The Eliminator clash at Dubai International Stadium on January 1 pits defending champions Dubai Capitals against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, with the winner advancing to face MI Emirates in Qualifier 2. Dubai Capitals hold a dominant head-to-head record, winning 8 out of 9 against ADKR, including both meetings this season. Those two latest clashes were one-sided results, with DCP winning by 83 runs and 9 runs.
In this Eliminator, defending champions Dubai Capitals will look to stay on course to retain their title, while Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are chasing their first-ever ILT20 trophy. The pressure is immense, as only the winner moves on to play MI Emirates for a spot in the tournament final. With that in mind, let’s take a look at this match’s predictions and preview.
DCP vs ADKR ILT20 Match Preview
In the previous match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai Capitals dominated Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. DCP posted 186/4 in 20 overs, powered by standout performances from Rovman Powell (96* off 52) and Jordan Cox (52 off 36), before their bowlers struck decisively.
ADKR crumbled to 103 all out, with David Willey grabbing early wickets and Waqar Salamkheil claiming 4/29 to seal an 83-run victory for DCP. This win boosted DCP’s net run rate after prior losses, while highlighting ADKR’s batting struggles despite a strong lineup.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Dubai Capitals vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders |
| Date | 1st January 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Dubai International Stadium, Dubai |
| Tournament | International League T20 2025-26 |
Pitch Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Batting Friendly pitch, gets slow as the game progresses, and assists with some early bounce |
| Average Score | Average 1st innings score: 150Average 2nd innings score: 145 |
| Favours | Batsmen and bowlers, in the middle overs, spinners can affect the game. |
| Surface | Dry and flat surface |
| Wicket Distribution | Teams prefer chasing due to the dew factor in the second innings |
| Toss Factor | Batting Friendly pitch, gets slow as the game progresses, and assists with some early bounce |
Weather Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 20-23°C during evening match hours |
| Humidity | 50-66%, increasing in the evening |
| Wind Speed | 7-18 km/h, light breeze (NW/SE) |
| Rain Chance | 0-5%, clear skies |
| Dew Factor | High in the evening, favors chasing |
Toss Prediction
At Dubai International Cricket Stadium, teams chasing in T20 matches hold a marginal advantage, securing victory in 64 of 121 games (52.89%), compared to 55 wins (45.45%) for sides batting first, with 2 matches tied. Toss winners have triumphed in roughly 58% of contests (58 out of 100 tracked), often electing to field first to exploit dew and pitch wear that favor the second innings. This trend underscores the strategic value of the toss, as captains prioritize bowling to chase under lights at this venue.
Injury Updates
No major injuries reported. Both teams will be playing their strongest XI.
DCP vs ADKR Match Squads
Dubai Capitals squad: Sediqullah Atal, Shayan Jahangir, Jordan Cox, Leus du Plooy, Rovman Powell, Mohammad Nabi, Jimmy Neesham, David Willey, Muhammad Jawadullah, Haider Ali, Scott Currie, Waqar Salamkheil, Gulbadin Naib.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders squad: Philip Salt, Alex Hales, Alishan Sharafu, Michael-Kyle Pepper, Sherfane Rutherford, Liam Livingstone, Brandon McMullen, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Jason Holder, Piyush Chawla, Ajay Kumar, Olly Stone, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Adnan Idrees, Unmukt Chand, Khary Pierre, George Garton, Ibrar Ahmed, Abdul Manan Ali, Mayank Kumar Chowdary.
Dream11 Team For DCP vs ADKR
DCP vs ADKR Head-to-Head Records
Dubai Capitals hold a commanding head-to-head record against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20, winning 8 of 9 encounters, with ADKR securing just 1 victory. Across the recent 5 matches, DCP has triumphed every time, including dominant performances like 83-run and 9-run wins in December 2025. Overall T20 stats show DCP averaging 185+ runs per innings with higher totals (up to 217), while ADKR struggles at 157 average and a low of 103.
Last 5 Matches:
- Dec 13, 2025, Sheikh Zayed Stadium: DCP won by 9 runs (196/5 vs ADKR 187/8).
- Dec 7, 2025, Dubai Int’l Stadium: DCP won by 83 runs (186/4 vs ADKR 103).
- Feb 2, 2025, Dubai Int’l Stadium: DCP won by 26 runs (217/4 vs ADKR 191/5).
- Jan 26, 2025, Sheikh Zayed Stadium: DCP won by 8 wkts (207/2 vs ADKR 203/4).
- Feb 13, 2024, Sheikh Zayed Stadium: DCP won by 85 runs (188/5 vs ADKR 103).
Related Reads:
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Reason |
|---|---|
| Jordan Cox (DCP) | 311 runs (10 inns); 52 off 36 vs ADKR |
| Waqar Salamkheil (DCP) | 17 wkts (10 matches); 4/29 vs ADKR |
| Shayan Jahangir (DCP) | 302 runs (10 inns) vs ADKR |
| Liam Livingstone (ADKR) | 218 runs (SR 148, 10 inns) |
| David Willey (DCP) | 14 wkts (9 matches); 3 wkts vs ADKR |
| Ajay Kumar (ADKR) | 15 wkts (econ 8.12, 10 matches) |
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