MI Emirates and Gulf Giants (Source: @MIEmirates/X.com, @GulfGiants/X.com)
It is time for Match 19 in the ILT20 2025, where MI Emirates (MIE) will clash against Gulf Giants (GG) on Saturday, January 25, at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, from 7:30 PM IST. With this being the second match of the double-header, there is expected to be a lot more excitement.
MI Emirates
Coming off a defeat against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, MI Emirates are currently second on the table with six points to their name from six matches after winning three of their encounters. They failed to chase down 183 against ADKR as except for Kieron Pollard, who scored a blistering 69 not out off just 49 deliveries with four sixes to his name; no other batter stood up to the occasion.
Alzarri Joseph, with his accurate and lethal pace, destroyed the opposition with a spell of 3 for 32 in his four overs. Emirates lost the game by 42 runs as they only managed to score 140 with six wickets down. All the batters except Pollard struggled on a wicket that was supporting pacers.
Gulf Giants
On the other hand, laid low by a string of defeats are Gulf Giants, who are lingering at the bottom of the table with just two points from five matches, which means they only have one win to show for the record. In the previous game against the Dubai Capitals, the Giants couldn't defend 154 as they lost the game by five wickets and eight balls to spare.
Jordan Cox was the only one who fought till the end with the bat, scoring 70 from 53 balls, but unfortunately got run out. Meanwhile, from the bowlers, Aayan Afzal Khan picked 2 for 23 in his impressive spell of four overs, while Mark Adair bowled two overs with figures of 1/9.
MIE vs GG: Head-to-Head Records
Matches | MI Emirates Won | Gulf Giants Won | No Result |
---|---|---|---|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
How Will the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Pitch Behave?
The pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi has been a true batting surface where decent totals have been scored so far, especially in the first innings. There is good bounce in the wicket, which aids the batters to play their shots, while pacers are getting a lot from this surface as well. Spinners might not be as effective, with the pitch showing no signs of stopping so far in the tournament. The team winning the toss will likely bat first, considering the last four out of five games have been won by the side defending the total.
Players To Watch Out For In MIE vs GG Match 19
MI Emirates
Kieron Pollard: Big-hitting Caribbean Master Kieron Pollard is fresh off an electrifying unbeaten 69-run knock against the Knight Riders, where he played a lone hand at a strike rate of 140.81. Pollard can change the course of the game at any given time with his power striking.
Alzarri Joseph: The deadly pace bowler from the West Indies, Alzarri Joseph, is a gun player who can rock the opposition with his hit-the-deck bowling. In the last game, he bowled with figures of 3/32 in his four overs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi: Afghani left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi is the leading wicket-taker in this tournament with 13 wickets at an economy of 7.04 with best figures of 5/16 coming in the opening game.
Gulf Giants
Jordan Cox: Gulf Giants' best batter this season so far with 146 runs from five games, Jordan Cox has displayed responsibility and class while batting for his side. He is here after a superb knock versus Dubai Capitals, scoring 70 off just 53 deliveries.
Aayan Afzal Khan: Left-arm spinner Aayan Afzal Khan has been brilliant in the ILT20 2025 so far, with eight wickets in just the last three games. Aayan has bowled with an economy of 5.08, while he averages only 7.62.
Mark Adair: Irish pacer Mark Adair has been wonderfully consistent this year, with a wicket in every game played in this tournament. The right-arm pacer has eight wickets to his name at an economy of 7.11, with figures of 1/9 (2) coming in the previous game.
Today's Match Prediction: MIE vs GG Match 19
Predicted Top Performers
MI Emirates: Kieron Pollard, Alzarri Joseph, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Gulf Giants: Jordan Cox, Aayan Afzal Khan, Mark Adair
MIE vs GG Match 19: Predicted Score
Predicted first innings score: 170-180
Predicted second innings score: 145-155
Predicted Result: The team choosing to bat first will likely have an edge in this encounter.