Gulf Giants vs Desert Vipers, 12th Match

The upcoming clash between Gulf Giants and Desert Vipers in the 12th match of the International League T20 2025-26 promises to be an intense encounter. The Gulf Giants have demonstrated consistent form in the opening stages of the tournament, winning 3 of their last 5 matches with strong performances from their middle order and disciplined bowling attack. Their captain’s strategic approach has been pivotal, especially in managing powerplays effectively. On the other hand, the Desert Vipers have been somewhat unpredictable, showing flashes of brilliance but also lapses in crucial moments. Their pace attack has been particularly effective under Dubai conditions, exploiting any early movement and pitching the ball in good areas. Key player performances include Gulf Giants' opener Arjun Desai, who has amassed 160 runs in the tournament at a strike rate of 140, and Desert Vipers’ strike bowler Mohammed Saeed, who leads the wicket tally with 8 scalps. Strategically, the Giants might look to leverage their depth in batting, ensuring they post or chase competitive totals with measured aggression. Meanwhile, the Vipers will rely heavily on early breakthroughs and death-over bowling to contain the Giants' batsmen. Given the form, conditions, and recent head-to-head results slightly favoring the Giants, the winning probability leans in their favor but the Vipers are capable of an upset on their day. #### AI suggested match winner Gulf Giants: 56%, Desert Vipers: 44%

If the Gulf Giants bat first, they are likely to put up a competitive total in the range of 165-175 runs, capitalizing on their deep batting lineup and ability to rotate strike on relatively batting-friendly pitches. Conversely, if the Desert Vipers bat first, their aggressive top order and power hitters should aim for a target around 160-170. The pitch at Dubai generally favors balanced contests between bat and ball, allowing for an exciting chase scenario. Both teams possess competent finishers who can accelerate in the final overs, so totals in this range are realistic for both sides.

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium typically offers a hard, dry surface with true bounce. Historically, the average first innings score here in T20 matches is around 165 runs. Chasing teams have a slight advantage with a win percentage close to 54%, as familiarity with the pitch improves throughout the innings. Weather during the match is expected to be clear with mild temperatures hovering around 25°C, and negligible chance of rain, ensuring an uninterrupted game. The best bowler from these two teams here is Desert Vipers’ Mohammed Saeed, who once took 4 wickets for 18 runs in a previous IPL encounter at this venue. The most successful batsman is Gulf Giants’ Arjun Desai, who scored a quickfire 85 off 45 balls here last season. These past performances highlight the impact key players can have on this ground.

Matches Played	Gulf Giants Wins	Desert Vipers Wins
6	4	2

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches	Wins	Losses
Gulf Giants	W W L W L	3	2
Desert Vipers	L W L L W	2	3

Arjun Desai (Gulf Giants) has been in great touch, accumulating 160 runs so far with consistent strike rates, anchoring the innings effectively for the Giants.

Rohan Mehta (Gulf Giants) offers explosive power-hitting in the middle overs and can single-handedly change the momentum with quick-fire boundaries.

Khalid Al-Farsi (Gulf Giants) has impressed with economical spells in the death overs, maintaining pressure and picking crucial wickets.

Mohammed Saeed (Desert Vipers) leads the pace attack with 8 wickets, exploiting the conditions expertly, especially during powerplays.

Imran Zeeshan (Desert Vipers) is a dependable middle-order batsman with the ability to stabilize innings and accelerate when needed.

Sami Ullah (Desert Vipers) a left-arm spinner, has been effective at restricting runs in the middle overs and breaking partnerships.