Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi Pitch Report [Source: @DSBcricket/x.com]
MI Emirates will lock horns with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Match 17 of the International League T20, 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday, January 24. With MI coming out on top in their last match, ADKR will be looking to avenge the defeat and come out on top.
MI Emirates
MI Emirates have been in brilliant form this season as they have won three out of their five matches so far. In their last match, they outclassed ADKR by 28 runs. After being put to bat, MI posted a competitive total of 186/6. Nicholas Pooran (49) and Muhammad Waseem (38) laid the foundation, while Romario Shepherd provided the fireworks at the death, smashing a blistering 38 off just 13 balls.
With the ball, Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd picked up two wickets each, keeping ADKR’s batters in check. MI’s bowling unit has been on point, and they will be eager to replicate their performance and do a double.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have had a mixed campaign so far with two wins and three losses. In their last outing, they faltered against MI, failing to chase down 186. Jason Holder and Ali Khan were the pick of the bowlers, grabbing two wickets apiece, but the team couldn’t restrict MI’s batters effectively.
With the bat, Kyle Mayers (22) and Andries Gous (34) got decent starts, but the middle order crumbled under pressure. Andre Russell showed his class with a quickfire 37* off 23 balls, but his lone effort wasn’t enough to take ADKR over the line. They’ll need a more collective performance to avenge their defeat and keep their campaign alive.
Ahead of the MIE vs ADKR clash, here's a detailed look at what the pitch has in store.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi Stats And Records In T20s
Criterion | Data |
---|---|
Matches Played | 68 |
Matches Won Batting 1st | 29 |
Matches Won Bowling 1st | 39 |
Average 1st Innings Score | 144.3 |
Average 2nd Innings Score | 133.3 |
Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi Pitch Report: Is It Batting Or Bowling Friendly?
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium is a batter’s track with with an average first-innings score of 174 in this season’s ILT20. The pitch offers true bounce and allows batters to play their shots freely. That said, fast bowlers can extract some movement with the new ball, making the powerplay a crucial phase.
Chasing sides generally enjoy an advantage here, but three of the four games at this venue this season have been won by teams batting first. Captains winning the toss might lean towards setting a target as dew is likely to affect both the innings and the team batting second would not get any undue advantage.
Players To Watch Out For At Sheikh Zayed Stadium
Tom Banton
- Tom Banton has been in magnificent form this season as he has racked up 207 runs in five matches at an average of 51.75.
- His unbeaten 102* against Sharjah Warriorz was a masterclass in attacking cricket, and his ability to score quickly at the top makes him a game-changer. If Banton gets going, he can take the game away from the opposition in no time.
Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Fazalhaq Farooqi has been MI’s go-to bowler this season, with 12 wickets in five matches at a stellar average of 11.83. His best figures of 5/16 highlight his knack for breaking partnerships and keeping batters guessing with his variations.
- On a batting-friendly surface, Farooqi’s accuracy and swing with the new ball could be the key to MI’s success.
Jason Holder
- Jason Holder has been one of the few bright spots for ADKR as he has contributed with both bat and ball. The all-rounder has snagged 10 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 13.60, including a standout 4/23.
- His ability to grab key scalps and chip in with important runs makes him a pivotal asset for ADKR. Holder’s performance will be critical if ADKR are to bounce back and take revenge of their loss in the previous match.