MIE vs ADKR ILT20 2025-26, Pitch Report, Head to Head, Playing 11, AI Prediction

Qualifier 2 of the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26 promises a thrilling contest as MI Emirates (MIE) lock horns with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. With a spot in the grand final at stake, both teams will be under immense pressure to deliver their best performance.

Match Details: MIE vs ADKR

Details	Information
Series	International League T20 (ILT20) 2025–26
Match	MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Qualifier 2
Date	Friday, 2nd January 2026
Time	08:00 PM IST (06:30 PM Local)
Toss Time	07:30 PM IST
Venue	Sharjah Cricket Stadium
City	Sharjah
Live Streaming	FanCode, ZEE5
Live Telecast	Zee Cinema, Zee Anmol Cinema (India)

Match Preview

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have gathered strong momentum heading into this knockout clash. They booked their spot in Qualifier 2 with back-to-back wins, first defeating the Gulf Giants by 32 runs after posting a competitive total of 179 in Dubai, and then producing a clinical performance in the Eliminator against the Dubai Capitals. Their recent form suggests a well-balanced side capable of handling pressure situations.

MI Emirates, meanwhile, enter this fixture after suffering a heavy defeat in Qualifier 1. Despite being on a five-match winning streak prior to the playoffs, they were outplayed by the Desert Vipers, conceding a massive 233 runs while managing just one wicket. Skipper Kieron Pollard will be keen for a strong response, especially from his bowling unit, with the likes of Fazalhaq Farooqi, Romario Shepherd, and Allah Ghazanfar expected to step up in this do-or-die encounter.

Head-to-Head Record: MIE vs ADKR

Team	Matches Won
MI Emirates (MIE)	5
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR)	1
No Result	0

MI Emirates hold a significant advantage in previous encounters.

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Weather & Pitch Report: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

• Weather Report: The weather in Sharjah is expected to remain clear and pleasant, with no threat of rain interrupting the match.
• Pitch Report: The Sharjah pitch is traditionally known as a batting-friendly surface with short boundaries and a lightning-fast outfield. While pacers often struggle due to lack of bounce and margin for error, spinners tend to be effective, as the pitch grips and slows down, especially in the second innings. A high-scoring encounter is very much on the cards.

Probable Playing 11

MI Emirates (MIE) Playing 11

1. Muhammad Waseem, 2. Tom Banton (wk), 3. Dan Mousley, 4. Kieron Pollard (c), 5. Romario Shepherd, 6. Shakib Al Hasan, 7. Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 8. Allah Ghazanfar, 9. Zahoor Khan, 10. Arab Gul Momand, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) Playing 11

1. Philip Salt, 2. Michael-Kyle Pepper (wk), 3. Alex Hales, 4. Alishan Sharafu, 5. Liam Livingstone, 6. Andre Russell, 7. Brandon McMullen, 8. Jason Holder (c), 9. Sunil Narine, 10. Piyush Chawla, 11. Olly Stone

Who Will Win Today’s Match? (AI Prediction)

Qualifier matches often come down to handling pressure, and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders arrive with stronger recent momentum. However, MI Emirates possess a powerful all-round unit and significant head-to-head dominance.

If MI Emirates can tighten their bowling and capitalize on their batting depth, they remain strong contenders. That said, ADKR’s balanced squad and current form make this a closely fought contest.

AI Match Prediction: MI Emirates hold a slight edge and are predicted to win Qualifier 2 and advance to the ILT20 2025-26 final.

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