MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants Match Preview – International League T20 2025

Date & Time: December 23, 2025, 14:30 GMT (2:30 PM Local Time)
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, United Arab Emirates
Tournament: International League T20 2025
Match Number: 26

Match Overview

The 26th match of the International League T20 2025 promises to be an exciting clash between MI Emirates and Gulf Giants. With both teams vying for a crucial win in the latter stages of the tournament, the match is expected to be a high-stakes contest.

MI Emirates, currently in 5th place with 10 points from 8 matches (5 wins, 3 losses), will be aiming to close the gap with the top teams. Gulf Giants, on the other hand, are in 4th place (tied) with 6 points from 8 games (3 wins, 5 losses), and a win here could help them climb the standings.

Team Insights

MI Emirates

• Recent Form: MI Emirates have been in good form, having defeated Desert Vipers in their last match by 4 wickets.
• Top Run-Scorer: Jonny Bairstow has been a consistent performer, scoring 246 runs in 8 innings.
• Top Wicket-Taker: Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar has been the standout bowler with 8 wickets in 8 matches.
• Captain: Shakib Al Hasan leads the side with his all-round capabilities.
• Key Players: Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, and Chris Woakes form a strong core with balance in batting and bowling.

Gulf Giants

• Recent Form: Gulf Giants have struggled in their last game, losing to Dubai Capitals by 6 wickets.
• Top Run-Scorer: Pathum Nissanka has been the team's leading run-scorer with 243 runs in 6 innings.
• Top Wicket-Taker: Azmatullah Omarzai has been the standout bowler, taking 11 wickets in 8 matches.
• Captain: Azmatullah Omarzai is expected to lead the side with his experience and all-round skills.
• Key Players: Moeen Ali, Kyle Mayers, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz offer a good mix of batting and bowling depth.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

• Pitch Report: The pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium is expected to be average in nature, offering a fair contest between bat and ball. Early batting conditions are expected to be good, but the pitch might assist spinners as the game progresses.
• Weather: The match is likely to be played under clear skies, with the evening dew potentially aiding the bowlers in the second innings.
• Par Score Estimate: With average conditions, a par score could range between 160-180.

Head-to-Head and Tactical Insights

Both teams have a balanced squad, with MI Emirates having a slight edge in all-round strength. Jonny Bairstow and Kieron Pollard are expected to be key for MI Emirates, while Pathum Nissanka and Azmatullah Omarzai will be vital for the Gulf Giants.

The toss could be a crucial moment, as the team batting second might have an advantage given the dew conditions. MI Emirates’ spin department, led by Arab Gul and Zahoor Khan, could exploit the later stages, while Gulf Giants’ Azmatullah Omarzai and Tabraiz Shamsi could provide breakthroughs at crucial junctures.

Probable Playing XIs

MI Emirates

1. Waseem Muhammad
2. Tom Banton
3. Sanjay Krishnamurthy
4. Nicholas Pooran
5. Kieron Pollard
6. Romario Shepherd
7. Shakib Al Hasan (c)
8. Chris Woakes
9. Arab Gul
10. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar
11. Zahoor Khan
12. Jonny Bairstow

Gulf Giants

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
2. James Vince
3. Lorcan Tucker
4. Kyle Mayers
5. Moeen Ali
6. Azmatullah Omarzai
7. Aayan Afzal Khan
8. Fred Klaassen
9. Mark Adair
10. Tabraiz Shamsi
11. Haider Razzaq
12. Sean Dickson

Fantasy Cricket Pick (Dream11) Considerations

• Captaincy Pick: Jonny Bairstow – Consistent run-scorer with high impact.
• Vice-Captaincy Pick: Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Strong in both bat and ball.
• Key Bowlers: Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (MI Emirates), Azmatullah Omarzai (Gulf Giants)
• All-Rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai, Arab Gul
• Wicket-Keepers: Andre Fletcher (MI Emirates), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Gulf Giants)

Viewing Options

• Live Streaming in India: Available on Fancode app/website.
• Live Score and Commentary: Follow on MyFinal11.in
• TV Broadcast: Not available on TV channels in India.

Final Prediction

This match is expected to be a tight contest, with both teams having the ability to win. MI Emirates, with their better recent form and balanced squad, might edge out Gulf Giants. However, the result will largely depend on the toss and how the dew affects the second innings.

Prediction: MI Emirates by 4-5 wickets

Toss and Match Updates

• Toss Time: 30 minutes before the match starts.
• Stay tuned for live updates, commentary, and player reactions as the match unfolds.

Stay ahead in the tournament with expert insights and fantasy tips from our team!
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