to make a strong opening statement.
Key Players: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, David Willey
Predicted Playing XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Andries Gous | Batter |
| Joe Clarke | Batter |
| Andre Russell | All-rounder |
| David Willey | All-rounder |
| Roston Chase | All-rounder |
| Charith Asalanka | All-rounder |
| Sunil Narine (c) | All-rounder |
| Gudakesh Motie | Bowler |
| Ali Khan | Bowler |
| Laurie Evans | Batter |
| Michael Pepper | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
Desert Vipers Preview
Desert Vipers enter this season with a dynamic lineup headlined by Alex Hales and Fakhar Zaman at the top. They possess a potent batting order bolstered by the presence of Bas de Leede, Sherfane Rutherford, and Azam Khan, giving them explosive firepower in the middle overs.
Their pace attack looks solid with international stars like Lockie Ferguson, Muhammad Amir, and Luke Wood. However, they lack depth in the spin department, relying heavily on Wanindu Hasaranga for breakthroughs. Maintaining control during the middle overs will be critical for the Vipers’ success.
Key Players: Wanindu Hasaranga, Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford
Predicted Playing XI:
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Alex Hales | Batter |
| Fakhar Zaman | Batter |
| Bas de Leede | All-rounder |
| Sherfane Rutherford | Batter |
| Azam Khan (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Dan Lawrence | Batter |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | All-rounder |
| Lockie Ferguson | Bowler |
| Muhammad Amir | Bowler |
| Nathan Sowter | Bowler |
| David Payne | Bowler |
Fantasy Team XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Captain | Alex Hales |
| Vice-Captain | Andre Russell |
| Batsmen | Fakhar Zaman, Joe Clarke, Sherfane Rutherford |
| All-rounders | Wanindu Hasaranga, Sunil Narine, Bas de Leede |
| Wicketkeeper | Azam Khan |
| Bowlers | Lockie Ferguson, David Willey, Gudakesh Motie, Muhammad Amir |
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report
Sheikh Zayed Stadium generally offers slow pitches with assistance for spinners. However, being the first game of the season, the surface is likely to have good pace and carry, providing an even contest between bat and ball. A par score is expected to be around 150-160 runs.
Weather Conditions
Abu Dhabi will witness hot and humid conditions, typical for this time of the year. Dew is expected to play a factor in the later stages, favoring teams batting second. There are no weather interruptions anticipated.
Toss Prediction
Both teams are likely to prefer chasing due to the expected dew factor.
Winning Prediction
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have a balanced squad with a strong bowling lineup and experienced all-rounders. On the other hand, Desert Vipers possess a powerful top-order but lack depth in spin options, which could hurt them on this surface.
Prediction: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to win.
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