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In the third match of the ILT20 Season 2, Desert Vipers will take on Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium. The clash is scheduled to commence at 4:00 PM IST on January 21.
Team Previews:
Desert Vipers: Desert Vipers showcased an impressive performance in the previous season as they reached the final, although they suffered defeat against Gulf Giants. Colin Munro will lead the side, and they’ve retained key players like Alex Hales, Dinesh Chandimal, Matheesha Pathirana, and Wanindu Hasaranga. Notable additions to the squad include Shaheen Afridi, Azam Khan, and Bas de Leede. However, Pakistani players like Shaheen Afridi, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Azam Khan won’t be available initially due to their participation in the T20I series in New Zealand.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders had a challenging outing last season, managing only one win out of ten games. Sunil Narine will lead the side this year, and the team has retained players like Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Joe Clark, and others. New additions to the squad include Brandon McMullen, David Willey, Jake Lintott, Josh Little, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper, and Ravi Bopara.
Where to Watch:
- India: ZEE Cinema, ZEE Anmol Cinema, ZEE Thirai, ZEE Bangla Cinema, ZEE Zest
- Pakistan: Geo Sports
- US: Willow Sports
- Live Streaming: Zee 5 app
Toss Prediction: Considering the dew in Dubai, captains will likely prefer to bowl first.
Pitch Report: The Dubai International Stadium pitch favors batting, with minimal assistance for pacers. Spinners might play a crucial role in the first innings, while dew in the second innings could make bowling challenging.
Weather Report: Clear weather is expected with temperatures ranging between 25 and 17 degrees. Dew in the second innings could be an advantage for the team batting second.
Desert Vipers Predicted Playing 11: Alex Hales, Rohan Mustafa, Colin Munro (C), Adam Hose, Sherfane Rutherford, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Ali Naseer, Tom Curran/Bas de Leede, Sheldon Cottrell, Matheesha Pathirana
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Predicted Playing 11: Joe Clarke, Ibrahim Zadran, Sam Hain (WK), Laurie Evans, Charith Asalanka, Ravi Bopara, Andre Russell, Imad Wasim, Sunil Narine (C), Josh Little, Ali Khan
Key Players:
Desert Vipers:
- Alex Hales: A destructive batter, Hales was the leading run-scorer last year, amassing over 450 runs.
- Wanindu Hasaranga: A match-winner with both bat and ball, Hasaranga adds quality and variety.
- Matheesha Pathirana: A death overs specialist, Pathirana has proven himself in competitive tournaments like the IPL.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders:
- Ibrahim Zadran: Consistent in this format, Zadran recently scored a fifty in the final T20I against India.
- Laurie Evans: In good form from the BBL, Evans brings momentum to the team.
- Sunil Narine: A T20 veteran, Narine is a consistent performer with both bat and ball.
Match Prediction: Desert Vipers, with a powerful combination of batting and bowling, are the clear favorites. Their squad boasts match-winners from top to bottom. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, lacking the same quality and consistency, will find it challenging. We predict Desert Vipers to start on a winning note.
Prediction: Desert Vipers to beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
