Desert Vipers (Source: Twitter)
Desert Vipers and the MI Emirates are all set to clash in Match no.21 of the ongoing inaugural edition of the International League (ILT20 2023) on Sunday, January 29 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. Both sides previously met in Match no.15 on January 24, when the Vipers claimed a victory by 7 wickets.
Talking about the form, the Vipers are enjoying a solid first season as they have played 6 matches so far, won 5, and lost just 1. They won their opening three games against Sharjah Warriors and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (twice) before suffering their first defeat at the hands of the Gulf Giants. In their last two matches, the Vipers returned to winning ways against the Emirates and Dubai Capitals. They are topping the table with 10 points and a net run rate of +1.904.
On the other hand, the Emirates have played 6 games with 3 victories and 2 losses under their belt. Their one encounter ended with no result. They won their first three matches against the Warriors (twice) and the Knight Riders before facing two defeats against the Capitals and the Vipers. With 7 points and an NRR of +0.340, they are positioned third on the table.
Before the match starts, let us look at the important stats, best player picks and the best predicted teams for the fantasy contests of the game.
Ground Stats: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
The 22-yard in Sharjah is on the slower side and it gets quite low and slow. Spin bowlers enjoy bowling on this surface. Only 2 games have been played at the venue so far in ILT20 2023.
Numbers at the ground in ILT20 2023 (completed matches)
Total Matches: 2
Matches won batting first: 1
Matches won batting second: 1
Average runs batting first: 164
Average runs batting second: 114
Average runs per over: 7.76
Average runs per wicket: 20.51
VIP vs EMI, Match 21: Probable Playing XIs
Desert Vipers Team News
No major updates
Desert Vipers Probable Playing XI
Rohan Mustafa, Alex Hales, Colin Munro (c), Sam Billings (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Wanindu Hasaranga, Tom Curran, Gus Atkinson, Ali Naseer, Shledon Cottrell, Matheesha Pathirana
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, Dwayne Bravo, Samit Patel, Trent Boult, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Brad Wheal
VIP vs EMI, Match 21: Top Five Picks
- Alex Hales (VIP): Explosive England right-handed batter Alex Hales is the leading run-scorer of ILT20 2023. He is averaging 107.50 with one centuty and four half-centuries in 6 outings. Going with the in-form player should be an ideal choice.
- Sherfane Ruetherford (VIP): Hard-hitting West Indian Sherfane Rutherford is averaging 70.00 at a deadly strike rate of 186.66. Picking him for this fixture should not be a bad option.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (VIP): Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is the joint-second highest wicket-taker for the Vipers this season. He has snared 7 scalps in 5 outings for his side.
- Kieron Pollard (EMI): MI Emirates captain Kieron Pollard has suddenly picked himself up in the last two matches. He is now the leading run-getter for the Emirates in this campaign as he looks to continue his form in this contest.
- Nicholas Pooran (EMI): Another destructive Caribbean wicketkeeper batter Nicholas Pooran has scored the second-most runs for the Emirates after his skipper Pollard. Pooran should be a good pick against the Vipers.
VIP vs EMI, Match 21: Must picks for the match
Desert Vipers
- Alex Hales - 430 runs in 6 games
- Sherfane Rutherford - 140 runs in 6 games
- Wanindu Hasaranga - 7 wickets in 5 games
MI Emirates
- Kieron Pollard - 225 runs and 2 wickets in 5 matches
- Nicholas Pooran - 165 runs in 5 matches
- Andre Fletcher - 146 runs in 5 matches
VIP vs EMI, Match 21: Risky Picks
Desert Vipers: Sam Billings, Tom Curran
MI Emirates: Vritya Aravind, Najibullah Zadran
VIP vs EMI, Match 21: Best Captain and Vice-captain choices
- Ales Hales (VIP)
- Wanindu Hasaranga (VIP)
- Nicholas Pooran (EMI)
VIP vs EMI, Match 21: Team for Head-to-Head Contests
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Wicketkeeper: Nicholas Pooran
Batters: Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford, Colin Munro, Andre Fletcher
All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, Kieron Pollard
Bowlers: Shledon Cottrell, Gus Atkinson, Trent Boult, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Captain: Alex Hales
Vice-captain: Nicholas Pooran
VIP: 6 Players, EMI: 5 Players
VIP vs EMI, Match 21: Team for Winner takes all Contests
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Wicketkeepers: Sam Billings, Vritya Aravind
Batters: Colin Munro, Muhammad Waseem, Najibullah Zadran
All-rounders: Tom Curran, Ali Naseer, Dwayne Bravo
Bowlers: Matheesha Pathirana, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gus Atkinson
Captain: Colin Munro
Vice-captain: Sam Billings
VIP: 5 Players, EMI: 6 Players
Also Read: Tom Curran & Matheesha Pathirana hold their nerves as Vipers clinch the win
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