Gulf Giants (Source: Twitter)
Gulf Giants are set to face MI Emirates in Match no.18 of the ongoing inaugural International League (ILT20 2023) on Friday, January 27 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. The match is scheduled to take place at 7.30 PM (IST) and 6.00 PM (local time). Notably, the previous game in Dubai was called off due to rain and a wet outfield 2 days back on the 25th. The Giants and the Emirates will clash again in the space of 5 days in Match no.24 on February 01 in Abu Dhabi.
Talking about the form, Gulf Giants have 6 matches so far in the competition and won four and lost just one. One encounter ended up with no result. After winning their opening four matches against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals (twice), and Desert Vipers, they finally suffered a defeat at the hands of the Sharjah Warriors. With 9 points and a net run rate of +1.451, they are topping the table.
On the other hand, MI Emirates has played 5 games so far in the tournament with three wins and two losses. After sealing victories in their opening three matches against the Warriors (twice) and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, they have now lost two consesutive games against the Capitals and the Vipers. With 6 points and an NRR of +0.340, they are positioned third in the table.
Before the match kicks off, let us look at the important stats, best player picks and the best predicted teams for the fantasy contests of the match.
Ground Stats: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Numbers at the ground in IL T20 2023
Total Matches: 7
Matches won batting first: 2
Matches won batting second: 5
Average score batting first: 167
Average score batting second: 155
Average runs per over: 8.56
Average runs per wicket: 28.58
GUL vs EMI, Match 18: Probable Playing XIs
Gulf Giants Team News
No major updates
Gulf Giants Probable Playing XI
Rehan Ahmed, James Vince (c), Chris Lynn, Tom Banton (wk), Aayan Afzal Khan, Shimron Hetmyer, Liam Dawson, David Wiese, Chris Jordan, Sanchit Sharma, Richard Gleeson
MI Emirates Team News
No major updates
MI Emirates Probable Playing XI
Muhammad Waseem, Vritya Aravind (wk), Andre Fletcher, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (c), Najibullah Zadran, Samit Patel, Dwayne Bravo, Trent Boult, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Brad Wheal/Imran Tahir/Zahoor Khan
GUL vs EMI, Match 18: Top Five Picks
James Vince (GUL): England's right-handed batter James Vince is the leading run-scorer for the Gulf Giants this season. He has scored 3 half-centuries at an average of 57.25. The in-form skipper should be picked for this contest.
Shimron Hetmyer (GUL): Destructive West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer is averaging 43.00 with one half-century to his name in this campaign. The hard-hitting left-handed batter could be an ideal pick for this fixture.
Chirs Lynn (GUL): Australia's explosive batter Chris Lynn has scored the third-most runs for his side in just 3 games. His average is 38.66 and already has one fifty to his name.
Kieron Pollard (EMI): MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard has smashed 67 and 86 in the last two games, though both came in losing causes, as he is the man in form and looks a good deal for this fixture.
Nicholas Pooran (EMI): Another destructive West Indian Nicholas Pooran is averaging 41.25 with one fifty this season for MI. Picking up Pooran for this encounter wont be a bad choice.
GUL vs EMI, Match 18: Must picks for the match
Gulf Giants
- James Vince - 229 runs in 5 games
- Chris Lynn - 116 runs in 3 games
MI Emirates
- Kieron Pollard - 225 runs and 2 wickets in 5 matches
- Nicholas Pooran - 165 runs in 5 matches
- Trent Boult - 4 wickets in 5 matches
GUL vs EMI, Match 18: Risky picks
Gulf Giants: Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson
MI Emirates: Vritya Aravind, Dwayne Bravo
GUL vs EMI, Match 18: Best Captain and Vice-captain choices
- James Vince (GUL)
- Chris Lynn (GUL)
- Kieron Pollard (EMI)
GUL vs EMI, Match 18: Team for Head-to-Head Contests
Wicketkeepers: Tom Banton, Nicholas Pooran
Batters: Chris Lynn, James Vince, Shimron Hetmyer, Najibullah Zadran
All-rounders: David Wiese, Kieron Pollard
Bowlers: Chris Jordan, Trent Boult, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Captain: Chris Lynn
Vice-captain: James Vince
GUL: 6 Players, EMI: 5 Players
GUL vs EMI, Match 18: Team for Winner takes all Contests
Wicketkeepers: Tom Banton, Nicholas Pooran
Batters: Najibullah Zadran, Andre Fletcher, Muhammad Waseem
All-rounders: Liam Dawson, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo
Bowlers: Richard Gleeson, Rehan Ahmed, Sanchit Sharma
Captain: Kieron Pollard
Vice-captain: Nicholas Pooran
GUL: 5 Players, EMI: 6 Players
Also Read: Hales continues dream run as Vipers overcome Emirates with time to spare
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