The Eliminator match of the International League T20 2025 is set to take place on February 6 when MI Emirates (MIE) square off against Sharjah Warriorz (SWR) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. This highly anticipated contest will kick off at 8:00 PM IST.
Following the league stage, both teams ended with five wins and five losses, making this match pivotal for their hopes of advancing. MI Emirates finished third on the ILT20 points table, whereas Sharjah Warriorz secured fourth place. Despite their strong performances throughout the tournament, MI Emirates lost their last encounter against SWR, failing to chase down 173 runs, which saw Sharjah capitalizing with eight wickets remaining.
MI Emirates, led by captain Nicholas Pooran, boasts impressive stats this season. Notably, they have the best net run rate (NRR) of 0.805 among all teams, surpassing even the league leaders, Desert Vipers. The Emirates clinched five victories from their ten league fixtures, demonstrating resilience and skill on the field.
On the flip side, the Sharjah Warriorz also managed to secure five wins from ten matches. They turned their season around after staving off four consecutive defeats with three wins toward the end of the league stage. This resurgence has undoubtedly instilled confidence within the squad.
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium is known for its batting-friendly pitch, with the average first innings total being around 176 runs this season. Past matches indicate the venue favors teams batting first, leading to speculation on the match strategy. Given the batting conditions, fans can look forward to what could be a high-scoring clash.
MI Emirates' Fazalhaq Farooqi has shone throughout the tournament, being the leading wicket-taker with 20 wickets at an average of 14.35. His ability to take early wickets will be instrumental against the batting strength of Sharjah. Alongside him, Tom Banton has proved himself as one of the most valuable batsmen, having accumulated over 400 runs with a strike rate of 154.66. Captain Pooran also brings his explosive batting to the table, contributing 259 runs, including three half-centuries.
For Sharjah Warriorz, Tom Kohler-Cadmore stands out as the leading run-scorer with 347 runs from just eight innings. His significant contributions at the top order, coupled with the impactful performances of Johnson Charles and Adam Milne, will be pivotal to Sharjah’s chances. Charles has maintained the highest strike rate among all players with over 150 runs this season.
The head-to-head records between these two teams are also intriguing. Out of the four matches they have clashed, MI Emirates have emerged victorious three times, giving them a psychological edge. Nevertheless, with both teams entering the match off similar recent performances, every player will need to focus on their roles.
Match predictions suggest an estimated first innings score between 180-195 runs, with the second innings likely falling between 165-180. The fixture promises to be engaging, with several players expected to excel under the spotlight.
For fans considering fantasy cricket leagues, top picks would include Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nicholas Pooran, and Tom Banton from MI Emirates. For Sharjah, pick Kohler-Cadmore along with all-rounders like Romario Shepherd and bowlers such as Adam Milne and Tim Southee, who have the experience needed for high-stakes matches like these.
The upcoming match will be streamed live, with commentary available via various sports platforms, increasing accessibility for cricket fans globally. With everything on the line, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz are set for what could be one of the most thrilling encounters of the ILT20 2025. Qualifying for the next round will require focus, skill, and perhaps, just the right amount of luck.