DV vs MIE Qualifier 1 Preview – ILT20 2025 Analysis, Pitch Report, Key Players & Fantasy Strategy
The International League T20 (ILT20) 2025 reaches a decisive phase with Qualifier 1, as table-toppers Desert Vipers (DV) take on second-placed MI Emirates (MIE) at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on December 30, 2025. This is a high-stakes knockout clash, where the winner secures a direct berth in the ILT20 Final, while the loser gets another chance in Qualifier 2.
The Desert Vipers, who finished at the top of the league table, have been the most consistent side across the season, built on disciplined bowling and reliable all-round performances. MI Emirates, ending the league stage in second position, arrive with strong momentum and a formidable winning run. For fantasy players aiming to climb the leaderboard, this Qualifier 1 offers maximum impact potential.
Match Context and Form Guide
MI Emirates enter Qualifier 1 as the most in-form team of the tournament, having won five consecutive matches. Their ability to defend totals and chase targets with composure has made them a serious title contender.
Desert Vipers, despite a few ups and downs during the league stage, finished table toppers thanks to crucial wins at key moments. They are coming off a confidence-boosting victory against the Warriors and will be eager to make full use of home conditions to book a direct final spot.
Weather and Pitch Report
Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Conditions in Abu Dhabi are expected to favor a competitive contest.
- Temperature: 22°C – 24°C
- Rain: No rain expected
- Humidity: Likely to rise later in the evening
- Dew Factor: Could assist the chasing side
Pitch Behavior
Abu Dhabi has leaned towards bowlers in recent matches.
- Average Score (Last 5 matches): 147.1
- Pacer Wickets: 31
- Spinner Wickets: 24
Pitch Insight: The new ball offers some early movement, but fantasy value peaks during the death overs. Mystery spinners and pace bowlers who use cutters are especially effective due to the large boundaries.
Team Analysis: Desert Vipers (DV)
As league leaders, the Vipers rely heavily on their all-round depth and bowling control.
Key Players from DV
- Sam Curran: The backbone of the side. Bats in the middle order and bowls crucial overs, making him a premium captaincy option.
- Max Holden: Found form at the right time with a match-winning 65 in the previous game.
- Naseem Shah: Raw pace and bounce can trouble MI’s top order.
- David Payne: A consistent wicket-taker in both powerplay and death overs.
Team Analysis: MI Emirates (MIE)
MI Emirates finished the league stage in second position and bring immense firepower into this Qualifier.
Key Players from MIE
- Muhammad Waseem: Explosive opener who maximizes powerplay scoring.
- Nicholas Pooran: One of the most reliable T20 finishers in world cricket.
- AM Ghazanfar: Breakout star with 14 wickets in the series; a must-have fantasy pick.
- Romario Shepherd: A genuine all-rounder who delivers in high-pressure overs.
Top Fantasy Picks & Strategy
Wicket Keepers
- Nicholas Pooran – safest and most reliable option
Batters
- Muhammad Waseem – powerplay specialist
- Max Holden – form player for DV
- Dan Lawrence – budget pick with moderate risk
All Rounders
- Sam Curran – non-negotiable in Qualifier 1
- Romario Shepherd – strong death-over impact
- Kieron Pollard – high-upside pick if MI bats first
Bowlers
- AM Ghazanfar – in red-hot wicket-taking form
- Naseem Shah – early breakthrough potential
- David Payne – death-over specialist
Captaincy Recommendations
- Safe Picks: Sam Curran, Muhammad Waseem
- Differential Picks: AM Ghazanfar, Nicholas Pooran
Final Fantasy Tips
With the average score staying below 150, avoid loading your team with only top-order batters. Prioritize all-rounders who bowl full quotas and middle-order batters who can anchor under pressure. Dew generally favors chasing in Abu Dhabi, making the toss a critical factor in Qualifier 1.
Match Outlook: Desert Vipers’ consistency earned them the top spot, but MI Emirates’ winning momentum makes this a finely balanced knockout clash. Expect a tense, tactical contest with the final spot on the line.
Live Streaming & Broadcast Details
Live Streaming: Available on ZEE5
Disclaimer
This analysis is based on recent performances, venue trends, and publicly available data. Team combinations, player availability, and match conditions may change before the start of play. Fantasy sports involve risk—use your own judgment and follow official updates.
International League T20 DV vs MIE players T20 past performance, current series performance, fantasy points and selection percentage.
Teams | Date | Venue | Toss | Bat First | Bat Second | Inning 1 | Inning 2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIE vs GG | 04 Dec - 08:00 PM | Dubai | Giants | 163/6 (20.0) | 164/4 (14.4) | Giants Giants won by 6 wickets (with 32 balls remaining) | ||
| SWR vs MIE | 07 Dec - 03:30 PM | Sharjah | Warriors | 185/8 (20.0) | 181/7 (20.0) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 4 runs | ||
| MIE vs DV | 09 Dec - 08:00 PM | Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates | 159/4 (20.0) | 158/9 (20.0) | Vipers Vipers won by 1 run | ||
| MIE vs ADKR | 11 Dec - 08:00 PM | Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates | 122/10 (19.3) | 123/3 (13.5) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 7 wickets (with 37 balls remaining) | ||
| SWR vs MIE | 14 Dec - 03:30 PM | Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates | 174/3 (20.0) | 168/5 (20.0) | Warriors Warriorz won by 6 runs | ||
| MIE vs DC | 17 Dec - 08:00 PM | Dubai | DC | 137/8 (20.0) | 130/10 (20.0) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 7 runs | ||
| MIE vs ADKR | 20 Dec - 03:30 PM | Abu Dhabi | KnightRiders | 187/4 (20.0) | 152/7 (20.0) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 35 runs | ||
| MIE vs DV | 21 Dec - 08:00 PM | Dubai | MI Emirates | 124/7 (20.0) | 128/6 (17.3) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 4 wickets (with 15 balls remaining) | ||
| MIE vs GG | 23 Dec - 08:00 PM | Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates | 141/6 (20.0) | 142/2 (16.3) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 8 wickets (with 21 balls remaining) | ||
| MIE vs DC | 27 Dec - 08:00 PM | Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates | 122/8 (20.0) | 126/2 (16.4) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 8 wickets (with 20 balls remaining) | ||
| DV vs MIE | 30 Dec - 08:00 PM | Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates | 233/1 (20.0) | 188/7 (20.0) | Vipers Vipers won by 45 runs |
Teams | Date | Venue | Toss | Bat First | Bat Second | Inning 1 | Inning 2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC vs DV | 02 Dec - 08:00 PM | Dubai | Vipers | 150/8 (20.0) | 151/6 (19.0) | Vipers Vipers won by 4 wickets (with 6 balls remaining) | ||
| ADKR vs DV | 05 Dec - 08:00 PM | Sharjah | Vipers | 171/6 (20.0) | 175/8 (19.3) | Vipers Vipers won by 2 wickets (with 3 balls remaining) | ||
| GG vs DV | 08 Dec - 08:00 PM | Dubai | Vipers | 179/5 (20.0) | 179/9 (20.0) | Match tied (Vipers won the one-over eliminator) | ||
| MIE vs DV | 09 Dec - 08:00 PM | Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates | 159/4 (20.0) | 158/9 (20.0) | Vipers Vipers won by 1 run | ||
| GG vs DV | 12 Dec - 08:00 PM | Dubai | Vipers | 157/7 (20.0) | 158/2 (16.5) | Vipers Vipers won by 8 wickets (with 19 balls remaining) | ||
| DC vs DV | 14 Dec - 08:00 PM | Dubai | Vipers | 166/4 (20.0) | 171/5 (19.4) | Vipers Vipers won by 5 wickets (with 2 balls remaining) | ||
| ADKR vs DV | 16 Dec - 08:00 PM | Abu Dhabi | Vipers | 181/5 (20.0) | 180/6 (20.0) | KnightRiders KnightRiders won by 1 run | ||
| SWR vs DV | 20 Dec - 08:00 PM | Dubai | Warriors | 90/10 (17.5) | 91/6 (13.5) | Vipers Vipers won by 4 wickets (with 37 balls remaining) | ||
| MIE vs DV | 21 Dec - 08:00 PM | Dubai | MI Emirates | 124/7 (20.0) | 128/6 (17.3) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 4 wickets (with 15 balls remaining) | ||
| SWR vs DV | 26 Dec - 08:00 PM | Sharjah | Vipers | 140/7 (20.0) | 144/5 (19.3) | Vipers Vipers won by 5 wickets (with 3 balls remaining) | ||
| DV vs MIE | 30 Dec - 08:00 PM | Abu Dhabi | MI Emirates | 233/1 (20.0) | 188/7 (20.0) | Vipers Vipers won by 45 runs |
Teams | Date | Toss | Bat First | Bat Second | Inning 1 | Inning 2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIE vs DV | 09 Dec - 08:00 PM | MI Emirates | 159/4 (20.0) | 158/9 (20.0) | Vipers Vipers won by 1 run | ||
| MIE vs ADKR | 11 Dec - 08:00 PM | MI Emirates | 122/10 (19.3) | 123/3 (13.5) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 7 wickets (with 37 balls remaining) | ||
| ADKR vs DC | 13 Dec - 08:00 PM | KnightRiders | 196/5 (20.0) | 187/8 (20.0) | DC DC won by 9 runs | ||
| SWR vs MIE | 14 Dec - 03:30 PM | MI Emirates | 174/3 (20.0) | 168/5 (20.0) | Warriors Warriorz won by 6 runs | ||
| ADKR vs DV | 16 Dec - 08:00 PM | Vipers | 181/5 (20.0) | 180/6 (20.0) | KnightRiders KnightRiders won by 1 run | ||
| ADKR vs GG | 18 Dec - 08:00 PM | KnightRiders | 165/7 (20.0) | 167/6 (19.2) | KnightRiders KnightRiders won by 4 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) | ||
| MIE vs ADKR | 20 Dec - 03:30 PM | KnightRiders | 187/4 (20.0) | 152/7 (20.0) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 35 runs | ||
| SWR vs ADKR | 22 Dec - 08:00 PM | KnightRiders | 134/9 (20.0) | 135/6 (20.0) | Warriors Warriorz won by 4 wickets (with 0 balls remaining) | ||
| MIE vs GG | 23 Dec - 08:00 PM | MI Emirates | 141/6 (20.0) | 142/2 (16.3) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 8 wickets (with 21 balls remaining) | ||
| MIE vs DC | 27 Dec - 08:00 PM | MI Emirates | 122/8 (20.0) | 126/2 (16.4) | MI Emirates MI Emirates won by 8 wickets (with 20 balls remaining) | ||
| DV vs MIE | 30 Dec - 08:00 PM | MI Emirates | 233/1 (20.0) | 188/7 (20.0) | Vipers Vipers won by 45 runs |




