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The International League T20 (ILT20) heats up as Desert Vipers take on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Match 9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Desert Vipers have been on a roll, winning their last three matches, including a comprehensive victory over MI Emirates. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, who are placed second on the table, will look to bounce back after a strong win over Sharjah Warriorz. The Vipers already defeated the Knight Riders once this season and will aim to continue their winning streak, while the Knight Riders will hope to prove their mettle and secure another vital win.
Match Details
| Match | Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders |
|---|---|
| Date | January 20, 2025 |
| Time | 7:00 PM Local Time |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| Weather | Clear and pleasant with no rain expected |
Team Previews
Desert Vipers
The Desert Vipers are in fantastic form, securing three consecutive wins. In their last match, they comfortably chased down 160 against MI Emirates with five wickets in hand and five balls to spare. Fakhar Zaman has been a standout performer at the top, with a vital 67 off 52 balls. Along with Sam Curran, who has scored consistently at a strike rate of 120, and Sherfane Rutherford, who remains unbeaten in the middle order, the Vipers boast a powerful batting lineup. With the ball, Lockie Ferguson has led the attack with 6 wickets, while Wanindu Hasaranga, Luke Wood, and Sam Curran provide key support. Desert Vipers will look to continue their winning momentum and cement their place at the top of the table.
Key Players: Fakhar Zaman, Sam Curran, Lockie Ferguson
Predicted Playing XI:
Fakhar Zaman, Alex Hales, Daniel Lawrence, Sam Curran, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri (wk), David Payne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ali Naseer, Lockie Ferguson (c), Luke Wood
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
After a disappointing start to the season, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bounced back in style with a 30-run victory over Sharjah Warriorz. They set a target of 159, and their bowlers did a fine job, bowling out Warriorz for 129. Philip Salt has been a key performer for the Knight Riders, scoring 73 runs at a strike rate of 130. Alishan Sharafu has also been impressive with 71 runs at 126.78. Andre Russell, a key all-rounder, adds power to their middle order and provides vital overs with the ball. Jason Holder has been effective with the ball, while Sunil Narine and David Willey offer more control. The Knight Riders will aim to build on their previous win and challenge the Vipers.
Key Players: Philip Salt, Andre Russell, Jason Holder
Predicted Playing XI:
Philip Salt (wk), Kyle Mayers, Joe Clarke, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Laurie Evans, Sunil Narine (c), Jason Holder, David Willey, Shahid Iqbal Bhutta
Fantasy Team XI
| Player | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman (C) | Desert Vipers | Batsman |
| Philip Salt (VC) | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Batsman |
| Sam Curran | Desert Vipers | All-rounder |
| Andre Russell | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | All-rounder |
| Lockie Ferguson | Desert Vipers | Bowler |
| Jason Holder | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Bowler |
| Sunil Narine | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Bowler |
| Alishan Sharafu | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Batsman |
| Sherfane Rutherford | Desert Vipers | Batsman |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Desert Vipers | Bowler |
| David Willey | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Bowler |
Pitch Report
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium typically offers favorable conditions for batting, with the ball coming on nicely to the bat in the early stages. As the match progresses, spinners begin to get more assistance, and the surface becomes more conducive for them. Fast bowlers might also find some extra bounce, but the pitch largely supports attacking cricket. The average first-innings score at the venue is 158, with teams generally finding success when chasing.
- Average 1st Innings Score: 158
- Toss Prediction: Bat first
Winning Prediction
Desert Vipers have been in sensational form and will go into this match as favorites, especially after defeating the Knight Riders earlier this season. Their balanced squad and consistent performers will give them confidence. However, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are capable of pulling off an upset with key players like Andre Russell and Jason Holder. Despite that, we expect Desert Vipers to extend their winning streak in this contest.
Prediction: Desert Vipers to win!
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