EMI vs GUL, Qualifier 1 - Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks

image-lslk45vfGulf Giants is led by James Vince (x.com)

We are finally at the back end of the ILT20 2024 with the playoffs stage set to unfurl. The Qualifier 1 game will see MI Emirates (EMI) and Gulf Giants (GUL)  lock horns against one another in the Dubai International Stadium, Dubai

The Gulf Giants have had their moments during the league stages despite the ups and downs. Both teams have won six matches out of their ten games and lost four of them, thereby gathering 12 points. MI Emirates finished at the top due to their better net run rate. However, unlike their counterparts, the Kieron Pollard-led unit are arriving on the back of back-to-back losses. Meanwhile, the Giants have won their last four games and are sprinting high in the tournament.

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EMI vs GUL, Qualifier 1 - Toss Factor

The surface favours the spinners to a greater extent than the pacers. However, the seam bowlers tend to benefit under the lights and change of pace has been an important theory behind scalping wickets here. Generally, its known for a chasing ground due to the onset of dew but a few recent matches at venue saw the team batting first win two out of three games.

Scenario: If Mi Emirates field first 

The Emirates have a very good opening bowling in Trent Boult and Fazalhaq Farooqi. The addition of Akeal Hosein and Waqar Salemkheil makes it even better bowling unit. They can restrict the opposition to a below-par score and ask the batters to overhaul. 

Scenario: If Gulf Giants field first

The Giants have a good number of match-winners that includes in-form Chris Lynn, Shimron Hetmyer and James Vince.  Chris Jordan and Richard Gleeson can be a utility factor with the ball for them along with Blessing Muzarabani.


EMI vs GUL, Qualifier 1 -  Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks

Scenario: If Mi Emirates field first 

Waqar Salemkheil (EMI): The left-arm wrist spinner has had a breakthrough season in the ILT20 2024 following a handy experience in the 2023/24 Abu Dhabi T10. Salemkheil has bagged 14 wickets from nine innings and has been brilliant during the middle overs.

James Vince (GUL): The skipper would love to lead his side from the front and take them into the grand finale. Vince is a man in form and has slammed 298 runs from ten innings with fifties in his last couple of games. He has scored 20 or more from his last four games.


Scenario: If Gulf Giants field first

Chris Lynn (GUL): The Australian cricketer continued with his good form from the Big Bash League with the Adelaide Strikers. In a reinvented role at the middle order, Lynn has scored 266 runs from eight innings and is also the second-highest run-getter for his side.

Muhammad Waseem (MIE): The swashbuckler batter can be dangerous on his day and can storm around the park. He has smashed 266 runs from the innings and has a very good raport as a batter inside the field restrictions.


EMI vs GUL, Qualifier 1 - High Risk, High Reward 

Kusal Perera (EMI): The Sri Lankan batter has been doing a scintillating job at the top for the Emirates. He has often given the starts the team needed and this way accumulated 275 runs from eight innings despite being shilly-shally. 

Chris Jordan (GUL): The English bowler has a good change-up that can is well-suited to the conditions of Dubai. Jordan has scalped eleven wickets from nine matches and can also be more than handy in playing cameos lower down the batting order.