Abu Dhabi Knight Riders face off against Sharjah Warriorz at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on December 22, 2025, for Match 25 of ILT20 2025-26. Both teams desperately need a win to stay in the playoff race. The Knight Riders sit in fifth with 6 points from 8 games, while the Warriorz are stuck at the bottom with just 4 points from 7.
It’s been a wild ride for the Knight Riders. They picked up back-to-back wins over Desert Vipers and Gulf Giants but crashed back down with a heavy 35-run loss to MI Emirates on December 20. Jason Holder’s doing everything—he’s got 10 wickets at an economy of 7.7 and contributes with the bat too. Ajay Kumar has been the pick of their bowlers, grabbing 12 wickets in 8 matches. At the top of the order, Alex Hales has scored 213 runs at a strike rate of 136.53, and Alishan Sharafu keeps turning heads with 203 runs at an average of 29.
The Warriorz haven’t found any real rhythm this season. They won two in a row against Gulf Giants and MI Emirates in mid-December but then lost consecutive matches to Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers. Tom Kohler-Cadmore leads their batting with 264 runs at an average of 29.33. Johnson Charles brings the fireworks—he’s got 223 runs at a strike rate of 129.65. With the ball, Adil Rashid stands out, collecting 8 wickets and keeping things tidy with an economy of 7.37, while Sikandar Raza chips in as a reliable all-rounder.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz ILT20 Match Preview
Sheikh Zayed Stadium has seen eight ILT20 games this season, and it’s been a good place to bat. Teams batting first have won five times out of eight, with the average first-innings score hitting 171. The pitch gives you true bounce and a steady pace, so once batters settle in, they can really open up.
Fast bowlers get a bit of help early on with the new ball, but that doesn’t last long. As the ball gets older, batting gets easier. Spinners usually make an impact in the middle overs, especially if the pitch slows down later in the game. If a team puts up 180 or more, they’re in a strong position here.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz |
| Date | 22nd December, 2025 |
| Time | 6:30 PM Local / 8:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
| Tournament | International League T20 2025-26 |
Pitch Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Batting-friendly surface |
| Average Score | 171 runs in ILT20 2025 |
| Favours | Teams batting first |
| Surface | True bounce early, slows down in the second innings |
| Wicket Distribution | Pacers get early movement; spinners are practical later |
| Weather Impact | Clear evening conditions expected |
| Toss Factor | Batting first preferred |
Weather Report
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | High 22°C / Low 13°C |
| Humidity | 55-60% |
| Wind Speed | Light to moderate breeze (NE to SE) |
| Rain Chance | Minimal (Partly Cloudy) |
| Overall | Perfect cricket weather |
Toss Prediction
This season at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, teams batting first have really taken control. They’ve won five out of eight games—pretty telling, right? The pitch just plays better for batters early on, and scores over 180 keep popping up in those first innings. Once the break hits, the surface slows down, and suddenly, spinners get in on the action. Dew sometimes turns up in evening matches, but honestly, it hasn’t made much of a difference. If you win the toss, you want to bat first and shoot for at least 180. That’s how you put the other side under real pressure.
Injury Updates
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: No major injuries reported. The core squad remains fit and available for selection.
Sharjah Warriorz: No significant injury concerns. Tim Southee leads a fully fit squad into this crucial encounter.
Dream11 Team For ADKR vs SWR
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders vs Sharjah Warriorz Head-to-Head Records
These two teams have gone back and forth. In their last five matches, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders grabbed three wins, while Sharjah Warriorz took two. Earlier this season, on December 3, the Knight Riders really took control and won by 39 runs. But you can’t count out the Warriorz—they fought hard last season and beat the Knight Riders by 4 wickets on January 30, 2025. Both sides know each other inside out. Expect a tight game.
Last Five Matches
- Knight Riders won by 39 runs, 03-Dec-2025
- Warriorz won by 4 wickets (with 6 balls remaining), 30-Jan-2025
- Knight Riders won by 30 runs, 15-Jan-2025
- Warriors won by 7 wickets (with 37 balls remaining), 07-Feb-2024
- Knight Riders won by 7 wickets (with 59 balls remaining), 05-Feb-2024
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Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Jason Holder (Captain) | Leading wicket-taker for ADKR with 10 wickets at 7.7 economy, adds batting depth |
| Ajay Kumar (Vice Captain) | Top bowler in ILT20 with 12 wickets in 8 matches and an excellent strike rate of 15.5 |
| Tom Kohler-Cadmore | Leading run-scorer for SWR with 264 runs at 29.33 average, consistent performer |
| Adil Rashid | 8 wickets at 7.37 economy, world-class leg-spinner crucial on this slowing pitch |
| Alex Hales | 213 runs at 136.53 strike rate, explosive opener who can dominate powerplays |
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