The Sharjah Warriorz face the Desert Vipers in a pivotal DP World International League T20 encounter at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah on 26th December. The match is scheduled to begin at 14:30 UK time, which converts to 20:00 IST. With Sharjah’s short boundaries and unforgiving margins, this festive clash promises fireworks, tactical bowling, and a result that could significantly shape the league standings.
Form Guide
Sharjah Warriorz
The Warriorz have endured a stop-start campaign, producing moments of brilliance without quite sustaining momentum across full matches. Their aggressive batting approach has yielded rapid starts, particularly in the powerplay, but middle-overs collapses and costly death bowling have often undone that early advantage. At Sharjah, however, their fearless style can be especially dangerous.
- Explosive powerplay batting capable of quick momentum shifts.
- Spin attack effective in slowing scoring during middle overs.
- Death-overs execution remains a key concern.
Desert Vipers
The Vipers have looked one of the more balanced sides in the tournament, combining top-order aggression with a deep all-round core. While they have occasionally let winning positions slip, their adaptability across venues has been impressive. Their bowlers have generally handled pressure well, an asset on Sharjah’s challenging surface.
- Top order providing strong platforms.
- All-rounders offering flexibility in both departments.
- Better control in tight finishes compared to most sides.
Key Players
Sharjah Warriorz
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Fearless opener whose clean striking suits Sharjah perfectly.
- Tom Kohler-Cadmore – Reliable middle-order batter capable of stabilising innings.
- Mohammad Nabi – Experienced all-rounder providing control with spin and late-order runs.
Desert Vipers
- Alex Hales – Powerful opener who can exploit the short boundaries in the powerplay.
- Wanindu Hasaranga – World-class all-rounder offering wicket-taking leg-spin and valuable runs.
- Tom Curran – Smart all-rounder known for variations and calm death-overs execution.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Sharjah remains one of the most batting-friendly venues in world cricket, with very short boundaries and a flat surface encouraging aggressive strokeplay. Bowlers must rely on variations, accuracy, and smart field placements to survive. Spinners who vary pace can still find success. Warm, dry evening conditions are forecast, ensuring ideal conditions for a high-scoring contest.
Sharjah Warriorz vs Desert Vipers – Prediction
This matchup has the potential to swing quickly, given the venue and attacking line-ups. The Warriorz will look to maximise the powerplay through Rahmanullah Gurbaz, while the Vipers’ balance and all-round strength—led by Wanindu Hasaranga—gives them greater control across phases. If the Vipers manage the death overs effectively, they should have enough composure to edge a high-scoring contest.
Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
- Wanindu Hasaranga – Premium all-round fantasy pick with wickets and runs.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – High-upside opener ideal for powerplay points.
- Alex Hales – Proven run-scorer well suited to Sharjah conditions.
