The DP World ILT20 Season 3 hasn’t gone our way so far, as the Gulf Giants have managed only one win. With our hopes hanging by a thread, we face a must-win encounter against the defending champions, MI Emirates, on Saturday. This game will be a tough test as the MI Emirates have been dominant throughout the tournament and are one of the favorites to win.

Our last match against the Dubai Capitals was another setback, as we lost by 5 wickets. After being sent in to bat, Jordan Cox played a stunning innings, scoring 70 runs and helping us reach a respectable total. However, our bowling, despite a strong start, couldn’t hold off the opposition. Aayan Afzal Khan shone with the ball once again, but Shai Hope and Sikandar Raza’s fightback turned the game around for the Capitals. Dasun Shanaka’s explosive 34 off just 10 balls sealed their victory.

MI Emirates, on the other hand, are sitting comfortably in 2nd place on the points table. They have won 3 out of their 5 matches and are coming into this game after an impressive win over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Their batting lineup is packed with stars like Muhammad Waseem, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, and Kusal Perera. Tom Banton has already made an impact this season with a stunning century.

Their bowling unit is equally formidable, featuring Fazalhaq Farooqi, Akeal Hosein, and Alzarri Joseph. This balance in their squad makes MI Emirates a tough side to beat.

Historically, matches between the two teams have been closely contested. Last season, MI Emirates defeated us twice, including in Qualifier 1. However, in Season 1, we won two of our three encounters. While MI Emirates are the favorites, we are determined to fight hard and keep our season alive.