ILT20 2023 match preview: Dubai Capitals v Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 ILT20

What's the match?

Dubai Capitals will host Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in match one of the ILT20 in 2023.

When is it taking place?

Start of play is scheduled for 6.45pm local time (2.45pm GMT) on Friday, January 13.

Where is the match being played?

The game will be staged in Dubai at Dubai International Stadium. 

Who's got the form?

It's the first match of the inaugural season, so there's little to say in terms of team form.

However, many of the players who are due to be involved in this clash were recently in the UAE for the Abu Dhabi T10 League.

Dubai Capitals captain Rovman Powell was among the best players in that tournament, blasting 196 runs at a strike rate of 245 - of players to score more than 10 runs, no one did so faster than the West Indian. Dan Lawrence also impressed with the bat, scoring 106 runs at a rate of 185.96 in four outings, while Fabian Allen picked up seven wickets.

For Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, both Ravi Rampaul and Akeal Hosein were on form with the ball in the T10s, with the latter taking 10 wickets and conceding just 6.2 runs per over.

^{Joe Root could feature for Dubai Capitals [Stu Forster/Getty Images]}

What's the key match-up?

Based on his form in the T10 League and widely known destructive capabilities, keeping Powell quiet is going to be a priority for the Knight Riders - the West Indian has scored 2,668 T20 runs at a strike rate of 133.33 across an extensive T20 career.

And worryingly for the Knight Riders, he isn't the only powder keg in the Capitals ranks, with Dasun Shanaka, Hazratullah Zazai, George Munsey, Ravi Bopara and Allen all fond of finding the boundary.

How Sunil Narine, Hosein and co. fare will likely decide this clash.

What's the weather forecast?

Sunny skies are expected throughout the afternoon in Dubai, giving way to evening temperatures in the high-teens.

What is the team news?

Both sides are yet to announce any injury and availablity issues ahead of the ILT20 curtain raiser.

If selected by Dubai Capitals, Joe Root would make his first overseas franchise appearance since January 2019.

What are the squads?

Dubai Capitals: Rovman Powell (c), Dasun Shanaka, Fabian Allen, Mujeeb Rahman, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Sikandar Raza, Hazratullah Zazai, Chirag Suri, Daniel Lawrence, Jash Ginayani, Niroshan Dickwella, Fred Klaassen, George Munsey, Hazrat Luqman, Akif Raja, Joe Root, Robin Uthappa, Ravi Bopara, Yusuf Pathan, Ollie White

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Sunil Narine (c), Andre Russell, Paul Stirling, Lahiru Kumara, Charith Asalanka, Colin Ingram, Akeal Hosein, Ravi Rampaul, Raymon Reifer, Kennar Lewis, Ali Khan, Brandon Glover, Sabir Ali, Matiullah Khan, Zawar Farid, Fahad Nawaz, Marchant de Lange, Dhananjaya de Silva, Connor Esterhuizen, Traveen Mathew

*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match

^{Sunil Narine will captain Abu Dhabi Knight Riders [Ben Hoskins/Getty Images]}

What are the possible starting XIs?

Dubai Capitals: Hazratullah Zazai, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chirag Suri, Dan Lawrence, Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka, Fabian Allen, Niroshan Dickwella, Isuru Udana, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fred Klaassen

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Paul Stirling, Kennar Lewis, Colin Ingram, Charith Asalanka, Raymon Reifer, Andre Russell, Suninl Narine, Akeal Hosein, Brandon Glover, Sabir Ali, Lahiru Kumara

What are the odds?

According to PaddyPower, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are favourites, with a best available price of 4/6. Dubai Capitals are the outsiders, with odds of 11/10.

What's the prediction?

Having not seen the two sides play, this is a hard one to call. On paper, Dubai Capitals probably have the edge because several of their star players, particularly with the bat, are in form whereas the likes of Paul Stirling have struggled of late.

Are tickets available?

Tickets are available on Platinum List. Child tickets are available for just $2.81 while adult tickets start at $8.42.

Where can I watch the game?

ZEE have obtained the broadcast rights for the ILT20 on a long-term deal.

All 34 matches will be aired across the company's 10 linear channels, with coverage provided in more than 10 languages, including English, Hindi and Tamil, as well as on ZEE5.

In the UK, Zee TV can be accessed via channel 709 on Sky and channel 809 on Virgin Media. Every match will also be available via BT Sport (TV/online/app) following a deal betwee the broadcaster and Zee.

Elsewhere in the world, the full tournament will be available via Zee Cinema (SD/HD), Zee Anmol Cinema, ZEE Thirai, Zee Bangla Cinema, Zee Zest (SD/HD), &Pictures, &Flix, and ZEE5.