Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals (Source: Twitter)
Dubai Capitals and Gulf Giants face off in Match no.8 of the ongoing inaugural edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. Both sides will be meeting for the second time in the space of three days with the Giants defeating the Capitals in Match no. 5 on the 16th by a six-wicket margin in Dubai.
Dubai team has played two games in the competition so far with one victory and one loss under their belt. They clinched their opening encounter against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by a big margin of 73 runs before suffering defeat at the hands of the Giants. With two points, they are positioned fourth in the table with a net run rate of +1.610.
On the other hand, the Gulf side has made a solid start to its campaign by registering two wins in its opening two matches. They also won their opener against the Knight Riders by six wickets before securing the second win against the Capitals. With four points and an NRR of +1.540, they are placed in the third spot.
Before the match starts, let us look at the important stats, the best player picks and the best-predicted teams for the fantasy contests of the match.
Ground Stats: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
The surface at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium is generally slow and low. The spin bowlers are expected to play a vital role on this 22-yard. Winning the toss and fielding first should be the choice for the captain. Only one game has been played at the venue in this tournament and it was won by the side chasing.
T20I Numbers at the ground
Total Matches: 29
Matches won batting first: 16
Matches won batting second: 12
Tied: 1
Average score batting first: 151
Average score batting second: 124
Average runs per over: 7.35
Average runs per wicket: 21.22
GUL vs DUB, Match 8: Probable Playing 11s
Dubai Capitals Team News
Sikandar Raza will not be available for selection.
Dubai Capitals Probable Playing XI
Robin Uthappa (wk), Joe Root, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Rovman Powell (c), Fabian Allen, Dasun Shanaka, Ravi Bopara, Isuru Udana, Hazrat Luqman, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Akif Raja
Gulf Giants Team News
Destructive Aussie Chris Lynn has arrived from the Big Bash League and it will be interesting to see if he finds a place straightaway into the Playing XI.
Gulf Giants Probable Playing XI
James Vince (c), Rehan Ahmed, Ollie Pope (wk), Gerhard Erasmus, Shimron Hetmyer, David Wiese, Aayan Afzal Khan, Liam Dawson, Chris Jordan, Richard Gleeson, Sanchit Sharma
GUL vs DUB, Match 8: Top Five Picks
1. Robin Uthappa (DUB): India's Robin Uthappa is enjoying himself in the ILT20 as he has scored 122 runs so far in two games and looks like a man in form. He is expected to do the bulk of the scoring as an opener.
2. Joe Root (DUB): England international Joe Root looked in good touch in the opening match as he scored 26 off 21 with 2 fours and as many sixes. The right-handed batter got run-out in the last game for just 6 as he would be looking to perform in this format especially now that he is opening the innings.
3. Sikandar Raza (DUB): The Zimbabwean got starts in both matches with scores of 26 and 30 as he would be an ideal choice for this fixture considering his solid form in the past year or so even in the internationals.
4. Gerhard Erasmus (GUL): Batting at no. 4, the Namibian International, Gerhard Erasmus scored a quickfire 52 off just 28 in the last encounter as he would be a good pick for this contest.
5. Shimron Hetmyer: The Caribbean hard-hitter Shimron Hetmyer scored only 6 in the last match as he could be a good option considering his destructive power and ability to score quick runs.
GUL vs DUB, Match 8: Must picks for the match
Dubai Capitals
1. Robin Uthappa - 122 runs in 2 matches
2. Joe Root - 32 runs in 2 matches
Gulf Giants
1. Gerhard Erasmus - 53 runs in 2 matches
2. Shimron Hetmyer - 20 runs in 2 matches
GUL vs DUB, Match 8 - Risky Picks
Dubai Capitals: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka
Gulf Giants: Ollie Pope, David Wiese
GUL vs DUB, Match 8 - Best Captain and Vice-Captain choices
1.Robin Uthappa (DUB)
2.Dasun Sanaka (DUB)
3.Gerhard Erasmus (GUL)
GUL vs DUB, Match 8: Team for Head-to-Head Contests
Wicketkeepers: Robin Uthappa, Ollie Pope
Batters: Joe Root, Gerhard Erasmus, Shimron Hetmyer
All-rounders: Dasun Sanaka, Rovman Powell, David Wiese
Bowlers: Mujeeb ur Rahman, Chris Jordan, Richard Gleeson
Captain: Robin Uthappa
Vice-Captain: Rovman Powell
DUB: 5 Players, GUL: 6 Players
GUL vs DUB, Match 8 - Team for Winner takes all Contests
Wicketkeepers: Robin Uthappa, Ollie Pope
Batters: Joe Root, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince
All-rounders: Rehan Ahmed, Ravi Bopara, David Wiese
Bowlers: Isuru Udana, Liam Dawson, Sanchit Sharma
Captain: Robin Uthappa
Vice-Captain: James Vince
DUB: 5 Players, GUL: 6 Players
Also Read: ILT20 2023 | Gulf Giants vs Dubai Capitals: Preview, Prediction and Fantasy Tips
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