MI Emirates face Gulf Giants in the 26th match of the DP World ILT20 Season 4. Scheduled for Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 6:30 PM local time (8:00 PM IST), the clash unfolds at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
This encounter carries massive weight for both sides chasing playoff spots. MI Emirates sit second with 10 points from eight games, including a recent hat-trick of wins that has them eyeing qualification with a victory here. Gulf Giants, fourth with six points after three losses in a row, desperately need points to stay alive, especially after dropping from early promise.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium offers a balanced surface with early seam movement and grass aiding pacers, but it eases for batters once set, favoring first-innings scores around 165-170. Spinners and cutters thrive later as the pitch slows. Clear, warm conditions prevail at 38°C with 69% humidity, light 16 km/h winds, and zero rain risk for uninterrupted play.
Head-to-Head
The rivalry stands even at six T20 matches played, with each team securing three wins. Gulf Giants hold a slight 3-2 edge in the last five meetings, including a six-wicket triumph over MI Emirates earlier this season when Pathum Nissanka smashed 81 off 42. Recent results show tight contests, like Gulf Giants’ 5-wicket chase in 2023 and MI Emirates’ one-run squeaker elsewhere.
ILT20 2025 Match Details
- Match: MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants
- Time: 7:30 PM 2:30 PM GMT / 6:30 PM LOCAL
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
- 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 MIE
Live Score Info:
Cricket lovers can watch the MI Emirates face the Gulf Giants in the 26th Match live score from this website: www.espncricinfo.com
MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants
Probable XIs
MI Emirates Probable XI: Muhammad Waseem, Tom Banton, Jonny Bairstow, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Romario Shepherd, Shakib Al Hasan, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Allah Ghazanfar, Zahoor Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Gulf Giants Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, James Vince (c), Pathum Nissanka, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shimron Hetmyer, Usman Khan (wk), Karim Janat, Richard Gleeson, Zuhaib Zubair, Aayan Afzal Khan, Chris Jordan.
Team Analysis: MI Emirates
MI Emirates boast explosive batting depth and versatile bowling, riding a WLWWW form streak into this must-win. Strengths lie in their top order’s firepower and all-round balance, though middle-order collapses remain a weakness against spin. Jonny Bairstow leads with consistent six-hitting, backed by Nicholas Pooran and Muhammad Waseem’s aggression, while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Zahoor Khan anchor the attack. Kieron Pollard’s leadership adds steel.
Team Analysis: Gulf Giants
Gulf Giants struggle with WLLLL momentum, leaking points despite solid starts from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and James Vince. Their bowling lacks penetration beyond Azmatullah Omarzai, and middle-order fragility exposes them in chases. Strengths include Omarzai’s all-round impact and early-season wins, but recent batting woes and poor support for pacers highlight vulnerabilities. No major injuries reported.
Prediction
MI Emirates hold the edge with superior form, deeper batting, and playoff urgency on a pitch suiting their power hitters—expect them to post or chase 170 successfully for a comfortable win.