ILT20 2025 Match 20: Sharjah Warriorz vs Dubai Capitals Preview

Date: Friday, 19th December 2025
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Start Time: 14:30 GMT | 20:30 IST | 18:30 Local

Match Overview

The Sharjah Warriorz are set to take on the Dubai Capitals in what promises to be an electrifying clash of two teams with contrasting forms in the International League T20 2025. The Warriorz, having bounced back from a slow start, are now in a confident mood, while the Capitals continue to search for consistency in their campaign.

With the Sharjah Cricket Stadium set to host this pivotal encounter, the pitch and conditions could play a decisive role in shaping the outcome.

Team Form and Strengths

Sharjah Warriorz

The Warriorz have shown resilience in recent matches, turning their fortunes around with two consecutive wins after three initial losses. Their batters have found form, with James Rew and Tom Abell leading the charge. Dwaine Pretorius has been a valuable asset at the death, while the spin attack—led by Adil Rashid and Mateesha Pathirana—has been consistent and effective.

Key Players:

• James Rew – A top-order mainstay, Rew has been in scintillating form, with a strike rate of 134.04.
• Mateesha Pathirana – The leg-spinner has been instrumental with 4 wickets in his last two games at an average of 15.
• Sikandar Raza – The experienced all-rounder brings both bat and ball into play, with a strike rate of 137.80 and an economy of 23.25.

Dubai Capitals

The Capitals have had a mixed season, with a record of 2 wins and 4 losses. Rovman Powell and Jordan Cox have been the standout performers with the bat, while the bowling attack led by Waqar Salamkheil and Mustafizur Rahman has been a key strength.

Key Players:

• Rovman Powell – The explosive opener has been in sublime form, scoring 184 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 165.76.
• Waqar Salamkheil – The pacer has been the team's leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets at an average of 15.33.
• Jordan Cox – A reliable middle-order batter with a consistent strike rate.

Head-to-Head

In their last five encounters, the Sharjah Warriorz have emerged victorious in all matches, making them the firm favorites ahead of this clash. The form and history both point in the same direction, but the Capitals will be eager to break their losing streak against their rivals.

Venue and Pitch Conditions

The Sharjah Cricket Stadium has seen a steady rise in scoring in recent seasons, with the 2025 season averaging a first-innings score of 169.89. The pitch is known for assisting both batters and spinners, with the middle overs being particularly dangerous for bowlers.

• Batting First Win Percentage: 47%
• Batting Second Win Percentage: 53%
• Wickets Fall in Powerplay Overs (1–6): 1.80
• Wickets Fall in Middle Overs (7–15): 2.69
• Wickets Fall in Death Overs (16–20): 2.18

The slightly better winning percentage for teams batting second could influence the toss decision.

Squads

Sharjah Warriorz Squad

• Tim Southee (c), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (wk), Johnson Charles (wk), James Rew (wk), Tom Abell, Ethan D’Souza, Tim David, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Mohammed Aslam, Mark Chapman, Harmeet Singh, Dwaine Pretorius, Raees Ahmed, Shubham Ranjane, Sikandar Raza, Junaid Siddique, Saurabh Netravalkar, Richard Ngarava, Mateesha Pathirana, Adil Rashid, Nathan Sowter, Taskin Ahmed, Maheesh Theekshana, Wasim Akram, Abdul Salam Khan.

Dubai Capitals Squad

• Dasun Shanaka (c), Toby Albert (wk), Jordan Cox (wk), Shayan Jahangir (wk), Navin Bidaisee, Rushil Ugarkar, Sediqullah Atal, Scott Currie, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Tymal Mills, Anudeep Chenthamara, Muhammad Farooq, Rovman Powell, David Willey, Usman Najeeb, Mustafizur Rahman, Farhan Khan, Haider Ali, Jimmy Neesham, Muhammad Jawadullah, Leus du Plooy, Waqar Salamkheil.

Match Predictions

• Toss Winner: Dubai Capitals
• Match Winner: Sharjah Warriorz
• Top Batters:
  • James Rew (Sharjah Warriorz)
  • Jordan Cox (Dubai Capitals)
• Top Bowlers:
  • Mateesha Pathirana (Sharjah Warriorz)
  • Waqar Salamkheil (Dubai Capitals)
• Most Sixes:
  • Dwaine Pretorius (Sharjah Warriorz)
  • Rovman Powell (Dubai Capitals)
• Player of the Match: James Rew (Sharjah Warriorz)
• Team Scores (Batting First):
  • Sharjah Warriorz: 170+
  • Dubai Capitals: 160+

Key Insights

• Rovman Powell has a 14% win rate for Dubai Capitals when he scores over 50 runs.
• Tim David is a six-hitting machine, with a boundary rate of 21% in domestic innings.
• Tom Abell is efficient at the crease, with 28% of his balls faced not ending in a dot.
• Saurabh Netravalkar is a threat with the ball, taking more than 3 wickets in 26% of his domestic innings.
• Haider Ali has been an economical bowler, with 50% of his spells under 6.00 runs per over.
• Adil Rashid is a master of the middle overs, capturing 81% of his wickets during that phase.

Final Verdict

The Sharjah Warriorz are the clear favorites heading into this match, buoyed by their recent form and superior head-to-head record. However, the Dubai Capitals have the firepower to challenge and could exploit any missteps from the Warriorz. With a pitch that favors aggressive batting, the match is likely to be a high-scoring affair, and the outcome could hinge on the final few overs.

Prediction: Sharjah Warriorz to win by a close margin.
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