After securing a top two finish, Gulf Giants will look to continue their impressive form when they square off against Sharjah Warriors in their final league match of the inaugural International League T20 (ILT20) at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday, February 6.
The James Vince-led Giants have been the most dominant team in the ongoing T20 tournament, winning six matches while suffering just a solitary defeat. With 14 points from nine matches, the Giants are currently placed at the top of the ILT20 2023 standings and will aim to end the league phase on a high with a victory over the Warriors.
Having already sealed a top two finish, the Giants will lock horns with Desert Vipers in Qualifier 1 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, February 8. The winner of Qualifier 1 will move straight into the ILT20 2023 final while the loser will get another chance to qualify for the summit clash by playing in Qualifier 2 in Dubai on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Giants head into the game after registering a comprehensive 25-run win over the Vipers in Dubai on Saturday.
For the Giants, captain James Vince and pacer Chris Jordan have been the standout players in the tournament so far. While Vince has amassed 294 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 147, Jordan has been the leading wicket-taker in the inaugural ILT20, bagging 14 wickets at an economy of just 7.14.
On the other hand, the Moeen Ali-led Sharjah Warriors will be desperate to beat the Giants in their final league match in order to book their place in the playoffs.
With three wins and five losses, the Warriors are currently placed fourth in the standings with seven points from nine matches, tied on points with fifth-placed Dubai Capitals.
The Warriors are currently on a two-match losing streak, having suffered defeats against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Desert Vipers in their previous two fixtures.
England batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore will be the player to watch out for the Warriors. The 28-year-old has scored 291 runs in eight innings at an average of 41.57 and a strike rate of 157.29.
Gulf Giants vs Sharjah Warriors head-to-head
Sharjah Warriors defeated Gulf Giants by 21 runs in their previous meeting in ILT20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on January 23.
Put into bat, Joe Denly’s 43-ball 58 and Kohler-Cadmore’s 36 off 20 balls powered the Warriors to 151/7 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, the Giants lost wickets at regular intervals as they were bowled out for 130 in 19.4 overs.
Going by the form of both sides, the Giants will start as favourites against the struggling Warriors in Sharjah on Monday.
