Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers, ILT 2023, Today Match Prediction 08 February 2023

ggt vs dv Match Prediction & Analysis

Gulf Giants have had an excellent tournament, and the side will like to carry this momentum forward as they take on the Desert Vipers in the 1st Qualifier of the International League T20, 2023. The Giants come into this game with a win against the Sharjah Warriors, and they will feel confident. The Vipers lost their last game against the Giants, and they will like a better show in this game.  

The Gulf Giants were the best side in the league stage and lost only once. The Giants had won both the league games against the Vipers during the league stage. The Vipers won't be a pushover. They have finished second on the points table and have good players on the side. Both sides will feel the pressure in this game, and we shall see a close game with big stakes involved in the contest. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Gulf Giants Preview

James Vince's side has enjoyed an excellent run in the season. They lost only once and made a grand entry into the playoffs with a 7-wicket win against the Sharjah Warriors. Their batsmen and bowlers have contributed to the cause, where key players have done well for the side. Vince would like to ride this momentum and make it to the final, winning this game.  

The star-studded opening pair of Tom Banton and Vince have done well in the tournament, and the side will like to see a strong start from them here. Colin de Grandhomme looks in good form, and he will look to make runs in the middle order with Gerhard Erasmus and Aayan Afzal Khan. David Weise, Carlos Brathwaite, and Dominic Drakes add firepower to the lower middle order.  

Dominic Drakes and Sanchit Sharma need to strike early in this game as their opponents have a strong batting line-up. David Wiese, Qais Ahmed, and Brathwaite bowled well in the last game and will look to deliver a good show here. The side would also like tight spells from Aayan Afzal Khan, Erasmus, and Tom Helm.

Gulf Giants Predicted Playing XI:

James Vince (c), Tom Banton (wk), Gerhard Erasmus, David Wiese, Carlos Brathwaite, Colin de Grandhomme, Dominic Drakes, Aayan Afzal Khan, Tom Helm, Sanchit Sharma, Qais Ahmad

Gulf Giants Actual Playing XI:

Chris Lynn, James Vince, Aayan Khan, Carlos Brathwaite, Dominic Drakes, Colin de Grandhomme, Chris Jordan, Shimron Hetmyer, Sanchit Sharma, David Wiese, Tom Banton

Desert Vipers Preview

Colin Munro's side will face a massive challenge in this game. They have lost twice against the Giants, including the 25-run loss in their previous game. The Giants have dominated opponents, and it will take nerves of steel to defeat them in this game. Munro leads a talented side, and he would expect the best from his players.   

Alex Hales has been in sublime form, and the team will need a good start from him and his opening partner Rohan Mustafa. The middle order is strong for the team, with Munro, Sam Billings, and Sherfane Rutherford to follow. Tom Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Benny Howell add to the side's firepower with the bat.  

Sheldon Cottrell and Mustafa must strike early for the side to put Gulf Giants on the backfoot. Hasaranga must play in this game, and he will enjoy the conditions and must make the best use of it. The side will also like to see good spells from Benny Howell, Shiraz, and  Matheesha Pathirana.  

Desert Vipers Predicted Playing XI:

Colin Munro (c), Rohan Mustafa, Alex Hales, Sam Billings (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Benny Howell, Tom Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sheldon Cottrell, Matheesha Pathirana, Shiraz Ahmed

Desert Vipers Actual Playing XI:

Alex Hales, Rohan Mustafa, Luke Wood, Colin Munro, Sheldon Cottrell, Sheraz Piya, Wanidu Hasaranga, Gus Atkinson, Sherfane Rutherford, Sam Billings, Tom Curran

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It would be a warm evening in Dubai on February 8. The surface has been a tricky one, as we have seen in the last few games. Bowlers have got good assistance from the surface, and batsmen have struggled. The side batting first here would like to put 170 runs on the board, which can be defended successfully with good bowling.

Venue Details

Dubai International Cricket Stadium has a large outfield, but the wicket is flat here and this allows batsmen to score lots of runs. We have seen big scores and chases at this venue. Fast bowlers find the conditions difficult at this venue and need to make good use of their variations to succeed. Spinners have enjoyed the conditions and picked many wickets. 

Toss: To Bowl

Toss has been a decider at this venue, and most teams have preferred to chase. We have seen big scores being chased here easily, as batting conditions are the best in the second innings. The side winning the toss here would have no hesitation in opting to bowl first.