ILT20 2023: Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Preview, Prediction and Fantasy Tips

Desert Vipers players celebrate a wicket (ILT20)

The Desert Vipers will take on the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in match number seven of the ongoing ILT20 2023 season. The contest is scheduled to be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The Desert Vipers will be high on confidence after their opening win against the Sharjah Warriors at the same venue on January 15. On the back of Alex Hales’ sublime 83-run effort, they hunted down the Warriors’ total with more than three overs still intact.

On the other hand, the Knight Riders are yet to win a game and are currently placed at the bottom of the ILT20 2023 points table. So far, they have sustained two heavy defeats, first to the Dubai Capitals by 73 runs and then by six wickets to table-toppers Gulf Giants in their subsequent fixture.

The upcoming contest against the Vipers marks a must-win one for Sunil Narine and co. in order to be initiated into the playoffs reckoning early in the league stage.

Match Details

Date & Time: January 18, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Live Telecast & Streaming: Zee Network and ZEE5

Pitch Report

The conditions at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium are conducive for batting, with something on offer for the spinners as well. After the three matches played at the venue this season, the average first innings score here has been 171.

The captain winning the toss is likely to field first, considering the results of the previous two games played out here earlier in the tournament.

Predicted Playing XI

Desert Vipers: Alex Hales, Colin Munro (c), Sam Billings (wk), Benny Howell, Sherfane Rutherford, Rohan Mustafa, Tom Curran, Sheldon Cottrell, Tymal Mills, Ali Naseer and Gus Atkinson.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Paul Stirling, Colin Ingram, Brandon King, Sunil Narine (c), Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Ravi Rampaul, Zawar Farid, Ali Khan and Matiullah Khan.

Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Wicket-Keeper: Sam Billings
Batters: Alex Hales, Paul Stirling, Brandon King, Colin Munro
All-Rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Tom Curran
Bowlers: Ravi Rampaul, Gus Atkinson, Tymal Mills

Captain: Alex Hales
Vice-Captain: Sunil Narine

Prediction

The Desert Vipers are considered favourites to defeat the Knight Riders, considering the latter’s winless run in the competition.

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