Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals Prediction & Match Preview – ILT20 13th Match
Match summary
ILT20 2025-26 preview: struggling Abu Dhabi Knight Riders host Dubai Capitals at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Form, likely XIs, pitch and weather notes.
Match details
| Match | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Dubai Capitals, 13th Match |
|---|---|
| Series | International League T20 2025-26 |
| Date | 13 Dec 2025 |
| Start time | 02:30 pm GMT / 06:30 pm local |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | Dubai Capitals |
| Toss pick | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have had a disappointing start to ILT20 2025-26. Jason Holder’s side beat Sharjah Warriorz in their opening game but then lost three consecutive matches. After four games they sit fifth with two points and a net run rate of –1.383, and need a quick turnaround on home soil.
Dubai Capitals, captained by Dasun Shanaka, have played three matches with one win and two defeats, and take the field after a victory that should lift confidence. Their expected XI features Jordan Cox, Rovman Powell, David Willey and Toby Albert, with Waqar Salamkheil and Mustafizur Rahman leading the bowling.
The Knight Riders’ likely line-up has plenty of quality, with Alex Hales, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Sherfane Rutherford, Sunil Narine and Holder himself. The question is whether it can deliver together. With dew likely to help chasing sides and form favouring the Capitals, our preview picks Dubai.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium typically gives a balanced contest. Pacers can find bounce and some movement early, but the pitch settles quickly and rewards stroke-play, with a smooth outfield. Spinners do not get dramatic turn yet can control the middle overs with disciplined spells. Teams are generally comfortable chasing unless the surface slows late in the evening.
A mild, comfortable evening is expected at 6:30 pm local time, with temperatures around 22 to 24°C, clear skies, a gentle breeze and moderate humidity. No rain is forecast.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 165–180 | – |
| Second innings | 160–175 | – |
Dubai Capitals
The Capitals come in on the back of a win while the Knight Riders have lost three in a row.
Toss pick: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
FAQ
How have Abu Dhabi Knight Riders started ILT20 2025-26?
After winning their opener against Sharjah Warriorz they lost three straight games, leaving them fifth with two points and a net run rate of –1.383.
What is Dubai Capitals’ record before this game?
They had one win and two losses from three matches, and enter the match after a win.
Who captains the two sides?
Jason Holder leads Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Dasun Shanaka leads Dubai Capitals.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Alex Hales
- Phil Saltwk
- Alishan Sharafu
- Liam Livingstone
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Brandon McMullen
- Khary Pierre
- Sunil Narine
- Jason Holderc
- George Garton
- Ajay Kumar
Dubai Capitals
- Shayan Jahangirwk
- Sediqullah Atal
- David Willey
- Jordan Cox
- Rovman Powell
- Dasun Shanakac
- Toby Albert
- Haider Ali
- Waqar Salamkheil
- Mustafizur Rahman
- Muhammad Jawadullah
Head-to-head
Earlier meetings of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Dubai Capitals that we covered.