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
MI Emirates face Desert Vipers in the latest installment of the ILT20 2023.
Start of play is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm GMT) on Monday, January 23.
The game was be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
MI Emirates look in good shape in the race for the top four having won three of their four games thus far.
But they do come into the game off the back of their first defeat - a 16-run reverse at the hands of Dubai Capitals - after a match in which more than 400 runs were scored.
Desert Vipers have an identical record after four matches, with only net run rate keeping them above MI before the start of play.
They too come into the game after an abrupt end to their winning start, losing to Gulf Giants in another high-scoring clash.
Sheldon Cottrell (RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)
Sheldon Cottrell's performance with the new ball and at the death has been very impressive, returning seven wickets and an economy rate of 5.65 in four matches.
Bowling in those later overs may see him square up against countryman Kieron Pollard, who wrote the manual on finishing off a T20 innings.
Pollard comes into the game off the back of an explosive 86 off 38 balls against Capitals, as MI fell narrowly short of a miraculous run-chase.
It is expected to be another dry afternoon and evening in Abu Dhabi, with temperates around 22 degrees Celsius.
Dwayne Bravo missed MI's defeat to the Capitals but can be expected to return, with Samit Patel likely to drop out after a ropey bowling display.
Both Mark Watt and Jake Lintott are waiting for their ILT20 debuts and could be called in should the pitch show signs of turning. Dinesh Chandimal is the highest-profile overseas player likely to miss out.
MI Emirates: Kieron Pollard (c), Dwayne Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, Andre Fletcher, Imran Tahir, Samit Patel, Will Smeed, Jordan Thompson, Najibullah Zadran, Zahir Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Brad Wheal, Bas de Leede, Muhammad Waseem, Basil Hameed, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Craig Overton, Tom Lammonby, Dan Mousley, McKenny Clarke, Lorcan Tucker
Desert Vipers: Colin Munro (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Sam Billings, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Matheesha Pathirana, Sherfane Rutherford, Sheldon Cottrell, Benny Howell, Ruben Trumpelmann, Mark Watt, Tymal Mills, Adam Lyth, Rohan Mustafa, Shiraz Ahmad, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly, Dinesh Chandimal, Gus Atkinson, Jake Lintott
*Squads are for the whole ILT20 and not specific to this match
Kieron Pollard [Karim Shaib/AFP via Getty Images]
MI Emirates: Will Smeed, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Poora, Andre Fletcher, Kieron Pollard, Najibullah Zadran, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Trent Boult, Imran Tahir, Zahoor Khan
Desert Vipers: Alex Hales, Rohan Mustafa, Colin Munro, Sam Billings, Sherfane Rutherford, Benny Howell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Tom Curran, Gus Atkinson, Sheldon Cottrell, Shiraz Ahmed
Desert Vipers are the favourites with Betfair, who price them at 4/6 for the win. MI Emirates are the outsiders at 8/11.
Vipers have been impressive across their four matches - claiming three heavy wins - and should have too much for MI.
Tickets are available on Platinum List. Child tickets are available for just $2.81 while adult tickets start at $8.42.
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 Global.
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.
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