Dubai Capitals face off against MI Emirates in the 18th match of the International League T20 2025/26 season. The game takes place on December 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM local time (8:00 PM IST) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
This mid-table clash carries huge weight for both sides, each sitting on two wins and three losses after five games, desperate to climb toward playoff spots. Dubai Capitals hold third place, but their inconsistency has left them vulnerable, while MI Emirates lurk just behind in fourth, needing a statement win to build momentum after a tight six-run loss to Sharjah Warriorz.
The Dubai pitch typically offers a balanced contest, favoring batsmen early with true bounce but assisting spinners and slower bowlers later as it grips; expect scores around 160-175 to be competitive. Weather looks clear with temperatures around 24°C, low humidity, and no rain threats for a full match.
Head-to-Head
These teams have met multiple times in ILT20, with MI Emirates holding a slight edge overall—winning 4 of 7 encounters, Dubai Capitals taking 3. Recent form tilts toward Dubai Capitals, who won their last meeting on January 11, 2025 (133/8 beat 132/7), but MI Emirates bounced back with a 26-run victory on January 13 (187/7 beat 161/6). The last five meetings show MI Emirates winning three, including high-scoring thrillers, underlining their strength in crunch moments.
ILT20 2025 Match Details
- Match: Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates
- 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: DC vs MI
Live Score Info:
Cricket lovers can watch the Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates 18th Match live score from this website: www.espncricinfo.com
Playing XI:
MI Emirates Probable XI: Muhammad Waseem, Jonny Bairstow, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Kamindu Mendis, Tom Banton, Shakib Al Hasan, Chris Woakes, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Allah Ghazanfar.
Dubai Capitals Probable XI: Shayan Jahangir, Leus du Plooy, Jordan Cox, Rovman Powell, Gulbadin Naib, Dasun Shanaka, Sikandar Raza, Roelof van der Merwe, Waqar Salamkheil, Dushmantha Chameera, Aryan Lakra.
Dubai Capitals Analysis
Dubai Capitals boast explosive batting led by Rovman Powell, who’s smashed 173 runs this season as their top scorer and middle-order enforcer. Jordan Cox (49* off 30 recently) and Leus du Plooy (54) provide stability, but the top order, especially Shayan Jahangir, has faltered, exposing a fragile chase in losses like their recent defeat to Desert Vipers. Bowling relies on Waqar Salamkheil’s spin and Dasun Shanaka’s all-round threat, though death overs have leaked runs. Strengths lie in power-hitting depth; weaknesses show in consistency under pressure.
MI Emirates Analysis
MI Emirates shine with a balanced attack, featuring explosive openers Muhammad Waseem and Jonny Bairstow for rapid starts, backed by Nicholas Pooran’s finishing (key in past wins). Shakib Al Hasan and Chris Woakes add control, while Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq bring pace variety—crucial after their narrow loss exposed closing issues. Kieron Pollard captains with experience, but middle-order collapses have hurt them. Their squad depth and adaptability make them favorites on this surface.
Prediction
MI Emirates edge it in a close contest, leveraging superior balance and bowling options to defend 165+ on a gripping Dubai pitch. Dubai Capitals’ batting firepower could trouble them, but recent momentum and squad depth tip the scales toward an Emirates win by 10-15 runs.