ILT20 2025-26: GG vs ADKR Match Preview, Prediction, Playing11, Pitch and Weather Report

GG vs ADKR Match Preview — The International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26 season reaches a fever pitch as the Gulf Giants (GG) and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) face off in a high-stakes “virtual quarter-final” on Sunday, December 28. With only one knockout spot remaining, this 30th match of the league stage will determine which side moves forward in the tournament.

The Gulf Giants started the season strongly but have recently struggled, losing five consecutive matches. Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have found momentum late in the season, notably defeating the Giants by four wickets in their most recent encounter on December 18.

GG vs ADKR Match Details

GG vs ADKR Head-to-Head Record

In their five total ILT20 meetings, the rivalry remains closely contested, though the Knight Riders currently hold the edge following their victory earlier this month.

• Matches Played: 5

• Gulf Giants Won: 2 (Note: Some records cite 3 wins)

• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Won: 3 (Note: Some records cite 2 wins)

• Recent Meeting: ADKR won by 4 wickets (Dec 18, 2025)

GG vs ADKR Pitch and Weather Report

Pitch Report: Dubai International Cricket Stadium

The Dubai surface generally offers a fair contest between bat and ball.

• Initial Phase: Expect good pace and bounce for fast bowlers, particularly under the lights.

• Middle/Final Phase: Spinners are likely to find grip and turn as the match progresses.

• Scoring: The average first-innings score at this venue during the 2025-26 season has been approximately 153–154 runs.

• Toss Trend: Chasing is often preferred; the team batting second has won roughly 63% of matches historically at this stadium.

Weather Report

• Conditions: Clear to partly cloudy skies are forecast for Dubai on Sunday evening.

• Temperature: Expected to be around 25°C to 27°C during play.

• Humidity & Dew: Humidity levels will be high (approx. 55-60%), which likely means dew will impact the second innings, favoring the side batting second.

GG vs ADKR Squads and Possible Playing 11

Gulf Giants Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), James Vince(c), Asif Khan, Moeen Ali, Lorcan Tucker, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Mayers, Mark Adair, Haider Razzaq, Fred Klaassen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Liam Dawson, Chris Wood, Gerhard Erasmus, Jordan Clark, Sean Dickson, Tom Moores, Ali Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Pathum Nissanka, Meet Bhavsar, Matthew Forde, Ramon Simmonds, Nuwan Thushara, Aayan Afzal Khan, Ishtiaq Ahmad, Muhammad Zuhaib.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Squad: Philip Salt(w), Alex Hales, Brandon McMullen, Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Sherfane Rutherford, Unmukt Chand, Andre Russell, Jason Holder(c), Sunil Narine, Ajay Kumar, Olly Stone, Piyush Chawla, Shadley van Schalkwyk, George Garton, Khary Pierre, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Adnan Idrees, Abdul Manan Ali, Mayank Choudhary, Ibrar Ahmad.

GG vs ADKR Possible Playing11

GG vs ADKR Match Prediction

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders enter this fixture with a slight psychological advantage after winning their previous head-to-head match and showing better recent form. The Gulf Giants’ top performer, Pathum Nissanka, is reportedly unavailable for this clash, placing a massive burden on Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai to deliver.

Given the balanced squads, the toss will be crucial; the team bowling first under the Dubai lights is statistically more likely to succeed. ADKR’s superior batting depth, featuring Salt, Hales, and Russell, makes them favorites to secure the final knockout spot.

Winner Prediction: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.