Gulf Giants face Desert Vipers in the 12th match of the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26 season. Scheduled for Friday, December 12, 2025, at 6:30 PM local time (8:00 PM IST), the game unfolds at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
This clash pits the unbeaten Desert Vipers, atop the points table with four wins from four (NRR +0.234), against second-placed Gulf Giants (three wins, one loss, NRR +0.810). A Vipers victory cements their playoff push early, while Giants need points to stay in the top-two hunt after a recent Super Over defeat to these opponents four days ago.
Head-to-Head Desert Vipers lead the all-time series 5-0 against Gulf Giants in ILT20, including their latest thriller where Vipers chased 179 via Dan Lawrence’s 56 and Sam Curran’s 44. The last five meetings all went Vipers’ way, with no Giants win since their 2023 title triumph over Vipers in the final.
Vipers boast explosive batting from Dan Lawrence (125 runs in four games, SR 143.67) and Andries Gous (107 runs, SR 155.07), backed by Shimron Hetmyer’s six-hitting prowess. Their bowling thrives on David Payne’s starring role, Khuzaima Tanveer’s six wickets (econ 8.53), and Noor Ahmad’s spin support, though vulnerability shows against early pace. Recent momentum peaks with four straight wins, including a one-run nail-biter over MI Emirates.
Giants rely on Pathum Nissanka’s 204 runs (SR 200) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s aggression up top, with James Vince adding stability and Azmatullah Omarzai delivering all-round impact via wickets and sixes. Strengths lie in high NRR from powerplay dominance, but death-over fragility cost them recently, conceding just 38 runs in the last five overs yet folding in the Super Over. Form reads WWLW, solid but tested by Vipers’ hoodoo.
ILT20 2025 Match Details
- Match: MI Emirates vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Time: 7:30 PM 2:30 PM GMT / 6:30 PM LOCAL
- Venue: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Dubai
- Live Broadcast: FanCode app and website, Zee Network
International T20 League Live Streaming Info:
The International League T20 (ILT20) 2025 features 6 teams: Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, and Sharjah Warriors. The tournament includes a total of 34 matches.
The competition runs from January 11, 2025, to February 9, 2025. Matches are held at three major venues in the UAE: Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, and Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
- India: Live streaming is available on the Zee5 OTT platform; TV coverage is on multiple Zee Network channels, including Zee Cinema and Sony Six.
- Pakistan: Matches are live on the Tapmad platform and TV channels such as PTV Sports, Geo Super, and A Sports.
- Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Abu Dhabi Sports, Dubai Sports, MYCO, and the ILT20 official YouTube channel for live streaming.
- Caribbean: Rush Sports, Flow Sports.
- United Kingdom: BT Sport, Sky Sports, Zee TV, TNT Sports, BBC iPlayer (online free access).
- Australia: Fox Cricket, Channel 9, Stan Sports.
- New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ.
- United States and Canada: Willow TV, ESPNcricinfo, and BBC iPlayer.
- Europe: Samsung TV Plus, Rakuten TV.
- South Africa: SABC Sport, Showmax, DStv Now.
The format is a double round-robin where each team plays the others twice, followed by playoffs including Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. The playoffs start on February 5, with the final scheduled for February 9, 2025, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
YouTube: Search for the ILT20 Official Channel and look for the live stream during match times.
Tamasha: Visit their website or app to find the live streams available for ILT20 matches.
Live Streaming Info:
Sky Cricket will be live: GG vs DV
Live Score Info:
Cricket lovers can watch the Gulf Giants face Desert Vipers 12th Match live score from this website: www.espncricinfo.com
Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers
Playing XI:
Gulf Giants Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Pathum Nissanka, James Vince, Azmatullah Omarzai, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Sean Dickson, Tabraiz Shamsi, Fred Klaassen, Chris Wood, Haider Razzaq.
Desert Vipers Probable XI: Fakhar Zaman, Andries Gous (wk), Max Holden, Sam Curran, Dan Lawrence, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Noor Ahmad, Khuzaima Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, David Payne.
Prediction
Desert Vipers hold the edge with unbeaten form, head-to-head dominance, and chasing nous at this dew-friendly venue, likely defending or hunting 160+ successfully despite Giants’ batting depth. Expect a close contest, but Vipers sneak it by 5-10 runs or 4 wickets.