ILT20 2024 Match 1, SW VS GG | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Gulf Giants (X.com)

The second season of the International T20 League (ILT20) is set to commence on January 19, 2024, and the Sharjah Warriors will square off with defending champions the Gulf Giants for the tournament's inaugural game at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium tomorrow at 8.00 PM IST.

SW VS GG : Team Previews 

Sharjah Warriors

Sharjah Warriors finished fifth in the inaugural season of the ILT20 and will surely be looking for a turnaround this year. Moreover, to contest for the title, the franchise overhauled the entire squad during the auction process. The likes of Gurbaz, Dawid Malan, and Moeen Ali have been let go, and instead, Johnson Charles and Kusal Mendis have been added to the squad.

Meanwhile, opening batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore has been retained and handed captaincy reigns for the impending season.

In another major shuffle, Afghanistan spin bowler Qias Ahmed will transition from the Giants to the Warriors. 

It's important to note that the Warriors will miss the services of Naveen Ul Haq if the latter faces a suspension owing to a breach of contract.

Regardless, Sharjah's squad looks sublime, and barring middle-order issues, the team is set to contend for the championship in 2024.

---

ALSO READ

Naveen-Ul-Haq Banned From ILT20 Over Alleged Breach Of Contract

---

Gulf Giants

Gulf Giants, on the other hand, won the inaugural season of ILT20 and will look to defend the title in 2024. As expected, the Giants didn't mess with the winning combination and retained a majority of the squad ahead of the auction.

Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, and Usman Khan are some notable additions to the wicket-keeper's role. 

While the team lacks full-time bowling options, all-rounders such as Carlos Brathwaite and Karim Janat could play a huge role this season.

Of course, the team lost Qais Ahmed but replaced him with his Afghanistan counterpart, Mujeeb Ul Rahman. Additionally, Saurabh Netravalkar from the USA has also joined the squad ahead of the second season. 

Overall, Gult Giants, with more or less the same combination, will aim to kick off the campaign on a winning note.

SW VS GG: Match Details & Live Streaming

SW VS GG : Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

Sharjah's wicket has ideally been a batting-friendly wicket for many years. The venue witnessed some of the most iconic international matches in the past. Moreover, for the inaugural ILT20 game, a fresh wicket is expected to be prepared. Regardless, the conditions are ideal for a cricket contest, and the innings average score ranges around 160, with 180 being an above-par score. The team winning the toss should consider batting first to put the opposition under pressure with a mammoth score.

SW VS GG: Probable Playing XIs

Sharjah Warriors: Tom Kohler-Cadmore (c), Martin Guptill, Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis (wk), James Fuller, Joe Denly , Daniel Sams, Junaid Siddique, Qais Ahmed, Chris Woakes, Dilshan Madhushanka

Gulf Giants: Usman Khan, Chris Lynn, James Vince (c), Jordan Cox (wk), Carlos Brathwaite, Shimron Hetmyer, Gerhard Erasmus, Richard Gleeson, Chris Jordan, Dominic Drake, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

SW VS GG : Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

SW VS GG : Winner Prediction

Sharjah Warriors and Gulf Giants are expected to produce an equal and gripping contest for the season's inaugural game. However, with the winning combination at their helm, the defending champions, the Giants are likely to win the contest.

---

ALSO READ

ILT20 2024 Live Streaming Channel, Schedule, Squads & All You Need To Know

---