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The International League T20 2025 is approaching the business end of the tournament, and every match is crucial. The Desert Vipers will take on the Gulf Giants in the 24th match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday. While the Vipers have already secured a playoff berth, the Gulf Giants need a win to stay in the hunt.
The Desert Vipers come into this game after a disappointing 154-run loss to MI Emirates. They rested key players in that match and will be looking to bounce back strongly with their full-strength squad. Meanwhile, the Gulf Giants registered an impressive six-wicket win over the Sharjah Warriorz and will aim to continue their winning momentum.
The Vipers have won the last three encounters between these sides, giving them a psychological edge. However, the Giants have everything to play for and will be determined to break their losing streak against the Vipers.
Match Details
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Vipers vs Gulf Giants | February 1, 2025 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium | 6:30 PM |
Teams Preview
Desert Vipers Preview
The Desert Vipers had a nightmare outing against MI Emirates in their last game, suffering a crushing 154-run defeat. They rested key players, which backfired, but with a playoff spot secured, the team will now focus on regaining their rhythm before the knockout stage. Captain Lockie Ferguson will return to lead the team and will demand a much-improved performance from his side.
The batting lineup is one of the strongest in the tournament. Fakhar Zaman and Alex Hales have been among the top scorers and will be expected to provide a strong start. The middle order, comprising Daniel Lawrence, Sam Curran, and Azam Khan, has the firepower to take on any bowling attack. Lower down the order, Wanindu Hasaranga and Sherfane Rutherford add depth to the batting.
Bowling was a major concern in the last game as they conceded a massive 253 runs. Mohammad Amir and Dhruv Parashar struggled with the new ball, while Sam Curran and David Payne also failed to contain the opposition. The return of Lockie Ferguson should add stability to the attack, while Hasaranga will be crucial with his spin in the middle overs.
Desert Vipers Predicted Playing XI:
Lockie Ferguson (c), Fakhar Zaman, Daniel Lawrence, Sam Curran, Sherfane Rutherford, Wanindu Hasaranga, Azam Khan (wk), Dhruv Parashar, David Payne, Mohammad Amir, Alex Hales (Impact Player)
Gulf Giants Preview
The Gulf Giants produced a strong all-round performance to defeat Sharjah Warriorz by six wickets in their last match. They will take confidence from that victory as they face one of the toughest teams in the league. However, their record against the Vipers has not been great, and they need to find a way to turn things around.
Tom Alsop played a match-winning knock in the last game, scoring an unbeaten 85 off 60 balls. He will be key again, along with skipper James Vince, who will look to lead from the front. Jordan Cox, Gerhard Erasmus, and Shimron Hetmyer add stability to the middle order. The finishing duties will be handled by Tom Curran and Aayan Afzal Khan.
Their bowling attack has a good mix of pace and spin. Blessing Muzarabani was the standout performer in the last match, picking up three wickets. Mark Adair and Daniel Worrall bowled well with the new ball, while Tom Curran provided key breakthroughs in the middle overs. They will need another disciplined bowling effort to stop the dangerous Vipers’ batting lineup.
Gulf Giants Predicted Playing XI:
James Vince (c), Jordan Cox (wk), Gerhard Erasmus, Shimron Hetmyer, Tom Curran, Mark Adair, Aayan Afzal Khan, Dominic Drakes, Saghir Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Daniel Worrall, Tom Alsop (Impact Player)
Fantasy Team XI
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Batsman | Alex Hales | Desert Vipers |
| Batsman | James Vince | Gulf Giants |
| Batsman | Tom Alsop | Gulf Giants |
| All-rounder | Sam Curran | Desert Vipers |
| All-rounder | Wanindu Hasaranga | Desert Vipers |
| All-rounder | Tom Curran | Gulf Giants |
| Wicketkeeper | Azam Khan | Desert Vipers |
| Bowler | Lockie Ferguson | Desert Vipers |
| Bowler | Mohammad Amir | Desert Vipers |
| Bowler | Blessing Muzarabani | Gulf Giants |
| Bowler | Mark Adair | Gulf Giants |
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Weather Report
The conditions in Dubai will be clear with no rain expected. The temperature will be around 20-22°C, and there will be little wind. The conditions will be perfect for a high-scoring contest.
Pitch Report
Dubai International Cricket Stadium has traditionally been a good batting surface. The pitch offers a true bounce, allowing batters to play their strokes freely. Pacers need to use variations, while spinners will get some assistance as the game progresses. The average first-innings score is around 170-180, but anything above 190 will be a challenging total.
Toss: To Bowl
Chasing has been the preferred choice at this venue, with teams batting second winning three of the last four games. The pitch remains good for batting throughout, and the dew factor could make it difficult for bowlers in the second innings.
Winning Prediction
The Desert Vipers have already secured their place in the playoffs and might play with more freedom. Their batting lineup has been in terrific form, and they have dominated the Gulf Giants in previous meetings. However, the Giants need this win to qualify, which will make them desperate for a strong performance.
Given the balance in their squad and recent form, the Desert Vipers are favorites to win this match.
Prediction: Desert Vipers to win.
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