ILT20 2023 | GG vs MIE: Preview, Prediction and Probable Playing XI

Gulf Giants in action (Source: Twitter/@ILT20Official)

The 18th match of the International League T20 2023 will see Gulf Giants and MI Emirates at the loggerheads. The two teams will lock horns on January 27 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

While Gulf Giants enjoy the topmost position on the points table with six wins in four matches, MI Emirates are not much far, having placed at the third spot with three victories in five games.

Gulf Giants took off straightaway, winning all of their initial four matches. However, Sharjah Warriors hampered their winning run as the Giants faced a 21-run defeat.

Giants' Chris Jordan is the highest wicket-taker of the season with 10 scalps to his name. James Vince has contributed most with the bat for them, having scored 229 runs in five matches.

It has been a similar story of sorts for MI Emirates, who after starting their campaign with three successive wins, have suffered losses in their last two games.

Skipper Kieron Pollard has been leading his side well with the bat, hammering 225 runs in five innings. Although their bowlers did a fairly good job in the first few matches, they have not been able to replicate such success lately.

Match Details 

Date & Time: January 27, 7:30 PM IST

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Live Telecast & Streaming: Zee Network and ZEE5

Pitch Report: The pitch at Dubai International Cricket Stadium has proved to be beneficial for both batters as well as bowlers. With the match scheduled to be played on a used strip, expect spinners to play a huge role.

Probable Playing XI 

Gulf Giants: Tom Banton (wk), James Vince (c), Chris Lynn, Rehan Ahmed, Shimron Hetmyer, Afzal Khan, David Wiese, Liam Dawson, Chris Jordan, Sanchit Sharma, Richard Gleeson 

MI Emirates: Muhammad Waseem, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Andre Fletcher, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (c), Najibullah Zadran, Samit Patel, Dwayne Bravo, Trent Boult, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Brad Wheal

Prediction 

Considering how these teams should fare up against each other, we expect MI Emirates to trump Gulf Giants.

Read more: Bangladesh Premier League 2023, January 27th: Preview, Fantasy Teams