Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriors, ILT 2023, Today Match Prediction 04 February 2023

adkr vs sw Match Prediction & Analysis

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders haven’t won a single match in the inaugural International League T20. They are right at the bottom of the points table with 8 losses in 9 games (one match was abandoned) and just 1 point. Their net run rate stands at a horrible -2.200. The Knight Riders play Sharjah Warriors in their final match of the season on February 4th at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, and they will be hoping to give their fans something to cheer about.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Preview

With the season already gone, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will be playing for pride in their last match. It goes without saying that the Knight Riders have underperformed. Andre Russell is their leading run-getter with 195 runs in 8 innings at a strike-rate of 156. In the previous game against MI Emirates, which the Knight riders lost by 5 wickets, Russell was the top-scorer with a knock of 42 off 22 balls.

Sadly, none of the other batters have stepped up. After Russell, their next highest scorers are opener Paul Stirling (129 runs in 5 innings at 110.25) and Brandon King (108 runs in 8 innings at 106.93). It has been a poor batting show so far, and the team would again depend on Russell to bail them out.

Captain Sunil Narine has led the bowling unit admirably, taking 6 wickets at an economy rate of 6.96. He has managed to keep the opposition batters in check with his tight lines. Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein (6 wickets in 8 innings at 7.74) has also impressed. The Knight Riders do lack a quality fast bowler in their ranks and might be tempted to bring back Sri Lankan pacer Lahiru Kumara (8 wickets in 5 innings at an economy of 9.38) in this match.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI:

Paul Stirling, Brandon King, Charith Asalanka, Joe Clarke (wk), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine (c), Akeal Hosein, Sabir Ali Rao, Matiullah Khan, Connor Esterhuizen, Marchant de Lange/ Lahiru Kumara

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Actual Playing XI:

Brandon King, Matiullah Khan, Marchant de Lange, Akeal Hosein, Paul Stirling, Joe Clarke, Charith Asalanka, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Connor Esterhuizen, Sabir Rao

Sharjah Warriors Preview

Sharjah Warriors are currently 4th on the points table with 7 points and a net run rate of -0.229. They are coming off a 22-run loss to Desert Vipers at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. While the Warriors are in a good position, they need to improve their net run rate and have just two more games left. 

Opener Tom Kohler-Cadmore has been the team’s best batter this season, amassing 245 runs in 7 innings at a strike rate of 168.96. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hasn’t had the best of seasons, but he seemed to be getting back to his usual self in the match against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders last week where he scored 56 off 39 balls.

Captain Joe Denly (149 runs in 7 innings at a strike rate of 112) has had a quiet season and will be looking to make an impact in the last two league games.

Afghanistan’s right-arm fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has been in great form this season for the Warriors, taking 10 wickets in 8 innings at an economy of 8.12. Junaid Siddique (9 wickets in 8 innings at an economy of 7.12) has done an excellent job with the new ball too. The Warriors are missing the services of England pacer Chris Woakes who has left for national duties. Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad have handled the spin duties for the team, but they needed an experienced wicket-taking spin option in the middle.

Sharjah Warriors Predicted Playing XI:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Joe Denly (c), Marcus Stoinis, Adam Hose, Paul Walter, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah

Sharjah Warriors Actual Playing XI:

Muhammad Jawad Ullah, Tom Kohler Cadmore, Marcus Stoinis, Evin Lewis, Chris Benjamin, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Nabi, Naveen ul Haq, Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan, Chris Woakes

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is good for batting. It remains true throughout the 40 overs, and does offer some help to the spinners once the ball becomes a little soft.

The weather in Abu Dhabi today during the match will be clear and pleasant.

Venue Details

The average first innings score at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium this year is 174. The highest total posted here this season is 222-3 by Dubai Capitals. The team batting first in this match should look to set a target of around 180-190 runs.

 

Toss: To Bowl

Out of the last 6 matches played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium this season, 4 have been won by the side chasing. Expect the team winning the toss in this game to field first.