SW vs DV Match Analysis
The 28th match of the International League T20 takes us to the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium, a venue historically known for its short boundaries and high-scoring thrillers. Scheduled for an evening start, the dew factor could play a massive role in the second innings, making the toss a crucial tactical checkpoint.
The Sharjah Warriorz enter this contest with their confidence likely shaken after a disastrous batting display in their previous outing. Having been bundled out for a paltry 90 runs in Dubai, the Warriorz exposed their primary weakness: a significant lack of batting consistency and a tendency to collapse in clusters.
On the other side of the ring, the Desert Vipers are riding high on a strong winning culture, having reached the ILT20 finals twice previously. Led by Sam Curran, they boast a robust mix of international firepower and local talent that adapts well to UAE conditions.
Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers Team Preview & Squads
Sharjah Warriorz
Captain Sikandar Raza finds himself under the microscope as he leads the SW into this must-win encounter. As a seasoned all-rounder, Raza’s role is dual-pronged: he must stabilize the middle order which crumbled spectacularly in the last match.
The batting depth of the SW is technically their strength, but currently, it is performing like their biggest liability. Tom Kohler-Cadmore is the key at the top; if he fires, he can utilize the short Sharjah boundaries to devastating effect, but he needs support.
In the bowling department, the Warriorz possess a versatile attack led by the wily Adil Rashid. Rashid’s leg-spin is world-class and could be pivotal on the Sharjah deck, especially if it takes a turn. However, the team’s tendency to drop catches in crucial moments has often undone the hard work of their bowlers.
Reflecting on their last match performance, it was a day to forget for the Warriorz as they were humiliated by the Vipers in Dubai. Being bowled out for 90 in just the first innings killed the contest before it really began. While they managed to take 6 wickets in the second innings to drag the match to the 14th over, the damage was already done by the batting failure.
Sharjah Warriorz Squads
Sharjah Warriorz Squads
Tim Southee, Abdul Salam Khan, Tom Abell, Mohammed Aslam, Mark Chapman, Johnson Charles, Ethan D’Souza, Tim David, Harmeet Singh, Junaid Siddique, Dinesh Karthik, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Saurabh Netravalkar, Richard Ngarava, Matheesha Pathirana, Dwaine Pretorius, Raees Ahmed, Shubham Ranjane, Adil Rashid, James Rew, Sikandar Raza, Nathan Sowter, Taskin Ahmed, Maheesh Theekshana, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Wasim Akram
Desert Vipers
Sam Curran has exemplified leading from the front, bringing a aggressive tactical mindset to the DV. As an all-rounder, he provides balance, but his usage of the bowling resources has been the real highlight.
DV batting lineup is headlined by the explosive Jason Roy, who is capable of taking the game away in the powerplay. The middle order can be prone to panic or “occasional batting inconsistencies” as noted in their team profile. They need to be ruthless to assert true dominance.
The bowling attack is arguably the Vipers’ greatest asset right now, with David Payne in red-hot form. Supported by a versatile unit that includes excellent spin options, they are well-suited to the Sharjah surface.
In their previous match against the Warriorz, the Vipers showcased their bowling superiority by restricting the opposition to double digits. The result was a win by 4 wickets with 37 balls remaining, a massive boost to their standing.
Desert Vipers Squads
Desert Vipers Squads
Lockie Ferguson, Vriitya Aravind, Bilal Tahir, Tom Bruce, Sam Curran, Faisal Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Andries Gous, Hasan Nawaz, Wanindu Hasaranga, Max Holden, Khuzaima Tanveer, Dan Lawrence, Matiullah Khan, Naseem Shah, Noor Ahmad, Sanjay Pahal, David Payne, Qais Ahmad, Jason Roy
Match Details | |
Match | Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers | 28th Match | International League T20 2026 |
Date | December 26, 2025 |
Time | BDT 8:30 PM / PKT 7:30 PM / INR 8:00 PM |
Format | T20 |
Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
Recent performance | Sharjah Warriorz – L W W L L Desert Vipers – W W W L W |
Live Streaming Details | Click here to watch the Live Stream on Sports Live Hub(SLH) |
SW vs DV Outfield Report
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The pitch at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium is legendary for its short boundaries, often serving as a graveyard for bowlers, but recent trends in the ILT20 have shown it can be two-paced. Given the Warriorz’s recent struggle to reach 100 and the Vipers’ stumble chasing it, we might expect a surface that aids spinners and cutters initially before flattening out.
The “Dew Factor” is the wild card here; if the dew sets in heavily during the second innings, the ball will skid on nicely for the batters while becoming a bar of soap for the bowlers.
In terms of the powerplay and fielding, the outfield is fast, so once the ball pierces the inner ring, it generally races away. The Sharjah Warriorz have a noted weakness in dropping catches at crucial moments, a flaw they cannot afford at a venue where fielding lapses are punished by sixes.
Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches
The history between these two sides heavily favors the team in red. In their last five T20 matches against each other in the International League T20, the Desert Vipers have dominated by winning four times, while the Sharjah Warriorz have managed to secure victory only once.
SW vs DV Prediction
Event | Sharjah Warriorz | Desert Vipers |
Toss Winner | – | Desert Vipers |
Player of the Match | – | David Payne |
Top Run Scorer | Tom Kohler-Cadmore | Jason Roy |
Top Wicket Taker | Adil Rashid | David Payne |
Most Sixes | Tom Kohler-Cadmore | Jason Roy |
Predicted Score | 135+ | 150+ |
Win Probability | 40% | 60% |
According to cricket analysts Desert Vipers have a 60% 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.
Want to stay one step ahead in the cricket world?
At JeetBuzz News, discover in-depth Match Predictions, expert analysis, and real-time updates on all your favorite fixtures. Don’t just follow the game—dive into the action with us today!
