ILT20 2024 Match 7, GUL vs VIP | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Jamie Overton plays a key role for Gulf Giants [X.com]

Defending champions Gulf Giants will take on Desert Vipers in the seventh matchup of the ongoing ILT20 2024 season at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday from 8.00 PM IST onwards.

GUL vs VIP: Team Previews

Gulf Giants

Defending champions Gulf Giants trashed Sharjah Warriors in the season opener to kick off the 2024 season campaign in style. In an exhilarating display of collective efforts from the batting unit, the Giants nearly put up a 200-run target on board, which proved steep for the Warriors.

However, the Gulf Giants' winning run was halted by MI Emirates as the former fell short of 18 runs in the chase. Fazal Farooqi single-handedly kept the Giants batters at bay from building up big partnerships.

Thus, the Gulf Giants' inability to absorb pressure in the chase has been exposed pretty early into the tournament. 

The top order has been fantastic in the past two games, including James Vince, who has been the team's lead scorer. Jamie Overton's fiery cameo at the end was also another positive.

However, to take on Desert Vipers, the team needs to tie up loose ends in the middle order. Also, the bowling visibly struggled and leaked way too many runs in death. That's a perennial issue of focus as the Giants navigate their way this ILT20 season.

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Desert Vipers

The Vipers lost their last game [X.com]

Desert Vipers sit at the bottom of the points table after the loss in the opening game against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Despite boasting a lethal opening pair of Colin Munro and Alex Hales, the Vipers could only put up a 164-run target in the first innings. The lack of support in the middle order was exposed. 

Moreover, in a fresh setback, the Vipers are set to lose Dan Lawrence as the batter is headed to India for the extended five-game Test series.

Regardless, Munro has to address key concerns before they take on the defending champions on Wednesday.

Besides middle-order woes, the skipper must figure out his go-to bowlers. In the last game, he used seven bowlers, which led to confusion and uncertainty. Thus, Munro must select bowlers he deems a good fit and stick to the preset game plan.

GUL vs VIP: Match Details & Live Streaming

GUL vs VIP: Dubai Pitch Report

The surface of Dubai International Cricket Stadium has produced an equal contest between the bat and the ball so far. However, during the previous fixture at the venue, the wicket seemed slow as the ball did not come onto the bat easily in the first half. 

Thus, bowling first is the best option on this pitch, as pacers could generate movement. Also, the average first winning score is around 160-170, and anything above 170 is a winning score on this surface.

GUL vs VIP: Probable Playing XIs

Gulf Giants: James Vince (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Usman Khan, Karim Janat, Jamie Overton, Chris Jordan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aayan Afzal Khan, Dominic Drakes, Richard Gleeson, Jordan Cox

Desert Vipers: Alex Hales, Colin Munro (c), Michael Jones, Adam Hose, Sherfane Rutherford, Wanindu Hasaranga, Bas de Leede, Rohan Mustafa, Tanish Suri (wk), Mohammad Amir, Sheldon Cottrell, Tymal Mills

GUL vs VIP: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

GUL vs VIP: Winner Prediction

Given the two teams ' combination, the contest is expected to be a nail-biting thriller. However, Gulf Giants will gain an edge to topple Desert Vipers as the latter's bowling unit remains in shambles, which could be a curse on this wicket.

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