Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates Prediction & Match Preview – ILT20 2025-26, 3rd Match
Match summary
Our preview of Gulf Giants v MI Emirates in the ILT20 at Dubai: last season’s form, key batters and bowlers, likely XIs, pitch and weather notes.
Match details
| Match | Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates, 3rd Match |
|---|---|
| Series | International League T20 2025-26 |
| Date | 4 Dec 2025 |
| Start time | 2:30 pm GMT / 6:30 pm local |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | MI Emirates |
| Toss pick | Gulf Giants |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Gulf Giants and MI Emirates meet in Dubai in the third match of the ILT20 2025-26. The Giants are hoping for a far better campaign after finishing second from the bottom last time with four wins from ten games. With a fresh-look squad, a playoff place is the first target.
James Vince, last season’s top run-scorer for them with 260 at a strike rate of 138, is again expected to anchor the batting, and Pathum Nissanka, who has 29 fifties and two hundreds in this format, strengthens the top. Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz add balance in the middle order. In the attack, Blessing Muzarabani took 16 wickets in ten games last year, Mark Adair is another key bowler, and Aayan Khan, Liam Dawson and Moeen Ali add depth.
MI Emirates had a strong season, finishing third in the league stage before going out in the playoffs. Tom Banton was the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 493 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 152, and Nicholas Pooran added 301 at 160. Andre Fletcher and Muhammad Waseem, who has hit 187 T20I sixes, add firepower. Fazalhaq Farooqi topped the wicket charts with 21 wickets in 11 matches, supported by Muhammad Rohid and AM Ghazanfar.
Dubai’s pitch usually offers a fair balance between bat and ball. Seamers often enjoy the first few overs, with a hint of movement and extra bounce under lights, before the wicket becomes more predictable for batters. Spinners get gentle turn in the middle overs. Dew can make the ball slippery in evening games, giving chasing teams a slight advantage.
Ideal conditions are forecast for the evening, with temperatures of 24–26°C and clear to partly cloudy skies. Humidity should be a moderate 50–60%, light winds are expected and rain is highly unlikely.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 165–185 | – |
| Second innings | 155–170 | – |
MI Emirates
MI Emirates finished third last season and keep most of their core, with Banton, Pooran and Farooqi all in strong form.
Toss pick: Gulf Giants
FAQ
How did Gulf Giants fare last season?
They finished second from the bottom with four wins from ten games, and will aim for a playoff spot this time.
Who were MI Emirates’ top performers last season?
Tom Banton scored 493 runs in 11 innings, Nicholas Pooran made 301 at a strike rate of 160, and Fazalhaq Farooqi took 21 wickets in 11 matches.
Who does our preview favour?
MI Emirates, with Gulf Giants expected to win the toss.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Gulf Giants
- James Vincec
- Pathum Nissanka
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Rahmanullah Gurbazwk
- Moeen Ali
- Aayan Khan
- Liam Dawson
- Blessing Muzarabani
- Mark Adair / Nuwan Thushara
- Kyle Mayers
- Gerhard Erasmus
MI Emirates
- Muhammad Waseem
- Tom Banton
- Kieron Pollardc
- Jonny Bairstow
- Andre Fletcher
- Romario Shepherd
- Nicholas Pooranwk
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Muhammad Rohid
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- AM Ghazanfar