Vipers look to sting Sharjah Warriors

MI Emirates coach Bond wants team to turn up the heat and win big moments

Resurgent Sharjah Warriors will be eager to continue their winning run as take on table-toppers Desert Vipers to keep their play-off hopes alive at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium today.

With the league entering the business end of the first stage, Warriors will be guarded against any slip-up at their home, where the conditions could work in their favour. But the Vipers have a well-rounded team and skipper Colin Munro has been stewarding the ship quite comfortably to 10 points, which should be enough to secure the Dubai team a place in the play-offs.

But in Twenty20 leagues, nothing could be taken for granted. The turn of events could be so fast that the odds could change in no time. The Vipers will also be eager to swell their tally and secure the place to the next stage and forget a disastrous outing the last time around at the same venue against MI Emirates, losing by 157 runs.

Winning run

A clinical win against a strong Dubai Capitals in their previous match, defending a low score should give the Vipers the confidence against the Warriors, who have found some consistency required in such high-profile leagues after losing their first three matches. Warriors secured a four-wicket win against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, after a brief wobble in the middle overs, which they must avoid in a the key clash. Sharjah will be banking on Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis to find his rhythm sooner as they are level on points with Dubai Capitals, however with a game on hand.

Sharjah wickets generally assist the bowlers and it’s going to be a battle of wits between Vipers and Warriors.

MI Emirates, who have moved to the third spot in the table after the big win against Vipers, is happy to take their convincing win to their next match against Gulf Giants in Abu Dhabi tomorrow. “It was a great performance yesterday, and especially from the start of the tournament I have been mentioning that the team is capable of winning the tournament. We just need to turn up the heat, and win the big moments, make some good decisions and execute them,” said Shane Bond, MI Emirates head coach, in a statement released by the team.

Sharjah wickets generally assist the bowlers and it’s going to be a battle of wits between Vipers and Warriors.