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

sw vs adkr Match Prediction & Analysis

Sharjah Warriors are tied on points with Dubai Capitals in the points table. A win here would keep them in the race to the playoffs.

It looks highly unlikely for the Knight Riders to make it to the top 4 given that the maximum they can finish with is 8 points. Sharjah and Dubai can go to 9 points with just two more wins from their remaining 4 matches.

As such, the Warriors would not want the Knight Riders to spoil their party. In the recent games, Moeen’s men have outplayed the opposition in every department. They chased down 182 runs against Dubai with a hundred from Tom Kolher-Cadmore and then successfully defended 151 against Gulf Giants.

In the last game that was washed out in Sharjah, Junaid Siddique and Naveen-ul-Haq reduced Dubai Capitals to 17 for 4. Narine, Hossein, and Dhananjaya de Silva can play a key role for Knight Riders in this game at Sharjah.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sharjah Warriors Preview

Joe Denly will be expecting his bowlers to continue their rhythm from recent games. The venue with its shorter boundaries may seem ideal for scoring big runs, it is a tricky wicket here.

As such, the bowlers must be ready to defend even a par total. Though the opposition haven’t won a single game so far, they’ve got some experienced bowlers in their squad.

The experienced skipper will be expected to step up and deliver a long partnership alongside others in the middle. Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan are both not available for this game as they are on national duty on a tour of South Africa. 

If Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are dismissed early in the powerplay, Moeen Ali is less likely to play an aggressive form of cricket.

Evin Lewis is in the side now and will be one to watch out for at the top. He can give the side a great start if he gets going. Mohammad Nabi is an important figure lower down the order. Sharjah Warriors will be missing Chris Woakes too as he is also in the England squad for the South Africa series.

As such Junaid Siddique, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Noor Ahmed will be the key bowlers in this side. The batting lineup is deep with batting all-rounder Adam Hose coming it at 6 followed by Nabi at 7.

Sharjah Warriors Predicted Playing XI:

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

Sharjah Warriors Actual Playing XI:

Naveen ul Haq, Tom Kohler Cadmore, Marcus Stoinis, Paul Walter, Noor Ahmad, Adam Hose, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Nabi, Muhammad Jawad Ullah, Joe Denly, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Preview

There are many T20 stars in this side and yet the Knight Riders have no wins to their name so far. Though he’s very experienced, Sunil Narine may not be the right option to lead the Knight Riders.

Abu Dhabi have also secured the services of another veteran T20 player, Colin Ingram who comes to bat at number 4. He hasn’t been in good shape at all for a number 4 batsman in T20 cricket.

Brandon King, who was the top scorer in the last CPL season, opens the innings for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders here. He opens alongside Kennar Lewis and Dhananjaya de Silva comes in at number 3. It looks like a great top-order with so many promising and experienced T20 players.

King scored a fifty against Desert Vipers in Dubai. The team, however, finished with just 133 runs batting first. In the next game, Russell scored 57 off 29 balls at number 7 as Abu Dhabi were bowled out for 108 runs while chasing 220. 

There has been no team effort from the Knight Riders as far as the batting is concerned. One good performance can’t win a T20 match and they need everyone to play their respective roles well.

Asalanka is another key player in the middle order to watch out for. Narine, Russell, Hossein, and Lahiru Kumara will lead the bowling attack.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Predicted Playing XI:

Brandon King, Kennar Lewis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Andre Russell, Raymon Reifer, Akeal Hosein, Sunil Narine (c), Zawar Farid, Lahiru Kumara, Sabir Ali Rao

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Actual Playing XI:

Brandon King, Zawar Farid, Akeal Hosein, Dhananjaya de Silva, Paul Stirling, Joe Clarke, Lahiru Kumara, Charith Asalanka, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Sabir Rao

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch is on the slower side and will assist the spinners a great deal. The batsmen need to be patient with their approach as they would find it hard to time the ball easily. The weather would be partly cloudy with a high of 21 degrees Celsius. 

Venue Details

Sharjah Cricket Stadium is known for its shorter boundaries that batters clear with ease. However, it may not be easy if the pitch continues to be slow and the ball doesn’t come onto the bat easily. The average 1st innings score at this ground is 155 runs and anything above 170 can be a good score to defend here.

Toss: To Bowl

Teams bowling first have won 43 of the 66 domestic T20s played at this venue in Sharjah. The Warriors have an in-form bowling attack and would be looking to continue their rhythm and prefer to bowl first. Knight Riders would bet on their spinners to weave magic and help them to their first win of the season.