ADKR vs MIE Match Analysis
The Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi sets the stage for a compelling contest as the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders take on the star-studded MI Emirates in the 21st match of the ILT20 2025-26. With a start time of 4:00 PM BDT (2:00 PM local time), this is a day fixture.
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) are currently finding their rhythm, leveraging a squad packed with Caribbean flair and experienced spinners. Their recent victory against the Gulf Giants showcased their ability to chase down competitive totals, with their middle order holding firm under pressure.
MI Emirates (MIE), led by the evergreen Kieron Pollard, continue to be a powerhouse in the league, boasting a roster that reads like a T20 Hall of Fame. Their gritty defense of a low total against the Dubai Capitals in their last outing proved their bowling attack’s lethality even when their batters misfire.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates Team Preview & Squads
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Captain Jason Holder brings a wealth of international experience and calm leadership to the Knight Riders, tasked with managing a team full of high-profile personalities. His role as a bowling all-rounder is crucial.
The batting depth of ADKR is formidable on paper, headlined by the explosive Phil Salt and the power-hitting of Andre Russell. However, the team often faces the issue of losing wickets in clusters, placing immense pressure on their all-rounders to rescue the innings.
In the bowling department, the spin duo of Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla forms the backbone of their attack. Chawla, fresh off a match-winning 4-wicket haul, will be key in the middle overs, while the pace attack must ensure they don’t leak runs early on.
In their previous match against the Gulf Giants on December 18, 2025, ADKR chased down a target of 166 with four balls to spare. It was a nervy finish, but they reached 167/6, thanks largely to a balanced effort and a Player of the Match performance from Piyush Chawla, whose 4/27 restricted the opposition effectively.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Squads
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Jason Holder (C), Adnan Idrees, Ajay Kumar, Unmukt Chand (WK), Piyush Chawla, Mayank Chowdary, George Garton, Alex Hales, Ibrar Ahmad, Liam Livingstone, Manan Ali, Brandon McMullen, Sunil Narine, Michael Pepper, Khary Pierre, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Phil Salt (WK), Alishan Sharafu, Olly Stone, Shadley van Schalkwyk
MI Emirates
Kieron Pollard continues to lead MIE with his trademark aggressive style and tactical acumen. As a captain who leads from the front, his experience in navigating high-pressure situations is invaluable.
The batting lineup features heavyweights like Jonny Bairstow and Nicholas Pooran, providing immense destructive potential. However, their recent performance highlighted a vulnerability, as they crumbled to 137/8, exposing a lack of application in the middle overs.
MIE bowling attack, however, is world-class, featuring the pace and guile of Naveen-ul-Haq and the spin wizardry of Rashid Khan. This unit proved its worth by defending a modest total against the Dubai Capitals, showcasing their ability to squeeze opponents in the powerplay and middle overs.
In their last match against the Dubai Capitals on December 17, 2025, MI Emirates defended a low score of 137/8 by bowling out the opposition for 130. It was a testament to their bowling strength, with Rashid Khan taking 2/14 and Jonny Bairstow earning MVP honors despite the batting struggles.
MI Emirates Squads
MI Emirates
Arab Gul, Ackeem Auguste, Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Andre Fletcher, AM Ghazanfar, Nosthush Kenjige, Kamindu Mendis, Mohamed Shafeeq, Muhammad Rohid, Muhammad Waseem, Naveen-ul-Haq, Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (WK), Rashid Khan, Shakib Al Hasan, Romario Shepherd, Tajinder Singh, Usman Khan Shinwari, Chris Woakes, Zahoor Khan, Zain Ul Abidin
Match Details | |
Match | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates | 21st Match | International League T20 2026 |
Date | 20/12/2025 (Saturday) |
Time | BDT 4:00 PM / PKT 3:00 PM / INR 3:30 PM |
Format | T20 |
Venue | Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
Recent performance | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – L L L W W MI Emirates – W L W L W |
Live Streaming Details | Click here to watch the ADKR vs MIE Live Stream on Sports Live Hub(SLH) |
ADKR vs MIE Outfield Report
Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
The pitch at the Zayed Cricket Stadium is generally favorable for batting, offering true bounce and carry, but day games can sometimes see the track playing a bit slower for spinners. Batters will look to capitalize on the hard new ball during the powerplay, as scoring can become slightly more difficult as the ball softens in the heat.
Conditions for this afternoon match will be warm and sunny, with no dew factor expected to influence the game since it will conclude before late evening moisture sets in. The temperature will be conducive to cricket but demanding on the fielders, testing their stamina in the heat.
Fielding will be tested by the large outfield, and powerplay strategies will likely revolve around attacking lines to induce mistakes. MI Emirates will likely deploy spin early to exploit any dryness, while ADKR will rely on their pace variations. Ground fielding will be crucial, as the ball travels fast across the outfield here.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs MI Emirates Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches
In their last five T20 matches against each other, MI Emirates have won three times and the Dubai Capitals have won twice.
ADKR vs MIE Prediction
Event | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | MI Emirates |
Toss Winner | – | MI Emirates |
Player of the Match | – | Rashid Khan |
Top Run Scorer | Phil Salt | Jonny Bairstow |
Top Wicket Taker | Piyush Chawla | Rashid Khan |
Most Sixes | Andre Russell | Kieron Pollard |
Predicted Score | 155+ | 160+ |
Win Probability | 48% | 52% |
According to cricket analysts MI Emirates have a 52% chance of Winning.
Disclaimer: This cricket prediction reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. We encourage readers to review the points shared and draw their own conclusions.
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