Check out all the Preview Stats and AI Predictive Form Guide for the International League T20, 33rd match – MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, to be played on the 2nd of January, 2026 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Batting Stats T20

Match Details:

Date: Friday, 2nd January 2026.

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Start Time: 02:30 PM GMT | 08:00 PM IST | 06:30 PM Local.

Current Form:

MI Emirates:

It was a demoralising loss against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the first qualifier, but the MI Emirates and their top-two finish has ensured they get two shots at being able to make it to the final as they head into Qualifier 2.

Muhammad Waseem, Tom Banton and Kieron Pollard have gone most of the scoring with Pooran and Bairstow away. While the bowling has seen Fazalhaq Farooqi and Allah Ghazanfar continue on their merry way.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders:

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders reprised their opening partnership from the final game of the season in the Eliminator, ensuring the Knight Riders were always ahead in the game and have made their way through to the Qualifier 2.

Michael Pepper, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone are leading the way for the Knight Riders with the bat in hand, while their bowling has been led by Jason Holder, Ajay Kumar, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine.

Players to Watch:

MI Emirates:

Tom Banton – he has scored 256 runs in 11 innings at an average of 25.6 and finally found his touch in the last game, scoring a rapid 63, striking at over 200 and the MI Emirates will hope he can play two blinders going ahead. 

Allah Ghazanfar – the most successful bowler for the MI Emirates this year with 12 wickets in 11 innings at an average of 23.75, striking once every 19.8 balls and has gone at 7.18 runs per over.

Muhammad Waseem – with Bairstow and Pooran away at the SA20, much of the job falls to Waseem, who is the leading run-scorer for the MI Emirates this season with 334 runs in 11 games at 33.4 and he has struck at 131.49.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders:

Michael Pepper – it has been a fun two games for Michael Pepper, who has peppered the boundaries in his last two games and has 174 runs in this season at an average of 43.5 and has struck at 155.35. 

Jason Holder – the captain has been impressive ever since he has taken charge, Holder has scored 73 runs this season while striking at 158.69 and has been even better with the ball, taking 15 wickets in nine innings, at an average of 14.66, striking once every 13.3 balls and has gone at just 6.6 runs per over.

Ajay Kumar – the leading wicket-taker for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Ajay Kumar has been the pick of their bowlers and has been quite the find for the Knight Riders, averaging 21.31 runs per wicket for his 16 strikes and has struck once every 15.3 balls.

Wicket Takers T20

Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches):

It has been one sided dominance for the MI Emirates in this match-up and this is a game they would love and make it to the finals against the Desert Vipers, looking to exact revenge for the 1st Qualifier.

Venue Stats – Sharjah Cricket Stadium (2022-2026):

Average 1st Innings Score:


2022 – 156.00



2023 – 154.60



2024 – 142.00



2025 – 168.86


Bowling Averages and Economy Rates:

Wickets Percentage based on Innings:

Wickets Per Innings:

Wickets per Phase:


Powerplay (Overs 1–6): 1.77 wickets



Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): 2.81 wickets



Death Overs (Overs 16–20): 2.21 wickets


The pitches at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium have flattened out, playing in favour of the batters. The average first innings score has risen up to 169 in 2025, after having been a lowly 142 in 2024. There is a slight advantage in batting in the second innings here, with teams that bat second, winning 54% of their games.

These conditions have been more conducive for the spin bowlers, who average 22.27 runs per dismissal, have struck once every 19 balls and remain economical, going at 7 runs per over. The fast bowlers have had a slightly tougher time here, averaging 24.41 per wicket, and been expensive, going at 8.4 but have struck quicker, striking once every 17.4 balls.

Most 6’s T20

Squads:

MI Emirates:

Kieron Pollard ©, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Andre Fletcher (WK), Tom Banton (WK), Nicholas Pooran (WK), Ackeem Auguste, Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Waseem, Kamindu Mendis, Shakib Al Hasan, Romario Shepherd, Tajinder Singh, Jordan Thompson, Chris Woakes, Fazalhaq Farooqi, AM Ghazanfar, Nosthush Kenjige, Mohamed Shafeeq, Muhammad Rohid, Naveen-ul-Haq, Zahoor Khan, Arab Gul and Zain Ul Abidin.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders:

Jason Holder ©, Unmukt Chand (WK), Phil Salt (WK), Michael Pepper (WK), Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford, Alishan Sharafu, Adnan Idrees, Piyush Chawla, George Garton, Liam Livingstone, Brandon McMullen, Sunil Narine, Khary Pierre, Andre Russell, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ajay Kumar, Ibrar Ahmad, Olly Stone, Mayank Chowdary and Manan Ali.

Match Prediction – MI Emirates v Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Cricket Match Predictions – PrePlay

Who will win the toss? — MI Emirates

Who will win the match? — MI Emirates

Top Batter (Runs Scored) — Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates), Michael Pepper (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)

Top Bowler (Wickets Taken) — Allah Ghazanfar (MI Emirates), Jason Holder (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)

Most Sixes — Romario Shepherd (MI Emirates), Michael Pepper (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)

Player of the Match — Allah Ghazanfar (MI Emirates)

Team Scores Batting First — MI Emirates 160+, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 160+

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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

Also, the predictions and picks are formulated from the stats and information sourced and compiled from AI and Stats experts – Always remember, when the fun stops… STOP

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