ILT20 Match 3, VIP vs ABD  | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Wanindu Hasaranga will represent Desert Vipers [X.com]

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will face the Desert Vipers in Match 3 of the International League T20 (ILT20) in Dubai on Sunday (January 21). The Knight Riders and Vipers eye a winning start to their campaign with a promising encounter at the most scenic venue in the Middle East. 

Having waited the first two days of the tournament for their opportunity to grace the field, the two teams will be determined to announce their arrival and gain an early footing in the riveting six-way race for ILT20 supremacy. 

VIP vs ABD: Team Previews 

Desert Vipers

The Vipers would've been delighted with the form their lead wrist-spinner and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga displayed upon his return to competitive duties via the just-concluded Zimbabwe series as he now heads to the Middle East feeling recharged and refreshed with confidence under his belt. 

The Vipers require Hasaranga to make a strong start also because they will be without their premier speedster Shaheen Afridi and need Gus Atkinson, Mattheesha Pathirana, Sheldon Cottrell and all-rounders Tom Curran and Bas de Leede to pack a punch. 

The franchise would be hoping for their batting stars - Colin Munro and Alex Hales - to take up the responsibility and allow the rest of the cast to ease into their roles at the crease.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 

While the cream of the Vipers' batting unit stands at the top, the Knight Riders depend pretty heavily on their middle-order muscle with the presence of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Charith Asalanka. BBL-returnee Laurie Evans and former England all-rounder David Willey are two other key players for the Kolkata IPL subsidiary. 

The Knight Riders need these men to boss the game with the bat and ball and allow the rest of their slightly vulnerable unit to breathe comfortably. Their bowling isn't as confidence-inspiring as their batting and set of all-rounders is. 

It's an opportunity, however, for two young pacers from cricket's have-not-lands - USA's Ali Khan and Ireland's Joshua Little - to showcase their talent and make a difference without being bogged down by expectations. 

VIP vs ABD: Match Details & Live Streaming

VIP vs ABD: Dubai Pitch Report 

At the start of the season, the pitch in Dubai should play reasonably flat and good for scoring in the tournament over 40 overs. 

This being an afternoon game will also take the dew and chasing advantage out of the equation, which means the toss won't be as big a factor as it is in night matches in the Middle East. Expect a close encounter with a level-playing field for two teams. 

VIP vs ABD: Probable Playing XIs

Desert Vipers: Alex Hales, Michael Jones, Colin Munro, Rohan Mustafa, Sherfane Rutherford, Azam Khan (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Tom Curran, Gus Atkinson, Matheesha Pathirana, Karthik Meiyappan

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Laurie Evans, Sabir Ali, Charith Asalanka, Sunil Narine, Joe Clarke (wk), Andre Russell, David Willey, Ali Khan, Joshua Little, Merchant de Lange, Adithya Shetty 

VIP vs ABD: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

VIP vs ABD: Winner Prediction

The Knight Riders would believe they have a strong chance of defeating the Vipers in the presence of their key all-rounders and power hitters. 

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